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November 21, 2011
The 25 Greatest Love Songs of the 1990s
When everything's made to be broken, we just want you to know who we... am.
Read this first! Bloggers, DJs, and critics helped us assemble this comprehensive list of great love songs. Before you tell us what we missed, a few notes. One, we excluded breakup songs and come-back-to-me songs and please-sleep-with-me songs. These are love songs — songs you could play to your current squeeze immediately after saying, "Steve/Miriam, this song explains my feelings for you, which may be nuanced but are ultimately positive," and not expect to sleep on the couch. Two, we limited it to one song per artist, with a couple of exceptions, like The Beatles, because they're The Beatles. Lastly, come back next week for the best love songs of the '00s, and click here for the best love songs of the '60s, the best love songs of the '70s, and the best love songs of the '80s. Okay, now you can tell us what we missed. Have fun! — The Nerve Editors
25. The Jesus & Mary Chain with Hope Sandoval, "Sometimes Always" (1994)
"Sometimes Always" is the perfect reconciliation song, sung sweetly by Hope Sandoval and written by then-boyfriend William Reid. Despite its jangly popness, the song feels intimate and full of love, though these days I have to wonder about the wisdom of falling back into a relationship with a guy who says, "I always knew you'd take me back." But, you know, when you're young and idealistic, the makeup sex that goes along with refrains like these is heady and full of flowers. — Linda Park, of SXSW
Listen: The Jesus & Mary Chain with Hope Sandoval, "Sometimes Always"
24. Jawbreaker, "Chesterfield King" (1991)
Blake Schwarzenbach was the Charles Bukowski of early '90s alternative. Gruff-voiced but tender, he was unashamed to sing of "Killin' cops and readin' Kerouac" and his feelings side by side. "Chesterfield King" is the best view of this dichotomy: it's a downright touching account of suburban love, the kind that seemingly happens every fall night across the country, delivered in a boozy four minutes. Buk would have been proud. — Alex Heigl
Listen: Jawbreaker, "Chesterfield King"
23. D'Angelo, "Higher" (1995)
D'Angelo's sanctified organ elevates his multi-tracked choir of sweet soul vocals in the album closer from Brown Sugar. Anchored by the band's impossibly deep groove, "Higher" shows why gospel and R&B are as inextricably linked as church and sex: they're both transcendent, but firmly in the here and now — exactly how you want falling in love to be. — A.H.
Listen: D'Angelo, "Higher"
22. Smashing Pumpkins, "Luna" (1993)
For suburban kids hitting their stride during the Clinton years, there weren't very many love songs to choose from. There was plenty of raging against the machine and Pavement-style irony to go around, but romance was generally the subject of mockery. In order to break through the era's postmodern glaze, you either had to be an outcast, or be too comically self-indulgent to notice the world around you. Billy Corgan, at least for a time, was both. Siamese Dream was one of the few pop-rock albums of that time to express love and emotional vulnerability in a straightforward way; the beautiful closer, "Luna," with that naked final refrain ("I'm in love with you") became the private soundtrack to many a school-bus love affair. — Michael Edison Hayden
Listen: Smashing Pumpkins, "Luna"
21. REM, "At My Most Beautiful" (1999)
Most of REM's perceived love songs ("The One I Love," "Losing My Religion"), well, aren't. But "At My Most Beautiful" speaks to love in as unmistakable and unambiguous terms as Michael Stipe ever used. The simplicity pays off. Stipe confessing that he "reads bad poetry into your machine" over a delicate Beach Boys homage might also make this the most beautiful moment in the REM catalogue. — Jonathan Keefe, of Slant Magazine
Listen: REM, "At My Most Beautiful"
20. Wilco, "I Got You (At The End Of The Century)"(1996)
When it comes to love, Jeff Tweedy takes the long view. He doesn't fall for someone for a few months, or even a few years. He loves for centuries. This rare heartache-free Wilco track is also undeniable proof that all great love songs must include at least eight bars of oohing. — Delia Pless
Listen: Wilco, "I Got You (At The End Of The Century)"
19. Mariah Carey, "Emotions" (1991)
Mariah Carey hits a dizzying number of love-song cliches — feeling like you're in a dream, flying high, never feeling so satisfied — in the space of four minutes. Yet, thanks to her soaring, rapturous voice, the song plays like a work of genuine, unadulterated joy, when it could've just been the credits soundtrack to some godawful rom-com. — Kristin Hunt
Listen: Mariah Carey, "Emotions"
18. Bjork, "Possibly Maybe"
This bittersweet song from Bjork deftly explains the process of falling in (and possibly out) of love. It all starts with the right person breaking through your defenses, followed by the excitement and anxiety of what might come next. Love is unpredictable and presents plenty of opportunities for doubt, but Bjork makes the hoping for it sound worthwhile. — Carlos Cabrera
Listen: Bjork, "Possibly Maybe"
17. Extreme, "More Than Words" (1990)
The men of Extreme have on thing in common with writing teachers the world over: they're big believers in show, don't tell. On "More Than Words," Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt yearn for something more than a simple "I love you." Especially given that "More Than Words" comes from an album called Pornograffiti, Extreme turns out to be surprisingly insightful about the non-verbal rewards of love. — K.H.
