The best bands of the '90s

The '90s had everything. Colourful fashion, bold prints, new technology and a carefree outlook. CDs were cheap, drinks even cheaper. Legend has it you could go out with £20, emerge from the sticky-floored club and still have change left over for the taxi. 

Oh, and the music? Well, that wasn’t bad either. All tastes were accounted for in the '90s. Whether you liked singing along to chart-friendly, easy-listening pop with a hairbrush as a mic, headbanging to rock, metal and angsty grunge, or raving the night away to pure, hands-in-the-air, euphoric dance music, the decade had something for every taste.

From the Spice Girls and TLC to Oasis and The Chemical Brothers, these bands shaped the decade. Here are the best bands of the '90s. 

pop

Spice Girls

Before Charli, Beyonce and Taylor, we had Geri, Victoria, Emma, Mel B and Mel C: the Spice Girls. The group – formed in 1994 after auditions by Heart Management – beamed girl power into the CD players, TVs and radios of the '90s. The story goes that, unhappy with their management, the girls took the demos they'd recorded, renegotiated their deal and booked studio sessions to complete their debut album, Spice. From there? It was Spice World, and we were all living in it. Over 36 million records, nine UK number ones and a feature-length film later, Scary, Sporty, Posh, Baby and Ginger Spice have cemented their legacy as one of the best 90s bands of all time. 

 

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Take That

Before their 2009 reunion, Take That were the pop phenomenon of the '90s. Teenage fans mobbed them where they could, waited outside band members’ doors and even sent love letters. It was a different time. With lead singer Gary Barlow at the helm and heartthrob Robbie Williams a firm fan favourite, Take That notched up number one singles with ‘Pray’, ‘Relight My Fire’ and ‘Everything Changes’. Simply put, the early '90s were Take That’s domain, and they had the fanfare and success to back it up.

 

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Backstreet Boys

Speak to any '90s baby and they’ll tell you about Backstreet Boys. Fans in the UK went crazy for tracks like ‘Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)’. And to be honest, with a chorus like that? We don’t blame them. The video is on point, too, feeling more like a mini movie than a regular music video. Directors in the '90s had budgets. The Backstreet Boys cleaned up at the Smash Hits awards, danced all over Saturday morning telly and packed out arenas. They’re still at it today, consistent with albums and tours aside from a two-year break in the early 2000s. 

 

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All Saints

In a sea of '90s bubblegum pop, All Saints stood out. Not content with straightforward pop sounds of the day, they incorporated R&B, funk and eventually dream pop into their sound, working with hip-hop producers and electronic wizards. This led to the release of ‘Pure Shores’, an absolute '90s classic, which is full of dreamy, ethereal synths and went to number 1 as soon as it was released. With hits and creativity, All Saints mastered the left field, detached and cool style, which is pretty much the norm nowadays. 

 

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r&b, rap & hip-hop

Destiny’s Child

Destiny’s Child had bangers. ‘Bills, Bills, Bills’, ‘Independent Women Pt.1’, ‘Say My Name’ – we could go on all day. Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle brought classic girl group energy into the '90s, with their effortless harmonies and glossy, futuristic beats blasting from millions of stereos and CD players back in the day. The trio sold over 60 million records worldwide, and even today, their work lives on. 14.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify can’t be wrong. We heard that Beyonce did pretty well afterwards, too…

 

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TLC

Destiny’s Child may have walked through the door to superstardom, but TLC kicked it open. With hits like ‘Waterfalls’, ‘Creep’, ‘Unpretty’ and the unforgettable ‘No Scrubs’, T-Boz, Chilli and Left Eye defined an era. They pulled from soul and hip-hop, penning catchy and cool tunes about beauty standards and self-esteem. Don’t believe us? Here’s what Beyonce herself had to say: "TLC has influenced just about every female group that's out there now, and they definitely influenced Destiny's Child." A trio of trailblazers, TLC are true icons. 

