Those 90’s Songs: Third Eye Blind- How’s It Going To Be

Sometimes I truly wonder how certain songs pop in my head. Out of the clear blue a part of a song just appears in my mind and from that point, it’s on. Yesterday while working from home, the song “How’s It Going To Be” by Third Eye Blind just suddenly happened to come through. It’s strange. I wasn’t listening to anything in that realm either but, it was a nice change of pace.  After the song popped in my head, I went back and listened to their debut album. I forgot how many good songs are on that one and that’s not just the singles. The album still holds up to this day.

 

Third Eye Blind- How’s It Going To Be:

 

Those 90s Songs: Harvey Danger- Flagpole Sitta

There are so many 90s songs that pop up at random times. Most of them these days I keep finding in movies and I chuckle at the scenes these songs are used in. Plus it is pretty fun to go back and look into the band and song history of these songs. The other evening while searching for something mindless to watch before bed, I noticed the first American Pie was on so, I watched it. The movie still has some funny moments and it’s good for a nostalgic laugh. And then, this song came on and I immediately knew I had to include it in this topic. Who else remembers the song “Flagpole Sitta” by Harvey Danger? I’m sure you don’t necessarily remember the name of the song or the band but, when you hear the song, it all comes back to you. It’s quite interesting too that this song is still highly requested on radio stations today but, many people still don’t remember who the band is that sang it nor the actual name of the song.

 

Harvey Danger- Flagpole Sitta:

 

Those 90’s Songs: Blur- Song 2

It’s strange how sometimes, certain songs just pop in your head out of thin air. This morning, while just getting ready for to start the day, the Blur song, “Song 2” just randomly started playing in my head. It’s such a simple song but, it sure does get you going the moment you hear it. Interestingly, the song was written as sort of a joke towards the bands label. Not surprising though. And, it’s also worth noting that this song appears on the fifth (yes, 5th) album of Blur’s career. Still, since 1997, this song has been quite the rock anthem. So, now that I have you attention, enjoy this 2 minutes and 2 seconds of Woohoo!

 

Blur- Song 2:

 

Those 90’s Songs: Garbage- Vow

I don’t know how I wind up listening to things at times. The other day while I was working, somehow I wound up listening to the band Garbage. I still have no clue what brought that up but, I’m glad it did. I spent the rest of the day and most of the next delving back into their catalog and history. Garbage really have some pretty great songs and albums. Their newer albums too are pretty damn good. While listening to their debut album, I had a flashback to the first time I heard the band and their song “Vow.” I remember listening to the radio and being totally taken aback by the voice I heard. Shirley Manson really left a mark on me and the music the backed her up on that song was just as grabbing. Some interesting history on the song, Garbage had not initially planned to release “Vow” as their first single, as a single at all, or even include it on their self titled debut. According to the band, they felt that “Vow” was not representative of the album’s genre-hopping body of work, although they later came to appreciate the situation that led to the song becoming their debut. Manson declared that “now we can do whatever and people won’t know what to expect”, but if the band had instead settled for “of the more clubby tunes” as a single, “we would have been pigeonholed as a dance band and that’s a hard tag to shake.” Either way, I’m glad it was released and on their debut. It wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t.

Garbage- Vow:

 

 

 

Those 90’s Songs: Lenny Kravitz- Are You Gonna Go My Way

This is a strange week for songs popping in my head. For some reason this morning when I awoke, I had the riff for “Are You Gonna Go My Way” by Lenny Kravitz playing in my head. So, naturally, I put the song on and I was immediately taken back to 1993. I still think the video for this song is pretty cool with all the lights and camera angles. The great Mark Romanek did a killer job on the video, that’s for sure. The song though, it’s one hell of a good jam. The moment the song starts, it’s no wonder “Are You Gonna Go My Way” is one of those 90’s songs that will always take you back to that time.

