90s Icon
70s
80s
Music
Movies
Television
World Events
Fads/Fashion
Games
Quizzes
Messageboard

Music Poster Books

,
Check out ChuckyG's reviews of books about concert posters and other music picture books.

Top Ten Songs of the 90s

90s Icon
70s Top Songs
80s Icon
80s Top Songs

What are your top ten favorite songs from the 90s?


    By: Jesse Erickson
    • 10. Heart Shaped Box by Nirvana
    • 9. Come as you are by Nirvana
    • 8. Fire Water Burn by Bloodhound Gang
      Much better than bad touch
    • 7. Brackish by Kittie
      Great Girl metal song.
    • 6. Sugar by System of a Down
      Great metal song
    • 5. Glycirine by Bush
      Beautiful slow song
    • 4. Nobody's Real by Powerman 5000
      Another great rock song!
    • 3. Bled for Days by Static-X
      Awesome Trance-core!
    • 2. Dead and Bloated by Stone Temple Pilots
      Rockin' song!! I am, smelling like the rose that somebody gave me on my birthday deathbed!!
    • 1. Anyeurism by Nirvana
      Beutiful, hard, melodic sound that cannot be matched.

    Best band ever....NIRVANA
    By: myriam fournier
    • 10. subb by mr.gun
    • 9. janet jakson by together again
    • 8. pitchshifter by microwaved
    • 7. nine nich nails by closer
    • 6. it's saturday by marcy playground
    • 5. smal city by pearl jam
    • 4. jane says by jane's addiction
    • 3. the one i love by rem
    • 2. faith by limp bizkit
    • 1. glycerine by bush


    By: myriam fournier
    • 10. subb by mr.gun
    • 9. janet jakson by together again
    • 8. pitchshifter by microwaved
    • 7. nine nich nails by closer
    • 6. it's saturday by marcy playground
    • 5. smal city by pearl jam
    • 4. jane says by jane's addiction
    • 3. the one i love by rem
    • 2. faith by limp bizkit
    • 1. glycerine by bush


    By: Tom Panarese
    • 10. Ain't Nothin' but a G Thang by Dr. Dre f/Snoop Doggy Dogg
      I'm not much of a rap person, but any song whose video features a girl getting sprayed with malt liquor has to get mentioned.
    • 9. Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve
      The best case of sampling done right. They took a barely identifiable orchestral version of a Rolling Stones song, looped part of it, and created one memorable piece. Too bad they lost the rights and it's now been whored out to every single commercial/movie/TV show around.
    • 8. 1979 by The Smashing Pumpkins
      You had to have deliberately stopped listening to this song then come back to it after a few years to really appreciate it. In other words, you'd probably hate it because you were sick of hearing it. I love the carefree feel of the song because it's such a welcome departure from Billy Corgan's usual whining (which has its moments, too)
    • 7. Laid by James
      I'm surprised I didn't see this on anyone's list. This is an alternative/brit-pop/college radio classic!
    • 6. Crash Into Me by Dave Matthews Band
      I think that yes, Mr. Matthews does realize that he and his band recorded what has become the ultimate frat boy makeout song. It's still a good song, though.
    • 5. Hunger Strike by Temple of the Dog
      I can't remember if this was considered late 80s or early 90s, but since it's out of Seattle grunge, featuring both Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell, I thought it should be included.
    • 4. Ultraviolet (Light My Way) by U2
      Hands down, my favorite U2 song
    • 3. Who Wrote Holden Caulfield by Green Day
      There were so many memorable Green Day songs I could have chosen ("Longview," "Welcome to Paradise," "One of My Lies," "Dominated Love Slave"), but I kept coming back to this one because it's quintessential Green Day--angst, yet kind of a fun angst.
    • 2. Classic Girl by Jane's Addiction
      I really hope nobody forgets Jane's Addiction ... they were incredible. This is the last song on "Ritual de lo Habitual" (the same album with "Been Caught Stealing"). I love this one the most, though, because of its easiness and its lyrics. ("Dinosaurs on the shirt I wore with a girl ... such a classic girl ...")
    • 1. Yellow Ledbetter by Pearl Jam
      Yeah, yeah, yeah, I avoided the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" cliche, but I didn't just put this song up there for no reason. It's the one they buried as a b-side on the import version of the "Jeremy" import all those years ago. In my doesn't really matter anyway, this is Pearl Jam at its finest, its "Sittin' on the dock of the bay," if you will.

