Song #89: "Man on the Moon" by R.E.M.

The next song on the countdown of the Top 100 Songs of the '90s is from a band that needs no introduction. R.E.M. is one of the most popular alternative rock bands ever and while they peaked in terms of popularity around 1994, they have been a force in the rock music scene pretty much since their breakout hit in 1987,"The One I Love". From 1987 to 1996 they released six albums, all of which were certified platinum in the United States. Although they never reached the coveted #1 ranking on Billboard's Hot 100, they came very close in 1991 with "Losing My Religion" and their highest position to date at #4. They have an astonishing twelve Top 10 songs on the Mainstream Rock Charts and ten Top 10 songs on the Modern Rock Charts.

"Man on the Moon" was the second single released off of their critically acclaimed eighth studio album, Automatic For The People, in 1992. The song mixes in references to Sir Issac Newton, Charles Darwin and Moses, with the main topic being the late-great entertainer Andy Kaufman. The song inspired the name for the 1999 film "Man on the Moon", a biopic of Andy Kaufman, and was used in promotion of the film.

The song best can be summed up with the famous double negative line, "If you believe there's nothing up their sleeve, then nothing is cool." It's a great song because of its thought provoking lyrics and its timeless sound and deserves a its rightful place on the countdown.

The music video for "Man on the Moon" is also one of my personal favorites. It has all the important elements for a great music video: its filmed in black and white, it has the lead singer walking aimlessly in the desert, extras in a bar lip syncing the lyrics, and of course random images of lightning. All kidding aside, the music video fit well with the song and gets the job done quite nicely. Check it out!

Interested in other songs from the countdown? Check out the other Top Songs of the 1990s.


"1979" by The Smashing Pumpkins - Song of the Week

For this week's song, I thought I would highlight a great song that truly is 90's music at its finest. Although The Smashing Pumpkins were an alternative rock radio staple in the mid '90s, they only reached #1 once on Billboard's Modern and Mainstream rock charts. They did so in 1996 with "1979" off of their third studio album, a 2 disc release, entitled Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Released in late 1995,Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, sold over nine million copies and to date is The Smashing Pumpkins most successful album in terms of sales.

This album is basically stacked with good songs and scored 6 Top 10 singles on the Modern Rock Charts which included, "Bullet with Butterfly Wings", "Muzzle", "Zero", "Thirty-Three", and one of my personal favorites "Tonight, Tonight". The album sparked their first of nine Grammy nominations and their first win for "Best Hard Rock Performance" for their single "Bullet With Butterfly Wings".

With all of the great songs on this album, "1979" out shines them all. "Tonight, Tonight" may have the better music video, and "Bullet with Butterfly Wings" may be more disturbing, but 1979 encapsulates everything that was great about 90s music: mainly teenage angst, solid drums, words that you cannot understand, and most importantly a creepy bald Billy Corgan. The song is just simply phenomenal. While most of you already know this, I thought I would give it the time and recognition it deserves.

The music video is centered around general teenage mischief and good times. There are instances of crowd surfing, teepeeing, night swimming with your clothes on, bowling at your local gas station with glass bottles and my personal favorite, rolling down a hill in a huge tractor tire, which kicks off the video. You can watch it below.

I will leave you with some food for thought:

"We feel the pull in the land of a thousand guilts
And poured cement, lamented and assured
To the lights and towns below
Faster than the speed of sound
Faster than we thought we'd go
Beneath the sound of hope"

That's it for now. Hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane.


Third Eye Blind Launches New Website - Live Chat With The Band

After shifting operations from 3eb.com to their official myspace page for the release of their new EP, Red Star, it was unclear when and if we would see a new official website. That all changed a few days ago when www.thirdeyeblind.com was officially revealed to the public: a completely fan friendly website. This is a major upgrade from 3eb.com and has everything you would want in a band's website. The new site's best features include: lyrics and commentary on the new songs from the Red Star EP, individual blogs from 3 of the band members, and blogging capabilities for fans as well as a fan forum. It has only been a few days since the site was launched and already 882 fans have registered as members.

This news is just one event in a string of initiatives to connect with the fans that have stuck with them through the thick and the thin. There were some very long stretches with no news from the band and now it seems Stephan Jenkins is specifically going out of the way to connect with his fans in ways that was never before possible. He is very much in tune to how technology has impacted the landscape of the internet and has taken these new opportunities to reconnect with fans. You can hear his thoughts on this internet revolution here: Stephan Jenkins on Music and Technology. He seems very passionate about all of these new opportunities and has proved it through the indaba.com contests and his new twitter account among other things.