Listen: Extreme, "More Than Words"
Commentarium (126 Comments)
LULWUT OASIS?
Certainly would be disqualified if you removed every element stolen from another song.
in the words of picasso, "Good Artists Borrow, Great Artists Steal." so picasso did it, the beatles did it, steve jobs did it, oasis did it. just artists being artists =)
But with most women having Oasis on their dealbreaker list, I don't know if it could possibly a love song. There's no love for Oasis.
I could bet a thousand bucks that the women who put Oasis on their dealbreaker list never heard more than two Oasis songs.
Using people's quotes as some kind of Truth is why the US is messed up.
no, the reason the US is fucked up is that people like to like to browbeat morality to everyone who disagrees with then, and make them feel ashamed to think differently. using a quote to describe the nature of the artistic mindset from someone with weight in the artistic community is a commonsense defense of a great band like Oasis.
That's true, Marc. And one of those songs was probably Wonderwall, which is such an awful goddamned song it turned them off the band for good.
And no, I am not familiar with the Oasis discography. I have indeed just heard one Oasis song, to my knowledge, and I won't say I dislike or even know the band, but holy fuck. That song is awful.
I've been to enough Oasis concerts to learn very very quickly that Noel was the only reason why the BETTER women went there.
Two of my top song choices for first dance at my "hopefully someday" wedding are on this list... Man, I really know my love songs.
this is sort of terrible
Sort of?
Very disappointing. Good lord.
You have more than words but not to be with you by Mr Big which is a better song anyway,wtf.
Wow, Randy "The Ram" Robinson was right...90's f**kin' sucked.
I agree. Only thing good about the 90s was the cartoons.
Since the 90's included most of my formative years elementary school through junior year of high school, I am contractually obligated to love the top 4 songs.
What I do want to know is how we got from Depeche Mode to the Goo Goo Dolls. The 80's dragged into the 90's but then died suddenly.... grunge?
yes, that is exactly what happened. First, all the British pop bands quit coming around, then suddenly grunge and indie exploded everywhere. I remember commenting on it at the time.
This list just sucks. The 90's was a golden age for R&B, the subject of which was often love. And Lauryn Hill's "Nothing Even Matters" being #13 is just insulting.
WHERE IS EN VOGUE?
Were an awesome time for music. this list, however, sucks. Thats not even the best song on Lauryn Hill's album.
by your side...sade.
Lovers Rock was released in 2000.
My additions are not that sophisticated, but I still think they should be there. The Cranberries: Dreams, and Barenaked Ladies: If I Had a Million Dollars. Also, I would probably change the Goo Goo Dolls one from "Iris" to "Slide," but I understand that "Iris" is more ubiquitous...
I thought of "If I Had a Million Dollars" too. And love "Slide" as well as "Iris"... I would say that Iris is more intense (though Slide is more earnest...).
while slide is a better song, its about abortion, and not feeling like a man because you cant help the girl you love raise the baby... so while it includes love, its not really a love song.
They both sound the same to me. Thanks, Top 40 Radio.
I'm a 90s kid, but rather unfamiliar with a lot of what made this list. And I will never, ever forgive Nerve for topping it with the Foo Fighters, the band that just won't go away.
Dude!? When it comes to Guitar songs that get it done when played for a female audience... The acoustic version of Everlong never fails. Never.
That's because foo fighters has the sickest drummer that has ever lived. Anyone who doesn't appreciate foo fighters probably listens to nothing but backstreet boys and Ray J or some bullshit.
Foo Fighters is nothing but on the nose, boring radio rock. I bet you actually find a lot of collections that include both Foo Fighters and Backstreet Boys. They both fall into the category of "music for people who aren't all that into music." Because if you actually listen to it, it's unbearable.
That's just, like, your opinion man....
win
Actually, I'm the greatest drummer of all time.
No Boyz II Men on a list of '90s love songs?! Blasphemy I say! The Salt n' Pepa one made me smile nostalgically. And props on what I think are The Cure's two best songs -- one on this list, and the other on the 80s one (disclaimer: this opinion comes from someone who is not a big Cure junkie).
I admit I've never been a fan of "More than Words". I don't know... I guess it just always seemed a bit whiny to me, and the lyrics are pretty repetitive for a song demanding "more than words".
Other nominations: Alanis Morissette's "Head Over Feet", LL Cool J's "Hey Lover", Savage Garden's "Truly Madly Deeply", something by Dave Matthews Band (perhaps "Crash"), Hootie and the Blowfish ("Hold my Hand" or "Only Wanna Be with You"), Live's "Lightening Crashes", Madonna's "Crazy for You".
(disclaimer #2: I claim no musical sophistication whatsoever... I'm actually suspect I'm tone deaf... but for whatever it's worth, those would be my personal additions in keeping with the 90s vibe, lyrics, tone, and requirements laid down by this series)
Definitely backing you up on "Head Over Feet." Loved that song back in the day and still do.
love "Lightening Crashes" but Hootie and the Blowfish? I spent the 90's being driven crazy by them.
"Lightning Crashes?" Say wha? "Lightning Crashes" is about a mother dying in childbirth, and really not very ambiguously either. Perhaps you were thinking of "I Alone"?
And skateboarding.
And skate punk.
The problem is you have a bunch of hip critic that are all trying to "out hip" each other. The Result: NOT the greatest love songs of the '90. What you should do is find a bunch of dorks with Asperger syndrome and ask what song's they like... somewhere between you and them is the truth.
Hip critics trying to "out hip" each other. Nailed it. Terrible list.
There is nothing "hip" about half of these songs. I mean, seriously: Extreme, the Goo Goo Dolls, Seal, the Foo Fighters? Sure, you have Jawbreaker and the Jesus and Mary Chain, there are some of the biggest radio hits of the '90s on here as well. I think it's actually pretty balanced. People are just so quick to cry "hipster" it's lost all weight as an insult.
Indeed, Crooklyn. If anything, this list is aggressively un-hip.
And useing Asperger's as an insult... super classy.
Are you serious? REALLY? Seal is hip? THE GOO GOO DOLLS? OASIS? D'ANGELO? AALYIAH? SALT-N-PEPA? What the hell era do you live in? Why don't you just say celion dion is "hip" while you're at it. To say this list is hip is fucking "retarded." How's that work for ya? Just because the whole list didn't isn't on your "NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL THE 1990's!" CD Doesn't mean they're even remotely "hip."
No, KTR is right. Picking pieces of shit and then claiming that they're gold to see who calls them on it is a hallmark of hipster criticism. And if you don't see that putting Goo Goo Dolls so high on the list (or even on it at all) is so clearly a 'ironic hipster' move that if you don't see it you're trying too hard not to.
There was nothing to indicate that they were doing any part of this list ironically, and the only reason you think that is because of your own shit htat you've projected on it. All of the lists so far have been nothing but earnest, and I don't know why this one is any different, other than you can't imagine that the person here being a hipster isn't the one disagreeing with you--it's you. Insisting that the only reason someone could like music you don't like is because they're being "ironic"? That's some hipster shit right there.
^ This.
...That's too bad because that means they have "earnestly" shitty taste. At least if they were being ironic or 'hipsters' that would be an excuse why this list is so bad.
It's not a matter of people liking music that others don't - it's the declaration that this is a "Best" list. If you're going to claim to be the arbiter of quality, then you're open to criticism and skepticism as to how/why you picked it. This list reads like it was designed to elicit a reaction rather than actually have any real thought behind it - and based on the numbers of comments so far, it's apparently succeeded.
