I’ve been thinking all week about what album or band I would write about. There are several new albums to review, and some catchy songs from breakout artists that deserve attetion. But, as I was driving around last night and heard “Cornflake Girl” by Tori Amos unexpectedly infiltrate my radio, I knew that I had my next topic.

I was a teenager in the 1990s, which means that I was subjected to boy bands, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera (I should not that not all of it was bad). This also meant that I had the privilege of experiencing some of the best alternative music (the grunge period, for example) to ever come on the scene. Lately, I’ve been feeling quite nostalgic, wishing there was a radio station that played only 90s songs all the time. Hey, they used to have an all 80s channel in the 90s, it’s only fair that another decade station is born.

I thought I would tell you all, my dear readers, the songs of this beloved time that were special to me. This is, by no means, a rival list to VH1 or Billboard. I just thought you might like to take your mind back, and maybe discover some songs that you missed. I would also love to read some of your picks in the comment section.

So, without further ado, here is a condensed version of my favorites (the list was getting out of hand, so I had to cut it down):

—“Drown” by Smashing Pumpkins. One of the best songs on the planet. It was an import, and could be heard in the background of the movie, Singles, while Matt Dillon strolled down the sidewalk. I imagine a sunny day and fresh air whenever I hear this song. If you’d like to pick up the track, it appeared on the Smashing Pumpkin’s greatest hits album.

—“Glycerine” by Bush. I love it when sweaty, UK grunge bands decide to take a softer approach to music. Rumor has it that Gavin Rossdale (now married to Gwen Stefani of No Doubt fame, in case you live under a rock) wrote this song about an ex-girlfriend. This song was best used as a companion while you bawled your eyes out over a passionate love gone cold.

—“If You Steal My Sunshine” by Len. I drove a 1965 Mustang in pristine condition in the 90s, and I remember coming home from school and blasting this song whenever it came on. It was so bubbly and infectious, with a sampled beat of “More, More, More” by Andrea True Connection. Sadly, this was all that Len had to offer pop radio, and they quickly faded away.

—“Tubthumping” by Chumbawumba. This song was just one of those that was great to play before sporting events, and even greater to play while hanging out with friends. I know that there are many music critics who think this song was annoying as hell, but I liked what it brought to the table in 1996.

—“Love Fool” by The Cardigans. Oh, Romeo and Juliet. That is exactly what I think of whenever I hear this beautiful pop song (seriously, Nina Persson has one of the sugary sweetest voices ever recorded). This track appeared on their First Band on the Moon album, as well as Romeo + Juliet’s soundtrack. Before the movie came out, The Cardigans were getting some air time in the Bay Area, but completely blew out of the water after thousands of teenage girls watched Leonardio DiCaprio fall in love with Claire Danes onscreen.

—“Talk Show Host” by Radiohead. While we’re on Romeo + Juliet, this would be a great time to mention this hot Radiohead track. I had the privilege of seeing Radiohead perform at the first Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco, and they played this song to a grateful crowd of thousands. This song is actually a B-side, but appeared on the movie’s soundtrack. Radiohead is always brilliant, so it’s no surprise that one of their songs made my list.

—“MMMBop” by Hanson. They don’t count as a boy band because these dudes played their own instruments and wrote their own songs. This song was all over the radio, and reminded me of heading over to the Oakland Coliseum to see the Oakland A’s. One of the best summers of my life. If you wrote Hanson off after this song, you might want to take another look. They’ve grown up (all married with kids), and have revamped their style to a more bluesy sound. And, they help raise money for a very important cause. Can’t beat that.

—“Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star. Was there anything better than Mazzy Star in the 90s? Not much, I’ll tell ya that. Hope Sandoval, the lead singer, is lovely in every way imaginable. I almost picked “Five String Serenade,” but stick with “Fade Into You” because I think this will take a lot of people back with a smile on their face. This song was beautiful, and was the kind you listened to you in your room while the sunlight streamed in through the blinds and you lay on your bed. Confession: I bought a tambourine just to sing this song in my room. I would like to publicly apologize to my family and neighbors for any discomfort I might have caused during that period of my life.

—“Sabotage” by the Beastie Boys. All I have to say about this is a) it’s the Beastie Boys, and b) check out their video for this song if you haven’t already.

—“Undone (The Sweater Song)” by Weezer. The debut single for Weezer (and man, have they come a long way). I traveled to Hawaii in the summer of 1994 for a softball tournament, and this song was pretty popular over there. No matter how long it’s been since that trip, I can almost smell the ocean and feel the warmth of sun on my skin whenever I hear this song. Which is crazy, considering this is supposed to be a sad song.

—“Ditty” by Paperboy. Oh yes, we’ve come to Paperboy and the Ditty. This is an essential on every mix CD. What would a Bay Area blog be without a little hip hop? The intro beats pumps me up because I know for the next three minutes or song, I’ll at least be moving my head. My good friend and I have this thing that whenever we hear this song, we text each other “do the Ditty.” Just as a little remembrance for the old days.

