Top Grunge Music of the 1990s

A list of the top grunge music of the 1990s.

Nirvana- Smells Like Teen Spirit

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” is a song by American rock band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band’s second album, Nevermind (1991), released on DGC Records. The unexpected success propelled Nevermind to the top of the charts at the start of 1992, an event often marked as the point where grunge entered the mainstream. The song was dubbed an “anthem for apathetic kids” of Generation X, but Kurt Cobain noted that it was “probably just as much for bored rich kids too.”

Nirvana recorded “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in May 1991 at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California with producer Butch Vig. In an attempt to reproduce the sound of bands like Pixies, Hüsker Dü and Sonic Youth, Vig incorporated elements such as using grunge-style distortion and feedback on both guitars and bass to create an abrasive sound. The song’s success brought attention to underground rock music at the time and helped open doors for other grunge bands such as Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains to find mainstream success.

Upon its release, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” received critical acclaim from music critics for its ambitious sound and Cobain’s songwriting ability. The single was a massive commercial success; it did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 until January 1992 because radio stations were unsure of what to make of its sound and increasingly heavy rotation led to airplay. In December 1991, it peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, bumping Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” from the top spot; this made Nevermind one of only two albums in history (the other being Michael Jackson’s Bad) where two different singles topped the Billboard Hot 100 (“Teen Spirit” for four weeks starting in January 1992; “Come As You Are”, which peaked at number 32 in April 1992). The song earned Nirvana several awards including two MTV Video Music Awards for Best Alternative Music Video and Best New Artist in a Video; a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song; Kerrang! Award for Single of the Year; NME Award for Single of the Year; Pollstar Concert Industry Award for Most Memorable Concert Moment. Rolling Stone ranked it number 9 on their list of Greatest Songs of All Time and named it one of The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born”.

Pearl Jam- Even Flow

Even Flow is a song by the American rock band Pearl Jam. It is the second single from the band’s debut album, Ten. The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1992. The song was included on Pearl Jam’s 2004 greatest hits album, rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991–2003).

Alice in Chains- Man in the Box

Alice in Chains is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1987 by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney. The initial lineup was rounded out by bassist Mike Starr and singer Layne Staley. 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 is known for its distinctive vocal style, which often included the harmonized vocals of Staley and Cantrell. In 1992, the album Dirt reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and has been certified quadruple-platinum by the RIAA for sales of four million copies in the United States. The album helped put Alice in Chains on par with Nirvana as one of the top hard rock bands of the early 1990s Seattle grunge scene.[1][2] “Would?”, followed by “Them Bones” and “Angry Chair”, were released as singles from Dirt; all reached top five on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.[3][4]

The self-titled Alice in Chains album was released on November 3, 1995[5] and went to No. 1 on Billboard 200. The album would eventually be certified triple-platinum by the RIAA for sales of over three million copies in the US,[6] making it their most successful album to date.[7][8] Singles “Grind”, “Heaven Beside You” and “Again” were also released from this album and entered into the top ten of Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.[9][10][11]

In 1996, Starr left Alice in Chains due to creative differences; he was replaced by Mike Inez.[12] Inez had previously played with Ozzy Osbourne during his Black Label Society phase between 1995–2001,[13][14] as well as INXS from 1992–1993 while touring behind Welcome to Wherever You Are.[15] With Inez in place,Alice in Chains began work on their fourth studio album, which was initially set to be titled Trip No More.[16][17] However, Staley grew increasingly dependent on drugs throughout 1996 and 1997; his condition led Cantrell to halt work on the album so that Staley could focus on getting healthy.[18][19]

Soundgarden- Black Hole Sun

Soundgarden was an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Matt Cameron became the band’s full-time drummer in 1986, while bassist Ben Shepherd became a permanent replacement for Yamamoto in 1990. The band’s fifth member was keyboardist Ken Andrews, who joined them in 1990 after the recording of their second album, Louder Than Love (1989).

Black Hole Sun is a song by American rock band Soundgarden. Written by frontman Chris Cornell, the song was released as the third single from the band’s fourth studio album Superunknown (1994) on June 8, 1994. It is arguably Soundgarden’s most recognizable and best-known song.

Stone Temple Pilots- Interstate Love Song

Stone Temple Pilots were one of the most successful grunge bands of the ’90s. “Interstate Love Song” was the second single from their second album, Purple, and it quickly became a radio staple and one of their most recognizable songs. The song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1996.