The Top 10 Grunge Music Videos of All Time
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Relive the 90s with the top 10 grunge music videos of all time. Featuring Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and more, these videos defined a generation.
Nirvana- Smells Like Teen Spirit
Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was directed by Samuel Bayer and released in 1991. The music video is iconic for its scenes of teenage angst and rebellion, set against the backdrop of a high school gymnasium. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest music videos of all time.
2. Alice in Chains – “Would?”
Alice in Chains’ “Would?” was directed by Jake Scott and released in 1992. The music video is set in a post-apocalyptic world, and features the band performing in front of a burning car. It is widely considered to be one of the best music videos of the grunge era.
3. Pearl Jam – “Jeremy”
Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy” was directed by Mark Pellington and released in 1992. The music video tells the story of a troubled teenager who eventually turns to violence. It is one of Pearl Jam’s most successful singles, and won multiple awards for its powerful visuals and moving message.
4. Stone Temple Pilots – “Creep”
Stone Temple Pilots’ “Creep” was directed by Tim Pope and released in 1993. The music video is famous for its scenes of self-destruction, depicting the band members smashing their instruments and destroying their dressing room. It won multiple awards for its controversial subject matter and innovative approach to music video storytelling.
5. Soundgarden – “Black Hole Sun”
Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” was directed by Johnathan Dayton and Valerie Faris and released in 1994. The music video is a mix of live action and stop-motion animation, depicting a city being destroyed by a giant black hole. It won multiple awards for its affected visuals and became one of Soundgarden’s most iconic songs.
6. Nirvana – “Heart Shaped Box”
7. Alice in Chains – “Down in a Hole”8 Pearl Jam – “Spin the Black Circle”9 Stone Temple Pilots – ” Interstate Love Song”10 Soundgarden – “Pretty Noose
Pearl Jam- Jeremy
One of the most shocking music videos of its time and still just as powerful today, “Jeremy” was directed by Mark Pellington and is based on a true story. The video follows the events leading up to a school shooting, with lead singer Eddie Vedder taking on the role of Jeremy, the troubled student who eventually opens fire on his classmates. Pearl Jam had always been outspoken on social issues, but “Jeremy” brought their message to a wider audience and helped propel them to international stardom.
Alice in Chains- Down in a Hole
Alice in Chains was one of the defining bands of the Seattle grunge scene, and “Down in a Hole” is one of their best-known songs. The music video, directed by Mark Pellington, is a gritty, black-and-white portrayal of life in the city, with glimpses of Alice in Chains performing in a dark club. The video won MTV’s Best Metal/Hard Rock Video award in 1994.
Soundgarden- Black Hole Sun
Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” was one of the most iconic grunge songs of all time, and the video is just as unforgettable. The visuals perfectly capture the uneasiness and despair of the song, with footage of a post-apocalyptic world that’s been taken over by an all-seeing sun.
Stone Temple Pilots- Creep
“Creep” is a song by American rock band Stone Temple Pilots, released as the second single from their debut album, Core. The song, written by vocalist Scott Weiland and bassist Robert DeLeo, was released as a single in 1993 and became a worldwide hit, reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100.
The music video for “Creep” was directed by Nick Egan and features the band performing in front of a live audience. The video was nominated for four MTV Video Music Awards, winning two for Best Group Video and Best Metal/Hard Rock Video.
Mudhoney- Touch Me I’m Sick
Released in 1988, the “Touch Me I’m Sick” music video was one of the first grunge videos to receive widespread attention. The video features the band Mudhoney performing in a dirty, seedy apartment, surrounded by garbage and debris. The video perfectly captures the raw, unbridled energy of early grunge music.
Tad- Jack
This Seattle-based rock band was one of the first grunge bands to achieve mainstream success. Their debut album, “Busted at Oz,” is considered a classic of the genre. This video, for the song “Jack,” was the first grunge music video to receive significant airplay on MTV.
L7- Pretend We’re Dead
L7’s “Pretend We’re Dead” is a true classic of the grunge era, and one of the most popular music videos of the early 1990s. The video was directed by David Markey, and features the band performing in a dirty, dimly-lit basement. The video became an instant hit on MTV, and helped to propel L7 to stardom.
Other classic grunge videos from the early 1990s include Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy,” and Alice in Chains’ “Would?” These videos helped to define the grunge aesthetic, and are still revered by fans today.
Screaming Trees- Nearly Lost You
In 1992, Screaming Trees released their fifth studio album, Sweet Oblivion. The album featured the lead single “Nearly Lost You”, which peaked at number four on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. In 1993, the band released a music video for the song, which was directed by Kevin Kerslake.
The video features frontman Mark Lanegan walking through a desert landscape, intercut with footage of the band performing in a desert cabin. The video was nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Alternative Video.
Nirvana- Heart-Shaped Box
Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box” was directed by Anton Corbijn and released in September 1993. The video features the band performing in front of a large group of people, intercut with shots of lead singer Kurt Cobain in a hospital bed, with his head shaved and hooked up to medical equipment. The video was nominated for four MTV Video Music Awards, winning two including Best Editing and Best Alternative Video.
