Home » music » Feel the Beat of the Rhythm of the Nineties

Feel the Beat of the Rhythm of the Nineties

Posted on by

You see what I did there? Yeah, I took the title of a totally great song…from a different decade…and switched it around for my post title, just like Le Clown.

I’m quite certain that everyone thinks that their “era” of music is the best…even those from the ’70′s. I’m no exception. The other day Le Clown posted this, about the superiority of 80′s music. I have to agree that all the songs he listed are truly great ones. I have to disagree that there wasn’t anything good about the 90′s…music wise.

Before I continue I want you all to know that I have a very eclectic love of music. Don’t be surprised if you see a boy band, rap song, heavy metal, country, or jazz. You won’t see all of those, but don’t be surprised nonetheless.

What you won’t see – because it’s a no brainer. Michael/Janet Jackson – U2 – Madonna – No Doubt – Aerosmith – Genesis/Phil Collins. (Seriously, check out how many songs Genesis has out during the 90′s!)

What you won’t see – because I would rather shove an ice pick in my ear than listen to them. Jane’s Addiction – Nirvana – Pearl Jam – Smashing Pumpkins – Creed. Sorry guys…my list, my rules.

I decided the best way to do this was to list a song for each year. After each selection there are a list of honorable mentions. Please don’t make fun of me for these. Here we go.

**********

Thunderstruck – AC/DC – 1990 - I mean what better way to start the list…and the decade for that matter. The build-up this song offers is perfect for both situations.

Notable Mentions for 1990: Cradle of Love – Billy Idol. Epic – Faith no More. Freedom ’90 – George Michael. Hard to Handle – The Black Crowes. Higher Ground – Red Hot Chili Peppers. I Go To Extremes – Billy Joel. King of Wishful Thinking – Go West. The Joker – The Steve Miller Band.

Walking in Memphis – Mark Cohn – 1991 - Alright, lets slow things down a little. Everyone knows this song…but not Mark Cohn – Now you do. He mentions Elvis too, which is a plus. 

Notable Mentions for 1991: Losing My Religion – R.E.M. Bring the Noise – Public Enemy and Anthrax. Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me – George Michael and Elton John. Enter Sandman – Metallica. Give it Away – Red Hot Chili Peppers. Live and Let Die – Guns N’ Roses. Something to Talk About – Bonnie Raitt. The Unforgiven – Metallica.

Life Is a Highway – Tom Cochrane – 1992 - Time to bring up the energy again. What went for Mark is the same for Tom. And he’s Canadian. Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme…Yeah!

Notable Mentions for 1992: How Do You Talk To An Angle – The Heights. Killing in the Name – Rage Against the Machine. Man on the Moon – R.E.M. Nothing Else Matters – Metallica. November Rain – Guns N’ Roses. Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton. Walking on Broken Glass – Annie Lennox.

Hey Jealousy – Gin Blossoms – 1993 – A song about nothing? I’m in! I love the fact that he’s just talking to a girl…and says “Anyway” so much. This is the first song that feels like what the 90′s were. 

Notable Mentions for 1993: Are You Gonna Go My Way – Lenny Kravitz. Can’t Help Falling in Love – UB40. Sober – Tool. Creep – Radiohead. Easy – Faith No More. Everybody Hurts – R.E.M. I’m Gonna Be(500 Miles) – The Proclaimers (1988 originally). Mr. Jones – Counting Crows. The River of Dreams – Billy Joel.

I Alone – Live - 1994 -  This may be the best song on the entire list. Throwing copper is one of my favorite records from this time. I like the easy-going – leading into heavy emotion.

Notable Mentions for 1994: Basket Case – Green Day. Buddy Holly – Weezer. Found Out About You – Gin Blossoms. Hold My Hand – Hootie & The Blowfish. I’ll Stand by You – The Pretenders. Longview – Green Day. Loser – Beck. Zombie – The Cranberries. Machinehead – Bush. Stay (I Missed You) – Lisa Loeb. The Most Beautiful Girl in the World – Prince.

Counting Blue Cars – Dishwalla – 1995 - This is a typical 90′s song…but it always stuck in my mind. I like the line “Tell me all your thoughts on God…Cause I’d really like to meet her.” 

