This list was SO HARD to make, you guys, and I’m still not sure I got it totally right. I was in my formative teen years in the 90’s, and the stuff that I listened to then would form the kind of music that I would love for the rest of my life, mainly rock-alternative and electronic. Like my 80’s list, a lot of these songs are interchangable depending on my mood. I also decided to keep it to one song per artist, which was ridiculously hard. But here it is, the best I could make it, my favourite songs of the 90’s!
20 – Hate Me by Leæther Strip
I wish I could say I was cool enough to love this while I was in high school, but most of my gothy music I discovered when I started going out to goth clubs, and that would be when I was 22. But this list is year released, not year discovered, so here it is!
Released in 1997, from the album Self-Inflicted.
19 – Resurrection by Moist
This one might not be known to anyone outside of Canada, but Moist was one of the biggest artists here in the mid-to-late 90’s. I remember all us girlies absolutely swooning over singer David Usher. He lives in the same city as I do, Montreal (last I heard, anyways), but I’ve never crossed him. We’re almost 2 million, though, so that’s really not that surprising.
Released in 1996, from the album Creature.
18 – Temptation by The Tea Party
Another Canadian goodie. The singer is (or was, at least) a real douche, but this song is so good that I try to not think of that. The song is amazing, and the video tickled teen me in a way that was a teaser of things to come, mainly my goth aesthetic.
Released in 1997, from the album Transmission.
17 – Tomorrow by Silverchair
Rewatching the video for this list, I’d forgotten just how attractive singer Daniel Johns was in this Australian alt group. There were so many songs by Silverchair that could have been in this list, but I decided Tomorrow was the best of them. I might change my mind *ahem* tomorrow.
Released in 1995, from the album Frogstomp.
16 – Otherside by Red Hot Chili Peppers
This might look like a cheat to people from the US since it was released early 2000 there. But here in Canada, it was released in December 1999. Made it by the skin of its teeth! I’m not the hugest Peppers fan, but this song is so different from their usual stuff. The video is also pretty darn cool.
Released in 1999, from the album Californication.
15 – Jeremy by Pearl Jam
I was having a real hard time deciding between Black, Alive, and Jeremy for this list. But today I decided that Jeremy was the best one. The video, banned in many places for a long time, is haunting and poignant, and unfortunately still very relevant. I guess it was banned because people don’t like to look in the mirror.
Released in 1992, from the album Ten.
14 – Coma White by Marilyn Manson
There could have been so many of Manson’s songs in this spot, but I decided on this one. I know a lot of hardcore Manson fans weren’t huge fans of the album Mechanical Animals when it came out, but honestly, I think it might be his best one (along with Antichrist Superstar). As a bonus, Manson looks stunning in this video. Yum.
Released in 1999, from the album Mechanical Animals.
13 – Eye by The Smashing Pumpkins
Ava Adore almost took this spot in the list, but then I remembered this song and it had to be the one. It unfortunately doesn’t have a video, but I hope you enjoy the audio.
Released in 1997, from the soundtrack of Lost Highway.
12 – Burn by The Cure
This song, made for the film The Crow, was written and recorded in just 2 days. Sometimes you just get lightning in a bottle. Not only is this the best The Cure song of the 90’s, it might just be their best song, full stop. It also doesn’t have a video, but I found one that has clips from the movie.
Released in 1994, from the soundtrack of The Crow.
11 – Every You Every Me by Placebo
Placebo is one of my very favourite bands. In fact, it’s the second part of my handle. When I became VampirePlacebo way back in 2000, I simply put two of my favourite things together, and voila! So many songs could have been in this spot. I’m still not sure I picked the right one, but I was agonizing over it for far too long, so I just picked one and moved on. I also have to mention singer Brian Molko, who I thought was the most beautiful creature on the planet. Oh lord… *fans self*
Released in 1998, from the album Without You I’m Nothing (then again in 1999 from the soundtrack of Cruel Intentions).
