When it comes to the ’90s, the best songs of the decade were a lot more diverse than you might have imagined. From ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ to ‘I Want It That Way’ to ‘Cannonball’ and ‘No Diggity,’ there was a genre that appealed to every kind of music lover. These songs helped define the musical tastes of many different generations.
‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’
The song’s success was unexpected. Nirvana’s management didn’t identify with the song’s rallying cry, and they didn’t invest in the single release until August 1991. After that, the song entered heavy rotation and went on to become a smash hit.
Written from a personal perspective, ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit,’ was a landmark in alternative rock. It won two MTV Video Music Awards and became a standard on music television. The song’s video, directed by Amy Finnerty, claimed to have changed the face of MTV, making it relevant to a new generation of listeners.
The song’s lyrics were inspired by the two women Cobain knew. Its popularity spawned a movement, gaining a voice for an angst-filled generation. It remains one of the most famous rock songs of all time.
‘I Want It That Way’
The Backstreet Boys released ‘I Want It That Way’ on April 12, 1999. The song was written and produced by Max Martin, and tells the story of a long-distance relationship. The song is instantly recognizable, and it is difficult to imagine the song without it.
The song has a very distinct ’90s sound. The funkiness is reminiscent of Parliament-Funkadelic, and the guitar track is otherworldly in its beauty. The song is a homage to the ’80s, when a lot of people were still in their teenage years.
‘Rush’ is another of the greatest songs of the ‘Nineties. It was first released as the soundtrack for the film ‘Rush’. Later on, it was covered by Eric Clapton on his ‘Unplugged’ album. The song was a hit and quickly became a huge hit. Its gothic and foreboding musical textures complemented the singer’s unique voice.
The ‘Nineties was a time of change for pop music. Grunge and indie rock became a major part of the music industry, while pop music ruled the charts. Britney Spears was the big star of the world when she first came out, and the Spice Girls were big across the pond. Madonna, meanwhile, continued to produce hits and inspired a new generation of pop stars. Celine Dion turned a song from the soundtrack of the movie Titanic into a massive hit. And the boyband scene was dominated by the Backstreet Boys. The rise of these acts paved the way for the emergence of the boyband phenomenon, which continued into the ’90s.
‘Cannonball’
‘Cannonball’ was a smash hit for The Breeders, who were founded in 1989 by Kim Deal (of the Pixies) and Tanya Donelly (of the Throwing Muses). The song was a huge hit for The Breeders, reaching the top forty on the charts. It featured offbeat lyrics, a tape loop intro, and a striking lead vocal from Deal. It was the perfect blend of classic rock hooks and modern rock sensibilities. The music video was directed by Spike Jonze, and it was one of the most popular videos of the decade.
The ’90s were an era of musical explosions, but these songs are not monolithic or uniformly good. The decade was marked by a wide range of sounds, from nihilistic grunge to giddy Britpop escapism and Britney Spears. Some of the best songs of this decade were not immediately recognized by mainstream audiences, but remain beloved by fans today.
Another hit from the nineties came from the band My Bloody Valentine. These Oxford shoegazers were a little different from My Bloody Valentine, but their debut album was largely about songs. ‘Cannonball’, from their debut album ‘Nowhere’, is a stunningly beautiful track. Loz Colbert’s drumming and a string quartet on the outro add an epic sound to the song, while Mark Gardener’s voice suggests sadness.
‘No Diggity’
This song was produced by Dr. Dre, who was trying to break away from his death row label. He initially offered the song to twoPac and Suge Knight as they prepared for their All Eyez On Me debut. However, Dre wanted out of the label, so he sold the song to Teddy Riley. This song has gone on to become one of the greatest songs of the Nineties.
The song has been ranked one of the best songs of the ’90s by Rolling Stone, Slant Magazine, and NME. It was also featured in the list of the top 500 songs of all time by Rolling Stone. It also made its way onto the top 50 singles lists in Australia (ARIA), Austria (O3 Top 40), and France’s Ultratop 50.
In 1996, Tupac Shakur had just been released from prison. He used this song to prove his point about the West Coast and the East Coast. Even after his death in 1996, the song became a legacy in the music scene.
‘Mmmbop’
The lyrics of ‘Mmmbop’ describe the futility of life, and how it is pointless to try to hang on to things that are ephemeral. Things will be gone and people will be gone, and you will be left alone. The song was written by Isaac Hanson, Taylor Hanson, and Zac Hanson. The song was certified number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2002, and it was nominated for two Grammy Awards in the same year.
‘Mmmbop’ is a post-Beck alt-rock anthem that is a glorious relic of an era that is now a thing of the past. Its popularity was boosted by Hanson’s appearance on the MTV Europe Music Awards in 1997 and their second album, This Time Around, in 2000.
Its lyrics are melancholic, but the upbeat music helps mask the song’s melancholy nature. Although the lyrics are a little sad, the song is made up of uplifting music and a strong message. The song’s title refers to the passing of time, so it might be easy to forget the song’s underlying melancholic message.
‘Vogue’
‘Vogue’ is a popular song from the 1990s, and was the last song featuring the late singer Dawn Robinson. It was recorded for the movie Set It Off, and was one of En Vogue’s biggest international hits. Following Robinson’s departure from the band, the group went through several lineup changes. The band also had several members change. This song is a great example of how frequent changes can affect a group.
‘Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)’
“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” is one of the most popular songs from the American rock band Green Day. It was released in December 1997 as the second single from the band’s Nimrod album. It marked a departure from the band’s normal sound, but it has become one of the band’s most enduring hits.
The song is about drinking and death. It was written by lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong and released as the second single from Green Day’s fifth studio album, Nimrod. It has since become the band’s most popular single and its video has won numerous awards.
The video for “Good Riddance” was produced by Mark Kohr, and features Billie Joe Armstrong on acoustic guitar. The video also includes scenes of everyday life, and Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt make cameo appearances. The video is available for viewing on International Supervideos!
‘Ooh, I Love It (Love Break)’
‘Ooh, I Love It’ was released as a single in 1993 and quickly went on to become one of the best-selling songs of the decade. The lyrical content of the song is heartbreaking, with lyrics like ‘I want to be the next big thing’ describing the crush that we all long for. The rap-rock style of the song’s chorus paired with its catchy melody makes this one of the greatest songs of the Nineties.
Although ‘Ooh, I Love It’ wasn’t a top-selling single in America at the time it was released, it reached number two in the UK and US charts by 1999. The song’s writing team included sisters Andrea and Sharon Corr, who were embarrassed when they had to perform the song in front of their parents. The song helped the group break out of the boyband scene and achieve a top-ten hit in the UK.
The nineties were a time of musical revolutions. Hip-hop and gangsta rap were born in the decade, as did grunge, dancehall, disco, and riot-grrrl punk. The ’90s saw the emergence of boy bands and girl groups as the decade came to a close.