10 Best Rock Songs Of The 90's

To hear how rock music diversified during the last decade of the twentieth century, search no farther than the 10 best rock songs of the 90's.  New alternative genres like grunge and industrial were born, and female musicians rocked the house.

1. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana (1991).  With the phenomenal success of “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” grunge rock exploded in popularity.  The song, with angsty lyrics like “I feel stupid and contagious; here we are now, entertain us” became an anthem of sorts for Generation X.
2. “Enter Sandman” by Metallica (1991).  Considered to be one of hard-rocking Metallica's best rock songs, “Enter Sandman” features thick guitar riffs with lyrics that will taunt you with memories of childhood nightmares.  It's one of the most recognizable heavy metal songs of all time.
3. “Vogue” by Madonna (1990).  The irresistible rhythm and catchy tune of “Vogue” makes it one of the best rock songs of the 90's.  Madonna urges her listeners to “let your body go with the flow,” and that's exactly what the song makes you want to do.
4. “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails (1994).  One of the best rock songs ever written in the industrial genre, “Closer” pulses with stormy energy and sexuality.  Trent Reznor sings about losing himself in sex to numb the pain of his feelings of isolation and “absence of faith.”
5. “Professional Widow” by Tori Amos (1996).  Alternative artist Tori Amos rocks out in this evocative and edgy song.  Her criticism of “landslides of principles” is amped up by the rock song's powerful, grinding rhythms and provocative lyrics.
6. “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden (1994).  In one of their best rock songs, Soundgarden combines a lyrical melody with surreal lyrics that speak to feelings of sorrow and alienation.  Backed up with driving rhythms, “Black Hole Sun” is a potent mix.
7. “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton (1992).  Eric Clapton wrote “Tears in Heaven” to express his grief over the death of his little boy.  In this rock song, gentle guitar strains accompany lyrics that, while sad, speak movingly to the love Clapton will always hold for his son.
8. “Give It Away” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (1991).  As the kings of funk rock, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are in a league of their own.  “Give It Away,” one of their best rock songs, thumps with infectious rhythms and teases its listeners with delightful wordplay that's saturated with sensuality.
9. “Losing My Religion” by REM (1991).  In the lyrics to this alternative rock song, REM captures masterfully the anguish felt in a relationship that's unraveling.  You'd be hard-pressed to express the pain of growing apart better than, “The distance in your eyes: oh no, I've said too much.”
10. “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette (1995).  In one of the best rock songs of the 90's, Alanis Morissette demonstrates that “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”  She shakes her fist in her ex-lover's face when she sings, “Every time I scratch my nails down someone else's back, I hope you feel it.”