The Cult: Sweet Soul Sister (1990)

At the time, Ian Astbury said the song was about the Americanization of European culture. Years later, he said it was about Black Panther Angela Davis. It's one of The Cult's best songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNobN73F2JY

Thunderstruck by AC/DC (1990)

This single surprised the critics as it raced up the charts.  It could have been the anthem for the 1994 midterms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2AC41dglnM

Top 10 songs of 1990

My favorite songs of 1990.

1. Blaze of Glory- Jon Bon Jovi
2. Thunderstruck- AC/DC
3. Head Like a Hole- NIN
4. Sante Fe- Jon Bon Jovi
5. Before You Accuse Me- Eric Clapton
6. Coming of Age- Damn Yankees
7. Head On- The Pixies
8. Joey- Concrete Blonde
9. Sweet Soul Sister- The Cult
10. Doubleback- ZZ Top

The top 20 songs of 1990 (#11-20)

Once again, my favorites..

11. Yer So Bad- Tom Petty
12. Ball and Chain- Social Distortion
13. Something Happened on the Way to Heaven- Phil Collins
14. Hangar 18- Megadeth
15. No Alibis- Eric Clapton
16. Suicide Blonde- INXS
17. Bad Love- Eric Clapton
18. Ain't That a Shame- Paul McCartney
19. I Wish It Would Rain Down on Me- Phil Collins
20. The Heart of the Matter- Don Henley

Led Zeppelin: Travelin' Riverside Blues (1990)

Led Zeppelin covered this old Robert Johnson classic in 1969. However, the band did not release the song as a single until 1990 with the boxset compilation. Zeppelin's version is not a straight cover. Rather, it is more of a tribute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1JAhFAQigY

Nirvana: The Man Who Sold the World (1994)

David Bowie originally recorded "The Man Who Sold the World" in 1970. Nirvana covered the song during their unplugged performance for MTV in 1993. Bowie loved the Nirvana version, which made him realize for the first time his impact in America. Kids today now compliment Bowie for covering Nirvana when he plays the song. Bowie generally responds with a heartfelt "fuck you."

Nirvana:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fregObNcHC8



Bowie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSH--SJKVQQ

Tom Petty: Yer So Bad (1990)

“My sister got lucky, married a yuppie, took him for all he’s worth.”  Tom Petty has some fun with this off beat love song. The video is a classic and includes a blow up doll. The song did not break the Hot 100, but did reach #5 on the rock charts. The song appears on Full Moon Fever, which is one of the best albums of the 80s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdRViFCvvUo

Social Distortion: Ball and Chain (1990)

“Ball and Chain” is a story about a fellow with bad luck. The bloke is in a major rut. The song appears on the band’s self-titled 1990 release.  It is an example of the “punk blues” genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NWjehpGSO0

Nine Inch Nails: Head Like a Hole (1990)

Trent Reznor wrote “Head Like a Hole” in 1988 and recorded the track in 1989. The title was influenced by a 1987 Ministry show. Reznor also devised the Nine Inch Nails project at this time. According to Reznor, the project’s name has no real meaning. Instead, it comes from Ministry’s front man,  Al Jourgensen who said, "Listening to Ministry is like having a nine inch nail hammered into your head like a hole."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao-Sahfy7Hg

Alice in Chains: Down in a Hole (1993)

Jerry Cantrell thought this was too soft for Alice in Chains, but the band liked it. Turned out to be one of Layne Staley's best efforts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8hT3oDDf6c

Cinderella: Shelter Me (1990)

In the 1980s, Tipper Gore attacked the music industry and tried to censor popular music. This is Cinderella's response to Tipper and others like her...and yes that is Little Richard in the video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgi5xdftOIA&ob=av2e

ZZ Top: Doubleback (1990)

ZZ Top contributed "Doubleback" to the Back to the Future III soundtrack. The time traveling epic took place in the old west and the band made a cameo as a band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TDgWBPaecQ

814. Sliver by Nirvana (1990)

Nirvana looks at life through the eyes of a young child. Originially released by Sub Pop, the song was re-released after the band hit it big. In 1993, they filmed a video with Cobain's daughter Francis Bean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QECJ9pCyhns

Born This Way by Lady Gaga

#1 this week: Lady Gaga

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4a8QtvOkBQ

Born This Way sounds an awful lot like Madonna's "Express Yourself"....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsVcUzP_O_8

and a mashup....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0PvggdjkKE

922. Joey by Concrete Blonde (1990)

The song is about being in love with an alcoholic and is autobiographical. Concrete Blonde singer Johnette Napolitano wrote it about Wall of Voodoo band member Marc Moreland. Moreland died of liver failure in 2003.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap5vXJi-cgc&ob=av2e

976. Empire by Queensryche (1990)

Written in response to drug violence, "Empire" takes a bleak look at the drug war. In this vision, society falls into chaos leading to empire. About 2/3 of the way through, they play fast and loose with some spending figures which slows things down and takes away from the vibe before getting back to the darkness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN9qdgdFrZY&feature=av2e