The 1990s didn’t just give us some of the best hit rock songs ever released. The decade also ushered in a new era of heavy metal and introduced the world to grunge. Later in the decade, a handful of bands planted the seeds that would one day become pop-punk. In short, there’s a reason people are nostalgic for the music of the era.
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Let’s travel back in time to the 1990s when some of the best rock bands in the world were releasing landmark hit songs. The tracks below are almost guaranteed to give you the big hit of nostalgia you’re looking for.
[RELATED: 4 Forgotten Hard-Hitting Rock Albums from the 1990s You Need to Revisit]
1. “Enter Sandman” by Metallica (1991)
Metallica ripped through the 1980s with some of the finest thrash metal ever recorded. Then, in the 1990s, the band shifted gears and started releasing hit rock songs. While they wouldn’t find their first No. 1 in the United States until 1996 with “Until It Sleeps,” the band found a new level of success with their 1991 self-titled album. “Enter Sandman” reached No. 10 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and No. 16 on the Hot 100, giving the band their highest-charting single to date.
The band’s self-titled album (The Black Album) was a massive hit, reaching No. 1 in several countries and debuting at the top of the Billboard 200. The lead single, “Enter Sandman,” introduced the new, more accessible direction the band had chosen.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana (1991)
Nirvana released “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in 1991 as the lead single from their breakout album Nevermind. It was a massive hit for the band and would become one of the most iconic rock songs of the 1990s. It topped the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and peaked at No. 7 on the Mainstream Rock chart. Additionally, it reached No. 6 on the Hot 100. The fact that the band’s previous two singles failed to chart made this an even bigger victory.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” wasn’t just a landmark hit for Nirvana. It helped give rise to a new era of music. It was all over the radio and MTV upon its release. As a result, it was many listeners’ introduction to grunge.
“Daughter” by Pearl Jam (1993)
Pearl Jam released “Daughter” as the second single from their sophomore album Vs. The song was a major hit, topping both the Mainstream Rock Songs chart and the Alternative Airplay chart. It also landed on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 97.
Pearl Jam became one of the biggest rock bands of the 1990s with hit songs like this one. The groove on “Daughter” is deep enough that those who aren’t paying attention to the lyrics can just vibe with it. As with many of their songs, though, Vedder’s songwriting is rather deep. The song is about a young girl with a learning disability who gets abused for not being able to grasp what her parents are trying to teach her.
“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day (1997)
Green Day released “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” in 1997 as the second single from their album Nimrod. The track peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Radio Songs chart and No. 2 on the Alternative Airplay chart. Since its release, this late 1990s rock hit has become a staple song at graduations and proms. There’s a chance the song played when you walked across the stage to receive your diploma or during a slow dance with your high school sweetheart.
Billie Joe Armstrong wrote this song about his ex-girlfriend who broke off their relationship and left the country. So, while countless students have used this song as the soundtrack to their final days of high school, it’s really about how angry Armstrong was with his ex.
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