The big news from the launch of the new website is that they will be hosting a Live Q&A tonight for fans to come and ask all the lingering questions that have been unanswered in the six years since their last full-length album. I am going to try to get a couple questions in tonight and will be sure to post an update if I get a question answered.

Get excited 3eb fans!


Popular Rap Music Of The 90s - The Beats That Live On and On and On

Remember the days before T-Pain and Nelly? Back when Sean Combs was still Puff Daddy? Back when two kings of the game ruled supreme? When rap still sounded like rap? If you haven't figured it out yet, this article is dedicated to '90s rap music. Rap in the '90s brought widespread popularity to the genre. In the late 80s, Public Enemy, Run-D.M.C. and N.W.A. built a foundation for the gangster rap genre. They paved the way for what would be arguably the best decade the genre has ever seen.

With the exit of Ice Cube in 1989, N.W.A. continued to feud and eventually disbanded in 1991. The stage was set for an epic battle of rap supremacy in the early 90s. An East-West Coast divide had formed with Bad Boy Records on the East Coast, and Death Row Records on the West Coast. Tupac threw gasoline on the fire when he accused Biggie and Combs of being involved with the shooting he fell victim to in a NYC recording studio in 1994. With each record after that, the drama escalated and I think we all know how this story ends.

I think it was summed up best by The Notorious B.I.G. when he said:

I was in shock of everything. I wasn't shocked about him getting shot. 'Pac is a strong dude, yo. He's real strong, so when he got shot I was just like, 'Again?' You know, he's always getting shot or shot at, he gonna pull through, make a few records and it's going to be over. But when he died it took me by surprise. Even though we were going through our drama I would never wish death on nobody. 'Cause there ain't no coming back from that.

Unfortunately for everyone, the feud turned to violence and two of the greatest rappers ever were both assassinated, within six months of each other. The rivalry that sparked some of the best rap music ever was officially over and the game was forever changed.

That is your history lesson for today.

'90s rap is not something that I am a expert on but I know my fair share. That is why I have complied my top five songs from each year of the 90s. The rules are the same as the two previous lists and in case you forgot them, I have explained them below.

How it works:
For each genre of music I will rank the top 5 singles from each year in the 90s. I will provide a link for each song (either imeem or youtube, depending on availability) for your listening pleasure.

Disclaimer: These rankings are based on my personal preferences, not on actual popularity. I think of these lists as recommendations. Hopefully these songs will bring back some good memories, and if you have never heard them before, maybe create some new ones.

Interested in '90s Pop and Rock as well? Be sure to check out these lists as well.
90s Pop Music
90s Rock Music

Starting with 1999:
1. "Still D.R.E." by Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg
2. "What's My Name" by DMX
3. "You Can Do It" by Ice Cube feat. Mack 10 & Ms. Toi
4. "My Name Is" by Eminem
5. "Deception" by Blackilicious

1998:
1. "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" by Jay-Z
2. "Ruff Ryders' Anthem" by DMX
3. "Changes" by Tupac Shakur
4. "You Got Me" by The Roots
5. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" by Lauren Hill

1997:
1. "Hail Mary" by Tupac Shakur
2. "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" by Puff Daddy feat. Mase
3. "Hypnotize" by The Notorious B.I.G.
4. "Feels So Good" by Mase
5. "Burbons and Lacs" by Master P featuring Silkk The Shocker & Gotti from The Gambino Family

1996:
1. "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" by Tupac Shakur feat. Snoop Dogg
2. "Tha Crossroads" by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
3. "California Love" by Tupac Shakur feat. Dr. Dre & Roger Troutman
4. "Hit 'Em Up" by Tupac Shakur feat. Outlawz
5. "What They Do" by The Roots

1995:
1. "One More Chance" by The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Faith Evans and Mary J. Blige
2. "Keep Their Heads Ringin'" by Dr. Dre
3. "1st of tha Month" by Bone Thungs-n-Harmony
4. "I Got 5 On it" by Luniz
5. "Shook Ones Pt. II" by Mobb Deep

1994:
1. "Gin and Juice" Snoop Dogg feat. Daz Dillinger
2. "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik" by Outkast
3. "C.R.E.A.M." by Wu-Tang Clan
4. "Juicy" by The Notorious B.I.G.
5. "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony feat. Shatasha Williams