Notable Mentions for 1995: Back for Good – Take That. All Over You – Live. Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Deep Blue Something. Bulls on Parade – Rage Against the Machine. Wonderwall – Oasis. Good – Better Than Ezra. Hook – Blues Traveler. Hurt – Nine Inch Nails. Roll to Me – Del Amitri. Let Her Cry – Hootie & The Blowfish. Lightning Crashes – Live. One of Us – Joan Osborne.

Desperately Wanting – Better Than Ezra – 1996 - I really like songs about people remembering doing something. And this band was way better than that other one…Ezra. (Norm McDonald joke from that time.) 

Notable Mentions for 1996: Barely Breathing – Duncan Sheik. Breathe – Prodigy. Change the World – Eric Clapton. Give Me One Reason – Tracy Chapman. If You Could Only See – Tonic. Until It Sleeps – Metallica. What I Got – Sublime. Cumbersome – Seven Mary Three.

All For You – Sister Hazel – 1997 - Fun! I love this song and still consider it my favorite from High School. You might notice another thing – the re-emergence of the Side Burn. I was right there with all of them. 

Notable Mentions for 1997: Flagpole Sitta – Harvey Danger. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) – Green Day. Everlong – Foo Fighters. Tough Year

The Way – Fastball – 1998 – Yeah, this song always felt half retro – half 90′s. I like it. And you will notice…more side burns. I’m for it!

Notable Mentions for 1998: Closing Time – Semisonic. Lullaby – Shawn Mullins. Turn the Page – Metallica. Fuel – Metallica. Got You (Where I Want You) – The Flys.

I Walk Alone – Oleander – 1999 - I can’t help loving this song. I don’t know why. This band also covered Boys Don’t Cry. In that video you can see the lead singer’s baby blue eyes – and maybe get lost in them. 

Notable Mentions for 1999: Ana’s Song (Open Fire) – Silverchair. Everything You Want – Vertical Horizon. My Own Worst Enemy – Lit. You’re a God – Vertical Horizon.

Greatest Decade Ever*

**********

How does your decade stack up? (I made sure not to include too many links…as not to take away from the videos provided. Sorry about that, but I know you can find what you need just fine.)

If you are looking for a music podcast that can offer many, many, many songs and artist that you may not know of – turn to All Time Top Ten – Hosted by Ben Eisen.

*Click Image for Credit.

About these ads

150 thoughts on “Feel the Beat of the Rhythm of the Nineties”

  1. BroJo,
    I had to ask Sara if she knew these bands, and she did, most of them… I think the 90s had great bands: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden. But for me, the 90s are the birth of my two favourite “pop” bands (and by by, I mean non jazz): Radiohead and The Flaming Lips… I believe that Radiohead must be the most influential band of the past two decades. And the Lips? Best fun music ever…
    Le Clown

  2. The first time I heard Live I was in Tallahassee visiting my they boyfriend. He dumped me during that visit. I have never loved a band so instantly. I still listen to the Mental Jewelry CD and love it. Great choices, but what do you have against Phil Collins/Genesis? BroJo! I love him/them!

  3. This amused me, because I love 90′s music, yet I can’t stand most of your song choices. Guess that shows that the 90′s were the best since there were so many great – and crappy – songs to choose from.

  4. I think there’s equally good music from every decade. I have an appreciation for 70′s, 80′s, 90′s, and 00′s music. Depends on my mood, really. I don’t agree with a lot of your selections here, but I will say that I do like Live. Throwing Copper is a very, very good album.

  5. OH! Better Than Ezra! I looooooove them. I actually had back stage passes to one of there shows back in ’05. I was an editor on my high school newspaper staff. I thought I was the biggest badass chick ever walking back there to interview them. I have a picture with them somewhere too… I will have to find that. Ah, nostalgia.

  6. I’m one of those rare people who doesn’t think the music from my ‘era’ was the best. In fact, a lot of the 80s songs make me retch a little in my mouth. ;) I prefer whatever is popular now, particularly alternative rock. But I’ll dip into the oldies every now and then, and you’ve listed some good ones. :)

  7. Why does Creed suck so badly? I absolutely detest that band with every fiber of my being.

    My taste is all over the place, but the bulk of the music I listen to is from the 70′s-90′s. My absolute favorite band of all time is Fleetwood Mac, and they’ve made great music in every decade for the last 30+ years.

