90s Rock Revolution! A Collection of Masterpieces by Western Bands That Colored the 90s
The 1990s were a time of major transformation in the rock scene, with the rise of movements like alternative rock and grunge that didn’t fit into existing rock categories.
From pop punk and shoegaze to nu metal and rap metal, and innovative sounds that fused rock with dance music and techno—the sensibility that truly deserves to be called a “mixture” gave birth to ’90s rock, which continues to have a huge influence on young musicians even in the 2020s.
In this article, we’ll introduce a roundup of classic songs by Western rock bands from the ’90s!
It’s a lineup focused on essential, definitive tracks—perfect for anyone who wants to start exploring ’90s rock.
- Great Western rock classics and hit songs of the ’90s
- [For Beginners] A Collection of Iconic and Popular Western Hits from the 1990s
- [Masterpiece Selection] A Compilation of Classic Western Rock Songs
- Great Western pop masterpieces and hit songs of the 90s
- Western songs from the 90s featured in commercials. A roundup of CM songs.
- [Back to the '90s!] Dance Music from Western Hits of the 1990s
- Debut song by a 90s Western girls' band
- 1980s: Legendary Western Rock Bands’ Classic and Hit Songs
- [Definitive] An introduction to Western mixture rock: a roundup of recommended classic tracks
- [2025] A roundup of classic UK rock songs: from the latest tracks to timeless staples!
- Cheering songs in Western music that were hits in the ’90s. World-famous classics and popular tracks.
- Recommended Western alternative rock bands that connect to the modern rock scene
- All masterpieces! Western pop ballads that were hits in the ’90s
90s Rock Revolution! ~ A Collection of Masterpieces by Western Bands That Colored the 90s (41–50)
The Perfect DrugNine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails, led by the genius Trent Reznor whose name is etched in music history, is a rare band that achieved major commercial success with a total art form: an original sound rooted in what was then the minor genre of industrial rock, concepts and artwork grounded in Trent’s uncompromising aesthetics, and overwhelming live performances.
By the 2020s, it might even be Trent himself—successful as a film composer—who is better known.
The works Nine Inch Nails produced in the ’90s—albums and EPs alike—are all masterpieces and must-hear for anyone seeking innovative rock, though their sound is by no means universally easy to digest.
The song introduced here, The Perfect Drug, is an exceptionally catchy gem among their catalog, so starting with this track might be a great way to immerse yourself in Nine Inch Nails’ deep, deep sonic world.
Written for David Lynch’s film Lost Highway, it does not appear on any of their original studio albums, so be aware of that.
Its drum’n’bass-based sound is incredibly cool, and the melody line could even be called pop—and it’s fantastic—but… unfortunately, Trent himself doesn’t seem to be very fond of this song.
Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)The Offspring
The Offspring, a pop-punk band from Orange County, USA.
Their bright, cheerful punk rock pairs perfectly with beer and skateboards, and they’ve sold a total of 40 million records.
Even their reason for forming the band—because they couldn’t catch a Social Distortion show—is great.
Packed with simple, fast, hard-hitting anthems, their music works instantly; the moment you hit play, your energy spikes.
And of course, even indoors, it’s best enjoyed cranked to the limit.
Vertual InsanityJamiroquai
Jamiroquai, a quintessential act of danceable jazz and acid jazz born from the club generation, achieved worldwide success with their cutting-edge sound and hails from the UK.
It’s still commonly misunderstood, but Jamiroquai is not an artist’s name per se; it’s the name of frontman Jay Kay’s solo project.
Including the striking “Buffalo Man” logo and Jay Kay’s signature array of hats, his persona captivated not only Europe but also Japan, where from their debut they enjoyed immense popularity among those attuned to stylish sounds.
The track that undoubtedly paved the way for Jamiroquai’s success in the United States was one of their signature songs released in 1996, “Virtual Insanity.” It’s an undeniably killer tune of sophisticated jazz-funk, and together with the innovative music video directed by Jonathan Glazer, it’s no exaggeration to call it a legendary masterpiece.
Incidentally, there’s an interesting story about this song: according to Jay Kay, “Virtual Insanity” was inspired by the “underground shopping arcades of Sapporo” that he personally observed.
What’s My Age Again?blink-182
Not only were they the spark that ignited the early-2000s pop-punk boom, but considering that in the 2020s it’s not uncommon for Gen Z artists to make their debut with support from Blink-182’s drummer Travis Barker, it’s fair to say Blink-182’s influence is greater than many might imagine.
Of course, plenty of Japanese musicians also openly cite them as an influence.
Blink-182’s breakout record, Enema of the State—released in 1999 and boasting worldwide sales of 15 million—was their third album.
Among a tracklist packed with signature cuts and live staples, let’s spotlight the classic “What’s My Age Again?,” also famous for its absurd music video featuring the band members sprinting naked through the streets.
Garish album art and a general air of goofing around aside, the song is striking for its simple yet unforgettable, bittersweet arpeggios and a melody that feels nostalgic.
In contrast to the immature music video, the lyrics—depicting a protagonist chastised by those around him for not growing up—are intriguing.
You can clearly see how their style went on to influence the poppier strains of emo from the 2000s onward.
All Apologies (MTV Unplugged)Nirvana
A song that sets reflections and a longing for forgiveness to an emotive acoustic sound.
Kurt Cobain’s delicate vocals and Krist Novoselic’s striking bassline resonate deeply.
The performance at MTV Unplugged in New York in November 1993 became one of Nirvana’s signature works.
The album featuring this live recording, MTV Unplugged in New York, was released in November 1994, reached No.
1 on the Billboard charts, and won a Grammy Award.
This work remains an iconic track of ’90s rock, loved by many to this day.
What I GotSublime
A track released in 1996 by the American ska-punk band Sublime.
It features a gentle acoustic guitar solo and was inspired by The Beatles’ 1968 track “Lady Madonna.”
Don’t SpeakNo Doubt
In terms of being a band that started from ska punk, a subgenre derived from punk, they might be the most successful example.
Hailing from California, No Doubt is a four-piece featuring the group’s sole female member, vocalist Gwen Stefani, who also achieved worldwide success as a solo artist.
In fact, the band went through a long period of groundwork before breaking through; they actually formed back in 1986, which feels like ages ago.
The masterpiece that propelled No Doubt to national prominence, 1995’s Tragic Kingdom, is rooted in ska punk yet peppered with distinctly ’80s pop sensibilities, and it went on to sell 16 million copies worldwide.
The carefully honed songs—borne of their formidable live-honed musicianship and Gwen’s outstanding vocal prowess—are all superb.
Among them, the classic ballad Don’t Speak, which centers on Gwen and bassist Tony Kanal’s personal breakup, is a quintessential track that vividly showcases their potential to transcend any single genre.
Gwen’s heartrending, searing vocal performance is guaranteed to move listeners, and it’s no wonder the song, released as a single, became a massive global hit.