10 – Zombie by The Cranberries
On top of being stunningly beautiful, singer Dolores O’Riordan had what I think are the best female vocals of all time. I’m very sad I never got to see them live. This song is beautiful and poignant and while I wish I could say things have changed since this song was released, it’s more relevant now than maybe ever. Bad Wolves made an absolutely amazing cover of it in 2018 that Dolores was supposed to sing in, but she tragically passed away on the day they were to record. Bad Wolves went ahead with the song, and gave all proceeds to Dolores’s children.
Released in 1994, from the album No Need to Argue.
9 – Creep by Radiohead
Singer Thom Yorke famously despises this song and refuses to play it anymore. He felt it was whiny, angsty, and hated the fact that it became such a massive hit that fans would show up to concerts only to hear that song and leave right after. He felt it completely overshadowed their more experimental works, which is what he was more into. I think he’s a bit of a blow-hard. Hating something because it got popular? Talk about whiny and angsty. “Oh, I have a massive hit that millions of people love and want to hear all the time!” Wah Wah…
Released in 1992, from the album Pablo Honey.
8 – Blue Monday by Orgy
Almost every song on Orgy’s debut album Candyass is amazing, so I hard time picking just one. But I decided to go with their very first song, the cover of New Order’s Blue Monday. It’s so much better than the original, too. If I ever make a list of best cover songs, this will be near or on the top, for sure. Plus, singer Jay Gordon is a stone cold fox.
Released in 1999, from the album Candyass.
7 – Engel by Rammstein
Had a hard time choosing just one Rammstein song as well, there are so many bangers to choose from. Rewatching the video, I just noticed the hommage they paid to From Dusk Till Dawn, although I do think that Salma Hayek did it better.
Release in 1997, from the album Sehnsucht.
6 – One Man Army by Our Lady Peace
I originally had In Repair in this spot, but looking it up I realized that it came out in 2000. So I went with One Man Army instead. But really, there are so many Our Lady Peace songs that could have been here. They were my favourite band in high school, and I’ve seen them live at least 8 times (the first time when I was 14!) Singer Raine Maida was my ultimate high school crush.
Released in 1999, from the album Happiness… Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch.
5 – Forgive Me by :Wumpscut:
Another one that I discovered once I started going to goth clubs, it’s definitely one of my favourites. There’s only one :Wumpscut: song I like more, and that’ll be very high on my favourite songs of the 2000’s list. There’s no video for this song. In fact, I don’t think :Wumpscut: ever made videos for his songs.
Released in 1999, from the album Eevil Young Flesh (that’s not a typo, the double E is actually there).
4 – Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode
I was really torn between having this song or Precious in this spot. But, for today at least, this is my pick. Simply one of the best songs ever written, and not just from the 90’s. Just close your eyes and listen. Words are very unnecessary…
Released in 1990, from the album Violator.
3 – Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day
Green Day has never been a favourite band of mine, but every so often they get it right. And this song is nearly perfect. The lyrics are haunting and hit right in the feels. This is also my favourite song to do at karaoke, the simple vocals are easier for me to sing.
Released in 1997, from the album Nimrod.
2 – Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
I know it’s the obvious choice, but it’s popular for a reason! I was debating on putting one of the lesser known songs in this spot, but I couldn’t justify it when this song is as good as it is. I’m still upset that I never got to see them live. Oh, and Kurt was murdered. Look at the details of the case. There’s no way he could have pulled that trigger.
Released in 1991, from the album Nevermind.
1 – Sober by Tool
Singer Maynard James Keenan has one hell of a set of pipes. This one might be another obvious choice, but it truly is an exceptional song. The video is weird as hell, but that’s Tool for you.
Released in 1993, from the album Undertow.
And in case you want to hear Maynard’s vocals live, here’s Tool performing Sober:
Don’t mind Maynard’s pajamas. Also, it’s ironic that he’s singing a song called Sober when he’s very clearly not…
And there it is! I hope you enjoyed the list and that I was able to turn you on to some new music, or bring back memories with songs you haven’t heard in a while. What are some of your favourite songs of the 90’s? Let me know!!
M.
VampirePlacebo * Mel's Entertainment Page 