The Best of 90s Grunge Music on YouTube

A look at the best of 90s grunge music that can be found on YouTube. From Nirvana to Pearl Jam, these are the videos you need to see.

Nirvana- Smells Like Teen Spirit

Grunge music emerged in the early 1990s as a reaction against the glitz and glam of the hair metal scene that dominated the late 1980s. Grunge bands were often characterized by their stripped-down sound, heavy use of distortion, and dark, often confessional lyrics. Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” became the genre’s anthem, propelling the band to superstardom and kickstarting the grunge movement. Other popular grunge bands included Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden.

Pearl Jam- Even Flow

One of the most successful bands to come out of the 90s grunge scene, Pearl Jam’s “Even Flow” is a classic of the genre. The song’s driving guitar riff and edgy lyrics made it an instant hit with fans of the band, and it remains one of their most popular songs to this day.

Alice in Chains- Man in the Box

Alice in Chains is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Starr, who was replaced in 1993 by Mike Inez. Although widely associated with grunge music, the band’s sound incorporates heavy metal elements. Since its formation, Alice in Chains has released six studio albums, three EPs, two live albums, four compilations, and two box sets.

The band rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the early 1990s. Along with Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains was one of the most successful bands from Seattle’s grunge scene. The band became known for the dark and foreboding themes of many of their songs, which reflected the personal struggles of Staley, Cantrell, and Kinney. Cantrell started writing songs with Staley that were influenced by his love of melodic hard rock bands such as Kiss, Cheap Trick, Van Halen and Aerosmith. Kinney created a powerful drum sound that emphasized the downbeat — leading to comparisons with Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham — while Starr’s booming basslines completing a musical approach that relied on twin guitar harmonies and heavy riffing.

The band reached a commercial peak with their second album Dirt (1992), which debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 chart. The album went on to be certified quadruple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Alice in Chains assaulted listeners with a sludgy crunch punctuated by Layne Staley’s tortured vocal delivery on tracks like “Would?,” “Them Bones” and “Angry Chair.” This direct sonic attack detailed eloquently Startley’s downward spiral into drug addiction — making Dirt one of grunges most harrowing listenings experiences ever committed to tape.

Soundgarden- Black Hole Sun

Released in 1994, “Black Hole Sun” is one of Soundgarden’s most iconic and popular songs. The music video, directed by Mark Romanek, features footage of a dark monochrome world where people mysteriously turn into statues. The video won four MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Metal/Hard Rock Video.

Stone Temple Pilots- Interstate Love Song

One of the great things about Stone Temple Pilots was that they were willing to experiment with their sound. They weren’t afraid to add elements of metal or acoustic guitars to their songs, and this track is one of the best examples of that. “Interstate Love Song” has a bit of a metal edge to it, but the acoustic guitar provides a nice counterbalance. This song also features some of Scott Weiland’s best vocal work.