100 Best Rock Songs from the '90s to Sing at Karaoke

Sarah sings on the treadmill. She also has misophonia and is always affected by sounds. She loves music, always has, always will.

Going to a '90s night? Need some songs for your cover band? Found an old pair of overalls and wanna take a trip down memory lane? Here's a list (in alphabetical order) of the best '90s songs to sing karaoke to or to cover with your cover band.

1. "1979" by Smashing Pumpkins

Album: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

Label: Virgin

Release Date: January 23, 1996

"1979" was written by the Smashing Pumpkins and released in 1996 as the second single from their third studio album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. "1979" was written by frontman Billy Corgan, and features loops and samples that were uncharacteristic of the Smashing Pumpkins. The song is a coming of age story by Corgan. In the year 1979, Corgan was 12 and this is what he considered his transition into adolescence. The song was a massive success and Allmusic's Amy Hanson called it, "a somewhat surprising hit." The song was nominated for the Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards. Smashing Pumpkins won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Alternative Video. The song remains popular on American radio stations.

Essential Lyrics:

And I don't even care to shake these zipper blues
And we don't know just where our bones will rest
To dust I guess
Forgotten and absorbed into the earth below

Double cross the vacant and the bored
They're not sure just what we have in the store
Morphine city slippin' dues, down to see that

We don't even care, as restless as we are

2. "Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey

Album: Daydream

Label: Columbia

Release Date: March 9, 1996

On "Always Be My Baby," Carey worked with the great producer Jermaine Dupri, who had risen to fame during the mid '90s. After recording the song, in December 1994, Carey recalled that she chose to work with Dupri because he had a "very distinct vibe." Carey also worked with Manuel Seal. As Seal played different keys on the piano, Carey led him with the melody she was "hearing inside her head" and began humming the phrase "always be my baby." The simplicity of the refrain was stuck in everyone's head and, unsurprisingly, it's still stuck in our heads today.

Essential Lyrics:

You'll always be a part of me
I'm part of you indefinitely
Boy don't you know you can't escape me
Ooh darling 'cause you'll always be my baby
And we'll linger on
Time can't erase a feeling this strong
No way you're never gonna shake me
Ooh darling 'cause you'll always be my baby

3. "Barely Breathing" by Duncan Sheik

Album: November 12, 1996

Label: Duncan Sheik

Release Date: November 12, 1996

This was originally intended as a "throwaway" track. Sheik said that he only wrote it to complete the album. Surprisingly, the song became Sheik's breakout hit, entering the top 20 of the U.S. Billboard charts, peaking at #16, and remaining on the chart for 55 weeks. The song made it to #8 on VH1's list of 40 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the '90s.

Essential Lyrics:

'Cause I am barely breathing
And I can't find the air
I don't know who I'm kidding
Imagining you care, and I could stand here
Waiting a fool for another day
But I don't suppose it's worth the price
Worth the price, the price that I would pay

Everyone keeps asking, what's it all about?

4. "Basket Case" by Green Day

Album: Dookie

Label: Reprise

Release Date: August 1994

"Basket Case" is about struggling with anxiety. The song explores the terror of thinking you are going crazy. Armstrong commented that at the time, "The only way I could know what the hell was going on was to write a song about it."

"Basket Case" was produced by Rob Cavallo, who ended up signing the band to Reprise Records in 1993. Green Day and Cavallo recorded the version of "Basket Case" released on the trio's major label debut Dookie sometime between September and October of 1993 in Berkeley, California.

Essential Lyrics:

Sometimes I give myself the creeps
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me
It all keeps adding up
I think I'm cracking up
Am I just paranoid?
Or am I just stoned

5. "Been Caught Stealin'" by Jane's Addiction

Album: Ritual de lo habitual

Label: Warner Bros.

Release Date: November 15, 1990

The song has regularly featured on television and in films. These hard rockers don't shy away from dark topics... or self-incriminating topics. The song has a long lifespan, appearing in the soundtracks for the video games Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, Rock Band 3, Power Gig: Rise of the SixString, and The Darkness II. This is a classic that will get everyone tapping their feet.

Essential Lyrics:

Mine all mine!
My girl, she's one too
She'll go and get her a shirt
Stick it under her skirt
She grabbed a razor for me
And she did it just like that
When she wants something, she don't want to pay for it
She walk right through the door
Walk right through the door
Hey all right!
If I get by, it's mine
Mine all mine!

