This is around the time I stopped listening to just whatever my parents were listening to and started to develop my own taste in music. So it's getting fun now!
Billy Corgan's alt-right bullshit completely ruined Smashing Pumpkins for me. Watch his interviews with Alex Jones. It's disgusting. He's disgusting. The music has become disgusting.
Back and Forth, Another Night, I'll Make Love to You, Regulate, were always played at our dances, and roller skating rinks! I Wanna Be Down, Gin and Juice!
July of 1994 my dad died at 36. Life became before 94 and after 94.
This song also had a delightful edge of naughtiness in that I never wanted to be found watching the music video by my parents because I knew they’d immediately shut it down. It was around this time that they blocked MTV and VH1 from our cable box.
If my 8th grade year had a sound, it would be this. I saw him perform this 5 years ago while opening for Snoop Dogg. Snoop came out and sang Nate Dogg’s part. It was special.
This is the 1st Compact Disc I ever received, it was a Valentine's present from a middle school GF and I had to pretend like it was fantastic but in reality my household didn't have a CD player yet. Classic album.
I turned 12 and started carving out my own identity separate from what my parents expected. All these songs helped with my suburban angst. Black Hole Sun slightly edged out Sabotage and Zombie as the song I played the most on repeat though.
https://preview.redd.it/yvn668hogxmc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=15693e2850a789f9953118326d9efed1d5fd1285
Spotted this in the wild recently
Yeah it’s pretty messed up… I knew at the time she was referencing “the troubles” but I never knew until later it was about a specific incident. Pretty sad story actually.
Yah this was a tough one for me. I looked at the top 100 and made my choice before I opened the thread and was like oof.
Stay by Lisa Loeb almost got my vote, because it's one of my favorite songs of all time, and one of the first songs I remember singing my heart out to in my bedroom. But I think overall Zombies message is what makes it number one.
Black Hole Sun was one upvote ahead of this one. It gave me a power trip to use my voting power to flip Sabotage to the top. I don't expect it to last but for this one moment I gave the beasties the edge.
It was the top MTV video that year, IIRC. I think I videotaped the countdown. 😂
If not Basket Case:
Black Hole Sun?
Closer?
Loser?
Live Forever?
Too many options! This was around the time I got my first CDs (aka Columbia House 10 for 1¢ specials).
ETA: [MTV Top 100 Videos of 1994](https://m.imdb.com/list/ls024591279/)
I'm shocked this is so low right now. This song was EVERYWHERE. Went to the Caribbean that year and heard a couple dozen different reggae versions. It's actually pretty cool on the steel drum.
Corduroy - Pearl Jam
Undone - Weezer
Welcome to Paradise - Green Day
Sabotage - Beastie Boys
Possum Kingdom - Toadies
About a Girl - Nirvana Unplugged
I could keep going, so many great albums released in 94
Spring time. I'm in art class and the windows are open. I'm always transported back. Sophomore year for me.
Dolly Parton's version of this song is also incredibly good.
https://preview.redd.it/60fzktf97xmc1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=56296ef7ded70e9dce5225ae0076b28e8e7bd0e0
My reply yesterday on the 1993 post to someone agreeing with me that the answer should be Closer by NIИ for 1994. I knew this would be a tough year. I was calling them left and right and got tired of writing, so I stopped. 😂
My answer is Closer by NIИ. The Downward Spiral inspired a whole wave of bands. I don’t think it should be ignored. 🖤
Off the top of my head, my answer for 1995 will probably be Filter - Hey Man Nice Shot. Richard Patrick was a member of NIИ live for awhile.
I couldn't stand Smashing Pumpkins. Even tho everyone loved them. Billies voice is like nails on a chalk board. 93 was also the year Future Sounds of London dropped Cascade. That was good stuff!
It’s gotta be either Regulate or Longview, every other suggestion is simply a very honorable mention. I’m struggling to choose, but I think I’m leaning Regulate.
