By decade

1990s songs, explained.

Every song from the 1990s in the archive: what it is about, who wrote it and what it did on the charts, listed by artist. Years come from each song's own page.

Songs explained

Artists

1990s

Decade

All Rock Pop R&B & Soul Hip-Hop Folk & Country Latin & Reggae Electronic

52 songs

Sorted by artist

2Pac & Dr. Dre California LoveCelebrate the West Coast anthem 'California Love' by 2Pac and Dr. Dre. Explore its origin, lyrical shout-outs, G-funk production, chart dominance, iconic music… 1995 Alanis Morissette IronicExplore the meaning behind Alanis Morissette's 'Ironic.' Dive into its themes of life's unfortunate coincidences, the irony debate, 90s alt-rock sound, and… 1995 Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman Time to Say GoodbyeWhat 'Time to Say Goodbye' means: the Italian lyric says 'with you I shall depart', not farewell. How a boxer's last fight turned Con te partirò into the… 1996 Backstreet Boys I want it that wayDive into the emotional depth and cultural legacy of 'I Want It That Way' by Backstreet Boys. Explore its themes, heartfelt lyrics, chart success, and iconic… 1999 Beck LoserWhat Beck's 'Loser' means: a self-deprecating joke that became a generational anthem, built from a sitar sample, a bad rap take, and a producer who knew better… 1993 Blur Song 2Dive into the raw energy and iconic simplicity of Blur's 'Song 2.' Explore its meaning, origins, chart performance, and lasting impact on the Britpop scene. 1997 Celine Dion Because You Loved MeDelve into the heartfelt meaning, inspiring background, and chart-topping success of Celine Dion's iconic ballad 'Because You Loved Me.' Discover its emotional… 1996 Celine Dion My Heart will go onExplore the enduring themes of eternal love and loss in Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On,' the iconic theme from Titanic. Dive into its lyrics, orchestral… 1997 Enigma The Child In UsExplore the mystical journey of 'The Child In Us' by Enigma. A reflection on innocence, spirituality, and inner peace through New Age soundscapes. 1996 Eric Clapton Tears in HeavenDiscover the heartbreaking origin, lyrical nuances, and enduring impact of Eric Clapton's 'Tears in Heaven.' Explore the song's meaning, chart success… 1992 Foo Fighters EverlongDive into the passionate depths of Foo Fighters' 'Everlong.' Explore its lyrics about intense love, connection, and the desire for a perfect moment to last… 1997 Garth Brooks Friends in Low PlacesExplore the ultimate blue-collar anthem 'Friends in Low Places' by Garth Brooks. Dive into its themes of social class, defiance, and finding belonging, its… 1990 Genesis I Can't DanceDiscover the humor and social satire in Genesis's hit 'I Can't Dance.' Explore its lyrics mocking male model stereotypes, its bluesy riff, and memorable music… 1991 Guns N' Roses November RainExplore the epic scope and emotional depth of Guns N' Roses' 'November Rain.' Dive into its themes of love, loss, and enduring pain, its orchestral… 1991 Heart All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to YouWhat Heart's 'All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You' actually means: a woman conceives a child by a stranger because her partner cannot. Mutt Lange's lyric, the… 1990 Mariah Carey All I Want for Christmas Is YouDelve into the festive cheer and enduring charm of Mariah Carey's holiday classic 'All I Want for Christmas Is You.' Discover its lyrics, chart performance… 1994 Mariah Carey FantasyDive into the euphoric world of Mariah Carey's 'Fantasy.' Explore the themes of escapism, romance, and sonic innovation. Discover its chart history, sample… 1995 Mariah Carey HeroWhat Mariah Carey's 'Hero' means: a song written for another artist's film, kept at her label's insistence, which she initially found too sentimental — and… 1993 Mariah Carey Vision of LoveExplore Mariah Carey's groundbreaking debut single 'Vision of Love.' Discover its meaning, themes of hope and manifestation, vocal mastery, and its explosive… 1990 Mark Morrison Return of the MackDive into the swagger and sharp lyrics of Mark Morrison's 'Return of the Mack.' Explore the song's themes of resilience after betrayal, its chart domination… 1996 Maxwell Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)Uncover the sensual allure and spiritual yearning of Maxwell's 'Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder).' Dive deep into its lyrical beauty, smooth R&B composition… 1996 Metallica Enter SandmanUncover the dark themes of childhood fears and nightmares in Metallica's iconic hit 'Enter Sandman.' Explore its lyrics, powerful riff, chart success, and… 1991 Metallica Nothing else mattersDive deep into the vulnerable heart of Metallica's 'Nothing Else Matters.' Explore the song's personal lyrics, its creation, and its legacy as a legendary… 1992 Michael Jackson Black or WhiteExplore Michael Jackson's powerful anthem 'Black or White.' Dive into its themes of racial harmony and equality, its innovative music video, chart success, and… 1991 Nirvana Come as you areExplore the themes, lyrics, and legacy of Nirvana's 'Come as You Are.' Discover its cultural impact and the story behind this iconic grunge anthem. 