The 1990s was a hotbed for great rock songs. There were seemingly countless grunge bands from the Pacific Northwest and beyond bringing their bleak, sludgy sounds to the radio and MTV. There was also Lenny Kravitz, No Doubt, and many more bands that brought a different vibe to the genre. Indeed, there are more great rock songs from the ’90s that could fit in a single list.
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[RELATED: Top 10 Rock Songs of the 1990s]
That’s why we’re bringing you this deep cuts collection of rock songs. Below, check out some of the lesser-known but just as significant tracks from artists like Bikini Kill, Harvey Danger, Metallica, and more.
These are the Top 10 deep-cut rock songs of the 1990s.
1. “Rebel Girl,” Bikini Kill
A feminist anthem from the Olympia, Washington-born punk rock group Bikini Kill, “Rebel Girl” is just as important today as it was when it came out in 1993. Check out frontwoman Kathleen Hanna hold space for woman everywhere.
That girl thinks she’s the queen of the neighborhood
She’s got the hottest trike in town
That girl, she holds her head up so high
I think I wanna be her best friend, yeah
Rebel girl, rebel girl
Rebel girl you are the queen of my world
2. “Flagpole Sitta,” Harvey Danger
From the one-hit-wonder band, Harvey Danger, “Flagpole Sitta” was all over the radio and MTV’s Total Request Live upon its release in 1998. The song came from the band’s debut LP, Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone?
Fingertips have memories
Mine can’t forget the curves of your body
And when I feel a bit naughty
I run it up the flagpole and see who salutes
(But no one ever does)
I’m not sick but I’m not well
And I’m so hot ’cause I’m in Hell
3. “Only Happy When it Rains,” Garbage
The 1995 single, “Only Happy When it Rains” from Garbage’s self-titled debut 1995 album, brings gloom to a new level.
I’m only happy when it rains
I’m only happy when it’s complicated
And though I know you can’t appreciate it
I’m only happy when it rains
4. “Pretty Fly,” The Offspring
Another song that was a hit on MTV’s Total Request Live with Carson Daly, “Pretty Fly” came a few years after the California-born rock band released its 1994 hit album, Smash, which also featured songs like “Self Esteem.” When “Pretty Fly” came out in 1998, it gave the band a new level of success.
Now he’s getting a tattoo yeah, he’s getting ink done
He asked for a 13, but they drew a 31
Friends say he’s trying too hard and he’s not quite hip
But in his own mind he’s the, he’s the dopest trip
5. “The Unforgiven,” Metallica
The 1991 song, “The Unforgiven,” by Metallica was released on the group’s seminal self-titled record that year, which is also known as The Black Album.
New blood joins this Earth
And quickly he’s subdued
Through constant pained disgrace
The young boy learns their rules
With time the child draws in
This whipping boy done wrong
Deprived of all his thoughts
The young man struggles on and on, he’s known
6. “Push,” Matchbox Twenty
When the band’s debut 1996 album, Yourself or Someone Like You, was released, it didn’t do well at first. But then a radio station, seemingly at the 11th hour, began to play “Push” and the song caught on in the south. That led to the band’s debut LP eventually reaching twelve times platinum.
Said I don’t know if I’ve ever been good enough
I’m a little bit rusty, and I think my head is cavin’ in
And I don’t know if I’ve ever been really loved
By a hand that’s touched me
And I feel like something’s gonna give
And I’m a little bit angry, well
This ain’t over, no, not here
Not while I still need you around
You don’t owe me, we might change, yeah
Yeah, we just might feel good
7. “Two Step,” Dave Matthews Band
The second song on the band’s seminal 1996 album, Crash, “Two Step” has become a fan favorite, especially during live shows when Dave Matthews and crew extend the song to upwards of 20 minutes. With violins, Matthews’ rubbery voice, and a skilled rhythm section, this song slaps.
Say, my love, I came to you with best intention
You laid down to give to me just what I’m seeking
Say love, you drive me to distraction
Oh my love do you believe that we might last
A thousand years, or more if not for this
Our flesh and blood, it ties you and me right up
Tie me down, ah well
8. “Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns,” Mother Love Bone
Mother Love Bone was an important grunge band, one that helped to kick off the musical movement, before its frontman Andrew Wood died from a drug overdose mere days before the release of the band’s debut LP, Apple. He is one of the many tragic figures in Seattle around the ’90s.
Chloe don’t know better
Chloe is just like me, only beautiful
A couple of years’ difference
But those lessons never learned
Did you know?
Chloe does the tables in the French Quarter
She’s always been given
So I can’t always make her laugh
But I’m proud to say
And I won’t forget
The time spent layin’ by her side
The time spent layin’ by her side
Dreams like this must die
And a dream like this must die
Dream like this must
9. “Lump,” Presidents of the United States of America
“Lump,” from the group’s 1995 self-titled LP, is a quirky song from the Presidents of the United States of America, the band that brought fans songs like “Peaches.” The song hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart the same year.
Lump sat alone in a boggy marsh
Totally emotionless except for her heart
Mud flowed up into lump’s pajamas
She totally confused all the passing piranhas
She’s lump, she’s lump
She’s in my head
She’s lump, she’s lump, she’s lump
She might be dead
10. “Suck My Kiss,” Red Hot Chili Peppers
The third single from RHCP’s fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, in 1992, “Suck My Kiss” was controversial at the time but seems tame by today’s standards.
Someone full of fun
Do me ’till I’m well done
Little Bo peep
Coming from my stun gun
Beware
Take care
Most motherfuckers
Have a cold ass stare
Oh, baby
Please be there
Suck my kiss, cut me my share
Photo by Gie Knaeps/Getty Images
