Grunge music was born from a very specific time (and a very specific need) in the 90s. The culture around rock music had been evolving for decades at that point. On a cultural level, rock fans were ready for something different in the 90s. They wanted something darker, rougher, unpolished, and indicative of the apathetic times. These three grunge songs came about from that desire, and the whole of the genre exploded into the mainstream soon after.
“Man In The Box” by Alice In Chains from ‘Facelift’ (1991)
This dark and sludgy classic from Alice In Chains couldn’t sound more different from the polished pop-rock tunes that had been dominating radio. And it was just what the masses wanted. No gloss to be found here. “Man In The Box” by Alice In Chains peaked at No. 18 on the Mainstream Rock chart in the US.
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“Hunger Strike” by Temple Of The Dog from ‘Temple Of The Dog’ (1992)
Temple Of The Dog was a short-lived supergroup. But “Hunger Strike” lives on in the hearts and playlists of diehard grunge fans today. While this song is a bit on the polished side, it sounds significantly different from the clean and pristine glam rock music that had been dominating rock radio for much of the 1980s. “Hunger Strike” isn’t pretentious, either. It’s wholly authentic, and it boasts killer performances from each of Temple Of The Dog’s iconic members.
“Hunger Strike” by Temple Of The Dog made it all the way to No. 4 on the US Mainstream Rock chart. It also reached No. 7 on the US Alternative airplay chart in 1992.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana from ‘Nevermind’ (1991)
Well, there was no avoiding this one on our list of defining grunge songs from the 90s. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” bridged the gap between grunge and the mainstream, and it came about at the genre’s peak in popularity. It’s one of Nirvana’s cleaner songs. But it was just distorted and rough enough to prove that the masses were sick of the boring, polished rock songs on the radio at the time.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana was the biggest hit on this list, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
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More The List
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UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1980: Photo of Dead Kennedys (Photo by Anne Fishbein/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
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CANADA – OCTOBER 13: It was a family affair at Massey Hall Saturday night when Kris Kristofferson and his wife Rita Coolidge brought on a deluge of applause from the 2;716 people in the audience. Peter Goddard says everyone felt a part of the process. (Photo by Ron Bull/Toronto Star via Getty Images) -
Singer Joe Strummer (1952 – 2002, left) and bassist Paul Simonon performing with British punk group The Clash, New York, September 1979. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) -
4-3-2-1 Hot and Sweet, Musiksendung, Deutschland 1970, Gaststar: Elton John. (Photo by Arthur Grimm/United Archives via Getty Images) -
country singer/songwriter Corb Lund, who writes stunning story songs -
Singer-songwriter John Prine performs at Symphony Hall on April 26, 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Tom Hill/Getty Images)