  9. I am going to forgive you your transgressions for talking smack about the Smashing Pumpkins because you included Live and Lenny Kravitz. Next time you may not be so lucky, though ;)

    • Thank you Emily. I wouldn’t want to get on your bad side. The one good thing I remember about Smashing Pumpkins was on “Kids Say the Darndest Things” a while back a little boy sang…”despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a cage!!” That was good.

  11. I kept trying to click all over your page. Like! Like! You just made my head spin with memories. I will be bookmarking this collection. Thanks for putting this together – must have been a lot of work! Oh, and congrats on the Freshly Pressed!

    • Thank you Angelia! That is a good era (minus the big hair bands) I liked Nickleback when they first came out…but have grown further and further away from them. You are more than welcome to have a listen. I still like Savin’ Me.

  13. Gonna bust out some science. Drop me a beat.

    Music is aural art. Art is very personal because it is emotional. Whenever you experience a period of high emotion, you will be exquisitely aware of the art forms around you that resonate with your overall state because you are operating on levels that art speaks to, primal emotional levels full of frenzied hormones, proteins, and other fun chemicals of bodily communication pumping around you at the whims of your brain.

    Translation: people tend to bond strongly and emotionally with music during their pubescent and young adult stages of development. Barring calamities like disease and war, there are few times in a human being’s life that they are more chock full of emotion and chemicals than then. (I mean bodily chemicals, not the other kind, although that IS something to think about.) You absorb and identify with music when you are most susceptible to it. When your internal chemical signature shifts, so do your tastes, but it’s all very individual.

    Since everybody’s experience is different, everyone’s playlist is going to vary but trends will emerge among groups according to what was available to them on the airwaves, in the music stores, etc. at the time. Thank goodness most of us have had the freedom to listen to what we liked, when we liked. There are places in the world where that is a crime punishable by death. I’ve heard guys yell, fists in the air, “Give me Metallica or give me death!” but I wonder how vocal they’d be before a line of AK-47′s.

    PS: Le Clown is right, the 80′s rocked.

  14. The 90s are definitely superior, particularly compared to the 2000s. But, for what it’s worth, my husband and I were introduced as a married couple for the first time (at our wedding reception) to Smashing Pumpkins’ “Stand Inside Your Love.” A lot of those grunge bands had a lot of good music.

    • Cool, I’ll have to check that out. I don’t know why but I never really got into the whole grunge thing. I can appreciate some of it now…like ‘Jeremy’ and ‘Smells like teen spirit’, but I don’t actively seek it out. Thank you for your comment!

  17. ’97 gave us Chumbawamba! I should probably be embarrassed to admit it, but I love Tubthumping! Ooooh, and Karma Police by Radiohead. It also gave us Hanson though, so yes – tough year! :-)

    • I did like Tubthumping! I wasn’t too into Radiohead…but I liked them alright. (Hanson wasn’t too bad…but I wasn’t about to put them on the list, that’s for sure.)

  20. Great post! I was a teen during the 90s and I definitely remember how I felt listening to Gin Blossoms and Live. Two bands that were very much “the 90s”. Lisa Loeb and her horn-rimmed glasses begging me to “Stay.” Joan Osborne was very ethereal in her video “One of Us.”
    I do have do disagree with you on the Nirvana and Pearl Jam though. They did pave the way for other bands like Silverchair and Seven Mary Three. And you DID tout those bands for having memorable songs. Just sayin;)
    I still find myself getting nostalgic when I hear Soundgardens’ ‘Black Hole Sun’ or Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘Disarm.’
    Remember, music is the language of the universe and each song can tell a thousand stories:)

    • Yeah…I knew I was going to hear about the Pearl Jam/Nirvana thing. Just not my thing…but I do agree that they helped bring along a lot of other great bands. Thanks for coming by!

  21. ah, the 90′s (where oh where did my youth go)
    How about some Type O Negative, Crystal Method, Social Distortion…

    and yes, I grew up on the staples of Metallica, Megadeath, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, NIN, and the Black Crowes….

    ~sigh~
    Yes, I do realize my musical taste is all over the place….

      • Crystal Method is techno, do you remember the opening club scene from the 1st Blade movie? THAT is Crystal Method.

        Social Distortion is rock n roll/punk rock with some great storytelling.

