Dressing Coffins for the Soul – 13 Songs of 90’s Angst-ridden Love

I’ve felt extraordinarily angst-ridden for a while now – it comes and goes, but mostly stays. This mood is a lot different from the brooding mix tape I shared last month.

Imagine your heart being twisted, stretched and bled of all its life – that about explains the feel of alternative rock music of the 1990’s.

The music was melodic, yet melancholy and heavy – the lyrics deep and emotional, yet detached. Sexy vocals and great music combined to give you a sensory overload.

Enjoy this jaunt back in time with artists that exemplify sexy 90’s angst-ridden love.

 

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Queer – Garbage

I don’t think there was a bad track on Garbage’s first album!

The music in this song is seductive and the lyrics are cutting and blunt. There’s just something about Shirley Manson’s voice… So sultry and wild at the same time.

“You’re hungry cause you starve / While holding back the tears / Choking on your smile / A fake behind the fear / The queerest of the queer”

Creep – Radiohead

Radiohead is one of the most popular and innovative bands of the 1990’s. 

In my opinion, this song describes the vibe behind the 90’s identity crisis and angst, especially these lyrics…

 “I don’t care if it hurts / I want to have control / I want a perfect body / I want a perfect soul / I want you to notice when I’m not around / You’re so fucking special / I wish I was special”

Mouth – Bush

Bush is one of the most memorable bands of the 90’s, who continues to make incredible music to this day. “Mouth” is from their second (great) album, Razorblade Suitcase.

Gavin Rossdale’s voice oozes sex in this song, as it should in a song entitled “Mouth”. 

“All your mental armor drags me down / We can’t breathe when you come around / All your mental armor drags me down / Nothing hurts like your mouth” 

Sunshower – Chris Cornell

Speaking of sex… Chris Cornell is the epitome of 90’s sexiness, both in looks and vocals!

This gem of a song was featured in the 1998 movie adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, “Great Expectations” starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Ethan Hawke. I fell in love with this tune the very first time I heard it.

“Though your gardens grey / I know all your graces / Someday will flower / In the sweet sunshower”

6 Underground – Sneaker Pimps

Nothing cries 90’s angst quite like this song by Sneaker Pimps.

Sultry, sweet and seductive vocals mesh with great music and lyrics. 

“I fake my life like I’ve lived / too much, / I take whatever you’re given; not enough, / Overground, watch this space, / I’m open to falling / From grace.”

Everlong – Foo Fighters

It’s sad and bittersweet to think that if Kurt Cobain never died, we wouldn’t have the Foo Fighters. 

This is one of my all-time favorite Foo tunes (and the video is hilarious, too!) with great lyrics that hit home in many ways with me personally.

“Breathe out / So I can breathe you in / Hold you in / And now / I know you’ve always been / Out of your head / Out of my head I sang”

Far Behind – Candlebox

It was a serious toss up between this song and “You” – but I’ll save it for a future playlist. 

I love to blast this one while driving with the windows down at night. It’s so heartfelt and just grabs you right in the gut.

“Now maybe / I didn’t mean to treat you oh so bad / But I did it anyway / Now I said maybe some would say you’re left with what you had / But you couldn’t share the pain”

I Alone – Live

The build up and crescendo in this song is powerful!  I think this is Live’s best song they released.

“I Alone” has all the elements of a great 90’s ballad. Turn this one up!

“To leave you there, by yourself, chained to fate / I alone love you / I alone tempt you / I alone love you / fear is not the end of this!”

Interstate Love Song – Stone Temple Pilots

There were so many great songs on STP’s break-out album that would have been perfect additions to this playlist, but I decided against using any of those.

“Interstate Love Song” is from their second album Purple, and gets into honesty, lies and destruction. The lyrics are pretty deep and memorable.

“Breathing is the hardest thing / to do. With all I’ve said and / all that’s dead for you, / You lied – good-bye”

Ringfinger – Nine Inch Nails

While Nine Inch Nails released Pretty Hate Machine back in the late 80’s, they didn’t crash into the music scene until the early 90’s.

 Somewhere in the depths of my parents house, I have a copy of the Pretty Hate Machine demo tape signed by Trent Reznor. *sigh*

It was hard to pick a track from this album – they all rocked equally. “Ringfinger” offers up a burning, torturous love.

“Promise carved in stone. / Deeper than the sea. / Ringfinger. / Sever flesh and bone / And offer it to me.”

Why I’m Here – Oleander

From the first time I heard this song on the radio, I was hooked. I was thrilled even more when I heard it played at the concert club I used to frequent.

“Why I’m Here” became my own personal anthem for the longest time. I still crank this tune when I hear it, and I’m sure you will too.

“Everyone has been in my face / Telling me that I’m a disgrace / Showing me things that I must face / Telling me that they need their space”

Ava Adore – Smashing Pumpkins

“Ava Adore” perfectly combines every element of 90’s alternative rock, from the sexy vocals to the hard rocking music and everything in-between! 

While my favorite album from Smashing Pumpkins is Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, “Ava Adore” is one of my all-time favorite songs. It’s sexy and powerful in every single way.

“In you I see dirty / In you I count stars / In you I feel so pretty / In you I taste god / In you I feel so hungry / In you I crash cars / We must never be apart”

Violet – Hole

As always, gotta end on a strong song! 

While I don’t like Courtney Love as a person, as a vocalist, she rocks, especially in this song! Turn this one up and scream along with Courtney!

“I told you from the start just how this would end / When I get what I want then I never want it again”