Johnny Cash: Rusty Cage (1996)

Johnny Cash completely owned this Soundgarden song. In fact, the band dedicated the song to him after it won Cash a Grammy. People rightly focus on "Hurt" as one of the great covers of all-time. However, "Rusty Cage" is right up there.

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

Soundgarden: Burden in My Hand (1996)

The protagonist murders his girlfriend and leaves her in the desert. The man regretted his action and admitted to having anger issues.  The band called it "Hey Joe" for the 90s. At the time, I thought the song could have been partially inspired by the O.J. Simpson case.

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

Seven Mary Three: Cumbersome (1996)

The song is about a break up. It is also the only song people remember from Seven Mary Three.  As a result, they have become something of a nostalgia act. It is one of those cases of a hit song being both a blessing and a curse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjNn4bbbgSw

Top 10 songs of 1996

My Top 10 favorite songs of 1996


1. Bullet with Butterfly Wings- Smashing Pumpkins



2. Burden in My Hand- Soundgarden
3. Until It Sleeps- Metallica

4. Pretty Noose- Soundgarden

5. Binky the Doormat- REM

6. Hail Hail- Pearl Jam

7. I Got ID- Pearl Jam

8. So Fast So Numb- REM

9. Me Wise Magic- Van Halen

10. Heaven Beside You- Alice in Chains

Top 30 songs of 1996" #11-20

My faves continued...

11. Leave- REM

12. Wonderwall-Oasis

13. Tonight, Tonight- Smashing Pumpkins

14. Off He Goes- Pearl Jam

15. Humans Being- Van Halen

16. Not Only Numb- Gin Blossoms

17. Machinehead- Bush

18. Bittersweet Me- REM

19. Undertow- REM


20. Follow You Down- Gin Blossoms

Alice in Chains: Heaven Beside You (1996)

Jerry Cantrell wrote “Heaven Beside You” after breaking up with his girlfriend. He just could not stay loyal and regretted some of his life choices that drove her away. He later admitted, “All the things I write about her are a way for me to maybe speak to her, express things I could never express.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEAylKJb-to

The Gin Blossoms: Not Only Numb (1996)

The Gin Blossoms formed in 1987 and broke nationally in the early 90s. They called it quits in 1997. As a result, their peak lasted about four years from "Hey Jealousy" in 1993 to "Not Only Numb"in 1996. The band was omnipresent during my college years, so it is hard to hear one of their songs and not think of CMU. Their careers ended when I left school. They returned in 2006, but have yet to make an impact.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUQBj1NSy6c

Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger (1996)

"Don't Look Back in Anger" is the first single to feature Noel Gallagher on lead vocals. The band admits to swiping lines from John Lennon and the piano resembles Lennon's "Watching the Wheels." Lennon was not the only legend Oasis borrowed from. The b-side "Step Out" resembled Stevie Wonder's "Uptight" leading Wonder to request 10% royalties. The song went platinum following its release.


...and yes that's Patrick Macnee (aka John Steed) in the video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8OipmKFDeM

Foo Fighters: Big Me (1996)

The video for "Big Me" parodies the old Mentos commercials. In response, fans tossed Mentos at the band when they played the song live. As a result, the song is a piece of 90s culture. The Foos eventually dusted it off in 2005 and began playing it again.

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

Weezer: El Scorcho (1996)

"El Scorcho" served as the lead single off Weezer's Pinkerton album. The song seemed to ramble and confused listeners leading to the album tanking commercially. Quite frankly, "El Scorcho" sounds like a bunch of drunks singing around a campfire. However, the song and album are more highly regarded today than in 1996.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okthJIVbi6g&ob=av3n

841. Blow Up the Outside World by Soundgarden (1996)

"Blow Up the Outside World" sounds like it comes from a prisoner's perspective. Imagine being in jail and watching with bitter regret the progression of everyday life. Of course, one does not have to be an actual prisoner to feel imprisoned. Chris Cornell has admitted he would not mind blowing up the outside world to keep it from encroaching on him. On a side note, the song itself has been compared to a Beatles composition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC2GjXMk7i4

874. Only Happy When It Rains by Garbage (1996)

"Only Happy When It Rains" broke Garbage internationally. The main character enjoys being depressed. Lead singer Shirley Manson considers it an example of Scottish humor. She is from Scotland where it rains constantly. However, the song also represents another example of 1990s musical themes. Unlike the 80s which was party central, 90s acts sang of depression.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aWcXlG1sgY

920. Follow You Down by the Gin Blossoms (1996)

Gin Blossoms are a band that take me back to a specific time and place. Music has that ability! This track was a double-A side and lasted 46 weeks on the charts. The other side? "Til I Hear It From You." If they are already forever damned, then why not follow someone all the way down?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LuH0ywYVQc&ob=av2e