[For Beginners] Start Here! A Collection of Classic Grunge Songs
The music movement known as “grunge,” which swept the world from Seattle in the 1990s.
Its sound—both raw and delicate—and its lyrics, which lay bare inner turmoil, still captivate music fans today.
In the 2020s, the influence continues so strongly that terms like “grungegaze,” a fusion of grunge and shoegaze, have emerged among newer bands.
In this article, we’ll introduce standout tracks that define the genre—focusing on classics released from the formative 1980s through the early ’90s, when the boom exploded—for those who are just starting to get into grunge.
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[For Beginners] Start Here! A Collection of Classic Grunge Songs (11–20)
Honey BucketMelvins
This is a track from Houdini, the classic album released in 1993 by the American rock band Melvins, who are also known as pioneers of alternative rock and grunge.
Their sound blends the heaviness of sludge metal with the breakneck energy of punk—sheer sonic brutality.
The guitar riffs feel like they resonate directly in your brain, and the ferocious drum beats blow away the listener’s rational mind.
The lyrics are mysterious, made up of fragmented phrases, and the creators themselves have said they don’t ascribe a clear meaning.
That very elusiveness may be what sparks the imagination.
The album containing this track reached No.
29 on the charts, significantly boosting the band’s profile.
It’s the perfect song for when you want to empty your head and surrender yourself to the roar.
Chloe Dancer / Crown of ThornsMother Love Bone
Mother Love Bone, the American rock band that later became the foundation for Pearl Jam.
This is an epic track of nearly eight minutes included on their EP “Shine,” released in March 1989.
Said to be based on vocalist Andrew Wood’s real experiences, its lyrics—filled with urgent feelings of love and dependence—have gripped many listeners.
Opening with a beautiful piano line and building toward an explosive outpouring of emotion, the dramatic progression is breathtaking.
Blending grunge’s melancholy with glam rock’s flamboyance, the song was introduced to the world as part of the 1992 film Singles.
On a melancholic night, it might be nice to surrender yourself to this dreamlike sonic world.
Hunger StrikeTemple Of The Dog
A track from the album Temple of the Dog by the Seattle supergroup Temple of the Dog.
Born from a project to mourn a departed friend, the song is said to portray discomfort with wealth and power, as well as the resistance of those who have none.
The soul-stirring duet between Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell and Pearl Jam’s then-unknown Eddie Vedder is overwhelming.
The way their voices intertwine feels like a raw cry of the heart against society’s injustices.
Released in 1991, the work later drew attention on MTV and became a big hit.
Why not experience the essence of grunge, which lays bare the turmoil within?
Black Hole SunSoundgarden
They’re a band known for high-quality, heavy low-end, guitar with a swirling groove reminiscent of Led Zeppelin, and Chris Cornell’s rich vocals.
They’re also famous for the fact that even Kurt Cobain admitted, “We can’t compete with these guys.”
Celebrity SkinHole
This is the band fronted by Courtney Love, famous as Kurt Cobain’s wife.
Its loud sonic presence and nihilistic demeanor are as compelling as those of NIRVANA, fronted by Kurt Cobain.
TodayThe Smashing Pumpkins
Set to return to Japan for the first time in a while with shows in September 2025, the Smashing Pumpkins—aka “Sma-Pan” in Japan—have countless classics, but the one we really have to highlight is Today.
The moment you hear that opening clean-tone guitar phrase, many of you will likely feel you’ve heard it somewhere before.
Released in 1993 as the second single from their breakthrough album Siamese Dream, this quintessentially ’90s track pairs a bright sound with relentlessly dark lyrics, achieving major success and influencing countless bands, including in Japan.
Despite its simple structure, it’s a pinnacle of their signature quiet–loud dynamics—a bona fide classic that transcends the boundaries of the grunge genre.
[For Beginners] Start Here! A Collection of Classic Grunge Songs (21–30)
Best of YouFoo Fighters
After the death of NIRVANA’s frontman Kurt Cobain, drummer Dave Grohl formed a band with himself as frontman, which became Foo Fighters.
Unlike NIRVANA’s underground sound, their music is rooted in classic, authentic rock, and this song served as the catalyst for them to become a nationally beloved band in the United States.
It’s also performed as an anthem at their live shows.