"Tonight, Tonight" is the best song of the 90s.

[stray]

Neil Young kicks ass. Whattya talking about.

It would be no coincidence though.. Most of the rockers that kicked off the "grunge" sound loved him. J Mascis particularly.

[Abagadro]

Liz Phair- Supernova.  Mainly because I still want to do dirty, dirty things to her.

[schild]

I think a lot of you are missing the point. Tonight, Tonight isn't my PERSONAL FAVORITE song of the 90s. It's just sort of the unchallenged best song. Of course, coming up with a song that's better than Tonight, Tonight isn't hard. But coming up with a song that has an incredible video, incredible production values, super instrumentation, an important place on a very important album, the obvious opus of an incredibly popular band, blah blah blah - Tonight, Tonight is pretty much the best song of the 90s.

Personally? Wouldn't even be in my top 25. I love the song, but I'd put the entire track list of Losing Streak, And Out Came the Wolves, and Dookie before I'd even put a Smashing Pumpkins song anywhere near it.

Also, man, some of you all listened to some shit. Oh, and Nirvana still sucks balls no matter how many times you (the universal you), VH1, or some other asshole brings it up. ^_^ My hate for Nirvana runs really, really deep. I blame them for a number of things including but not limited to - shitty musicians becoming popular, emo music, shitty incoherent singing to hide the fact you can't sing, etc. etc. The list is long and makes me angry - and they weren't even remotely the best grunge had to offer, they were simply the most popular.

tl;dr: Best doesn't mean favorite. All the people that second Virtual Insanity should know that that was the closest one we could think of in terms of total package. Oh, and had I thought about it, I'd probably thrown Nada Surf's Popular on the list. Another song I didn't really "life" but deserves a place somewhere up there. Production was largely shit on that whole album though.

Fake Edit: Righ, you're fined 5 points for referencing Pulp's Common People instead of including a link to Shatner doing Common People, which is so vastly superior it's not even funny.

[voodoolily]

I agree with Rage Against the Machine's Killing in the Name Of.

I also nominate:

Loser by Beck (perfectly summarizes up the generation)
Kiss Them for Me - Siouxsie and the Banshees
Nuthin' But a G-Thang - Snoop Dogg
So Watchu Want - Beasties (you cannot dispute that beat)


Tonight, Tonight is the gheyest and worst song of the 90s

[schild]

I agree with Rage Against the Machine's Killing in the Name Of.

You'd be wrong too, I can't think of a more popular band with more shitty videos than Rage, except maybe Pearl Jam. Also, production values were poooooooooooooooooooop.

Loser by Beck (perfectly summarizes up the generation)

Yea, if you like metaphorical gibberish.

Tonight, Tonight is the gheyest and worst song of the 90s

Missing the point itt.

[MrHat]

Put the point in the title I think.

I didn't have MTV really in the 90's so I can't say much re: music videos.

[Nevermore]

I think a lot of you are missing the point. Tonight, Tonight isn't my PERSONAL FAVORITE song of the 90s. It's just sort of the unchallenged best song. Of course, coming up with a song that's better than Tonight, Tonight isn't hard. But coming up with a song that has an incredible video, incredible production values, super instrumentation, an important place on a very important album, the obvious opus of an incredibly popular band, blah blah blah - Tonight, Tonight is pretty much the best song of the 90s.

That's why I picked Just.  It fits the criteria you originally laid out, with the possible exception of being 'the obvious opus'.

[Bandit]

I would agree with Smashing Pumpkins is being the definitive 90's band with high production in everything they did...unfortunately they went a little too "electronic" and over-produced.

When I think of 90's music, I always think of "No Rain" by Blind Melon. 

Just as an aside, in Canada, the 90's were wtfpwnd by the Tragically Hip.  The band had no success whatsoever in America, but across Canada they ruled the airwaves, music videos, and huge concert productions.  I think most Canadians on the board can agree with that.

[stray]

It's why I picked Symphony. It's not like I personally jam to the Verve all the time or anything. It's just a damn good song, not genre specific, sums up a lot of sentiments, etc.. If I were to list personal favorites, it'd get ridiculously extensive. I was 13-23 in the 90's. Which is basically the best age range for anyone to define their music tastes.

[Sky]

This thread took a serious turn for stupid.

I'll just make this one last post to say that Dimebag is going to give a ghost kick to Stray's nuts for that comment.

[murdoc]

Just as an aside, in Canada, the 90's were wtfpwnd by the Tragically Hip.  The band had no success whatsoever in America, but across Canada they ruled the airwaves, music videos, and huge concert productions.  I think most Canadians on the board can agree with that.

True.

[Murgos]

When I think of 90's music, I always think of "No Rain" by Blind Melon. 

See, No Rain (The Ripped Away) version off Change would be my favorite 90's song.  But as far as iconic, high production 90's music?  Nah, Blind Melon aint in it, it would almost have to be something off of Blood Sugar Sex Magic, Mellon Collie or Use Your Illusion.