 

Lenny Kravitz- Are You Gonna Go My Way:

 

Those 90’s Songs: The Verve- Bitter Sweet Symphony

I’m sure we all have certain songs that are forever in your head. Doesn’t matter the genre or anything, they just pop up from time to time. This morning while getting ready for work I heard a strange beat in my house and then the next thing I knew, The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony” started playing in my head and there I was singing along. Since the songs release in 1997, it’s been stuck in my head. The more you listen to the song too, you really start to realize how great of a song it is as well as the lasting impact it’s had. It’s also a very quintessential song of the 90’s and should be celebrated as such. One of the coolest things involving the publishing of this song actually happened recently too. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, signed over all their publishing for Bittersweet Symphony. Finally giving songwriter Richard Ashcroft the credit he deserves. Even as far back as 1999, Keith Richards was quoted as saying  “I’m out of whack here, this is serious lawyer shit. If the Verve can write a better song, they can keep the money.”

No matter what though, we can all agree this is a great song and very 90’s!

The Verve- Bitter Sweet Symphony:

 

Those 90’s Songs: Jawbox- Iodine

There are certain songs that take you back. During the 90’s there were so many great bands that were highly acclaimed but truly never got their due. Jawbox is one of those bands. They had the songs and talent but, sadly didn’t have the label support, thus causing things to not go their way. No matter what though, Jawbox left a lasting legacy of great songs and albums. This morning while on my way to work with my iPod on random, I heard a song I haven’t heard in some time and once it started, it immediately took me back to 1996. The song is “Iodine” from Jawbox’s self titled (and final) album. This song is undoubtedly one of the best songs I’ve ever heard from this band. It’s melancholy yet sweet and full of life. “Iodine” is also one of those songs that if it were released today would probably be huge.

Jawbox- Iodine (from Jawbox):

 

Those 90’s Songs: 311- Beautiful Disaster

Back in 1997, 311, released Transistor, the follow up to their break through self titled album. There was one song on the album that has always been a favorite of mine.  The song is “Beautiful Disaster” and it rocks. The intro is beyond recognizable anytime you hear the first few notes and the vibe the song emits, has this flow to it that is perfectly 90’s but, still sounds fresh today. Interestingly, “Beautiful Disaster” was the third and final single released from the album.

311- Beautiful Disaster:

 

Those 90’s Songs: The Flys- Got You (Where I Want You)

Towards the late 90’s there were so many bands on rock radio that had “that” song that you will always remember. You might not recall the name of the band or the song but, the melody or riff is something that has stuck in your head for a long time. One song that is like that for me is “Got You (Where I Want You)” by The Flys. I’ve always remembered the song title but never the band name. You might even recall the song being featured in the movie, Disturbing Behavior, starring Katie Holmes and James Marsden. No matter what, this is one of those 90’s songs that will always take you back to that time.

 

The Flys- Got You (Where I Want You):

 

Those 90’s Songs: Nada Surf- Popular

The year is 1996 and alternative rock music is at the forefront of the charts. A band from New York has released their debut album High/Low, and the first single and video is starting to really make a name for this group. The band I’m talking about is Nada Surf and the song is called “Popular.” I’m sure you remember this song. I know I do. The song and album was produced by Ric Ocasek (of The Cars) who had most recently produced Weezer’s “Blue” album. The song is interesting because of it’s structure and lyrics.  The whole song, except for the chorus, are parts made up from the 1964 teen advice book Penny’s Guide to Teen-Age Charm and Popularity, written by television actress Gloria Winters.  The excerpts are spoken in a sarcastic tone by the band’s vocalist Matthew Caws. “Popular” became a mainstay on MTV because of it’s video. The video was directed by Jesse Peretz (Foo Fighters, The Breeders, The Lemonheads, etc) and featured the band members in roles as a teacher, security guard and football coach. The plot of the video consisted of an attractive female cheerleader, taking the teacher’s lesson on popularity literally; by two-timing two different football players behind each of their respective backs, under the notion that she deserves “every boy in the whole world” by following that teacher’s “Teenage guide to popularity.” Only in the video’s ironic conclusion, is it revealed that the two players are actually friends and have both been with the attractive cheerleader.

So enjoy this classic 90’s jam!

 

Nada Surf- Popular: