[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 (21–30)
My Black AssSHELLAC
If you want to get familiar with alternative rock, you can’t overlook a figure like Steve Albini.
As a recording engineer, he was involved in numerous landmark albums in the genre, but he was also active as a player—and one of his bands is Shellac.
A guitar that sounds like steel, and a groove as heavy as lead.
100%Sonic youth
Rugged drums and noise guitars played with unconventional tunings.
Sonic Youth is the band that made the underground spirit recognized by the mainstream world.
They originally came from the underground, but their profile rose during the grunge boom of the ’90s, and they even made their major-label debut without changing their stance on experimental musical ethos.
Since then, they’ve continued to operate while moving between major and indie, a legendary band.
The album “Dirty,” which includes this track, also strongly reflects that grunge influence.
The WagonDinosaur Jr.
They had been active as a hardcore punk band even before the concept of alternative rock emerged.
When Green Mind was released in ’91—still before alternative rock exploded—it didn’t become a big hit, but it was later reappraised and is now considered a hall-of-fame album in alternative rock.
EvolPJ Harvey
Born in Northstead, England, she says she grew up listening to blues and jazz.
The thick guitar tones characteristic of the ’90s and the groove that weaves between blues and jazz—her vocals feel world-weary, and you can sense how authentically they capture the atmosphere of the ’90s.
Where is My MindPixies
A song that’s also well known as the theme for the film Fight Club.
It’s no exaggeration to say they were pioneers of alternative rock.
Later, many of the bands that came to define the ’90s openly cited them as an influence.
Their musical style, which contrasted with their appearance, also created a compelling gap.