        I think I got introduced to Metallica in 1990 (it might have been earlier) – I loved them, until the album after the Black Album…. and the whole Napster thing. They did put on a great LIVE performance (before the mass exodus of band members that is)

  25. So nostalgic just reading it alone! I’m in love with this list. To be quite honest I think I have more of an affinity for all of the honorable mentions as opposed to the chosen songs. But they’re ALL badass, nice post!

  26. An interesting perspective on a decade that really broke me into music. Weirdly, the whole grunge scene passed me by until I met my wife and she introduced me to Pearl Jam, Silverchair, NIN, Tool and their ilk. For me, the 90s was a mash-up of hideous MOR (too much Phil Collins!) and wonderful, bring me alive Madchester and Britpop. I love to dance and this is the music to dance to. For me, at least. Great nostalgia trip! Cheers!

  27. Congrats on the Freshly Pressed! It’s obvious that your readers are of a younger generation than I am. I’ll keep my 80s music (it rocked!), but I admit, I liked a lot of the 90s stuff too.

  28. Pingback: Feel the Beat of the Rhythm of the Nineties | existentialmishap

  29. I like a lot of your notable mentains more than your picks. Also, not to start an argument, I disagree with you on Nirvana not making the cut. They brought a new sound that shook things up a bit and I like that. I don’t agree with idolizing Kurt Cobain (he is a herion addict, not an idol) BUT I love innovative things. Nice list though. Love this post. Congrats on being freshly pressed.

  31. Aw dude 97 had some absolute belters released, although I do concede it was a year of great albums rather than great singles

    Despite Oasis trying to keep Britpop going with Be Here Now, Blur pretty much killed the scene dead with their eponymous album which is still one of my top five albums of all time. Then there’s Ok computer by Radiohead. On top of that there’s records by The Verve, Spiritualized, Eels, The Wannadies….

    That said I did start to really find my own musical taste that year… I think Allthoughtswork may have a point…

    And don’t forget Elton John ruining one of his best songs.

    Or the Spice Girls….

    Peace

  32. “Of course the music of my era was the best! I was young, the music was new, the artists were alive, in their prime (as was I),” says everyone everywhere. ;-)

  33. it took me awhile to reach the bottom of your list. am i suppose to just read it? sorry, i couldn’t help myself, gotta sing a line or two of my faves ;-) congrats on being fp!

  36. Pingback: Feel the Beat of the Rhythm of the Nineties | ogadouglas

  39. Congrats, Jon on being Freshly Pressed! Wow, what a collection of songs you have here. You know the 90s decade well. I have to say I like Jane’s Addiction. I hope you’ll forgive me. I enjoyed all the music! I’m wondering what new music you like now.

    • It’s totally okay if you like them…just don’t make me listen to them. Thanks Bumbles! I was thinking about doing a 2000-2010 post…would be a good one too.

  41. I just did a trip down memory lane…. so many great songs … memories of dancing with my crush to November Rain at a Stake dance. (I only remember because it was his favorite song.) I might have to go find copies of some of these songs now. I embarrassed my kids the other day by singing “Losing My Religion” along with the radio. They just don’t have any taste yet!

    But what happened to M-Bop or whatever that was called?!? ;)

    Thanks for the fun post!

  42. Okay Bro Jo, I get it! Le Clown is the secret code for getting FP’d this season… :lol: Congrats and next time I’m in Utah (you might not even be there but it don’t matter), I’ll look you up and hear you preach. :-)
    Eliz

  47. 90′s had a lot of great songs, which most turned into a bunch of one hit wonders though. Football and Dishwalla were pretty much non existent after their 20 minutes of fame. Love’s Throwing Copper is one of my faves from that era too. It also brought us Alanis Morrisette prior to her becoming calm and I have to throw in Tool’s Aenima.

    • Yeah..You Outghta Know, that song was on the same Grammys CD as One of Us by Joan Osborne. That was a good CD by itself too.

      I loved Aenima. The research I did was on the top 40 I think so that’s why it wasn’t on the post…but I did get Sober. There used to be a great band that played around here from Kansas City…The Sound and the Fury. They broke up around 2006, but their Encore song was always Aenima. Great. Thanks for stopping by!