 

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Jodeci

Ahh, Jodeci. The '90s bedroom jam final bosses. They looked the part, sang the part, and their lyrics? Enough to make the most seasoned R&B fan blush. Plus, they opened doors. Second album Diary of a Mad Band helped introduce the world to Missy Elliott and Timbaland, the latter scoring production and writing credits on the group's third album. With over 20 million album sales and surely the soundtrack to many a Valentine's evening, no 90s list would be complete without them. 

 

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Outkast

Outkast put the Dirty South on the map. Before, there was a fisheye lens focused right on LA and New York. But Andre 3000 and Big Boi? They did it differently. Across their three ’90s albums — Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, ATLiens and Aquemini — you’ll hear rubbery funk, cosmic basslines, jazzy horns and smooth, soulful vocals. 20 million worldwide album sales and six Grammy awards later, Outkast are one of the best '90s bands ever. And Andre, if you're reading: please, please, please pick up the mic again. 

 

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britpop & indie

Oasis

When you think about the top bands of the '90s, you think Oasis. Something about the tunes, the attitude, and the drama all blend together, creating a magnetic force you just can’t peel your eyes away from. We're sure you've belted out 'Don't Look Back In Anger' with your mates, sang along to 'Wonderwall', or, if you're a fan of the deep cuts, marvelled at the songwriting prowess of 'Talk Tonight' and 'Rockin' Chair'. Their music has been passed from generation to generation, leaving an indelible mark on whoever has come across it. 

 

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Blur

Blur, we salute you. Yes, the rivalry with Oasis was a huge part of their appeal. But on the music side? They had it all. Big, sing-along choruses, catchy tunes and witty lyrics – we challenge you not to get ‘Girls & Boys’ stuck in your head, and as for ‘Parklife’, we don’t need to say anything more. Plus, when the Britpop wave went stale, they switched it up. ‘Song 2’ managed to crack the American market, and on their later albums, the band embraced electronics. Leaving Blur out of a list of the best '90s bands would be a disservice – to you, them and us. 

 

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Pulp

If Britpop were a house party, Pulp would be the observers. Fronted by Jarvis Cocker, they sang perceptive numbers about class, everyday life and identity. But they didn’t forget that the tunes needed to slap. ‘Disco 2000’ is a wistful story about childhood sweethearts, and ‘Common People’ tackles class, but you can still belt them out at an indie night or in a packed arena show. And people did. Pulp headlined Glastonbury in 1995, cementing their legacy as heroes of the Britpop scene. 

 

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Suede

Suede brought a dash of glam to the Britpop era. They had an androgynous style, cascading guitar lines and deep vocals, captivating their fans with tracks like ‘Animal Nitrate’ and ‘The Wild Ones’. They evolved with the times, too. After guitarist Bernard Butler left the band, they recruited then-17-year-old Richard Oakes. This coincided with a frustration from Suede, who felt they weren’t getting the credit they deserved. First, they took on a poppier, commercial-friendly sound but returned to the weird with their last '90s album, Head Music. 

 

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The Verve

The Verve reached critical acclaim in 1997 with ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’, which peaked at number two in the UK charts and sold over one million copies. However, earlier tracks like ‘Slide Away’ and ‘History’ show a flair for the heavy, atmospheric and grandiose. Like Oasis, The Verve had a penchant for chaos. Recording sessions for the second album, A Northern Soul, ended in the breakup of the band, only for them to return in 1997, record their breakout album Urban Hymns and etch themselves into Britpop folklore. 

 

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Primal Scream

The '90s were eclectic, and Primal Scream is proof. With Screamadelica – doesn't that roll off the tongue? – they tapped into the rave-rock phenomenon, penning hits like 'Movin' On Up' and 'Don't Fight It, Feel It', both of which are dripping with euphoria. Remixes from Andrew Weatherall and The Chemical Brothers would take Primal Scream even deeper into the club scene, and while they went on a classic rock excursion with Give Out But Don’t Give Up, they finished the 90s with Vanishing Point, which synthesised the trip-hop sounds popular in the mainstream. That's why Primal Scream are one of the best 90s bands: they did straight rock, dance and trip-hop, always sounding like themselves. 