I'm not claiming to be the arbiter of shit. I don't really agree with the list, and you don't have to, either. But I'm tired of people being so desperate to call anyone who insults them a "hipster" they bend the truth however they see fit. There is nothing at all to indicate that this list is ironic or an attempt to seem hipper than thou.
"This list reads like it was designed to elicit a reaction" -- duh. That's what anything anyone writes is going to try to do.
"rather than actually have any real thought behind it" -- here's where we part ways. Someone disagreeing with you or having different taste than you =/= someone having no thought behind their opinions.
You can disagree with someone without them being a thoughtless hipster douchebag. When you characterize everyone but yourself as a mindless ass just trying to be cool, you're not even allowing for the possibility that there could be an intelligent, thoughtful person who genuinely holds a different opinion than your own. In which case, you're a fucking asshole, man.
..."Someone" (whose obviously is not one of the critics) is very touchy about the cavalier use of the word, "hipster". Who gives two shits about the semantic misuse of the word "hipster". Why don't you just be honest and admit that your taste sucks, you lying fucking asshole.
Well.. if a greatest love song of the 2000s comes up and Ingrid Michaelson isn't #1. I'd be surprised. Very surprised. Actually, she deserves #1 and 2. Her Elvis cover and The Way I Am.
I once walked in on my parents having sex to "The Way I Am." True story.
Not awkward at all.
What about Into My Arms - Nick Cave - Maybe is was late 80's but it's the best written love song ever
Couldn't agree more with you! And the song came out in 1997 so it would've been eligible for the list. I would certainly put it in my top 5.
...and on that note, "To Bring You My Love" - PJ Harvey. Or "Send His Love to Me".
"Sour Times" by Portishead. "Always" by Erasure. There are more, at least better than, say, "Buddy Holly" << a love song? Really?
"Always" by Erasure would have given me a good chuckle. It is impossible for me to think of it as a genuine love song and not an anthem for robot unicorns.
damn...suddently i realized that i am getting old...
love everlong for #1, perfect 90s choice
Everlong acoustic version is sicktastical
Black by pearl jam shoulda been 1...and on the list
+100
I hope I never get so jaded that I can't admit "Iris" is awesome.
Iris is a rehash of "Piano Man." Seriously. Try singing the chorus to "Piano Man" over "Iris" sometime - you'll never hear it the same again.
I would've probably had Savage Garden's Truly Madly Deeply, Elliot Smith's Say Yes, Pearl Jam's Black and either Lover You Should've Come Over or Last Goodbye from Jeff Buckley. Can't fault a lot of these choices though
"Say Yes" and "Lover..." both made it into the late rounds, actually. But they both veer pretty far into breakup song territory.
Mr Smith.....while you're here, a question for the 80s Love Songs section......why the deliberate exclusion of Madonna?? Have you not made out to Crazy for You at SOME point in your life?!?
Any list that says 'greatest' and 'song' and includes Extreme simply can't be taken seriously.
Smoking Popes - Need You Around. Hands down my pick for greatest love song of the 90's
Top five songs that weren't on the list but should be mentioned :
1. My Bloody Valentine - Sometimes
2. Oasis - Live Forever
3. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Into My Arms
4. U2 - One
5. Bjork - All Is Full Of Love
"Sometimes" and "One" are both about the end of relationships, not love songs.
"Did I ask too much? More than a lot? You gave me nothing, now it's all I got ."
Wow, I forgot how much I hated that Aaliyah song until just now!
Would "Here" by Pavement be considered a "love song" based on Nerve's criteria? If so, it should certainly have made this list.
"Spit on a Stranger" strikes me as the obvious Pavement choice--I'm actually a little shocked it's not here. "I Love Perth" would be the Ben from KC Pavement choice, but it's possible that a song that appeared only on the vinyl version of the third or fourth most famous Pavement EP is a little too obscure.
And really, as long as I'm being a big Matador nerd, Yo La Tengo's "Sugarcube" would be a strong choice. And it clearly wins the award for "Best Love Song to Make Use of the Cast of Mr. Show in a Video in the 90's."
Completely agree on the YLT call.
WHERE ARE THE BOY BANDS???
