Forgotten Grunge Songs of the ’90s
The 1990s were an exciting and dynamic time in rock music, but there are plenty of forgotten grunge songs of the ’90s that deserve some attention. – Author: Anne Erickson, Photo via Chris Cuffaro
The 1990s were an exciting and dynamic time in rock music, with Nirvana and their 1991 album “Nevermind” really changing the musical and cultural landscape of the decade. But, while big songs such as Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and Pearls Jam’s “Jeremy” were the soundtrack for the decade, there are plenty of forgotten grunge songs from the ’90s that just didn’t get the attention they deserved. Just because these songs weren’t massive hits, that doesn’t mean they weren’t solid tracks. We’re honoring the forgotten grunge songs of the ’90s with a tally of some of these special pieces of music.
The Best Forgotten Grunge Songs of the ’90s
Dinosaur Jr., “Feel the Pain”
Dinosaur Jr. influenced the entire grunge movement and are really one of the most impactful bands of the grunge era. The group formed in the mid-1980s and made cool-sounding grunge music before it was in fashion. Their 1994 song “Feel the Pain” is one of their most commercially successful, but it still never made them a household name, even among many grunge fans. It’s a gem and needs to be heard.
Melvins, “Goin’ Blind”
Melvins were one of those special bands that was able to walk the fine line between grunge and metal. They meshed both genres but are considered pioneers in grunge. While Melvins never blew up like Nirvana or Soundgarden, they’ve had great success. Their song “Goin’ Blind” off 1993’s “Houdini” is a treasure.
Nirvana, “Paper Cuts”
Sure, Nirvana was the biggest name out of the 1990s, but that doesn’t mean all of their songs got the attention they deserved. Almost every song off the band’s debut album, “Bleach,” didn’t get much play, and one of those is “Paper Cuts.” This is a wild, raw track with everything that makes Nirvana such a special band. A lot of the songs on “Bleach” deserve more attention, including this one. It’s certainly one of the best and most forgotten grunge songs of the ’90s.
Tad, “Jinx”
Tad is absolutely one of the greatest grunge bands out of the 1990s, but they never got their due. The stars just didn’t seem to align, and between bad timing and some other issues, they remain a niche grunge band. Andrew Doyle and company are super talented, though, and their 1991 classic “8-Way Santa” is a reflection of that. “Jinx” is a great song off that set, as are all of the cuts.
In an interview with Audio Ink Radio in 2023, Doyle said that he’s happy the band never got as huge as Nirvana or Pearl Jam. “I’m happy being who I am, and I feel like I’ve enjoyed the success that I wanted to,” he said. “Success is what you name it. So, I’m happy to be invisible. Let’s just leave it at that.”
The Flys, “Got You Where I Want You”
This song is post-grunge, so we’re bending the rules a bit, but it needs to be included on this tally. The Flys released their hit “Got You Where I Want You” in 1998, and the song tells the fun story of a friend of the band’s lead vocalist, Alan Paskowitz, who was trying super hard to get a lady’s phone number one night at the bar. The music video for the song featured superstars at the time: Katie Holmes and James Marsden. It’s the kind of songs that was really popular at the time but seems to have been forgotten today.
Also, if you want more forgotten grunge songs of the ’90s, find this Audio Ink Radio feature on the unsung heroes of the grunge music.
- Forgotten Grunge Songs of the ’90s - November 29, 2024
- Kittie Vocalist Morgan Lander Gets Married - November 28, 2024
- Best One-Hit Wonders of the 2000s - November 25, 2024