 

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grunge

Pearl Jam

Remember shredding out ‘Even Flow’ on Guitar Hero? We do. What an absolute tune. Pearl Jam were part of the grunge movement of the '90s, and with songs like ‘Even Flow’, ‘Black’ and ‘Jeremy’, they brought big riffs, ballads and a stadium energy to the table. That’s without mentioning frontman Eddie Vedder, who sang with a mighty voice and had a love of climbing stage poles. Pearl Jam captured music fans’ attention, notching up over 100 million album sales worldwide, a Grammy and a handful of MTV VMAs. 

 

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Soundgarden

If Pearl Jam brought the stadium belters, what did Soundgarden bring? Murky riffs. Tracks like ‘Black Hole Sun’ and ‘Rusty Cage’ were heavy, sludgy and unrelenting, topped off by Chris Cornell’s soaring vocals. Superunknown, released in 1994, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and was nominated for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards.

 

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Nirvana

'Smells Like Teen Spirit' is a headbanger's dream. Plus, it's likely one of the first tunes you learnt to play on guitar. Of course, we're talking about Nirvana. They hit the scene with Bleach in 1989, but it was Nevermind that propelled them to superstardom. It took the raw and uncompromising sound of the debut and added pop touches, tapping into the angst synonymous with young people of the '90s. Nirvana were heavy music for a new age, blowing the schlock-rock of the previous decade into the dust and getting under the skin of all the right people. Kurt, Krist and Dave will go down as one of the best bands of the '90s. 

 

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Alice In Chains

Alice In Chains is a heavy name for a heavy band. Tracks like 'Man In The Box' and 'Would?' featured chuggy riffs, while 'Nutshell' added an emotional edge to their sound. They tackled everything from addiction to pain, showing that Seattle bands could get to the root of human issues. With over 30 million album sales worldwide, Alice In Chains are one of the standout bands from the grunge movement. 

 

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electronic 

The Chemical Brothers

The Chemical Brothers brought big beat to the masses. If you liked dance, rock or hip-hop, it didn’t matter, as 1995 debut Exit Planet Dust smashed them all together. Tracks like ‘Leave Home’ and ‘One Too Many Mornings’ are tailor-made for dancing, and remixes for Primal Scream gave the duo a link to the indie world. They became so well known for remixes, even Metallica were after one. The Chemical Brothers went on to sell over 13 million albums and 20 million singles worldwide; their success and the fact that they helped set the tone for dance music make them one of the best bands of the '90s.

 

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The Prodigy

For many, The Prodigy were the gateway into dance music. Comprised of Liam Howlett, Keith Flint, Maxim and Leeroy Thornhill, they brought a trademark sense of chaos, frenzy and anarchy to the '90s, with tracks like ‘Firestarter’ and ‘Breathe’ making you want to lose your mind and then some. Just take a look at their 1997 performance at Glastonbury. You’ve got Keith and Maxim stalking the stage, the crowd eating up every word and beat. With an estimated 25 million record sales worldwide, including 4.7 million single sales in the UK, The Prodigy can’t be ignored when talking about the best '90s bands. 

 

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Orbital

Orbital are steeped in rave culture. After all, they named themselves after the M25, which partygoers would drive around when waiting to hear the venue name of the next rave. They also brought atmosphere to the electronic scene. 1993’s 'Halcyon + On + On' builds with ambient tones before dropping into deep grooves, while 'Chime' blends gorgeous melody with impactful percussion. On record, they're great, but live? They sound even better. At their 1994 Glastonbury performance, sound and music come together as one to create a truly unforgettable watch. 

 

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Faithless

Everyone loves Faithless, even Dave Grohl. When Q Magazine asked him to name the one song he wished he’d written, he picked ‘Mass Destruction’. We’re not surprised, to be honest. As well as penning dance tracks about the horrors of war, they could also make a stadium shake. It's hard not to be taken in by that riff from 'Insomnia', and as for 'God Is a DJ?' You can't help but get lost in the ethereal melodies. Faithless have sold over 20 million albums, and three of their albums have gone to number one. They blended spirituality with club bangers, making them an unforgettable part of the '90s dance scene. 

