Those 90’s Songs

THOSE 90’S SONGS: COLLECTIVE SOUL- DECEMBER

The other day when I put together my Those 80’s Songs post, I had another song pop in my head but I couldn’t think of who it was. While out and about with my friend and podcast co-host Justin yesterday, the song and artist revealed itself to me. The band was Collective Soul and the song is “December.” You might very well recognize this songs as it was all over the radio in 1995. So much so that it reached number 21 on Top 40 radio too. You can find this song on the bands second album which is often referred to as their Blue Album. Another hit of theirs is found on this album, “The World I Know.” If you look into the history of Collective Soul, it’s quite interesting. From the amount of songs they’ve released as singles that we all know to even some deep cuts that have been in TV and Film. Collective Soul are definitely one of those 90’s bands that make you remember those times!

Collective Soul- December:

Those 90s Songs: Deep Blue Something- Breakfast At Tiffany’s

Back in 1995 there was a song that you absolutely couldn’t escape. It was all over MTV, VH1 and the radio. The song is “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” by Deep Blue Something. Interestingly the song is from their 1993 album, 11th Song but, this song wasn’t released as a single until 1995. The song was so popular that it peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Top 100 and elsewhere across the world, the song would dominate the charts. At the end of the day, it’s one of those catchy 90’s songs that you couldn’t escape and even to this day when it gets mentioned, the song immediately pops in your head. I’m sorry but not sorry hahahaha.

Deep Blue Something- Breakfast At Tiffany’s:

Those 90s Songs: The Wallflowers- One Headlight

We all have those days when you have a melody stuck in your head and know it’s for a specific song but, can’t quite think of the song. Yesterday I had a specific chorus melody stuck in my head all day and it wasn’t till this morning that I figure out what it was. And now we are here discussing that song which was “One Headlight” by The Wallflowers. Back in 1996, The Wallflowers released their very successful album, Bringing Down The Horse. This album was one of the biggest albums of 96 spawning 4 singles and 3 Grammy nominations with 2 wins for “One Headlight. Interestingly “One Headlight,” was the second single released from the album. This song (and album) are quintessential for the 90’s. It’s one of those songs that fit quite well in the rotation of the radio at the time and to this day, when it comes on, (if you were alive and aware of them at the time) the words start to come back to you and the next thing you know, you’re singing along.

The Wallflowers- One Headlight:

Those 90’s Songs: Gin Blossoms- Til I Hear It From You

I have this really deep love for the movie Empire Records. Ever since I saw it as a kid, I’ve loved that movie and the soundtrack. There are plenty of songs to focus on from it but one in particular has always intrigued me mainly due to the story of how the song came to be. In between the Gin Blossom’s debut and second albums, there was a song written, “Til I Hear It From You” that would be the lead single for the Empire Records soundtrack. The song was written in a hotel back in 1995 during the annual South By Southwest Festival. The writing of the song according to the story took about two hours with Gin Blossom’s guitarist Jesse Valenzuela and songwriter Marshall Crenshaw having committed a rough version of the tune to tape, and about two weeks later Crenshaw received a copy of the completed track from the band, lyrics having been written by the group’s frontman Robin Wilson. Interestingly too, the Gin Blossom’s were being sought after to be on the soundtrack but due to label issues it was proving to be a struggle. Then as things worked out and the soundtrack to the movie was then switched to the label home of the Gin Blossom’s, A&M Records. The song was a hit for sure and spent soooo many weeks as a staple on rock radio in the mid 90’s. And even to this day, when this song comes on, it takes me back to that time, the movie and eventually wind up singing along!

Gin Blossom’s- Til I Hear It From You:

Those 90’s Songs: Eve 6- Inside Out
Eve 6 | Light In The Attic Records

If you haven’t noticed, I’m a huge fan of 90’s rock music. There was just something honest and pure about that time before everything got convoluted. One of my favorite things to do back then was just put the radio on and soak up all the songs played. I used to love to keep a blank tape in the stereo to record the songs I liked a lot. One of those songs that I would constantly put on tapes was “Inside Out” by Eve 6. I remember this song coming out and being really into it. It’s one of those songs from the late 90’s that you couldn’t escape and now when you hear it, it automatically takes you back in a good way. The song was a big hit in the US topping the Modern Rock charts 3 different times and 4 weeks at number 1. It even got to 28 on the Top 40 charts. Another interesting tidbit, the band’s self titled debut album was written when the members were 16/17 years old! Here’s to Eve 6 and a great and lasting song!