"no matter how many times I've drunkenly yelled that 'Bay-bay!'"
Yyyyyyep.
You realize that "More than Words" is pretty much the date-rape anthem, right?
This list tipped its hand by including the Goo Goo Dolls. I get it that you're trying to seem like you're not snobby critics by including one of the most annoying mainstream radio hits of the decade, but maybe don't be so blatant about it. That song is just terrible. It sucked when I was in middle school and it still sucks now, and I don't think anyone who likes music even a little bit is going to argue with me about that.
the '90's sucked!
I stopped once I saw Xtreme. It's been 21 years and I still can't unhear that song
Well, I guess maybe the '90s was when I stopped listening to music, because unlike your '80s list, I only even know about 15 of these. I actually happen to have heard "More Than Words" just earlier today and ...it's pretty horrible.
I have to say once more, in response to some other comments, that Oasis may be the most over-rated band of all-time. If people in fact do only know a couple of Oasis songs, it's because there are only about three worth knowing. Okay, so they missed one.
The inevitable missed item. The Black Crowes, "By Your Side". Our loss.
what about "ooh i want you" by savage garden???
Spacemen 3 "I Love You." Sofa king good. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQHu0kdidfs&feature=related
Didn't like the Aaliyah song one bit, but damn, that is one HOT photo of her.
Magnetic Fields? Shit, yes.
This list baffles me. No "Nothing Compares 2 U" or "Missing"? No "Nobody Knows" or "You Had Time" or "Something to Talk About" or "One"?
"Emotions" instead of "Vision of Love"? And no Boyz II Men? None?
I was looking forward to this list, but I knew it would be pretty disappointing.
What is with all the Foo fighters hate? They're a good band with a solid discography. All these music lists just give people a soap box to bicker about there favorite songs and how they didn't make the cut or didn't score high enough on the list.
but def agree with kissed by a rose. YESSSSS
Enjoy the Silence is one of my favorite dance songs and i know who its written about their last name is spelled h.e.r.i.o.n. good songs but it seems like the author really only listened to one type of music.
I disagree with almost every selection with the exception of Mazzy Star. "You Got Me" and "Everlong" are good songs, but "greatest love songs?" Come on. Okay, let's examine other decades: "Something" by the Beatles- great love song. "Turn off the Lights" by Teddy Pendergrass -- see where I'm going with this?
There were love songs in the 90's? That decade was so WHINY!!!!
X -fn - treme? Stay aay from music because you have no taste. I am going to now go punch xtreme holes in my walls at the idiocy of that choice.
..and then I got to the point where you compare mazzy star with exteme....? contempt. ultra mega death star of contempt. do you actuallly LIKE good music? or does it all sound the same to you? Let me give u a lesson in music critique: Extreme attempts the soulful sounds of Bill Withers ( if u know him and like them shame, if not get to know him) in a modern style (with them a facade) stealing style cues from every other band confused if they were metal, industrial, crooners or just rock & roll ( bonus negatives for long finger nails & 80's retro luxuriant hair). Granted, that era had a lot of confused bands... so many styles and so few label contracts to win.... so lets put them in a blender and make a homogenized cluster fucker upper. Oh, wait, they only brought people down... but fcker downer is not in the common lexicon. Extreme shall henceforth be know as the stain on our culture ( and I am really really realllllyyyy censoring myself to keep it clean ) that tried in vain to blend 80s metal ballad with 90s alterna style and the only ones who bought that load of bogus bs were... well I only know one.. the author! Top 25? No research? U don't like music? U were on a binge this weekend ( that's excusable because it's rock & roll but nto something extremely not extreme would know about). Okay, I think Im done . Please feel free to to critique in kind.....:)
Everlong being the #1 love song is balogna. Other than that, this list needs some work.
anybody who has kids will tell you that the pretenders'
"i'll stand by you" is a song from a parent to a child, no matter what the video shows. just listen to the words. besides, would chrissie hynde would *ever* hook up with a guy who needs such coddling? i don't think so.
I enjoy how the scale of agreeability with the lists from the 60s til now is on a steady downward curve. Suppose there's just more music available in the recent decades which leaves more room for super opinionated voices and rampant disagreement with any choices made.