    There are so many songs I considered for this list. Here's a few that have definite worth ... honorable mentions: "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Nirvana); "Plush" (Stone Temple Pilots); "Wish" (Nine Inch Nails); "Brian Wilson" (Barenaked Ladies); "Mr. Jones" (Counting Crows); "Hey Jealousy" (Gin Blossoms); "Silent All These Years" (Tori Amos); "6th Avenue Heartache" (The Wallflowers); "Ordinary Day" and "Feel It Turn" (Great Big Sea); and "Nightswimming" (REM)
    By: Aubrie Allen
    • 10. Pilot fish by the thumbs
      So I know I could have chosen a more profound song for the final spot on my list. But I chose to go with on that just rocks my world. this song just rocks. no if's and's or but's. It wasnt profound lyriclay on my life, but when I was feeling good I just poped this gem on and let the good times roll!
    • 9. Chalkboard by Tie that binds
      OK, yet another song about higschool I related to stroungly. Although I dont listen to it that much anymore, it helped me deal with my rage for years.... I could relate everything from pre school to college to it. I dont know, it's just a great song
    • 8. Fireman by Jawbreaker
      OK, so I had to put them on this list again. This si the first song I ever heard by them. Yea, I got into them basicly after they got all popular, before they broke up. But this has been my favorite band since 96' so I figure I'd put in the song which started the love affair with tJAwbreaker for me. (ok, and at the risk of sounding too girlish, he is soooo hot in this video. I saw him with his new banmd, Jets to brizil this year. He, sadly looks kinda old. Hard to believe the video was only shot like 5 or 6 years ago. Oh well.)
    • 7. Care Free Metal Daze by Pinhead Circus
      This was my higschool life. The only difference is that were were more punk then metal, but then again, all punkers were wither metal or new wavers to start out with. But this is my highschool life.
    • 6. Disease by Bad Rligion
      I serously don't know where my life would be without Bad Religion. I'd probably shop at the gap and listen to creed. Thank god for Bad Religion!!!
    • 5. Claire by Jimmy eat world
      "One last good-bye may last the rest of your life" I heed these words.
    • 4. Weezer by The world has turned and left me here
      Ok, I personaly think this started the emo revolution! If it wasn't for these guys getting big, no one would know what emo is (not that that many people know what it is.) But this song is just so...(for lack of a batter word) powerful, it made me drop my punk ways and become an emo kid. Thanks, Weezer!
    • 3. Girls and boys by Blur
      "Love in the 90's. It's paranoid!" need more be said. They had this strange lanky disco experimental sound. HOw can you not love these lads!
    • 2. Speedway by Morrisey
      The Smiths dies in the 80's. I remember, even though I was only like 10, hearing the anouncement on the radio. but then morrisey came along, and my life was complete again. This has to be the most powerful song I've heard by him. I spen countless hours thinging to myself what exactly it's about...cuz I'm a geek like that.
    • 1. Condition oakland by jawbreaker
      Just the poetry of this song is enough to make it the best song of the 90's, or ever. It puts wird to the things I've only been able to feel before. Blake schwartzenkach is a lyricl genius. Jawbreaker was byfar the most profound band ever in my life.

    The 90...ok, so I always though I should have been born like 10 years earlier cuz I'm an 80's new wave freak as well, but the 90's were a great decade. I can sum my experience durring those years in 1 word: PUNK!!! drinking, shows, moshing, power chords, purple hair dye, and chaos. I miss it so much. And you have to love the 90's beacuse it borught about EMO. Emo has been rocking my world since '95. I cant even imagine my life without it. Haha. Ok, and I know most of you who read this don't know anything of these bands...with the ecception of the first guy on the list who likes Jimmy Eat World. BUt I highly recemend these to you. their the songs that have changed my life.
    By: scott
    • 10. everlong by foo fighters
      I had to put a foo song on here cause along with nirvana, stp, metallica, and everclear they are one of my favorite bands
    • 9. everybody hurts by REM
      Rem is a good band many good songs but this one has alot of meaning and is a great song
    • 8. everything to everyone, wonderful by everclear
      In my opinion everclear is great, they might not be the most musically talented band out there but art alexakis is the best song writer he puts his emotions into every song so perfectly, everclear should get more attention then they do I have all their cd's and you can listen to everyone all the way through
    • 7. Runaway train by soul asylum
    • 6. November Rain by Guns n' Roses
    • 5. Lightning crashes by Live
      Live is a great band they have many great songs this is just one of them, throwing copper is such a good album
    • 4. One by Metallica
      Metallica is great
    • 3. Smells like teen spirit by Nirvana
      The most influential band of the 90's
    • 2. Nothing else matters by Metallica
      A great song
    • 1. Plush by Stone Temple Pilots
      Ive seen them live 2 times they are great, one of my favorite bands ever, core is possibly the best album ever