1993:
1. "Nuthin' but a "G" Thang" by Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg
2. "It Was A Good Day" by Ice Cube
3. "Who Am I (What's My Name)?" by Snoop Dogg (with Dr. Dre & Jewell)
4. "Down With The King" by Run-D.M.C.
5. "Hip Hop Hooray" by Naughty by Nature

1992:
1. "So What'Cha Want" by Beastie Boys
2. "Deep Cover" by Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg
3. "The Phuncky Feel One" by Cypress Hill
4. "Uptown Anthem" by Naughty By Nature
5. "Take It Personal" by Gang Starr

1991:
1. "Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J
2. "O.P.P." by Naughty by Nature
3. "Shut 'Em Down" by Public Enemy
4. "O.G. Original Gangsta" by Ice-T
5. "Check The Rhime" by A Tribe Called Quest

1990:
1. "100 Miles and Runnin'" by N.W.A.
2. "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted" Ice Cube
3. "Around the Way Girl" by LL Cool J
4. "Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em" by Eric B. & Rakim
5. "Streets of New York" by Kool G Rap & DJ Polo

Similar to my 90s pop and 90s rock lists, this is only a small sampling of the genre. I just tried to represent all of the most influential acts of the decade and remind you of some the classic jams of the '90s. While this blog tends to focus on alternative rock, it is nice to take a step back and reflect on another great genre.

Hope you enjoyed this collection of music.

Agree or disagree with my selections? Feel free to share your opinion by making a comment below.


"Crazy Life" by Toad the Wet Sprocket - Song of the Week

Another week down, and it is time for another song of the week. This week is one of my favorites, "Crazy Life" by Toad the Wet Sprocket. This was their last single they released before the band disbanded in 1998. While Toad the Wet Sprocket is best known for their hit singles "All I Want" and "Walk on the Ocean", their library of songs is very impressive. Of their five studio albums, I am big fan of their last three, Dulcinea, Fear, and Coil.

"Crazy Life" was featured in the ever popular Empire Records Sountrack, which is filled with some great 90s music. While it may be "Come Down" that most people remember from Coil, I believe that "Crazy Life" is the stronger single.

This song hooks you from the very first guitar riff. It has such a good opening and from there it smooth sailing. Like a lot of the other Toad songs, you can just kick back and enjoy this one. The song's lyrics speak of the controversy surrounding Leonard Peltier, a Native American convicted of murdering two FBI agents in a shoot out at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

While the lyrics are kind of sad, I love the line:
"In the air I'm sensing a change in the weather,
In the end the path is clear."

Anyway, I thought I would bring up a song that you may not have heard before.

Love it, hate it? Let me know.

Here is a live performance of the song:


"Red Star", "Why Can't You Be", & "NonDairy Creamer" Posted on Third Eye Blind's Myspace Page!

As you may of heard, Third Eye Blind's new EP, entitled Red Star, is set to hit a digital music store near you November 18th, 2008. Much to my delight, all 3 of the songs on the EP are currently up on their myspace page. They even put of a teaser video for their new full length album, entitled Ursa Major. Watch it below.

Ursa Major teaser

I would have to say that the title track is my favorite. "Red Star" has that classic Third Eye Blind sound that you come to expect. It really blew me away the first time I heard it. It sucks you in from the beginning and doesn't let go. Everything fits together perfectly and musically it's the best of the three.

"Why Can't You Be" is actually a live version and is the version that will be put on the EP. It is a song that a lot of people can relate to: a song about being frustrated in relationships.

"NonDairy Creamer" is really growing on me. My initial reaction to the song was more of excitement that the contest had started and that there was new Third Eye Blind material out there, than anything. It has that catchy element that "Semi-Charmed Life" had back over 10 years ago. I don't know if it will have that kind of mass appeal, but its definitely catchy.

Enjoy the new Third Eye Blind while it's still there.


90s Post-Grunge Playlist

After last week's 90s Pop Music playlist, I decided to get back to my real roots and create a playlist with a collection of some of the best rock songs of the late 90s. This playlist has some of my favorite artists from the 90s, and these bands are the reason I first became interested in music in general.

I tried to go with more of these band's more popular and familiar songs but I plan on creating a few more of these playlists, where I dig a little deeper into the genre.