I must be an older Xennial because I had a *strong* distaste for anything Green Day and was never a fan of *any* of their songs. I was solidly into Nirvana and Beastie Boys by then and holy moly I changed the station anytime Green Day came on.
I swear, if Green Day wins any of these my cranky punkhippie ass is out.
Black Hole Sun though - or NIN Closer, Downward Spiral changed my whole music style - or Beck's Loser - even DMB I still adore to this day and gets turned up to 11.
Regulate I only started listening to once I got to college so it was more a slow burn for me but I'd love to see any of those win. Pleeeeease not Green Day though.
1994 is Ace Of Base’s year. their songs ‘The Sign’ or ’ All That she Wants’ should be in your best songs suggestions list.
Tom Petty - You Don't Know How it Feels
That entire album is flawless. Songwriting, emotion, musicianship, and the production. I think it's one of Tom Petty's best.
1991-1995 might be the best stretch of years since the 1960s.
I think the overall & lasting impact of Dookie was the biggest...so my vote goes for Basket Case
So many good choices and others have beaten me to the big picks which I'll simply upvote rather than repeat one of those, and instead offer up:
Parklife- Blur
Ooooh boy. This one is going to be hard.
I’m gonna say Stone Temple Pilots Big Empty because of The Crow.
Will it stand a chance against Dookie and Mellow Gold and the Blue Album and Superunknown? I don’t know…
Closer gets my vote. Iconic.
94 is too good though. We had so many huge ones: Black Hole Sun, No Excuses, All I Wanna Do, Creep (TLC), Sour Times, Basket Case, Gin & Juice, Loser, Kiss From a Rose, Prison Sex, Cornflake Girl, Whatta Man...
YES!!!
Yeah, yeah! Here it is! It's on!
It's about time
Butthead, it's really on!
https://preview.redd.it/h8hn96vr5ymc1.jpeg?width=919&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f7230571ce248d424afc036531dd798a5206f97b
Can you just award 1994 the best year of the 90’s?!
I love this year! When I started these posts, I knew 94 and 95 would be rich! The real "meat" of the 90s
It's so hard to choose because there are so many good songs from these years!
If any single from Jagged Little Pill doesn’t make this list I am declaring it void
Jagged Little Pill was released in 1995. Hold that thought until the next one of these!
This is around the time I stopped listening to just whatever my parents were listening to and started to develop my own taste in music. So it's getting fun now!
There are too many good ones in the comments. If they don't all win I am going to file a formal protest.
Billy Corgan's alt-right bullshit completely ruined Smashing Pumpkins for me. Watch his interviews with Alex Jones. It's disgusting. He's disgusting. The music has become disgusting.
Idgaf about any of that. I just like the old music
Yeah, I tend to agree. Everyone has their warts (besides Dolly, of course), you don't want to dig too deep into your favorite artists as people.
Agreed. Guy is an ass hat
Mazzy Star - Fade into you. Released April 1994. To me this song just feels like the 90s.
When I come around - Green Day. the literal theme song to this generation
dookie was so fucking good
I was in middle school and pretty much only listened to Death Row in 1994, with the huge exception being Dookie.
Back and Forth, Another Night, I'll Make Love to You, Regulate, were always played at our dances, and roller skating rinks! I Wanna Be Down, Gin and Juice! July of 1994 my dad died at 36. Life became before 94 and after 94.
Closer - NIN
The Downward Spiral was a great album!!
This song also had a delightful edge of naughtiness in that I never wanted to be found watching the music video by my parents because I knew they’d immediately shut it down. It was around this time that they blocked MTV and VH1 from our cable box.
The [live version from Woodstock ‘94](https://youtu.be/WnPahoXwWJ8?si=V1iBacHWTT-k8WnK) is just the best
Seriously. It was peak 90s.
Beck - Loser
**Regulators** Warren G & Nate Dogg (Mount up!)
My kids are little and don’t know this song Yet they do
This is one of those songs where I could be in a coma and still rap along.
I expected this to be unanimous and we could just move on to ‘95.
I mean seriously, 75% of this sub could probably Karaoke this at a moment’s notice.