    By: adam
    • 10. Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers
      Not their best song, but opened them up to the world ...
    • 9. Landslide by Smashing Pumpkins
      I didn't even know it was a Fleetwood Mac song until years later ... it showed that Corgan had some range as a musician ..
    • 8. Alive by Pearl Jam
      vintage Pearl Jam ... what "Stairway to Heaven" is to Led Zepplin
    • 7. Everlong by Foo Fighters
      Great song on the album, then is amazing when heard acoustic ...
    • 6. Possum Kingdom by Toadies
      Great hook .. and the refrain "Do ya wanna die", is classic mosh pit music.
    • 5. Hurt by Nine Inch Nails
      The final song on the best concept album of the 90's "Downward Spiral"
    • 4. God by Tori Amos
      Good stuff ..
    • 3. Reflecting God by Marilyn Manson
      Best song on their excellent album "Antichrist Superstar" ...
    • 2. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
      Not the best Nirvana song ... but got all the white kids who were listening to rap (me included) to broaden their minds ...
    • 1. Welcome to the Terrordome by Public Enemy
      Maybe that greatest rap song by the greatest rap band. When Chuck D opens with "I've got so much trouble on my mind ... refuse to lose" ... its irresistable.

    The 90's saw the death of rap as 'Gangsta Rap' took over ... then Alt-Grunge rock did well, until oversaturation made the Stone Temple Pilots look like pioneers....then this little group called Backstreet Boys came along and changed everything ... only recently has music recovered.
    By: Lewis Shaw
    • 10. Bic Runga by Sway
      Mainly unheard of over here. Her song was the song at the end of American Pie. Really slow, slushy song but one of those songs you never get bored of listening to. Recommend that you download it and listen to it and just lay back and relax. Trust me I did and its permently on my MP3 player.
    • 9. Will Smith by Just The Two of Us
      My dad bought this for me when he let me down once and so has a sentimental feel to me.
    • 8. Nirvana by Smells Like Teen Spirit
      Always a good song to let your anger out to and got meaning.
    • 7. Prodigy by Out of Space
      Classic song. 'I'm heading out of space to find another race'
    • 6. Prodigy by No Good (Start The Dance)
      Another classic from the group of the century. Better then that pop shite produced.
    • 5. Radiohead by Creep
      Quite depressing but such a good song.
    • 4. Coolio by Gangsters Paradise
      My brother had this and I lapped it right up. Was the first sort of gangsta rap song i had ever heard and it rocked!
    • 3. Fugees by Killing Me Softly
      Wish they hadn't split but they are all talented in their own way but as a group they were more powerful in their songs I thought.
    • 2. Tupac by Changes
      The only song people over hear really liked over here and remembered. Trust me he has plenty of others. Download them now while there around. Recommend 'Life Goes On'. Changes meaning though not a song wanted to be released by 2pac.
    • 1. Stereophonics by Local Boy In A Photograph
      I never knew the names of the songs till I got the album as I had it recorded it on tape. This one stood out from them all. Though so did 'Same Sized Feet'.

    So many songs to choose from. People are always going to disagree with what song you put in at no.1 but hey we are all different. When you think of your 10 songs you think good there right but then you hear another song you wish that you put that in there.
    By: Jeff
    • 10. Everything You've Done Wrong by Sloan
    • 9. The Girlfriend Sweater by Sinclaire
    • 8. Santeria by Sublime
    • 7. Mo Money Mo Problems by Puff Daddy, Mase, B.I.G.
    • 6. Nautical Disaster by The Tragically Hip
    • 5. Burn One Down by Ben Harper
    • 4. #41 by Dave Matthews Band
    • 3. Crush by Dave Matthews Band
    • 2. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
      I think Kurt Cobain was an idiot, but it is a good song and definitely change the face of Rock music forever.
    • 1. November Rain by Guns N' Roses
      Best song of the 90's, by the best band of all time


    By: Arielle Winters
    • 10. Honey by Mariah Carey
      This song is by the Supreme Goddess of pop.
    • 9. Genie in A Bottle by Christina Aguilera
      Good message, great beat, cool words. What more could you ask for?
    • 8. Final Heatbreak by Jessica Simpson
      It's cute and bouncy.
    • 7. Say Goodbye by Madonna
      About a Matador at the bullfight. Very moving.
    • 6. Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden
      Soo pretty.
    • 5. I've Had The Time Of My Life by Dirty Dancing, Bill Medley And Jennifer Warnes
      The Ultimate Duet.
    • 4. I'm Never Gonna Dance Again by George Michael
      The music on this is so perfect it is amazing.
    • 3. Un-Break My Heart by Toni Braxton
      This is the #1 romantic song of the decade.
    • 2. After Tonight by Mariah Carey
      It is soooo pretty, the harmony just is wonderful.
    • 1. That's The Way It Is by Celine Dion
      This song is so danceable...

    Previous List or Next List


    This page currently edited by: ChuckyG. Past editor: CeramicsFanatic

We also have pages on this topic devoted to the 80s and 90s

Would You Like To Add Something We Missed?

Please use the submission page to submit information to be used on this page.

The Official amIright
Misheard Lyrics Book

Hold Me Closer Tony Danza and other Misheard Lyrics

Email Siteowner, Privacy Statement

Copyright 2000-2012, by Charles R. Grosvenor Jr.