My missing decade of music
MUSIC MONDAY
Something happened in the 90’s that was quite unexpected. As I was raising my two children I lost contact with popular music. Please understand that I’m someone who can’t drive their car down the street without listening to a CD. I can’t go for a walk without popping on my headphones. I always have music accompanying me, no matter what I’m doing. My daughter, Lily, was born in 1987 and my son, Spencer, was born in 1991. Up until that time, popular music was the footnote of my life.
Any decent mother will tell you that entertaining your children is the number one priority. Well, that, and keeping them safe, fed, clothed and clean, also healthy… well, entertainment is certainly on the list. I hate to think of those children in the Russian orphanages staring off into space because no one is paying attention to them. It sickens me. I want to adopt all of them and bring them to the USA where kids are free to sit in front of the TV and watch cartoons all day. Can’t somebody figure out a way to cable in some Sesame Street to Russia? I digress… (um, that was a joke…)
So, being the good mother that I am, I replaced my music needs with theirs. And what do I have to show for it, well, I know every lyric to Barney’s Sing A long, Lamb chop, Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, not to mention every song from every Disney movie ever made. And that just barely scratches the surface. I’ve suffered survived all the music that is whimsical and magical from my children’s childhood.
Barney and two annoying friends.
Now that I’ve had a couple of decades to familiarize myself with 90’s music I wanted to make a short list of songs from that decade that I think will stand the test of time. Feel free to disagree or to add your own thoughts and favorites, etc. It’s an eclectic mix. I’m sure one or more will bring back memories, where as I have none : /
- Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
- Pearl Jam – Jeremy
- Sarah McLachlan – Building a Mystery
- Oasis – Wonderwall
- Counting Crows – Mr. Jones
- Green Day – Good Riddance
- Christina Aguilera – Genie in a Bottle
- Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
- Spin Doctors – Two Princes
- Radiohead – Creep
- Sinead O’Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U (ew, why is it written like that?)
- REM – Losing My Religion
- Jewel – Who Will Save your Soul
- Fiona Apple – Criminal
- Live – I Alone
- The Cranberries – Linger
- Lenny Kravitz – Are You Gonna Go My Way
- Blues Traveler – Run-Around
These can be argued but I like them as well;
- Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way
- Hanson – mmmBop (Yes, I love it, leave me alone!)
- Salt-N-Pepa – Whatta Man
- Britney Spears – Baby One More Time
- EMF – Unbelievable
90s Music is my favorite. It wasn’t until about 6 years ago because why would a 8 year old like 90s music?
Maybe throw in some Smashmouth, not that they’re great or anything. You know what, I should be shot for even bringing them up. Did you ever see the movie Rat Race? What a terrible ending.
P.S. Blues Traveler should be on the first list. They’re actually from around where I grew up which is weird because it sounds completely different. My sister ate popcorn with John Popper when she worked at a movie theater. She also met Ethan Hawke there. He has smelly feet.
Yeah, it’s like rediscovering something. The only way you would remember it is maybe if your sisters were older and into it?
I definitely like Smashmouth, not gonna lie. Good call. (No, I didn’t see Rat Race? Who was in it?)
Okay, I’m gonna move Blues Traveler to the top list. I only know 1 or 2 of their songs but they’re really good. Your sister is a real hob nobber, huh? Some people are lucky that way. Although finding out about Ethan Hawke’s smelly feet doesn’t seem too lucky : /
You need to see Rat Race, I loved it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_Race_%282001_film%29
John Cleese, Rowan Atkinson, Whoopi Goldberg, Wayne Knight, Jon Lovitz, Seth Green, Cuba Gooding Jr and a load of others!
I love every song you’ve put on that list apart from Genie in a bottle, I’d add Sarah McLachlan – Angel to that list though.
I remember being forced to watch Barney as a child. I hated it, but my mother thought because I’m a kid I must like Barney. I don’t like it, children don’t like it. Barney deserves to die of AIDs.
I sometimes think I’m losing touch with current music, but it’s shit and a lot of it is dub step, dance, trance, house and all that crap, it’s not music. My “mate” keeps trying to ram his Swedish House Mafia and Deadmau5 down my throat. It’s just not music and the people that produce this shower of shite don’t deserve the recognition they often gain. Less crap music, more Chris Cornell. Ooof.
