Song lyrics stick with us for a variety of reasons. When attached to a catchy melody, they become earworms. However, many lyrics become unforgettable because of how they resonate with us emotionally. Alternative rock songs in 1995 were full of heavy emotion. Some of them were delivered with angst, while others had tender sentiments.
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The three tracks below were written for friends and a sibling, and attempted to connect using very different approaches. They each remain classics that we can’t stop singing.
“Stupid Girl” by Garbage
Shirley Manson offers tough advice to a friend she thinks is squandering her talents. Yet, on “Stupid Girl”, Manson is working through her own anxiety and insecurity. Suddenly, in 1994, the Scottish singer found herself thrust into a new band in Madison, Wisconsin, with Butch Vig, one of the most prominent rock producers of the time. Vig had produced seminal albums by Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Sonic Youth. Now, he was moving from behind the mixing desk and into a band of his own with Duke Erikson and Steve Marker.
Manson had to find confidence in a new setting, and “Stupid Girl” became a hit for Garbage and an empowerment anthem that helped redefine alternative rock in 1995.
“You stupid girl / Can’t believe you fake it.”
“Cast No Shadow” by Oasis
In the early 1990s, Oasis opened for The Verve. Then the fortunes of the two bands diverged as Oasis became a cultural phenomenon. While the Gallagher brothers ascended to Britpop stardom, Richard Ashcroft’s band was imploding. The Verve broke up after releasing only two albums. (Though they reformed and released the blockbuster Urban Hymns in 1997, featuring Britpop’s last great anthem, “Bitter Sweet Symphony”.)
Noel Gallagher recognized Ashcroft’s struggle to be heard. Written from one friend to another in the shared chaos and uncertain life of being in a rock band. Musically, it’s a precursor to the emotional ballads Ashcroft would write for Urban Hymns.
“As he faced the sun, he cast no shadow.”
“Army Of Me” by Björk
As with Manson above, Björk’s 1995 banger offers tough love. Addressed to her younger brother, Björk tells him to take responsibility for his life, he’s on his own now—“your rescue squad is too exhausted.” The dark electronica feels like a warning. She’s done with this complaining. Get it together!
Björk told Interview Magazine that she visualized polar bears in “Army Of Me”. She said, “I identify with polar bears. They’re very cuddly and cute and quite calm, but if they meet you, they can be very strong.”
“And if you complain once more
You’ll meet an army of me.”
Photo by Gie Knaeps/Getty Images
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