Rizzo Music is back with a new article from the “Popular Music of the 90s” series. Last week I made a list of some of the best pop music of the decade and today I am going to share with you my list for the most popular rock music of the 90s. Out of all the lists and playlists I have created in the past, this was by far the hardest to come up with. There are so many great artists and songs that originated in the 90s and deciding on just 5 songs for every year was tough. I tried to get representation out of all the key rock artists and hopefully I didn’t forget anyone.
After much debate I was able to compile this list of 90s rock music. There are so many songs that I really enjoy that could not be included due restrictions on space but there are 50 great singles here for your enjoyment.
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 Rap as well? Be sure to check out these lists as well.
90s Pop Music
90s Rock Music
Starting with the year 1999:
1. “My Own Worst Enemy” by Lit
2. “Jumper” by Third Eye Blind
3. “Scar Tissue” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
4. “The Chemicals Between Us” by Bush
5. “Heavy” by Collective Soul
1998:
1. “Inside Out” by Eve 6
2. “The Way” by Fastball
3. “Sex and Candy” by Marcy Playground
4. “Shimmer” by Fuel
5. “Closing Time” by Semisonic
1997:
1. “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve
2. “Push” by Matchbox Twenty
3. “Everlong” by Foo Fighters
4. “The Freshman” by The Verve Pipe
5. “Everything to Everyone” by Everclear
1996:
1. “1979″ by Smashing Pumpkins
2. “One Headlight” by The Wallflowers
3. “Counting Blue Cars” by Dishwalla
4. “What I Got” by Sublime
5. “In the Meantime” by Spacehog
1995:
1. “Lightning Crashes” by Live
2. “Wonderwall” by Oasis
3. “Glycerine” by Bush
4. “Name” by Goo Goo Dolls
5. “Good” by Better Than Ezra
1994:
1. “When I Come Around” by Green Day
2. “Shine” by Collective Soul
3. “I Alone” by Live
4. “Self Esteem” by The Offspring
5. “About a Girl” by Nirvana
1993:
1. “Rooster” by Alice in Chains
2. “Mr. Jones” by Counting Crows
3. “Hey Jealousy” by Gin Blossoms
4. “No Rain” by Blind Melon
5. “Killing in the Name” by Rage Against the Machine
1992:
1. “Jeremy” by Pearl Jam
2. “In Bloom” by Nirvana
3. “Drive” by R.E.M.
4. “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica
5. “Creep” by Radiohead
1991:
1. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
2. “Man in the Box” by Alice in Chains
3. “Enter Sandman” by Metallica
4. “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M.
5. “Right Here, Right Now” by Jesus Jones
1990:
1. “Hunger Strike” by Temple of the Dog
2. “Kool Thing” by Sonic Youth
3. “Head Like A Hole” by Nine Inch Nails
4. “Stop!” by Jane’s Addicton
5. “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC
Well there you have it. The top 5 songs from each year of the 90s. Thanks for listening and enjoy.
Agree? Disagree? Feel free to share your opinion by making a comment below.
Loved this list, great work.
Wasn’t Head Like A Hole 1989?
And for the dude who thinks good music ended when 1999 did: wrong.
this is a very good list, i love all of this music
Matchbox twenty is easly one the crappest bands of all time. Heard more talent coming out of my butthole after a good black bean soup.
Awesome to see Live get some credit. One of, if not the most under rated bands of the 90s
Needs more Chili Peppers.
pretty one sided list… but it’s the side I dig. Rooster #1? Love AIC but….
someone needs to turn this into a downloadable playlist
what about Black Whole Sun by Soundgarden… that was a HIT. Chris Cornell is the most underrated male vocalist out there. At least you had some Temple of the Dog on there to represent him!!!!
If you spell “Black HOLE Sun” correctly first, then he’ll consider adding it to the list.
I feel that TOOL should be involved.
Head Like a Hole is a great song (major NIN fan) but top 5 in 90? Pretty Hate Machine came out in 89. hmm
Great list, though it should be noted that Temple of the Dog didn’t release their album featuring Hunger Strike until 1991, and it didn’t pick up mainstream attention until 1992, riding on the success of Ten and BadMotorFinger.
dude nice! but About a Girl came out in 1989 not 1994. unless your talking about unplugged . sweet list anyways bro
Awesome list, although i do agree Soundgarden should be in here somewhere. Good to see the Wallflowers get some recognition also, Jacob Dylan is great
There were no female artists in the 90s? Curious.
haha green day!