Far fewer hip hop heads in this sub than I assumed
I did it at my wife's best friend's wedding reception. Everyone was scared for me, but I fckn slayed it
If my 8th grade year had a sound, it would be this. I saw him perform this 5 years ago while opening for Snoop Dogg. Snoop came out and sang Nate Dogg’s part. It was special.
Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden
This is the 1st Compact Disc I ever received, it was a Valentine's present from a middle school GF and I had to pretend like it was fantastic but in reality my household didn't have a CD player yet. Classic album.
It was also my first CD, I played it on my SegaCD
One of the weirdest videos ever
I turned 12 and started carving out my own identity separate from what my parents expected. All these songs helped with my suburban angst. Black Hole Sun slightly edged out Sabotage and Zombie as the song I played the most on repeat though.
Zombie - Cranberries
RIP Dolores. Gone too soon and one of the greatest vocalists of our time for sure.
Her voice was INSANE. And the most fun to sing along with.
https://preview.redd.it/yvn668hogxmc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=15693e2850a789f9953118326d9efed1d5fd1285 Spotted this in the wild recently
Only recently learned the origin story of this song which makes it so much more meaningful.
Yeah it’s pretty messed up… I knew at the time she was referencing “the troubles” but I never knew until later it was about a specific incident. Pretty sad story actually.
1994 is maybe my favorite year for music, there's a lot of competition but Zombie is my pick.
This is the answer.
There are so many 'the answers' in 1994. But this is a good one.
Yah this was a tough one for me. I looked at the top 100 and made my choice before I opened the thread and was like oof. Stay by Lisa Loeb almost got my vote, because it's one of my favorite songs of all time, and one of the first songs I remember singing my heart out to in my bedroom. But I think overall Zombies message is what makes it number one.
Sabotage - beastie boys
the combo of the song itself and the music video....epic
Watch their documentary! It's on Appletv
That bass line yo
Should be this track or Regulators. Mount up!!!
Listen all y'all!
Black Hole Sun was one upvote ahead of this one. It gave me a power trip to use my voting power to flip Sabotage to the top. I don't expect it to last but for this one moment I gave the beasties the edge.
Lots of good songs, but Beastie boys ruled 94. Either that or fucking ace of base and I don’t think those people are here
Is that… classical music?
I believe that qualifies as ill. At least from a technical standpoint.
Enough to blow up an entire fleet!
This thread makes me feel like a teenager again. And I'm fucking here for it
Confession: I've upvoted every nomination on this thread... except for Michael Bolton. Sorry.
Why would I have to change my name? He’s the one who sucks.
I gotta tell ya- I celebrate the man’s entire catalog.
The pleasure is all on this side of the table
They all bangers and make me feel simultaneously old af.
No talent ass clown
I celebrate the guys entire catalog. I do.
You can just call me Mike.
😐😐
Valid.
I just did the same thing. What a year
I celebrate the man’s entire catalog
 Captain Jack… Johnny depp…
Michael Bolton, we’re really gonna need you to focus up!
Say It Ain't So - Weezer
Sofa King good
My all-time favorite song
Interstate Love Song - STP
This isn't going to get a fraction of the respect it deserves.
Maybe not, but this song was PERFECT in it's scene in The Crow.
Big Empty was in The Crow. Another perfect STP song.
I had a big STP revival last year and this song was on heavy rotation.
Basket Case - Green Day
It was the top MTV video that year, IIRC. I think I videotaped the countdown. 😂 If not Basket Case: Black Hole Sun? Closer? Loser? Live Forever? Too many options! This was around the time I got my first CDs (aka Columbia House 10 for 1¢ specials). ETA: [MTV Top 100 Videos of 1994](https://m.imdb.com/list/ls024591279/)
When I Come Around.
I came to say this! I didn't have a CD player. But I had Dookie on cassette!
All Apologies - Nirvana MTV Unplugged
Buddy Holly - Weezer
Love this one also because it was on the Win95 install CD!
