It’s no surprise that after all these years, songs from the 90s and early 2000s hold the same sort of reverence as they did back in the day. There is something magical and charming around songs written back in the day. The lyrics had much deeper meanings, and the artists had different and much more complex motivations for singing which helped establish a more personal connection with the fans.
Now anyone who wants to indulge in a heavy dose of nostalgia only has put one of the bangers on to transport themselves to the good old days. But if you are from a newer generation and are wondering what were some of those special songs then here is a list for you!
Closer by Nine Inch Nails
Released in 1994 by Nine Inch Nails, the song is a conciliation between immense self-loathing while having an external obsession. It is a song about someone who hates themselves so much that they self-sabotage and put themselves in situations where they are vulnerable. Because of its misleading chorus, people often think that the song is about sex, but the lyrics have a much more significant meaning.
Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes
The song was released in 2003, and the catchy lyrics and the melody are what made it a fan favorite. The song explores the situation of a boy that comes back to his hometown only to see that his friends and everyone else have been talking behind his back. It’s about being alienated but still trying to put a strong front.
Alive by pearl jam
Released in 1991, the song is semi-autographical as it explores a real-life event that took place in Eddie Vedder’s life when he was told about his real father. His world is shattered when he discovers that the man he thought was his father all his life was his stepfather.
Alive also has a secondary meaning about having the love of your life in your arms but fearing that it will be taken away. This duality of the song paired with the lively upbeat music is what made this song so popular.
In this day and age, it can be quite hard to explore older music because most of the streaming services either charge tons of money or don’t have older songs on their platforms. This is where Surf 4 U comes in! They not only give access to free and legal music downloads but they also have numerous free music sites. You can even get access to free Beyoncé and Rolling Stones music! The free music collection curated for music lovers is perfect for every generation.
So check out their website to explore their music selection!
Here’s a magnificent recording of Duke Ellington’s orchestra performing “Louisiana.” Back then there was no such thing as an overdub, much less any auto-tune or fancy editing software. Heck, you even had to mix the record while you were playing it into one mic! These cats could play for real. What a joy to hear such craft and art, delivered with humor and heart.
Recorded shortly before Charley Patton’s death, “Mind Reader Blues” is a song he performed with his common-law wife, Bertha Lee. In her magnificent voice, Lee scolds Patton for his womanizing even as he lovingly accompanies her on guitar. The lyrics are auto-biographical: “I remember a day when I were livin’ at Lula town, I remember a day when I were livin’ at Lula town, my man did so many wrong things ’til I had to leave the town.” Bertha Lee hailed from Lula, Mississippi, and Patton lived there with her for a time. What exactly he did so they had to leave, one can only wonder! This is a clean transfer from 78RPM platter from 1934.
This great performance of the instrumental Roaring 20’s romp, “Toodles,” by Edison Recording Artist, the Charleston 7, stands the test of time on this MP3 from the original Edison Disc. You may recognize a theme or two from this piece, which were later borrowed by the Looney Tunes gang for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck cartoons! Step into the Wayback Machine in your finest flapper apparel, and dance the Charleston to this high energy combo!
Born in January of 1900 in Allatoona, Georgia, Clayton McMichen had his great success recording with Gid Tanner and the Skillet Lickers and Hometown Boys, and also as a solo artist. His solo effort performance of “Grave In The Pines” is a starkly sweet and sincere lament to a fallen love. McMichen performed regularly in Louisville, Kentucky until retiring in 1955, and later returning to the stage at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964.
The Paul Whiteman Orchestra famously pushed the boundaries of jazz by incorporating classical orchestration into big band arrangements. Whiteman commissioned and debuted George Gershwin’s groundbreaking “Rhapsody In Blue” in 1924, and his symphonic jazz style influenced many greats who followed – including Miles Davis, Gil Evans and later Winton Marsalis. Here’s an early recording by Paul Whiteman Orchestra – the classic horn player anthem, “Doo Wacka Doo.”
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