My favorite from this playlist has to be "Push" by Matchbox Twenty, one of the best songs of any genre from the 90s. The opening to "Push" never fails to bring chills down my spine.

Fortunately, this is not the only great song on this playlist. All of these artists have proved their worth over the years, and these songs only sample their excellence.

Enjoy.

90s Post-Grunge Playlist:

1. "Heavy" by Collective Soul
2. "Push" by Matchbox Twenty
3. "Everything Zen" by Bush
4. "Old Apartment" by Barenaked Ladies
5. "How's It Going To Be" by Third Eye Blind
6. "I Alone" by Live
7. "Inside Out" by Eve 6
8. "Good" by Better Than Ezra
9. "Everlong" by Foo Fighters
10. "One Headlight" by The Wallflowers

Here's the link for the whole playlist: 90s Post-Grunge Playlist

Looking for more playlists? We've got plenty.


"Life Is A Highway" by Tom Cochrane - Song Of The Week

The song this week, "Life Is A Highway" by Tom Cochrane, is inspired by last week's episode of The Office, "Employee Transfer". It is predominately featured throughout the episode, to highlight the distance Michael, Holly, and Darrell have traveled. It is the prefect song placement as it is the kind of song that gets annoying really fast but it's nice to hear every once in a while.

"Life Is A Highway" was released in 1991, propelling Tom Cochrane's career into stardom. Unfortunately, this was his only single to break into Billboard's US Hot 100, topping out at #6. Although his popularity faded fast in the US, he did see success throughout the '90s in Canada: charting 13 other singles on Canada's RPM 100 chart.

The catchy tune was not surprisingly brought back to life in 2006, when the Rascal Flatts covered "Life Is A Highway" for Disney's animated movie, "Cars". This version also did well on the Hot 100: bolstered by digital music sales, it reached #10.

The music video is pretty classic early 90s: conjuring up images of scorpions, black leather boots, and tight jeans. It features a guy wearing a wife beater driving down, shockingly enough, a highway. The video doesn't have much substance but be sure to check out 2:37 into the video when the guy wipes out running in the mud.


90s Pop Music Playlist

The week's playlist focuses in on 90s Pop Music. After compiling the top 5 pop songs from every year of the decade, I realized I didn't have a playlist dedicated to the genre yet. This collection of songs is filled with songs that either people want to forget or have embraced over the years due to their nostalgic value. There is not too many people openly praising the quality of these songs. "Crazy For This Girl" is one of my favorites: an often forgotten 90s music gem. I have always been more of the alternative post-grunge fan of the late 90s but you can't help but like these songs.

If you get one thing out of this, just remember:
"When you take a sip you buzz like a hornet,
Billy Shakespeare wrote a whole bunch of sonnets"

Enough said.

90s Pop Music Playlist:
1. "Drive Me Crazy" by Britney Spears
2. "If You Had My Love" by Jennifer Lopez
3. "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys
4. "Genie In A Bottle" by Christina Aguilera
5. "Try Again" by Aaliyah
6. "Crazy For This Girl" by Evan and Jaron
7. "Summer Girls" by LFO
8. "Show Me Love" by Robyn
9. "I Want You Back" by 'N Sync
10. "It Feels So Good" by Sonique

Here's the link for the whole playlist: 90s Pop Music

Looking for more playlists? We've got plenty.


Vertical Horizon's New Song "All Is Said And Done"

After five long years Vertical Horizon first released their last album, Go, Vertical Horizon finally has something new for their fans. While their website is currently under construction, the Vertical Horizon myspace page has been updated with a new song, "All Is Said And Done". While there is no blog post for this update, the song has about 4,500 plays, and according to their wikipedia article, the new song was posted yesterday, Oct. 20, 2008.

A release date for their new album, Burning The Days is expected soon and this update while stealthy, has to be good sign for Vertical Horizon fans. The new song has also been posted on lead singer, Matt Scannell's myspace page. Matt is usually pretty good about updating fans on what he is up to and the progress he has made but this little update came with no announcement and who knows how long it will remain on their page.

As for the new song, it is classic Vertical Horizon. I don't know if it has the mainstream appeal of some of their former hits or even if it will end up being a single but it seems to pick up right where "Go" left off. It has a very unique sound, and sounds a little like a combination of "Underwater", "Echo", and "Forever". Like always the lyrics are meaningful and powerful and Matt's voice hits every note.

What do you think of the new music from Vertical Horizon?