Grunge isn’t known for its feel-good songs. Cynicism, sadness, and grievance fueled a reaction against 1980s excesses, leading to a dramatic shift in rock music. And if Poison was having “Nothin’ But A Good Time”, then the 1990s bands changing the landscape on MTV were here to tell you that the party kind of stinks. Still, happiness occasionally emerged as you’ll hear in these warm and fuzzy grunge tunes.
Videos by American Songwriter
“My Drug Buddy” by The Lemonheads
Most remember The Lemonheads for the band’s cover of “Mrs. Robinson” and for Evan Dando being the best-looking dude of Gen X. But after “Mrs. Robinson” became an accidental hit, the record label tacked it onto the reissue of It’s A Shame About Ray in 1992. “My Drug Buddy” appears on the same album and remains my favorite Dando tune. It features Juliana Hatfield on bass and background vocals in a hazy, jangly jam for slackers.
She’s in the phone booth now,
I’m looking in
There comes a smile on her face.
“Today” by The Smashing Pumpkins
Billy Corgan wrote angsty anthems and equaled Kurt Cobain as alt-rock’s best American songwriter in the 90s. But apart from dropping iconic riffs and rage, Corgan wrote gorgeous melodies, and I was torn between selecting “Today” or “1979” for this entry. I chose “Today” because it speaks to Gen X’s uncertainty and anxiety about the future. Instead, Corgan temporarily cures his malaise by declaring: “Today’s the greatest day I’ve ever known.”
Pink ribbon scars that never forget
I tried so hard to cleanse these regrets
My angel wings were bruised and restrained
My belly stings.
“Crown Of Thorns” by Mother Love Bone
Mother Love Bone straddled the threshold between glam rock and grunge. But before the band could get off the ground, singer Andrew Wood died of a drug overdose. Bandmates Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament regrouped and formed what became Pearl Jam. But Mother Love Bone helped propel rock music into its alt-rock future. “Crown Of Thorns” hasn’t lost any beauty with age, and Wood was like a portal from one era of rock music into the next. Though darkness underpins the lyrics, the track builds to a hopeful-sounding chorus.
I used to treat you like a lady, now you’re a substitute teacher
This bottle’s not a pretty, not a pretty sight, yeah
I owe the man some money, so I’m turning over, honey
Say Mr. Faded Glory is-a once again a-doing time, oh, yeah.
Photo by Jason Kempin/FilmMagic
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