6. "Better Man" by Pearl Jam

Album: Vitalogy

Label: Epic

Release Date: November 22, 1994

"Better Man" was written by vocalist Eddie Vedder when he was in high school. He said that its melody and chord progression are based loosely on the song "Save It for Later" by The English Beat. Vedder first performed the song with a San Diego, California–based group called Bad Radio. The tempo was slightly faster, but altogether it was quite similar to the Vitalogy rendition. Vedder later recorded it with Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam was initially reluctant to record it and had initially rejected it from the album due to its accessibility. Luckily, the band decided to record it. The song helped to launch Pearl Jam to legendary status.

Essential Lyrics:

Talkin' to herself, there's no one else who needs to know
She tells herself, oh
Memories back when she was bold and strong
And waiting for the world to come along
Swears she knew it, now she swears he's gone

She lies and says she's in love with him, can't find a better man

7. "Bitch" by Meredith Brooks

Album: Blurring the Edges

Label: Capitol

Release Date: May 20, 1997

"Bitch" is a Grammy-nominated song recorded by American artist Meredith Brooks. It was released in May 1997, as the lead single from her debut album Blurring the Edges. The song steadily rose on the Billboard charts, eventually peaking at number two for four weeks. The song reached number two in Canada as well. It ranked at number 79 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s. It's still considered a feminist anthem.

Essential Lyrics:

I hate the world today
You're so good to me
I know but I can't change
Tried to tell you
But you look at me like maybe
I'm an angel underneath
Innocent and sweet
Yesterday I cried
Must have been relieved to see
The softer side
I can understand how you'd be so confused
I don't envy you
I'm a little bit of everything
All rolled into one

8. "Black or White" by Michael Jackson

Album: Dangerous

Label: Epic

Release Date: November 11, 1991

"Black or White" was written, composed, and produced by Michael Jackson and Bill Bottrell. It was the first single from the album Dangerous. The song was an anthem for peace between races and the desire to find a common ground that was bigger than the pettiness of those in power. At its core, it is a call to love our neighbors and to think more deeply about each other.

Essential Lyrics:

Protection
For gangs, clubs, and nations
Causing grief in human relations
It's a turf war on a global scale
I'd rather hear both sides of the tale
See, it's not about races
Just places
Faces
Where your blood comes from
Is were your space is
I've seen the bright get duller
I'm not going to spend my life being a color

9. "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles

Album: Alannah Myles

Label: Atlantic

Release Date: December 17, 1989

"Black Velvet" is a song of praise for Elvis Presley. Co-writer Christopher Ward, who was Myles' then-boyfriend, was inspired on a bus full of Elvis fans while riding to Memphis. The song was originally one of just three demos Myles presented to Atlantic Records which eventually got her signed to the label.

Essential Lyrics:

Up in Memphis the music's like a heat wave
White Lightnin' bound to drive you wild
Mama's baby's in the heart of ev'ry school girl
"Love Me Tender" leaves 'em cryin' in the aisle
The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for

Black velvet and that little boy smile
Black velvet and that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring you to your knees
Black velvet if you please

10. "Blue Monday" by Orgy

Album: Candyass

Label: Elementree

Release Date: August 18, 1998

Derakh, one of the band's guitarists, had previously gained some fame in the 1980s metal band Rough Cutt. Hewitt, another guitarist, was a former member of Electric Love Hogs. Gordon and Derakh were also experienced producers, having produced Coal Chamber's self-titled CD. In the late '90s, they were signed to Korn's label Elementree Records.

Essential Lyrics:

Those who came before me
Lived through their vocations
From the past until completion
They'll turn away no more
And I still find it so hard
To say what I need to say
But I'm quite sure that you'll tell me
Just how I should feel today

11. "Breakfast at Tiffany's" by Deep Blue Something

Album: 11th Song and Home

Label: Interscope

Release Date: July 4, 1995

Recorded by American alternative rock band Deep Blue Something, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" originally appeared on the album 11th Song. Later, it was re-recorded and released on their album Home. It was the band's only hit, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100.Outside of the United States, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" topped the charts in the UK, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Belgium (Flanders), Canada, Germany, the Republic of Ireland, and Sweden. This is one karaoke song that will never die!

Essential Lyrics:

And I said, "What about Breakfast at Tiffany's?"
She said, "I think I remember the film.
And as I recall, I think we both kinda liked it."
And I said, "Well, that's the one thing we've got."