I totally agree. I’m not a fan of techno sounding crap. It’s just a lot of noise and it always is over produced. If that’s what the music is today then I’ll wait for the next decade. You can’t compare that to Sarah McLachlan, can you? I also love Aidia. (spelling?)
Haha! Barney is beyond stupid. You know it’s bad when even children hate him and want to throw rocks at him. haha! Maybe he will die of AIDS…we can only hope.
Genie in a Bottle is just a song that I would sing in the car when I’m by myself. Pure fun. But I will say this, Christina Aguilera has a killer voice. Can’t argue that.
*Adia 🙂 I Will Remember You aswell. Bah I just love McLachlan.
It surprises everyone that I’m very much into classical music too. I be croosin down tha road with my Mozart pumpin’ flickin up the g sign. People lookin at me all werrrd.
Aha, I need to make that a rap song.
Pete!!
That says a lot about you! Very cool, indeed. I think people with a higher intelligence are drawn to classical. I always did my homework listening to Mozart and Beethoven and such. (hoping it would make me smarter!)
I knew I spelled that wrong! Her voice is so hauntingly beautiful, right? I love it.
Okay first of all, Barney’s two annoying friends are Baby Bop and BJ. YES, BJ. I have to watch the when I babysit, so I’ve pretty much come full circle. Aren’t you proud?
You have acquired a good list of 90’s music! There are some more 90’s gems that you definitely know, but I’m not gonna make this comment longer than it should be. I’ll just burn you a sweet Non-Stop 90’s cd and call it a day.
Haha! Pete hopes Barney dies from AIDS! haha!
Thanks for the thought. You know I’d be lost without your CD magic and such : ) Always keeping me in the new music loop.
Which gems are you thinking of? Do tell.
Blister in the Sun, Hey Jealousy, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, One Headlight….just gems. 🙂
My 90’s music was a little different. I did enjoy Nirvana a little too much in 9th grade, but I was all about Morrissey. And the Smiths, but that was his band in the 80s, so I want to stick in the rule. And for bands I still put on, the Fugees and Prince.
The throwbacks for me would be Kris Kross, MC Hammer, C+C Music Factory, Soundgarden (Black Hole Sun), Counting Crows, and En Vogue. But I’m slightly embarrassed to admit these. But not embarrassed enough to keep it to myself!
Haha! I came very close to putting Soundgarden on the list. That song is total 90’s. Nirvana is easy to get lost in, especially if you’re in 9th grade. I can see that. “Welcome to High School!”
I also love Counting Crows. So different.
Lily really likes Morrisey. Most people do. I don’t know why but try as I may, I can’t get into him?
I think you learn a lot about a person by the music they choose. It’s so subjective. Very personal.
I was too busy enjoying techno crap in the 90s to pay much attention to anything else. Some of REM and Oasis’ stuff is good though.
That Cranberries song is definitely about a fart.
Haha! Did I say Crap? I meant something else, er, that was probably a typo? Seriously, it’s fine for dancing but for listening pleasure? I’d rather put leeches on my face. Glad we could find common ground with Oasis and REM. Love them both.
The Cranberries are now ruined for me, at least that particular song.
Can’t ignore most of those songs! Just this day I had a chat with a classmate:
me: “I never pay more than 10 euros for a CD.”
he: “When it’s a new one, I do.”
me: “Oh… But I never buy recent music…”
Slightly an eighties girl. 🙂 But lately, REM is stuck in my mind too! Losing My Religion always reminds of Lolita nowadays. I see Lolita everywhere. I’m getting psycho.
I’m the same way. I buy old music! Haha! If it weren’t for Lily I’d be stuck in past decades. When I make CDs on the computer I always put the same songs on each one! My kids think I’m funny for doing that, or maybe they think I’m a little crazy? Haha!
REM is always great. funny how you connect that song with Lolita. I’ll have to think about that some more…hmmm
GANDHARVAS, COUNTING CROWS. BLUES TRAVELER. ALICE IN CHAINS. REM. JOAN OSBOURNE.