Which means the sheer excess of artists and music for the 00's will be a complete clusterfuck in the comments. To think that Steve Conte won't be on there, and that maybe one person has ever heard of him, is a travesty to me. But I imagine lots of folk will feel that way about their own tucked away personal favorite artist. Will be very interesting to see what you guys come up with.
We kind of predicted that. The prevailing theory is that music from the '60s and '70s has been around long enough to form a canon of songs that everyone loves and/or accepts as great, whereas once you get into periods of music that most people really "lived through," the gloves come off.
What about All My Life by K-Ci and Jojo?? When I think of love songs thats the first song that comes to mind
Fucking "Wonderwall" and "Iris" are terrible songs, but "More Than Words"? You should be put out to pasture for that.
These guys collected great hits from 1950s to 2000 present.
http://goo.gl/QkRg3
most of these songs I have never even heard of... I guess I'm really out of it...
"Iris" made the list but "Crash Into Me" didn't? How the fuck did that happen?
I discovered them in the 2000's but their whole c.d. with this song featured was just amazing. I think I listen to this song at least once a week. I love, love Lauryn Hill but I do not agree with the song selection. It should have been "Sweetest Thing" or "Tell Him", something else besides that. Mint Condition or Babyface not on the list?!!? I don't understand?!?!
love both friday im in love and iris!yay !
I can't believe "Black" by Pearl Jam didn't make it onto the list. Not cool.
So glad that Jawbreaker was included
No "Head Over Feet"? Man, ignoring the simple fact that it poignantly and simply tells of love from the girl's point of view. No angry grrrl rock, no sadness..."You asked how my day was."
:)
<3
what about 'Eye Know' by De La Soul?
"Crash" by Dave Matthews Band. Haters, go on and hate. Others, you know I'm right.
How in the world is Method Man and Mary J Blige "All I Need" not on this list????
Does this site have a page on Facebook?
Even as a 90's rock die hard, I cannot believe that Celine Dion or Meatloaf's version of "Its Coming Back To Me Now" isn't on here. I hated it at first, but as someone who appreciates music, it is an amazing composition of lyrics and melody.
i was kinda let down by this list. i can't believe brian mcknight 'back at one' isn't on here. not happy about that. I've never heard most of these songs. i grew up in the nineties. if this was put up to a vote I'm sure more then half of these songs would not have made the list if voted on by people who weren't in diapers when they were released. C'mon now, not even all-4-one 'i swear' is on here. before they put this stuff up they should really ask people who listened to decent 90's music, while actually in the freaking 90's, not years later when they hear someone else talking about the song and look it up just to see whats being spoken about.
I'm a teenage girl, a band like Oasis would not be a "deal breaker" for women. Not if they have taste at least. That is a sweet song with great vocals and if your girlfriend would rather listen to Justin Bieber or Ke$ha, dump her ass.
how could PearlJam's "Black" not make this list, The song has been called one greatest love songs ever writen. Not taking away from any of the songs on the list but the fact that Black is not on it really takes a great deal of credibility away from it. I like Oasis, and Bjork but on what planet do they make top 25 and pearl jam does not. There are a great many other songs in the ninteys that should have made this list as well. like I said not saying any of them are bad but top 25 best of the 90's thats just crazy!
why is "Friday, I'm in Love" on here? It's a song where the singer only loves you one day of the week. I like this song, but I wouldn't want anyone to dedicate it to me! mimislifelessons.blogspot.com
THIS LIST IS SO RETARDED, 90'S SUCKED IF THIS IS YOUR TOP 25
On the Oasis subject, I personally love them and have all of their hits on my phone. We live in a big city in the midwest, but I grew up in Appalachia before going to college. Now this song list is terrible! I am trying to find a love song that was popular while my husband and I were dating during college. Today is the big ten year wedding anniversary yay! So it has to be special :0)
I think they left out a lot of songs that deserve to be on this sad little list. What about Blessid Union of Souls 'I Believe' or 'Let Me Be the One'? C'mon this list needs to be recinded and rewritten by people who know what a love song is and sounds like, and not some Google-happy R-tards that qualify a song based on the words used in the lyrics and not the meaning behind the lyrics. Bogus! I love the 90's though HAHA!
Mazzy Star should have been #1 hands down.
No Boyz II Men? thats horrible.