1992 No Doubt Don't SpeakDelve into the raw emotion, poignant lyrics, and lasting impact of No Doubt's hit song 'Don't Speak.' Explore its themes of heartbreak, band dynamics, and… 1996 Oasis Live foreverDiscover the meaning behind Oasis's 'Live Forever.' Explore lyrics, themes of hope, immortality, defiance against grunge, and its iconic place in Britpop… 1994 Pearl Jam AliveUncover the dark, semi-autobiographical story behind Pearl Jam's 'Alive.' Explore its themes of trauma, survival, and its journey from tragedy to an anthem of… 1991 Pearl Jam JeremyWho was Jeremy? The true story behind Pearl Jam's song — Jeremy Wade Delle, the second boy Eddie Vedder knew, what Vedder says the song actually argues, and… 1992 Prince and The New Power Generation Diamonds and PearlsExplore the romantic allure of Prince's 'Diamonds and Pearls.' Delve into its themes of love, commitment, and true value, its lush production, and its iconic… 1991 Queensrÿche Silent LucidityDive deep into the ethereal soundscape of Queensrÿche's masterpiece 'Silent Lucidity.' Uncover its lyrical themes, chart success, and lasting cultural impact. 1990 R.E.M. Everybody HurtsExplore the profound meaning of R.E.M.'s 'Everybody Hurts.' Dive into its themes of despair, hope, and perseverance, its simple yet powerful composition, chart… 1993 R.E.M. Losing my ReligionLosing My Religion meaning explained: R.E.M.'s song is not about faith. Explore the Southern expression, unrequited love, lyrics, video, and writers. 1991 R.E.M. Shiny Happy PeopleUnpack R.E.M.'s 'Shiny Happy People.' Explore its deceptively upbeat sound, rumored ironic undertones, and its place in early 90s alternative rock. 1991 Radiohead CreepDive into the angst, vulnerability, and cultural impact of Radiohead's breakout single 'Creep.' Explore its origin, lyrical themes, guitar dynamics, chart… 1992 Red Hot Chili Peppers Under the BridgeDive into the poignant themes of loneliness, addiction, and redemption in Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Under the Bridge.' Explore its raw lyrics, iconic sound, and… 1992 Ricky Martin Livin' la Vida LocaDive into the infectious energy, fiery passion, and global phenomenon of Ricky Martin's 'Livin' la Vida Loca.' Explore its lyrics, chart success, and cultural… 1999 Roxette Spending my TimeDiscover the heartbreaking loneliness and timeless power of Roxette's 'Spending My Time.' Explore themes of waiting, love, loss, Marie Fredriksson's vocals… 1991 Sinéad O'Connor Nothing Compares 2 UDelve into the profound emotions and haunting beauty of Sinéad O'Connor's iconic rendition of 'Nothing Compares 2 U.' Explore its lyrical depth, themes of loss… 1990 Soundgarden Black Hole SunUncover the meaning, lyrics, and surreal imagery of Soundgarden's 'Black Hole Sun.' Explore its grunge sound, story, and lasting cultural impact. 1994 Sting Desert RoseDive into the meaning, lyrics, and cross-cultural fusion of Sting's 'Desert Rose' featuring Cheb Mami. Explore its story, world music influences, themes of… 1999 Stone Temple Pilots Interstate Love SongDive into the meaning, lyrics, and hidden depths of Stone Temple Pilots' 'Interstate Love Song.' Explore its story, musical composition, and cultural impact. 1994 The Cranberries ZombieDelve into the powerful protest anthem 'Zombie' by The Cranberries. Explore its raw lyrics, meaning behind The Troubles, chart impact, and enduring legacy. 1994 The Fugees Killing Me Softly With His SongExplore The Fugees' groundbreaking version of 'Killing Me Softly.' Dive into its themes, Lauryn Hill's iconic vocals, its hip-hop/soul fusion, chart success… 1996 The Verve Bitter Sweet SymphonyUncover the profound meaning, intricate analysis, and iconic lyrics of The Verve's 'Bitter Sweet Symphony.' Explore its themes, legal battles, and lasting… 1997 TLC WaterfallsTLC Waterfalls meaning explained: how the 1995 hit addresses HIV/AIDS, unsafe sex, drug violence, its waterfall metaphor, writers, music video, and FAQs. 1995 Tom Petty Learning to FlyDelve into the profound metaphors of growth, freedom, and the journey of life in Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' classic 'Learning to Fly.' Explore its… 1991 Tool 4 DegreesDelve into the spiritual meaning of '4 Degrees' by Tool. An exploration of freeing oneself from constraints and the nature of temperature and transformation. 1993 U2 OneExplore the emotional depth, lyrical meaning, and powerful history behind U2's legendary song 'One' with this comprehensive song analysis. 1991 Whitney Houston I have nothingUnpack the raw emotion and vocal mastery of Whitney Houston's iconic power ballad 'I Have Nothing' from The Bodyguard. Explore themes of vulnerability… 1993 Whitney Houston I Will Always Love YouDelve into the poignant themes and emotional power of Whitney Houston's iconic rendition of 'I Will Always Love You.' Examine its lyrics, cultural… 1992 Whitney Houston It's Not Right But It's OkayExplore Whitney Houston's fierce anthem of empowerment, 'It's Not Right But It's Okay.' Dive into its themes of infidelity, resilience, the iconic Rodney… 1999

About this list

Every entry sets out what a song is about and where that reading comes from: writing credits, interviews, the record's own history. Lyrics are quoted only as far as an explanation needs. Missing a song? Suggest it and it goes on the list. Back to all songs.