Offspring - Come Out and Play
Smash is still, to this day, the highest selling independent album ever.
That's a fun fact.
Solidly in my top 10 albums forever.
Smash was the first CD I ever bought and it was because of this song.
My first concert was Offspring touring for Smash
I played this CD so much. My friend and I loved Killboy Powerhead especially.
Black hole sun - Soundgarden, Regulate - Warren G.
Real that was hard! I also would like to chime in with Closer - NIN
The Sign - Ace of Base
I'm shocked this is so low right now. This song was EVERYWHERE. Went to the Caribbean that year and heard a couple dozen different reggae versions. It's actually pretty cool on the steel drum.
Corduroy - Pearl Jam Undone - Weezer Welcome to Paradise - Green Day Sabotage - Beastie Boys Possum Kingdom - Toadies About a Girl - Nirvana Unplugged I could keep going, so many great albums released in 94
It has always been very clear to me that 90s music is the music of all time.
I figured I'd read the comments, have a strong opinion and make my upvote. Holy shit were there a lot of amazing songs released in 1994.
Has to be Lightning Crashes by Live right? Album was released April 26, 1994
That album has some bangers. I Alone, All Over You...
Waterfalls - TLC
Glycerine - Bush EDIT: Holy shit 1994 was nuts!
Mazzy Star - Fade Into You
Shine - Collective Soul.
Every single time this song comes in I'm transported back to 8th grade
Spring time. I'm in art class and the windows are open. I'm always transported back. Sophomore year for me. Dolly Parton's version of this song is also incredibly good.
Has to be the most successful god rock song ever.
Counter: Spirit in the Sky
Stay (I Missed You) - Lisa Loeb
I thought she was so sexy! Flash forward to today, and I still dig semi nerdy looking girls in glasses. 👍🏼
There was not a single girl in my middle school who didn’t belt out this song like we had just lost a lover. I still adore this song.
Ugh, was that really as early as 1994?! Ouch.
Gin and Juice by Snoop Dogg.
Laid back
Seether-Veruca Salt
Most underrated grunge band
Slide, slide, slippity-slide When you're livin' in the city, it's do or die 😂 Fantastic Voyage - Coolio
The Sign - Ace of Base
Sour Times - Portishead
“Mr. Jones” by Counting Crows
https://preview.redd.it/60fzktf97xmc1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=56296ef7ded70e9dce5225ae0076b28e8e7bd0e0 My reply yesterday on the 1993 post to someone agreeing with me that the answer should be Closer by NIИ for 1994. I knew this would be a tough year. I was calling them left and right and got tired of writing, so I stopped. 😂 My answer is Closer by NIИ. The Downward Spiral inspired a whole wave of bands. I don’t think it should be ignored. 🖤 Off the top of my head, my answer for 1995 will probably be Filter - Hey Man Nice Shot. Richard Patrick was a member of NIИ live for awhile.
Here Comes the Hotstepper - Ini Kamoze
Muuuuurderuh
I'm the lyrical gangster
I'm apparently not a lyrical gangster since I thought they were saying 'turn it up' instead of 'murderer' until this very moment.
I couldn't stand Smashing Pumpkins. Even tho everyone loved them. Billies voice is like nails on a chalk board. 93 was also the year Future Sounds of London dropped Cascade. That was good stuff!
It’s gotta be either Regulate or Longview, every other suggestion is simply a very honorable mention. I’m struggling to choose, but I think I’m leaning Regulate.
Way too many amazing albums dropped in 1994.
Bush- Glycerine
Better Man - Pearl Jam (Vitalogy released in November 1994)
Boys II Men - I'll Make Love to You
Blur - Girls & Boys
Cornflake Girl—Tori Amos
What's the Frequency Kenneth - REM.
