10 BEST ROCK SONGS OF THE 90s (by year)
The early 1990s were three or four of the most important years in the history of rock. Unlike the 1960s, when rock was popularized, the early 1990s did something almost equally as important as the genre’s inception: a resurrection.
I consider 1990 to be one of the most interesting years in popular music history. The first year of the decade was more of an extension of 1989. A year when bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden were perfecting their sound and polishing their craft, with eventual plans to change the landscape of rock for the foreseeable future.
While you read this list, as you glance through the years, you’ll notice that the songs listed from 1990 will seem almost out of place. It wasn’t until 1991 that hair bands were virtually obsolete because a few bands from Seattle buttoned up their flannel and pleasantly surprised us all.
Alternative rock was born. And for someone who discovered rock in the early 90s, that word – alternative – is one of the best words in the musical dictionary.
Here’s a dedication to an important decade. When if you wanted a song from the radio, you didn’t download it from iTunes – you sat in front of your stereo for hours just waiting for that opportunity to press record on your tape player.
This list was formed with popularity in mind. I wanted to include songs that were not only great, but were at one point radio singles.
Also, remember that it isn’t a “Top 10″ list, the only thing this list achieves is naming the best songs, by year, of the 90s, with honorable mentions. Feel free to comment with your changes/additions.
THE 10 BEST ROCK SONGS OF THE 90s (by year)
1999 | Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Californication”
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: since the advent of the microphone, 1999 has been by far the worst year in the history of music. Luckily, there was still some good music being made. “Californication” beats out “Guerrilla Radio” on a technicality: I am not allowing one band to occupy the top spot in more than one year.
Honorable Mention: Rage Against the Machine – “Guerrilla Radio”
1998 | The Verve – “Bittersweet Symphony”
One of the most well-rounded rock songs of the 90s. Production value and composition are top-notch from this British quartet whom probably have other songs – none of which I can name.
Honorable Mentions: Fuel – “Shimmer”, Goo Goo Dolls – “Iris”
1997 | Radiohead – “Karma Police”
Radiohead hasn’t released an album this decade that will match 1997’s OK Computer, and “Karma Police” is a rock song that will influence for decades. One of the most beautifully somber, masterfully eerie songs of the 90s.
Honorable Mentions: Marcy Playground – “Sex and Candy”, Foo Fighters – “Monkey Wrench”, Third Eye Blind – “Jumper”, Blur – “Song 2″
1996 | The Wallflowers – “One Headlight”
Bob Dylan’s son makes a name for himself on 1996’s Bringing Down the Horse, an album whose single and first track, “One Headlight”, is accompanied by 10 other great tunes from an extremely under-appreciated album. It’s a shame to highlight only one.
Honorable Mentions: Rage Against the Machine – “Bulls on Parade”, The Cardigans – “Love Fool”
1995 | Smashing Pumpkins – “Tonight, Tonight”
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness produced two of the best rock songs of 1995. “1979″ and “Tonight, Tonight” were unparalleled for the 365 days of the middle year of the 90s. I couldn’t decide between the two, so I gave it to Tonight because of its music video.
Honorable Mentions: Everclear – “Santa Monica”, Oasis – “Wonderwall”, No Doubt – “Don’t Speak”, Smashing Pumpkins – “1979″, Radiohead – “High and Dry”, 311 – “Down”
1994 | Soundgarden – “Black Hole Sun”
A lot of damn good rock music was released in 1994, one of the best years of the decade. Every one of these songs could make an argument to be the best of the year, but Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” earns the spot. Why? Because I like it slightly better than the others. That’s about all I’ve got for you.
Honorable Mentions: Bush – “Machinehead”, Cake – “The Distance”, Green Day – “When I Come Around”, Nine Inch Nails – “Closer”, Offspring – “Self Asteem”, Stone Temple Pilots – “Interstate Love Song”, Weezer – “Buddy Holly”
1993 | Nirvana – “Heart Shaped Box”
“Heart Shaped Box” is Nirvana’s best song. Great description.
Honorable Mentions: Counting Crows – “Mr. Jones”, Smashing Pumpkins – “Disarm”, Pearl Jam – “Daughter”
1992 | Rage Against the Machine – “Killing in the Name”
Rage Against the Machine is my favorite band of the 90s, Rage Against the Machine is my favorite album of the 90s, and “Killing in the Name” is the best song of 1992.
Honorable Mentions: Stone Temple Pilots – “Plush”, Alice In Chains – “Would?”, Blind Melon – “No Rain”
1991 | Pearl Jam – “Jeremy”
Pearl Jam’s catalogue is incredible, but “Jeremy” is, for me, their flagship song. One of the most important and moving rock songs of the last 25 years.
Honorable Mentions: Metallica – “Enter Sandman”, Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, R.E.M. – “Losing My Religion”, Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Under the Bridge”, U2 – “One”
1990 | Tom Petty – “Free Fallin’”
To be completely honest, I didn’t even want to do 1990. Boring. Hell, “Free Fallin’” came out in 1989 – but didn’t become a hit until ‘90. Maybe you can email me some better rock music from 1990…
Honorable Mentions: Aerosmith – “Janie’s Got a Gun”, Faith No More – “Epic”
Like this list? Check out these:
Top 20 One-Hit Wonders of the 90s
Top 10 American Rock Bands of All Time
9 Comments so far
Leave a reply
soul asylum “runaway train”
collective soul “december”
Jane’s addiction
Smells like teen spirit is a better song than Jeremythe list needs more foo fighters too
No Guns n Roses for November Rain or Civil War in honorable mentions? Also, I can’t decide the best year, ‘91 or ‘93. Man those were great years.
[...] a new tailgating playlist and love the music of the 90’s? That’s So Fetch has the 10 Best rock Songs of the 90’s grouped by [...]
what the heck!!!Nevermind is Nirvana’s most popular and most important contribution to the alternative music scene of the early 90’s!
1994 liv froever no song can match any 1 who doesnt like that song has no taste in music
Smells Like Teen Spirit does not deserve to be under a Pearl Jam song Kurt Cobain hated Pearl Jam.
Where the hell is Alice In Chains?
Some odd choices here considering there were not only many great rock albums, but many great rock songs..
I personally wouldn’t have had a one hit wonder like “One Headlight” and Radiohead more ‘rock-type’ tunes in comparison to “Karma Police”. And as for Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin”, the chorus is far too repetitive for my liking.
My additions to the final list would include “Teen Spirit – Nirvana” (91′), Champagne Supernova – Oasis (95′), “Creep – Radiohead” (93′), “Monkey Wrench – Foo Fighters” (97′)