Eve 6- Inside Out:

Those 90’s Songs: Marcy Playground- Sex and Candy
ArtStation - Marcy Playground (Album Art)

Back in late 1997 there was a song on the radio that you couldn’t escape. The song would go on to crack the Billboard top 40 chart (peaking at number 4) and was number 1 on the modern rock charts for a record 15 weeks (later broken by Nickelback). The song I’m referring to is “Sex and Candy” by Marcy Playground. It’s a very quirky, weird song that while simplistic is super catchy too. The song has some very interesting history too. This was the bands only “hit.” The song was so successful that for a while it had it’s own accountant. In a strange turn, the head of radio promotion of the bands label felt that the song actually hurt the bands career and MTV News even called the song a “career killer” making them a one hit wonder in the end. Not that there is anything wrong with that! Singer John Wozniak has even said he was pleased that the track “became a quintessential ’90s moment.” And it has remained a constant on 90’s playlists and soundtracks. Marcy Playground is still out there playing shows and releasing new material with “Sex and Candy” being a huge staple of the live set.

Marcy Playground- Sex and Candy:

Those 90’s Songs: Goldfinger- Here In Your Bedroom
Goldfinger – Here in Your Bedroom Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

The other day I was driving with a friend of mine and a 311 song came on. The bass line I heard reminded me of another song but I couldn’t remember at who at that moment. Later that night it came to me in one of those “oh there it is” kind of things. The song I was thinking of was “Here In Your Bedroom” by Goldfinger. This song is from the bands 1996 self titled debut album. The song was inspired by a girl frontman/songwriter John Feldman was seeing. According to the story, Feldman was working at a store selling shoes, and he had a crush on a woman working in the dress department for over eight months. “‘Here in Your Bedroom’ is all about those wacky emotions that a sensitive guy like me gets at a time like that. When we were in her room, there was nothing else going on in the world but me and her,” he told Billboard when the song achieved success. Upon the song’s twentieth anniversary in 2016, Feldmann called it his favorite song on the band’s self-titled debut album, Goldfinger. This song is beyond catchy and it will be stuck in your head the moment the hook hits. Sorry not sorry hahahaha!


Goldfinger- Here In Your Bedroom:

Those 90’s Songs: Sponge- Plowed
Sponge - Rotting Pinata - Amazon.com Music

I’ll never forget the first time I heard the song “Plowed” by Sponge. I was a kid maybe 10 or 11 and I was watching Empire Records and towards the end of the movie, when they are getting ready for “the get together” to save the store, this song was played. I loved it instantly. What a great use of the song in that scene. Interestingly, the song isn’t included on the soundtrack. That’s something that’s always bugged me. Plowed is also such a quintessential 90’s song that, it has to be included in this topic. The album that “Plowed” is on, Rotting Pinata is a terrific album from start to finish. If you’ve never heard it, you should!


Sponge- Plowed:

Sponge- Rotting Pinata:

Those 90’s Songs: Rocket From The Crypt- On A Rope
ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT - Scream Dracula Screa - Amazon.com Music

It’s very bizarre at times how I get songs stuck in my head. Half the time, they just appear out of thin air and the next thing I know, I’m singing it and it won’t leave my head. This morning while thinking of what to write, the song “On A Rope” by Rocket From The Crypt somehow got in my head. RFTC is one of the most underrated bands from the 90’s. They are unique and fun but also deep on a level that hit’s home in the right ways. This song was the third single from their 1995 album, Scream Dracula Scream. Interestingly too, while promoting this album, Rocket From The Crypt would tour with Rancid and Soundgarden. “On A Rope” would go on to also become a hit in the UK. This song is so 90’s and it holds up quite well in the 21st century as well! So, if you’ve never heard of Rocket From The Crypt, this song and the album it’s on is a wonderful place to start!

Rocket From The Crypt- On A Rope:

Those 90’s Songs: Butthole Surfers- Pepper
Butthole Surfers - Pepper | Releases | Discogs

The Butthole Surfers song “Pepper” is quintessential 90’s. Not only is it a 90’s staple but, it reached number 1 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Charts. I still remember hearing this song when it came out. I was wrapping up sixth grade and this song took over for me that summer. Electric Larryland was played a ton that year. My childhood best friend and I knew all the words to “Pepper,” so much so we would drive his mom nuts singing it in the car when we would go places. The Butthole Surfers are legends in the alternative music world and rightfully so. They are unique and very influential. I’d love to hear a new album from them. I’m sure it would be quite interesting!


Butthole Surfers- Pepper:

Butthole Surfers- Pepper (Live On David Letterman-1996):