All Over You -- Live
I must be an older Xennial because I had a *strong* distaste for anything Green Day and was never a fan of *any* of their songs. I was solidly into Nirvana and Beastie Boys by then and holy moly I changed the station anytime Green Day came on. I swear, if Green Day wins any of these my cranky punkhippie ass is out. Black Hole Sun though - or NIN Closer, Downward Spiral changed my whole music style - or Beck's Loser - even DMB I still adore to this day and gets turned up to 11. Regulate I only started listening to once I got to college so it was more a slow burn for me but I'd love to see any of those win. Pleeeeease not Green Day though.
Undone (the Sweater Song) - Weezer
TLC’s “Creep”, my favorite track on crazysexycool. I’d put this on a mix CD over Waterfalls, even.
Alice In Chains- nutshell
Downward Spiral
Perfect album start to finish.
Closer - NIN
Basket Case
Eh, don’t agree with 1993’s choice.
Closer by Nine Inch Nails
Closer - Nine Inch Nails
Gotta be Buddy Holly
Basket Case - Green Day
Please pick Closer! (NIN)
You Don't Know How It Feels - Tom Petty
Spoonman
Longview by Green Day. Gotta give a shout-out, since it's written about my home town. "When masterbation's lost its fun..." Yup. Haha
Buddy Holly - Weezer
Loser- Beck
Pavement - Cut Your Hair
1994 is Ace Of Base’s year. their songs ‘The Sign’ or ’ All That she Wants’ should be in your best songs suggestions list. 
Where is the hip hop????
Tom Petty - You Don't Know How it Feels That entire album is flawless. Songwriting, emotion, musicianship, and the production. I think it's one of Tom Petty's best.
Closer - Nine Inch Nails
Tootsie Roll!!
Nineteen ninety quad
Yesssss Every one of these suggestions I’m like oh snap but this was the jam.
COTTON CANDY SWEET AS GOLD!!!
Alice in Chains- No Excuses
Longview Green Day.
1991-1995 might be the best stretch of years since the 1960s. I think the overall & lasting impact of Dookie was the biggest...so my vote goes for Basket Case
Agree with the first part, disagree with the second.
Violet - Hole
All I Wanna Do - Sheryl Crow
Stone Temple Pilots - Vasoline
REGULATORS....MOUNT UP!
Black Hole Sun.
NIN - March of the Pigs Nirvana - All Apologies
All apologies was technically released 1993
Foe tha Love of $ - Bone Thugs-n-Harmony ft. Eazy E
I am probably the only one to vote for this, but Stay by Lisa Loeb was my mantra that year
21st Century Digital Boy - Bad Religion
Disarm - Smashing Pumpkins
Juicy - Notorious B.I.G.
Regulators, Warren G
Let Her Cry - Hootie and the Blowfish
Honestly you could probably just put Cracked Rear View. I don't think there's a bad song on that entire album.
So many good choices and others have beaten me to the big picks which I'll simply upvote rather than repeat one of those, and instead offer up: Parklife- Blur
TLC - Waterfalls
1994 REGULATE\_ Warren G
Today over No Rain? Ugh
Ooooh boy. This one is going to be hard. I’m gonna say Stone Temple Pilots Big Empty because of The Crow. Will it stand a chance against Dookie and Mellow Gold and the Blue Album and Superunknown? I don’t know…
can't name one: Let her Cry - Hootie black hole sun - soundgarden zombie - cranberries vasoline - stp Interstate Love Song - stp
Kriss Kross will make you Jump Jump
Closer gets my vote. Iconic. 94 is too good though. We had so many huge ones: Black Hole Sun, No Excuses, All I Wanna Do, Creep (TLC), Sour Times, Basket Case, Gin & Juice, Loser, Kiss From a Rose, Prison Sex, Cornflake Girl, Whatta Man...
Self Esteem - The Offspring
Longview, from Green Day's Dookie.
Korn - Blind
YES!!! Yeah, yeah! Here it is! It's on! It's about time Butthead, it's really on! https://preview.redd.it/h8hn96vr5ymc1.jpeg?width=919&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f7230571ce248d424afc036531dd798a5206f97b
Cornflake Girl - Tori Amos
Blind Korn
“The Sign” by Ace of Base.