If not Under the Bridge, I would have to say November Rain.  Retarded high production values, major super airplay, stupidly expensive video, etc... etc...

[Aez]

listening to 90s music and reminiscing on how utterly shitty it is.

Please explain?  Compared to what? The songs that were posted contradict your opinion.

[stray]

This thread took a serious turn for stupid.

I'll just make this one last post to say that Dimebag is going to give a ghost kick to Stray's nuts for that comment.

What comment? That I like.. umm.. Bittersweet Symphony?  

I like Dimebag too. Never said a bad thing about him.

[Velorath]

I think a lot of you are missing the point.

I think a lot of us are intentionally avoiding the point of trying to designate some song "best song of the '90s", and instead are focusing on the 90's music is utterly shit part.

Edit:  Also, everybody knows Baby Got Back, and Detachable Penis were the greatest songs of the 90's.

[Signe]

Bittersweet Symphony can't possibly count.  The Rolling Stones took it back!

[Engels]

Though I can't believe anyplace didn't play any Police.  Seriously?  Not even 'Every Breath You Take'? (That last to Engels)

North Carolina in the 80s was really just that bad. We had 'classic rock' station, 106.1, and 'pop' 105.something. Sometime around 1998 they turned around, and 'classic rock' turned into 'grunge/metal/classic' and 105.1 turned into 'alternative pop', but before the late 90s, it was terribly bleak. I swear if I hear Susudio ONE MORE TIME EVER I will murder.

[stray]

Bittersweet Symphony can't possibly count.  The Rolling Stones took it back!

Best 90's song the Stones ever did!

Or only good 90's song, for that matter.

[Baldrake]

Just as an aside, in Canada, the 90's were wtfpwnd by the Tragically Hip.  The band had no success whatsoever in America, but across Canada they ruled the airwaves, music videos, and huge concert productions.  I think most Canadians on the board can agree with that.

True.

Grace, Too

[Johny Cee]

I think a lot of you are missing the point. Tonight, Tonight isn't my PERSONAL FAVORITE song of the 90s. It's just sort of the unchallenged best song. Of course, coming up with a song that's better than Tonight, Tonight isn't hard. But coming up with a song that has an incredible video, incredible production values, super instrumentation, an important place on a very important album, the obvious opus of an incredibly popular band, blah blah blah - Tonight, Tonight is pretty much the best song of the 90s.

That's why I picked Just.  It fits the criteria you originally laid out, with the possible exception of being 'the obvious opus'.

Isn't the obvious opus of the '90s November Rain?  I don't particularly like or dislike Guns N Roses (or whatever their shitty spelling is) but.....  Really.

The early '90's the Unplugged programming was great.


One of my favorite nights of the '90's was a party/softball game (rented a lighted field) while cranking a feed from Woodstock of Rage (mediocre performance) -> Limp Biskit (dislike them,  but it was good) -> Metallica (fucking A).  The Ecstasy of Gold came on just when we were hitting the real hardcore drinking.

[Johny Cee]

Just as an aside, in Canada, the 90's were wtfpwnd by the Tragically Hip.  The band had no success whatsoever in America, but across Canada they ruled the airwaves, music videos, and huge concert productions.  I think most Canadians on the board can agree with that.

True.

Grace, Too

I like the Hip.  I also really liked Tea Party's first 3 albums.

[Bunk]

Just as an aside, in Canada, the 90's were wtfpwnd by the Tragically Hip.  The band had no success whatsoever in America, but across Canada they ruled the airwaves, music videos, and huge concert productions.  I think most Canadians on the board can agree with that.

True.

Fair point. My new nomination for song of the 90's therefore:

New Orleans is Sinking, The Tragically Hip


Schild - my memory of Smells like Teen Spirit is nothing to do with radio play, MTV or mediocre videos. It's about going nuts in a downtown nightclub moshpit (that 5 minutes before had not been a moshpit) in my early 20s to that song.

[ahoythematey]

Based on the criteria laid down by schild, I'd probably actually go with Closer by nine inch nails as a contender for the top spot.  If I was going to pick Smashing Pumpkins for the spot, it would probably be 1979 over Tonight, Tonight.

Either that, or one of my personal favorites:
Everlong by the Foo Fighters
Nuthin' But a G Thang by Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg
Stinkfist by Tool
Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai

[stray]

Just as an aside, in Canada, the 90's were wtfpwnd by the Tragically Hip.  The band had no success whatsoever in America, but across Canada they ruled the airwaves, music videos, and huge concert productions.  I think most Canadians on the board can agree with that.

True.