Where’s my blink 182!?
stop soiling the internets with your horrendous taste in music.
I was in high school for a good chunk of this timeline, and I can clearly recall these songs playing in the background of my life. Nicely done.
God, what a depressing list. The 90s were all about Shoegaze & Death Metal ( as well as non rock stuff like iDM, and for a while Rap). Turn off your radios kids, it’s a waste of time. Also, the phase ’90s Rock Classics’ is about as ridiculous as it gets.
yay! good stuff!
ps. stop complaining. opinions are opinions. and this list isn’t going down in history, so what if it’s not 100% accurate.
Choices always were a problem for you.
What you need is someone strong to guide you.
Deaf and blind and dumb and born to follow,
what you need is someone strong to use you…
like me,
like me.
If you want to get your soul to heaven,
trust in me.
Don’t judge or question.
You are broken now,
but faith can heal you.
Just do everything I tell you to do.
Deaf and blind and dumb and born to follow.
Let me lay my holy hand upon you.
My God’s will
becomes me.
When he speaks out,
he speaks through me.
He has needs
like I do.
We both want
to rape you.
Jesus Christ, why don’t you come save my life.
Open my eyes and blind me with your light
and your lies.
good list indeed..
but i’m pretty sure hey jealousy came out in 1989..
and killing in the name was released in 1992…
well i would say this is a good list, minus that you left off pearl jam completely.. so really its not that great of a list.
While “Creep” by Radiohead was a huge hit, I would have to say “Karma Police” was as much of a hit and should be included in the 97′ list. In fact, it should probably be number one.
Good list, but where is the STP? At the very least, Interstate Love Song has to make an appearance.
Only about 6 songs on this list I would consider in the top 50 of the 90′s, but opinions are like assholes eh.
The 90s sucked and the music reflected that. Just vacant noises made by overcomplaining brats. Rock-n-Roll has been going downhill since 1960. All that’s left of Rock-n-Roll is the shadows it cast like an atom bomb blast.
No pearl jam? (daughter? last kiss?)
And no STP? (interstate love song? plush? creep?)
And no cranberries? (zombie?)
For shame for shame.
That said, this brings back memories…ah…I am forever stuck in the 90s.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are so many songs here that i loved when i was young but forgot!!
Just checked them all out on youtube and… im just so happy
this list sucks for the most part
Good list, lot of stuff MIA but that’s unavoidable wit only 5 from each year. All the tracks here are excellent choices.
Also, TeB- Jumper, wasn’t that 97? I was only 5 but……….
You are so right! The 90′s sucked so bad musically that you could only pinch out five songs per year.
I pity TimeLife when it comes to complying the greatest songs of the 90′s. That library of drivel (Thank G-d!!) will only be one disc big.
I agree good list…but I would also like to see some “Under the Bridge” “Spoonman” and “Karma Police…”
Hmm… Pretty good… Seeing Red would be a good one to include.
A list of american tunes that all sound the same: like you all wish you were cowboys. Sad
How is there only on RHCP song on this list? Give me a break! At least Under the Bridge… Otherwise a pretty good list.
I think this is an awesome list, and I’m not sure why everyone needs to troll up the comments, especially considering this had a disclaimer that it was an opinion. Nice. Anyway, coming from someone who uses these songs (and more) as a daily soundtrack- Nicely done.
This is an awesome list considering you did 5 from each year. Also this list is someones opinion… if you don’t like it do your own damn list.
good list. i had forgotten how good some 90s rock was. i had forgotten that there was actual good rock during ’90 and ’91, since the hair bands from the 80s were still popular for those two years, as well as ’97 through ’99, which is when boybands and teen pop queens took over the popular music landscape.
Where’s “song 2″ by blur? :’(
Were is Soundgarden’s black hole sun??
Great list, although there isn’t much I like after ’96. Some of the music in the later years of the decade I would classify as pop, such as Semisonic and Fastball.
Good list but it colud have done with Song 2 by blur! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSbBvKaM6sk&ob=av2e
Seriously, no Guns n’ Roses?!?!
About a girl?? 1989, bleach album
no tool,this is a fail list… No research and not enough songs…
ummmm BTW about a girl was off their first album it wasnt released in 94 thats for sure
as the years go back I recognize more and more songs…not so sure as to what that means really, but great work!
pixies
your list must needs pixies
Black hole sun-soundgarden?
I would put that above a few of these.