Will ‘That ’90s Show’ Include These 25 Nostalgia-Inducing Songs?

19. The Cranberries – “Linger”

With its funky breakbeat, swelling strings, and, most importantly, Dolores O’Riordan’s haunting vocals, “Linger” – from 1993’s Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? – is a reminder that the Cranberries should never have fallen out of favor. They’re simply an excellent band with a stack of some of rock’s most memorable and affecting singles. 

O’Riordan is a legendary rock vocalist, belonging alongside legends like Janis Joplin and Robert Plant. Such a talent, and gone far too soon, as is the case with far too many ’90s musicians.

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18. Jewel – “Who Will Save Your Soul?” 

“Who Will Save Your Soul?” was as universal for jilted women’s mixtapes in the ’90s as Alanis Morisette’s Jagged Little Pill. Jewel doesn’t get nearly as much love as Morisette in the 21st Century, though. We think that’s unfair.

“Who Will Save Your Soul?”, from 1995’s Pieces of You, is another big hit that feels particular to the ’90s. It’s a relatively unadorned folky number with some quirky, bouncy vocals that make this single a ton of fun and cathartic.

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17. Ace of Base – “All That She Wants”

“All That She Wants”, from 1992’s Happy Nation, didn’t get much respect from the goth kiddies. That’s unfortunate, as Ace of Base’s reggae-tinged electropop sounds fresh and breezy and surprisingly unique in 2023. It’s not hard to imagine Ace of Base fitting “All That She Wants” in at a modern dancehall night. Selectahs, consider yourselves tipped!

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16. The Breeders – “Cannonball”

While the Pixies helped lay the groundwork for alternative music and culture, Lollapalooza alumni the Breeders arguably made the best of the post-Pixies output. They were certainly more popular than Frank Black and the Catholics. 

Even without the Pixies connection, “Cannonball”, from 1993’s Last Splash, is an addictive early alternative number, finding that Venn Diagram sweet spot between indie rock, college rock, and alternative. It still sounds impressively current nearly 30 years later while simultaneously belonging alongside peers like Liz Phair.

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15. Blind Melon – “No Rain”

The bee girl in Blind Melon’s “No Rain” video is one of the most iconic and enduring visuals to come out of the ’90s. This alone secures Blind Melon their place on virtually every ’90s nostalgia playlist. This is almost unfortunate, as Blind Melon are so much more than a nostalgia act. 

Shannon Hoon was one of the decade’s most distinctive vocalists. The mixture of sweetness and melancholy feels uniquely ’90s, as well, like the Seattle sun breaking out from behind the clouds. Blind Melon’s albums with Shannon Hoon (Blind Melon, 1992, which “No Rain” is from, Soup, 1995, and Nico, 1996) are some of the best of the decade, holding up surprisingly well when people remember them. 

Let this serve as your reminder. 

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14. Wu-Tang Clan – “Bring da Ruckus” (feat. RZA, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, and Inspectah Deck)

It was as hard to pick just one single from 1993’s Enter the Wu-Tang as Metallica’s Black Album. We just went with Side 1, Track 1 from Wu-Tang’s debut as:

1. It’s seriously stacked with talent (look at that feature list!)
2. It bangs like the 4th of July
3. It’s a good introduction to Wu-Tang’s mission statement

Right from “Bring da Ruckus” jump, everything the Wu-Tang Clan are about is evident. There are the kung-fu samples. There’s RZA’s wild ‘n wooly production. There’s the Teflon flow of Ghostface Killah. “Bring the mothaf*ckin’ ruckus,” indeed. 

“Can you handle our Wu-Tang Style?” 30 years later, and we’re still not sure.

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