Popular Rock Music Of The 90s - The Songs That Defined A Decade

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.


Semisonic - Singing In My Sleep Music Video Tribute

After a brief hiatus, I figured it would be fun to kick off this return with a great music video that you probably have never seen, "Singing In My Sleep" by Semisonic. This video has that classic 90s music video feel and shows them just rocking out. The song may not be my favorite song on the album, that would have to go to "Gone To The Movies", but it is my favorite single. The album Feeling Strangely Fine is underrated as a whole and this song flew under the radar as well. You might know Semisonic best for their song "Closing Time", which was a big radio hit in 1998. While Semisonic hasn't released anything recently, Dan Wilson, front man of Semisonic, recently won the Song of the Year Grammy for his work with the Dixie Chicks, co-writing the song, "Not Ready To Make Nice". It is nice to see that they still have a voice in the industry today.

Here's the video for "Singing In My Sleep". Enjoy it.


Top 10 Songs You Should Know Playlist: Week #7

It's not Monday, it's not even Tuesday anymore but I felt like that even though I missed it, I should still create one this week. I also missed last week due to Christmas so this is way over due. This playlist will feature some of my favorite songs of all time and is probably my favorite one thus far. It is filled with some classics and ones that you probably have never heard. It's a great way to start off the new year. Thanks for listening and come back next week for another one.

Top 10 Songs You Should Know - Week 7 - Jan. 1-7 2006
1. Palm Reader - Third Eye Blind
2. All of You - Vertical Horizon
3. Bleeders - The Wallflowers
4. Chocolate - Snow Patrol
5. Everything - Lifehouse
6. What Sarah Said - Death Cab for Cutie
7. Call and Answer - Barenaked Ladies
8. Bunnies (Live in NYC) - Howie Day
9. Turn My Head - Live
10. This Will Be My Year - Semisonic

Looking for more playlists? We've got plenty.


Top 10 Songs You Should Know Playlist: Week #4

It is once again time for for another playlist. This time I tried to stick to introducing artists I have not mentioned before, but I don't know how long this will last. I tried to mix this playlist up a little with some really famous artists, some not so famous artists, and lead it off with one of my favorite songs even though it was fairly popular when it was released. "Fast Car" kind of goes against what this playlist is all about, since it was her one of her most famous songs but since it came out eighteen years ago, you might not of heard it yet. These are some of my favorite songs of all-time so please at least check some of them out. It is so hard to choose a favorite from this list but if you are only going to listen to one of them, I would have to go with "Compliment" by Collective Soul. This song is just too good to pass up.

Top 10 Songs You Should Know - Week 4 - Dec. 4-10 2006
1. Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
2. Compliment - Collective Soul
3. Lucky Man - The Verve
4. My Big Mouth - Oasis
5. Stealing Babies - Our Lady Peace
6. Swallowed in the Sea - Coldplay
7. Change Your Mind - The Killers
8. With a Bullet - Sam Roberts
9. Gone to the Movies - Semisonic
10. Have You Seen Me Lately - Counting Crows

Looking for more playlists? We've got plenty.