The Best 00s Grunge Music You Need to Hear
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If you’re looking for the best grunge music from the early 2000s, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of the top tracks from this era, so you can relive the magic (or discover it for the first time).
Nirvana- “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was the first grunge song to break into the mainstream, and it remains one of the most iconic songs of the ’90s. The song is an anthem for disaffected youth, with its catchy hooks and raw guitar sound. Nirvana paved the way for other grunge bands to find success in the mainstream, and “Smells Like Teen Spirit” remains a classic of the genre.
Foo Fighters- “Best of You”
Foo Fighters- “Best of You”
The Foo Fighters’ first single from their 2005 album In Your Honor was an instant classic. “Best of You” is a rock anthem with a catchy chorus and an anthemic feeling that stay with you long after the song is over.
Soundgarden- “Black Hole Sun”
Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” is one of the most iconic grunge songs of all time. The song was released in 1994 as the third single from the band’s fourth studio album, Superunknown. The song quickly became a hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1995.
Pearl Jam- “Alive”
As one of the signature songs of the grunge movement, “Alive” captured the zeitgeist of the early ’90s. The lyrics, written by Eddie Vedder, are based on a chilling true story: Vedder’s mother revealed to him shortly before she died that his father was not his biological father. The song is an exploration of identity, family, and rage. Musically, it is a tour de force, with Mike McCready’s searing guitar solo becoming one of the most iconic moments in ’90s rock.
Stone Temple Pilots- “Interstate Love Song”
Stone Temple Pilots- “Interstate Love Song”
I think that Interstate Love Song by Stone Temple Pilots is one of the best grunge songs of the 00s. It’s a sweet song about nostalgia and longing for a simpler time. The lyrics are beautiful and the guitar work is excellent. This is a must-hear song for any fan of grunge music.
Alice in Chains- “Would?”
Alice in Chains is considered one of the defining bands of the grunge movement of the early 1990s. The band’s second album, Dirt, released in 1992, was a commercial and critical success. The album was certified quadruple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and included the Grammy-nominated single “Would?”, which peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100.
Temple of the Dog- “Hunger Strike”
Temple of the Dog was a supergroup formed in 1990, featuring members of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. The group recorded just one album, which was a tribute to the late Andrew Wood of Mother Love Bone. “Hunger Strike” was the lead single from that album, and it featured Chris Cornell of Soundgarden on vocals and Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam on backup vocals.
Smashing Pumpkins- “Bullet with Butterfly Wings”
“Bullet with Butterfly Wings” is a song by American alternative rock band Smashing Pumpkins. It was the second single from their double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Released in October 1995, the song peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their highest-charting single until 2006’s ” Widow Wake My Mind”.
In 2012, NME placed it at number 160 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. In 2014, it was voted number 5 in Kerrang! ‘s poll of “The 100 Greatest Kerrang! Songs of All Time”.
Bush- “Glycerine”
Released in 1996, “Glycerine” is one of Bush’s most popular songs. The slow, emotive ballad showcases Gavin Rossdale’s powerful vocal range and is a perfect example of the band’s signature sound.
Nirvana- “In Bloom”
Nirvana’s “In Bloom” is the perfect example of the best 00s grunge music. With its heavy guitars and Kurt Cobain’s signature howl, the song perfectly encapsulates the angsty, chaotic energy of the grunge movement. Plus, the music video is a perfect time capsule of 90s fashion and culture. If you’re looking for a quintessential 00s grunge song, “In Bloom” is it.