  51. I’m glad the post you got Freshly Pressed was one that probably took some work to put together.

    The Fastball song, I remember reading the story and how it’s about an old couple who went out to get something then they got completely lost and no one ever saw them again. Kind of grim when you think about it :-/

    • Thanks! Yeah, I didn’t expect this one to get Pressed, that’s for sure.

      Hmmm…that’s interesting. Maybe they just went away to the beach or something.

  52. Brother Jon! I am just catching up with my WordPress peeps. Congratulation on being pressed, a long time coming!
    As for the songs, I graduated high school in 1995, and then apparently fell off the musical earth in the latter half of the 90′s because I hardly recognize any songs. I was a grunge chick in high school all the way though, complete with Doc Martens and an ambivalent attitude.
    Someone earlier said that rock died in the 90′s; I disagree.. I think there’s some great bands out there now and a good resurgence of original music again. Autotune distracted us for a while like the keyboard did in the early 80s, but I think we’re back on track.

    • Yeah…I agree. With people like Jack White, Alex Clare, and Mumford and Sons all doing new things with rock I think things are looking up.

      Thanks RG. Hope all is well with you!

  54. Well look at you, all Freshly Pressed. Well done! Lisa Loeb – “Stay” – was my 90s jam, along with any song on The Wallflowers “Bringing Down the Horse” album. Oh, and “A Long December” and “Mr. Jones” by Counting Crows.

    Thanks for bringing to mind some great musical memories!

    • Yeah…Thanks! The Wallflowers were pretty good. “Stay” was a favorite of my babysitter at the time…she was a Junior in High School so I was very acquainted with that song. That and “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World”. Thanks for stopping by.

  57. Cool article, 90s were definitely an awesome time period for music as a whole. I wrote a post about hip-hop and its value to society, mostly concerning the nineties (actual hip-hop, not this trashy garbage you hear on the radio today) if you’re interested in that as well.

  60. That is a good list of songs from a decade that I have trouble finding quality music in…I agree completely about the glut of bad PC Genesis music during the 90′s—but the people loved it!

  61. I just wrote a little bit myself about 90s music myself and a specific memory a song brought back. I was in high school in the 90s, so pretty much all of the songs you mentioned have memories attached to them. I’m a little weirded out that a lot of it is being played on classic rock stations now (makes me feel older than I probably should), but I do love that there are specifically 90s Pandora and Sirius stations now. Sometimes it’s nice to just soak up the nostalgia and emotion. Thanks for the post. Made me smile.

    • Yeah…thanks. I’ll have to check that out. We have a classic rock station that was playing 3 Doors Down right as it was coming out. Kind of weird, but I know what you mean. Thanks for stopping by.

  62. This is a great list! I will probably make a 90s cd/playlist with this post :) And The Joker only came out in 90? I though it was WAY earlier than that…

  63. Thanks for that trip! I have to agree as well…Throwing Copper was probably the best album of the decade. I’m hard pressed to think of another album (off the top of my head, at least) that I’m still to this day able to listen from beginning to end and sing along with every song and still enjoy every one.

  64. The Nineties are most memorable for me because my son was born in 1995. I realized how much that affected me as I was reading your list. Pre-1995, I had heard these songs myself in the year they were released. Post-1995, I hadn’t even heard of most of the bands, let alone the songs! I was listening to Sesame Street and Blues Clues, both of which have music that is highly entertaining and under-rated. Here’s the fun part: my son has recently introduced me to most of the music we missed in his baby and toddler years. Thanks!

  67. I had to scroll waayyy down to make my comment. Congratulations on getting FPd Brother! The 90s were awesome, and I’d never make fun of your choices. You’re brave for putting them out there, the FP genies obviously think so too. =)

  68. There is not one song on this list that is not attached to some memory from my teen and young adult years. This was more than a post on the best decade of music (and the 90′s are the best, to be sure) it is the soundtrack of my youth. I loved this post!

  69. I really liked the 90s. I still do. In fact, I’m wearing a flannel shirt right now. (The only difference is that I washed it.)

    I agree with you that those songs were great, and that the 90s was more than just Nirvana, but if you look at people like 90s drummer Steve Grohl, I have to say that the 90s did its part in bringing some great musicians to us, even now. And, No Doubt is back…

What Ya Thinking?

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out / Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out / Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out / Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s