Album covers are becoming a lost art. Here is what I considered ten of the most influential albums of the 90s as represented by the their album covers. WIth the exceptions of the top two and the honorable mention, they are in no particular order. All songs are linked to their music videos.
Notable songs: “Don’t Speak,” “Spiderwebs,” “I’m Just a Girl”
It’s neo-retro vibes, particularly of lead singer Gwen Stefani, ushered in a new era. We were hooked.
Notable songs: The entire album on repeat, but “Ironic” and “You Oughta Know” in particular.
No one looked at Joey (Dave Coulier) the same way again. “Ironic” remains on of my all-time favorite music videos.
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Notable songs: “Creep,” “Waterfalls”
The video for “Waterfalls.” Enough said.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Greatest Hits (1993)
Notable songs: “American Girl,” “Free Fallin’,” ”I Won’t Back Down,” “Last Dance with Mary Jane”
Almost every song on this album is a gem. “Last Dance with Mary Jane” is still one of my favorite music videos. The Gen Xers I grew up with who introduced me to Tom Petty idolized him. I get it. Oh, and Ringo Starr plays drums on “I Won’t Back Down.”
The Spin Doctors – Pockets Full of Kryptonite (1991)
Notable songs: “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong,” “Two Princes”
This album will always remind me of middle school. It belongs here for that reason alone.
Notable songs: “Santeria,” “What I Got”
“Santeria” remains one of my favorite songs. Both songs were everywhere.
Notable songs: “Come as You Are,” “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
While I was never a huge grunge fan, I could not compile a list of 90s albums without Nevermind. It is quite possibly the most iconic album and album cover of the decade.
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)
Notable songs: “Under the Bridge,” “Give It Away”
Is any 90s collection complete without Blood Sugar Sex Magik? I don’t think so. “Under the Bridge” happened to be our class song. It is one thing we got right. It still holds up.
GIn Blossoms – New Miserable Experience (1992)
Notable songs: “Hey Jealousy,” “Found Out About You,” “Allison Road”
The Gin Blossoms were one of my absolute favorite bands freshman and sophomore years of high school. I do not understand why they seem to be lost in the current 90s nostalgia.
Notable songs: “Genie in a Bottle,” “What a Girl Wants”
Debuting a few months before our 19th birthday, both “Genie in a Bottle” and “What a GIrl Wants” were everywhere. Yes, indeed. Christina Aguilera and I not only share a birthday (December 18th), we were born on the exact same day in 1980. While I’m not a huge fan, it was either her or Britney Spears – and we all know how that ended.
Fun fact: A friend and I “saw” Christina Aguilera perform at the Midland County Fair during the summer of 1999. She had just hit stardom, and we decided to check it out, not even bothering to buy tickets. We were able to hear her perform just outside the venue. Not impressed doesn’t even begin to cut it.
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Honorable Mention
Ricky Martin – Livin’ La Vida Loca (1999)
Notable songs: “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” “Shake Your Bon-Bon”
It is almost impossible to believe today, but Ricky Martin was quite simply one of the hottest acts of 1999, along with Enrique Inglesis. It became impossible to turn on the radio without hearing and singing “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” His concert happened to be one of my first. Slightly embarrassing, I know.
NOTES: I wanted to include a SKA album from the late 90s, but they all seemed to be one and done.
Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde 