So Very Dark

I think Supergirl is adorable

Every generation, every decade, has it’s music. It has a tone, a feel, something about it that identifies it as the music of the 19__’s. (Yes, I’m sure that pre-20th century generations had their music too, but frankly, they didn’t have the recording technology to keep it fresh…or perhaps it’s just that pretty much anyone who grew up back then is no longer alive to burst into a drunken sing-a-long when it gets dialed up on the jukebox.)

Anyway, the 1950s had early rock-n-roll…Elvis, that guy who sang ‘Johnny B Good’. Also Italian crooners who got famous because of their mob-connected families.

In the 1960s, the early Beatles and cute little girlie bands that did songs like ‘Leader of the Pack’ and ‘My Boyfriend’s Back’ rocked American Bandstand or whatever, while hippies protested the Man and rocked out to Hendrix, the Stones, the later Beatles, and a crazy kid named Bob Dylan.

In the 1970s, we got disco and metal and punk. Also, the tunes that are largely 1970s reminiscent when heard on the radio today–the music generally falling into the ‘classic rock’ category. Skynard, Credence, Zeppelin, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Then we move to the 1980s — the decade that everyone thought sucked while it was going on, but has bred nostalgia fashion, movies and music all over my generation. In the 1990s we got A-ha, The Bengals, Pat Benatar, John Cougar, The Cars, Culture Club, The Cure, (yes, I’m looking at an alphabetical ‘hits of the 80s list) Duran Duran, independent Tom Petty, Peter Gabriel, Journey(god I love journey), David Bowie…the list goes on, but I won’t. You all know the songs that it is physically impossible not to belt along with at the top of your lungs, when listening to the radio while stuck in rush hour traffic…or even better…on a road trip. The songs that have you wrapping your arms around your friends shoulders around 1am at the bar, as you proclaim, ‘Love is a Battlefield!’

The thing is, some songs end up being THOSE songs, and some fade into obscurity, and it is based partially on their popularity and accessibility, but I think also, to some extent, on some other intangible thing…so that songs that topped the pops in their day still might not bring a spark of joy and recognition when played at a high school reunion 50 years later. (do they have 50 year high school reunions? If so, that might be why no one remembers those songs…I think that most of the memories of their high school years would have faded by that point.)

Anyway, Briggs and I were having a discussion last night, and wondering what songs from OUR decade, the bland and whiny 90s, will stand the test of time.

These are a few that scream 1990s to me, but I want to know what you think as well, valued reader.

But seriously, I would love some further input. It think it would be fun to do something almost…time capsule-y and check back in 10 or 20 years to see we were right about what songs really defined the decade, and I would like to know what other people than me think are the songs that will be remembered.

Especially since, looking back over my personal selections, I have discovered that most of the songs that I choose to represent the 90s contain a strong streak of angst, morbidity, or just a hint of overall creepiness. Is it just me, or was that the way 90s music was? Do you have any perky, happy suggestions? Oh. I just got one. I’m adding it at the end. But I could use more.

I think that this song is a gimme. To me it’s like…a piece of the 90s set on sheet music.

I don’t know if this song will stand the test of time, but I hope so, because I love the ridiculously long title.

Well, obviously. And I think, possibly also this one, though, despite the fact I’ve always liked it a lot, I think perhaps not this one. Heh. White guys with dreds.

This is another song that I can’t imagine not being an anthem for my decade. When I think of the 90s, it’s one of the first things that pops into my head. Feel free to substitute almost anything from the same album.

I chose this song, because of the sweet though slightly angsty song, with the silliest, sweetest video ever. Another one I just can’t imagine not still bringing smiles to faces of 90s kids everywhere 20 years down the line.
Another gimme, in my opinion. My mom has always thought that this band’s name was very deep and a bit zen. I love them because even their perkiest songs have a vein of panicked hopelessness threaded through them, if you listen.

I think so. And/or perhaps…

Angst and necrophelia–how can you loose?

And — and I almost forgot, even more famouser… (for which I had to submit one of my favorite AMVs rather than the original video. Sorry, dudes. )

At least among MY friends, this will always be belted out at full volume, probably off key. But that might just be us. We always were a little creepy.

Another one that I hope lasts in our hearts and minds. The sweetest song ever based upon vintage erotica.

as for this one, I actually have no idea…I just like it, and the video reminds me of staying up all night drawing and watching VH1 my senior year of high school.

A perky, happy, VERY 1990s song. But then, more angst.

And because Brendan mentioned that if these videos get taken off of YouTube the links won’t work and I know that I won’t remember all of what I have up, I give in a post a list:

The Verve – Bittersweet Symphony

Primative Radio Gods – Standing Outside a Broken Phonebooth With Money in my Hand

Counting Crows – Mr Jones, Long December and Daylight Fading.

Matchbox 20 – 3am and Push

3 Doors Down – Kryptonite

Third Eye Blind – Semi-Charmed Life

The Cranberries – Dreams and Zombie

Tom Petty – Mary Jane’s Last Dance (and yes, that song DID come out in the 90s)

Cake – Never There and The Distance

The Toadies – Possum Kingdom

Oasis – Wonderwall

Garbage – Push It

Ace Of Base – The Sign and Don’t Turn Around

Further suggestions that I didn’t think of but totally agree with:

Greenday — Almost definitely Basketcase and  When I Come Around, and possibly also Good Riddance

Nirvana — How did I miss that one?  Smells Like Teen Spirit, and a bunch of other songs

Alanis — I think I have just worked too hard to repress anything Jagged Little Pill related…but we hella rocked out to this Canadian songstress when I was in high school — pretty much anything off of said Jagged Little Album, but especially One Hand in my Pocket,  Ironic, You Learn…

Pearl Jam — Come on, ‘Better Man’…how could I miss that after proper indoctrination from my CA girlies?

Wallflowers — One Headlight…another serious ’90s anthem.