—“Rump Shaker” by Wreckx-N-Effect. Speaking of hip hop, let’s move over to another early 90s track. I know most of the words to this song, and I wish that I could hear it on regular radio every now and then. I’ll settle for listening to it on iTunes and imeem, though. This song appeared right before the grunge period hit, when kids like me thought hip hop was the only thing to listen to. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

—“Somebody’s Crying” by Chris Isaak. This might surprise some, but Chris Isaak played at BFD 2, which was a predominantly alternative music festival. He was a total badass on stage, too. This song came well after his sexy “Wicked Games” (another great one, I might add), and was the next single after “Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing.” I like the lyrics, “I know somebody and they cry for you, they lie awake at night and dream of you. I bet you never even know they do but somebody’s crying.” It’s such an honest song, and that’s why I love it more than his other stuff.

—“Tahitian Moon” by Porno For Pyros. This song was the only single released from Good God’s Urge, and I don’t think it got a fair chance at success because the band took a brief hiatus after one of its band members was diagnosed with cancer. It’s a really great song, and practically one of the only songs that my mother would let me play my stereo on maximum volume.

—“Praise You” by Fatboy Slim. The album this song appears on, You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby, was insanely good. The album also had “The Rockafeller Skank,” which appeared in teen flick She’s All That. “Praise You” was released a year later (10 years ago, ouch), and reminds me of a friend I lost touch with. We both agreed that this song defined mutual appreciation. Whenever I hear this song, I think of her and wish her well.

—“Faith” by Limp Bizkit. Yes, there was a time when Fred Durst was a somebody. And by becoming a somebody, his band covered George Michael’s “Faith.” This track was amazing; so unexpected, considering this is a nu metal band. Honestly, one of the best covers I’ve ever heard.

—“Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis. The Gallagher brothers showed up on the scene in 1991, and produced hit after hit, even with all the bickering and fights. While there are plenty of Oasis tracks to choose from, I picked this one because Noel was the lead singer for the first time (instead of Liam). Favorite lyric: “Please don’t put your life in the hands of a rock ‘n’ roll band.” We all get carried away sometimes, don’t we?

—“Brimful of Asha” by Cornershop. Does anyone know this song besides me? I don’t how much air time this song received, but I loved it. It’s very poppy. I guess people might be more into the Fatboy Slim remixed version. But this song about the film industry in India, which I think is pretty damn cool.

—“Possum Kingdom” by Toadies. Someone once told me that this song was about becoming a vampire. I later learned that this was untrue, that it’s about a lake in Texas. Nevertheless, this track is a good one.

—“Every Morning” by Sugar Ray. I thought about using “Fly,” but felt like this song was a more honest showing. This single came out in 1999, a few years after “Fly.” It was actually a very successful track for the band.

—“Never Let You Go” by Third Eye Blind. There’s plenty of Third Eye Blind tracks that I could have selected, but I chose this one because it coincides with my last year of high school, and followed me to college. “I would like to say, that girl is like a sunburn” is a perfect line. If you haven’t noticed, I love attaching myself to snippets of lyrics.

—“What’s it Gonna Be?” by Busta Rhymes feat. Janet Jackson. It had to happen sooner or later. Yes, this song makes the list because it reminds me of a boy who turned out to be one hell of a heartbreaker. But, he is still my friend, so that keeps this song on the list of ones I’d like to remember.

—“Got You (Where I Want You)” by the Flys. I probably can’t say enough good things about this song. I listened to it a few times last night while selecting songs for this blog, and I was hooked all over again. The video even had Katie Holmes (riding the high of Dawson’s Creek, pre-Tom Cruise) in it. This song feels desperate and lovely all at the same time. It’s really too bad that they disbanded in 2002.

—“Seether” by Veruca Salt. Powerful female vocals on an alt rock track. My heart swooned. There wasn’t much dominance coming from women in alternative rock radio. Sure, there punk bands were going strong with females at the helm, but those were mostly underground. Veruca Salt gave young girls something to strive for, to dream about. 

—“Inside Out” by Eve 6. I was such a fan of Eve 6, and was very disappointed when I found out they disbanded in 2004 after a weak showing of It’s All In Your Head (I admit, they took a step backward with that album) and a subsequent release from their label. I got good news in 2007, when I found out they were back together (still waiting on an album, though). Fun personal fact: In 2003, I saw them at a free concert in San Jose, Calif., and was at the front of the stage. Someone knocked me over, and their equipment manager actually pulled me to my feet on stage. I wasn’t able to control myself, so I latched on Max, the lead singer! He didn’t seem too bothered by me and no one yanked me off the stage. Time of my life.

I hope you all enjoyed yourself as much as I did. Too bad I had to shave it down, because there were at least 20 more songs I wanted to include. Maybe I’ll do a sequel to this list another day. Don’t forget to add some of your favorites in the comments!