Category Archives: 1990s songs

The best 500 songs from the 1990s. Lyrics, meanings and interpretations from your favorite musicians. Radiohead, REM, Weezer, No Doubt, Alanis, Jewel, and Guns and Roses. See which of your favorite 90s bands and artists rank highest on the greatest songs of all-time lists.

1990s songs, love songs

#70 Near You Always- Jewel

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And don’t try to understand me,
Your hands already know too much anyways.

“Near You Always” is Jewel’s best song: a beautiful song about falling in love. She is falling hard and fast and is trying to slow down and catch her breath…but not really. She “warns” her lover in a tongue-in-cheek way: if he keeps treating her well and making her feel this way it is going to make her want to be near him always.

Near You Always Meaning
Jewel

The guitar in Jewel’s “Near You Always” is in a non-standard tuning, which helps to create a nontraditional guitar sound. Her voice is amazing as it always is. Jewel sings the song passionately. Notice how she concentrates equally on embellishing the low notes as she does the high notes.

Another thing that stands out about “Near You Always” is the bridge. It sounds like it could be an entirely new song, but it still fits nicely here. Also, notice her use of harmonics. She really is a decent guitar player.

This is another song off Jewel’s first album. Her first album was such a huge success. Sometimes, I think this cripples’ artists. How can someone ever maintain that success? It must be paralyzing. She would go on to write one other great song, Grey Matter, two albums later. It is interesting to look in Spotify and see the top 10 songs played by each artist.

At the time of writing this, neither “Near You Always” or “Grey Matter” are in the top 10. That is a shame. Foolish Games is her number two most frequently played song. I feel that is correct, it is a great song. With three songs in the top 500 that makes Jewel a worthy Rock n Roll Hall of Fame candidate in ten years or so when she reaches the 25-year mark.

Ultimately what makes this song a top 100 song of all-time is the beautiful, unique melody coupled with Jewel’s restrained by powerful voice. This is an incredibly underrated song. Below is a beautiful, captivating performance, that is unfortunately low-def, but truly shows off how she is able to capture an audiences attention.

Near You Always Lyrics

Please don’t say I love you,
Those words touch me much too deeply.
They make my core tremble.
Don’t think you realize the effect you have over me.
And please don’t look at me like that,
It just makes me want to make you near me always.

And please don’t kiss me so sweet.
It makes me crave a thousand kisses to follow.
And please touch me like that.
Makes every other embrace seem pale and’ shallow.
And please don’t come so close.
It just makes me want to make you near me always.

Please don’t bring me flowers,
They only whisper the sweet things you say.
And don’t try to understand me,
Your hands already know too much anyways.
Makes me want to make you near me always.

And when you look in my eyes,
Please know my heart is in your hands.
It’s nothing that I understand,
But in your arms you have complete power over me.
So be gently if you please.
‘Cause your hands are in my hair,
But my heart is in your teeth babe,
And it makes me want to make you near me always,
Your hands are in my hair,
But my heart is in your teeth babe,
And it makes me want to make you near me always,
Want to be near you always.
Want to be near you always.
Want to be near you always.

written by Jewel

1990s songs, breakup songs

#59 Nothing Compares 2U- Sinead O’Conner

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It’s been seven hours and fifteen days/
Since you took your love away.

“Nothing Compares 2U” by Sinead O’Conner is great song written by Prince.  He never released a version that was anywhere near as good as O’Conner’s. That says a lot about how good this version is. Sometimes covers are better.

“Nothing Compares 2U” is a breakup song: the narrator had her love taken away. If she could give it another shot she would do it in a heartbeat…because no one compares to her ex. But she can’t. It is a very sad song.

Nothing Compares 2U Meaning
Few women can pull off the bald look. Sinead can.

There is a great bit of imagery at the end of the song. Whether due to her depression from the breakup, or her simple lack of knowledge of how to properly treat them, the flowers that her lover planted at his house died when she broke up with him: “All the flowers that you planted mama/ in my backyard/ all died when you went away.” Sad.

In “Nothing Compares 2 U” we can hear Sinead’s great voice and the ease with which she sings with emotion. We believe she wrote the song. The string arrangement and production do a lot of work for the song. It makes the song sound melodramatic and sorrowful and that is what it is going for.

O’Conner was a rising star in music after this was released; she was a budding superstar, really…just listen to her. Then she went on SNL and ripped up a picture of the pope and then next thing you knew everyone hated her and her career was basically over. At the time, it was not even really clear what she was upset about, but she was vilified and ostracized.

She was years ahead of her time.

Nothing Compares 2 U Lyrics

It’s been seven hours and fifteen days
Since you took your love away
I go out every night and sleep all day
Since you took your love away

Since you been gone I can do whatever I want
I can see whomever I choose
I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant
But nothing
I said nothing can take away these blues
‘Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you

It’s been so lonely without you here
Like a bird without a song
Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling
Tell me baby where did I go wrong

I could put my arms around every boy I see
But they’d only remind me of you
I went to the doctor and guess what he told me?
Guess what he told me?
He said girl you better try to have fun
No matter what you do, but he’s a fool
‘Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you

All the flowers that you planted mama
In the back yard
All died when you went away
I know that living with you baby was sometimes hard
But I’m willing to give it another try
‘Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you

Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you

written by Prince

1990s songs, insecurity

#57 That I Would Be Good- Alanis Morissette

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That I would be good if I lost my hair and my youth…

The lyrics of Alanis Morsette’s “That I Would Be Good” are a fantastic. They are very Alanis-like in every way. They are raw, and they deal with her insecurities openly–she does not try to obfuscate. She is unafraid of expressing herself and letting everyone know what she is trying to say. They are unafraid.

The song asks, would you still value me if I gain weight, if I act out, if I lose money, if I’m not perfect. Or are these superficial things the things that you value in me? Because I will grow old, lose my hair and youth, and what then? Would you still want me then?

That I Would Be Good Meaning
Alanis

The unplugged version of “That I Would Be Good” shows off the power of her voice and shows off her artistry.  With mostly just a guitar with some slight piano, Alanis enraptures the audience. The flute playing gives the song a unique feel.

This song was never a hit, but it is Alanis at her best, and is a great representation of her work. Very personal, direct, woman-centric, acoustic with great singing and an iconic voice. She is extremely open and raw.  Alanis is a feminist icon and an outstanding singer.

That I Would Be Good Lyrics

That I would be good, even if I did nothing.
That I would be good, even if I got the thumbs down.
That I would be good, if I got and stayed sick.
That I would be good, even if I gained ten pounds.

That I would be fine, even if I went bankrupt.
That I would be good, if I lost my hair and my youth.
That I would be great, if I was no longer queen.
That I would be grand, if I was not all knowing.

That I would be loved, even when I numb myself.
That I would be good, even when I am overwhelmed.
That I would be loved, even when I was fuming.
That I would be good, even if I was clingy.

That I would be good, even if I lost sanity.
That I would be good…
Whether with or without you.

Written by Alanis Morissette