Fair point. My new nomination for song of the 90's therefore:

New Orleans is Sinking, The Tragically Hip


Schild - my memory of Smells like Teen Spirit is nothing to do with radio play, MTV or mediocre videos. It's about going nuts in a downtown nightclub moshpit (that 5 minutes before had not been a moshpit) in my early 20s to that song.

my memory of Teen Spirit was me at 14, chugging away at my guitar in the living room, with my brother sitting there (who was older and about bunk's age), and that came on the tv. me and my brother practically despise each other.. but that was a bonding moment, and i remember it clearly. when it was over, we just looked at each other with bulging eyes.. neither one of us need anybody telling us what punk bands were around already. fuck punk credibility. especially coming from anyone younger than me. fuck that shit. fuck. that. besides, he wasn't completely derivative of punk anyways. more like an angrier Cheap Trick - but just as anthemic. had a metal voice, but punk riffs.. it was good.

anyways, i'll stop jerking off 

[voodoolily]

I think Nuthin But a G Thang might top Tonight Tonight for all of schild's criteria, especially since he was still in Underroos in the 90s.

[Tale]

Pearl Jam - Jeremy

I really tried, because everybody around me liked Pearl Jam. But I hate the sound of Eddie Vedder's voice and I find their music bland. I still don't get the love for that band, it's weird.

By the way, throughout this whole thread I still haven't been able to hum "Tonight, Tonight" by Smashing Pumpkins. My mental music library delivers Tonight - Hard-Fi.

[stray]

I think Nuthin But a G Thang might top Tonight Tonight for all of schild's criteria, especially since he was still in Underroos in the 90s.

Not to doubt it's greatness, but I can't listen to it anymore. 

I will, however, still crank up Today was a Good Day

lol, random youtube comment:

Finland4ever92 (1 day ago)
lol @ 30 year old guy livin with his mamma

really good sung & video tho

truesoldeirz (1 day ago)
Thats how G's role nigga! :\

[ahoythematey]

Funnily enough, I was thinking of posting Today Was a Good Day as well, but was worried about seeming redundant.  Also, Today Was a Good Day stands the test of time better I think.

[Grimwell]

Hmmm, there is a glaring problem with a few statements in this thread that I absolutely have to clear up.

Smashing Pumpkins were are a mediocre band with much more in terms of hype than musical merit.
Billy Corrigan (sp) is an asshole.
The Pumpkins suck balls live.

I can listen to their songs and see how they could be good if handled by someone with some real chops; but as delivered it's just ho-hum. Videos do not make a band great, ever. If you add value to a song due to the video you are disqualified from talking about what makes a band good, or a song special. I lived in the Chicago area for something like seven years and Every Single Person I met who had ever seen the Pumpkins live regretted the ticket prices.

Best song of the 1990's? Stupid question. Impossible to answer.

That noted, Space Lord is better than anything the Pumpkins ever dropped.

[stray]

On the flipside, he was an obsessive-compulsive engineer.. which may partly explain the underwhelming live performances. Siamese sounds sweet, but there are guitar parts of songs on there where he overdubbed something like 40 times. It would never sound as cool live.

My Bloody Valentine is another kickass album band that isn't quite the same live. Shouldn't take away from them though.

[Yegolev]

Phildo and I were in a diner at 2am listening to 90s music and reminiscing on how utterly shitty it is. We came to conclusion that Smashing Pumpkin's Tonight, Tonight is the best song of the 90s bar none in every category. Music, Lyrics, Production, Video, everything. Mostly because we couldn't come up with something better. Can someone help us find something better? Please?

Nope, I think you nailed it.  Maybe Beck, though.

[Hindenburg]

Everybody in the place - The Prodigy (because you can't have the 1990s without the rave scene, and this was what 1992 sounded like for me)

Can't believe how well that thing survived the test of time.

Best song of the 1990's? Stupid question. Impossible to answer.

Really?

[Grand Design]

The Pumpkins suck balls live.

I saw them the day that Kurt Cobain was found dead.  They couldn't play their own songs properly, Corgan verbally insulted the audience between songs, they rushed the show and ended it early.  I loved Siamese Dream and still listen to it on occasion.  After that, it was craptaculous ballad after craptaculous double-album full of ballads.  Enough.  Just my O.

Artists I Loved in the 90's (naming individual songs seems too focused):

Lush
Cracker
Toad the Wet Sprocket
Blur
Cake
THE TOADIES
Fiona Apple
Nine Inch Nails
Soundgarden
Beck

Soundgarden remains my favorite band, although Jethro Tull and Rush still rock my casbah.  Superunknown just about blew my mind.

[IainC]

Now with more video action!

Faithless - Insomnia
Death in Vegas - Aisha
Underworld - King of Snake
Fields of the Nephilim - Sumerland (What Dreams May Come)
Sisters of Mercy - Doctor Jeep
The Levellers - One Way
Faith No More - Midlife Crisis
Megadeth - Symphony of Destruction
Sisters of Mercy - Vision Thing
Tori Amos - Silent All These Years
Suicidial Tendencies - Send Me Your Money

[Grand Design]

Gots to love some Tori.

I'll throw Big Head Todd and the Monsters - Bittersweet out there for consideration.