You say that we've got nothing in common
No common ground to start from
And we're falling apart
You say the world has come between us
Our lives have come between us
Still I know you just don't care

89 More '90s Songs for Karaoke or Cover Bands

1. Brick - Ben Folds Five
2. Bullet With Butterfly Wings - Smashing Pumpkins
3. Buddy Holly - Weezer
4. Champagne Supernova - Oasis
5. Come Original - 311
6. Come to my Window - Melissa Etheridge
7. Comedown - Bush
8. Counting Blue Cars - Dishwalla
9. Creep - Radiohead
10. Criminal - Fiona Apple
11. Cumbersome - Seven Mary Three
12. December - Collective Soul
13. Don't Speak - No Doubt
14. Dragula - Rob Zombie
15. Everlong - Foo Fighters
16. Everybody Hurts - R.E.M.
17. Everything I Do (I Do It For You) - Bryan Adams
18. Father of Mine - Everclear
19. Flagpole Sitta - Harvey Danger
20. Give It Away - Red Hot Chili Peppers
21. Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman
22. Good Riddance - Green Day
23. Hard to Handle - Black Crowes
24. Heroes - The Wallflowers
25. Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms
26. Hold My Hand - Hootie & the Blowfish
27. How Do I Live - LeAnn Rimes
28. I Alone - Live
29. I'll Stand By You - The Pretenders
30. I'm the Only One - Melissa Etheridge
31. I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
32. I Will Buy You a New Life - Everclear
33. I Will Survive - Cake
34. If It Makes You Happy - Sheryl Crowe
35. In Bloom - Nirvana
36. Interstate Love Song - Stone Temple Pilots
37. Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
38. Jeremy - Pearl Jam
39. Jumper - Third Eye Blind
40. Just A Girl - No Doubt
41. Killing Me Softly - The Fugees
42. Learn to Fly - Foo Fighters
43. Let Her Cry - Hootie & the Blowfish
44. Life Is A Highway - Tom Cochrane
45. Lightning Crashes - Live
46. Linger - The Cranberries
47. Lit Up - Buckcherry
48. Little Miss Can't Be Wrong - Spin Doctors
49. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
50. Machinehead - Bush
51. My Favorite Mistake - Sheryl Crowe
52. My Hero - Foo Fighters
53. My Own Prison - Creed
54. My Own Worst Enemy - Lit
55. Mr. Jones - Counting Crowes
56. Name - Goo Goo Dolls
57. No Rain - Blind Melon
58. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor
59. Nothing Else Matters - Metallica
60. November Rain - Guns 'N Roses
61. One - U2
62. One Of Us - Joan Osborne
63. Only Happy When it Rains - Garbage
64. Possum Kingdom - The Toadies
65. Only Wanna Be With You - Hootie & the Blowfish
66. Right Here, Right Now - Jesus Jones
67. Salvation - The Cranberries
68. Santeria - Sublime
69. Semi-Charmed Life - Third Eye Blind
70. Shimmer - Fuel
71. Show Me Love - Robyn
72. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
73. Something to Talk About - Bonnie Raitt
74. Song 2 - Blur
75. Suck My Kiss - Red Hot Chili Peppers
76. Sunny Came Home - Shawn Colvin
77. Tom's Diner - Suzanne Vega
78. Torn - Natalie Imbruglia
79. Tubthumping - Chumbawamba
80. Two Princes - Spin Doctors
81. Unbelievable - EMF
82. Under the Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers
83. Underneath It All - No Doubt
84. Walk On the Ocean - Toad the Wet Sprocket
85. What I Got - Sublime
86. What's My Age Again - Blink 182
87. Wonderwall - Oasis
88. You Oughtta Know - Alanis Morissette
89. Zombie - The Cranberries

What Styles Defined '90s Music?

Overall, '90s music was defined by it's sarcastic and and often ironic tone. Unlike the 1950s or the 1970s, the '90s wasn't an era in which any radically different genres of pop music emerged. Rather, the '90s provided a new look at that music.

In the case of grunge and alternative rock, the '90s were defined by bands like Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, and Nirvana. These bands represent a departure from the rock of the '60s and '70s. The protest songs were aggressive and unhinged, the tempos were less danceable, and the cynical outlook ran counter to '80s optimism (punk and thrash metal aside). Similarly, the creation of G-funk and gangsta rap took a more aggressive approach to political and social discourse. That being said, there were still plenty of love-struck pop songs out there.

Hopefully this list was helpful in making your decision. But, if you've skimmed through the list and are still unsure, remember, rock 'n' roll is a diverse genre with many more styles and songs to choose from. I hope your karaoke performance goes well!

11 Great '90s Albums

Comments

Morgan on November 03, 2017:

She is a good is a good singer

virginia on April 02, 2017:

can we sing along the song of linda ronstatd??