Great Western rock classics and hit songs of the ’90s
The Western rock scene of the 1990s burned hot, hit hard, and yet gently kept stirring our hearts.
Queen’s majestic choral work, Metallica’s heavy sound, and Bon Jovi’s soul-stirring melodies.
Timeless masterpieces that never fade with the years are still deeply engraved in many people’s hearts today.
Powerful vocals, striking guitar riffs, and a universal world of lyrics.
We bring you the full allure of ’90s Western rock.
Great Western rock classics and hit songs of the 90s (1–10)
Smells like teen spiritNirvana
Released in 1991.
This is a famous song by Nirvana that had a tremendous impact on rock music from the 1990s onward.
Released as a single from their second album, Nevermind, the track propelled the new wave of grunge into the mainstream of its time.
Bitter Sweet SymphonyThe Verve
A Britpop monument distinguished by string melodies that mirror the subtleties of life.
Released by the legendary UK rock band The Verve in June 1997, this groundbreaking work questions the meaning of existence while grandly depicting the intricate interweaving of every facet of life.
Lush orchestral arrangements blend seamlessly with lead vocalist Richard Ashcroft’s earnest delivery, vividly expressing the loneliness and inner conflict of the modern individual.
Issued as the lead single from the album Urban Hymns, it reached No.
2 on the UK Singles Chart.
In Japan, it was featured on the TV show Terrace House, winning a new audience.
A soul-stirring track to hear when your heart is weary or when you stand at a crossroads in life.
Basket CaseGreen Day
A Green Day track that revolutionized the punk rock scene of the 1990s.
Its candid lyrics—laying bare the author’s own inner darkness, including anxiety and panic disorder—pair brilliantly with a catchy melody, resonating deeply with many young listeners.
Released in November 1994 as a single from the album Dookie, it spent five consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.
By challenging taboos surrounding mental illness, this work stands as an iconic anthem of the 1990s.
WhateverOasis
Released in December 1994, this song symbolizes the band’s early success.
It reached number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band’s first single to break into the top five.
Its grand arrangement, which makes effective use of strings, and its distinctive vocals combine to create a one-of-a-kind sound that has captivated many listeners.
In Japan, it has been featured in numerous commercials, so it’s a track you’re likely to hear in various settings.
The lyrics, celebrating freedom and individuality, deliver a message that is sure to resonate with listeners.
Don’t Look Back in AngerOasis
A treasured gem of the British rock scene and a signature song by Oasis.
Its universal message—moving forward without being bound by the past—is powerfully delivered over an anthemic melody.
Upon its release in 1996, it quickly dominated the UK charts.
Noel Gallagher’s vocals are both poignant and powerful, and the piano intro—evoking an homage to John Lennon—is captivating.
When you’re trying to push through tough times and move ahead, listening to this track is sure to give you courage.
To Be With YouMr. BIG
Released in 1991, the smash hit single “To Be With You,” which spent four consecutive weeks at No.
1 in the U.
S.
, is also included on their second album, “Lean Into It.” Thanks to this song, which was also very popular in Japan, Mr.
Big’s popularity became firmly established.
Love of a LifetimeFireHouse
This song is known as a quintessential power ballad of the 1990s.
Released as a single from their debut album, FireHouse, it became a turning point that propelled the band’s career.
With lyrics about eternal love and an emotional melody line, it captured the hearts of many listeners.
Featuring beautiful choral work and a rich, layered ensemble that stirs the soul, this signature FireHouse track remains beloved by many fans to this day.