 

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Underworld

Whether you heard it on Trainspotting, live in the flesh or on CD, 'Born Slippy' is a certified classic. Underworld began life as a funk and synth-pop duo, but after switching gears and taking on an electronic sound, they found fame. 1994's dubnobasswithmyheadman brought hits like 'Cowgirl', a mind-bending slice of club music complete with hypnotic breaks and vocals. Underworld's live shows weren't bad, either. They blew the roof off Glastonbury 1999, with legions of fans going mad for some of their biggest hits. A true pioneer of the '90s, Underworld deserve your attention and then some. 

 

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Daft Punk

The masks, the songs and the music videos: Daft Punk are just iconic. Formed in the early '90s by Thomas Bengalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, the duo became a fixture of the French house scene. Once Homework was released in 1997, they went stratospheric. It’s the album that brought us ‘Around The World’, which captured minds with its undeniably funky rhythm and memorable music video. Daft Punk’s debut was packed with joy and fun, setting the stage for continued success in the years after. When it was all said and done, the duo sold over 10 million albums, inspiring a generation of electronic music explorers in the process. 

 

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Massive Attack

When you think of Bristol, you think of Massive Attack. Formed in 1988 by 3D, Daddy G, Tricky, and Mushroom, the group went on to pioneer the trip-hop sound. While Blue Lines and Protection brought attention, 1998's Mezzanine really put them on the map. Dark, atmospheric and layered, it brought the world 'Teardrop'. How can anyone not be moved by Elizabeth Fraser's vocals? The album was a huge success, despite being their first without Tricky, selling over 2.5 million copies worldwide and inspiring a wave of artists. Nowadays, 3D and Daddy G are leading voices on climate change, with their homecoming gig breaking a world record for producing the lowest ever carbon emissions.

 

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alt rock & metal

The Smashing Pumpkins

Long before he was promoting professional wrestling – yeah, we couldn’t believe that either – Billy Corgan was known as the frontman for The Smashing Pumpkins. Formed in Chicago, tracks like ‘1979’, ‘Bullet With Butterfly Wings’ and ‘Disarm’ brought loud-quiet dynamics, texture and drama to the alternative rock scene. And it gained them fans. 1993's Siamese Dream sold over six million copies worldwide and was certified four times platinum. They crossed over into popular culture with guest appearances on The Simpsons, won two Grammy’s and from 1987 to 2000, only cancelled four shows. Truly one of the best bands of the '90s. 

 

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Radiohead

Some bands have the name and sound to match – Radiohead? They’re one of them. Initially coming to fame with 1992’s ‘Creep’, which soundtracked isolation and angst for a generation, they really got going in the late '90s. OK Computer, with tracks like ‘Paranoid Android’, ‘Karma Police’ and ‘Exit Music (For A Film)’ brought a markedly left-field, experimental sound, laying the foundation for the forward-thinking band they would become. Today, Radiohead continue to set the pace, embracing digital distribution and addressing important societal themes. 

 

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Rage Against The Machine

With heavy riffs, funky rhythms, hip-hop influences and political rhymes, Rage had style and substance. You can headbang to 'Bulls On Parade', but the critiques about the powers that be? They make it timeless. Simply put, there's a message behind the music. And that message went beyond recordings. In 1997, the band hosted a radio show on the eve of Bill Clinton's inauguration, inviting activists and artists to speak and play. They fused styles many have tried and failed at, leaving behind an incredible legacy in the process. 

 

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Foo Fighters

After Kurt Cobain’s unfortunate passing, Nirvana split. Dave Grohl took to the studio, recorded bass, drums, guitar and vocals – what a hero, by the way – for what would be the Foo Fighters’ debut album. Time passed, and the solo project became a band. They went on to craft anthemic rock tunes like ‘Monkey Wrench’, ‘Everlong’ and ‘Learn To Fly’, packing out stadiums, selling millions of records and leading the charge for rock music in the decades to come. It’s not every day that the drummer ends up becoming the star, but Dave Grohl managed it, and the music world is much better for it. 

 

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Green Day

If you spent the '90s chatting to your friends on MSN or skating in the park, chances are that Green Day were on your radar. With riffs for days, they merged the energy and rough-around-the-edges charm of punk with poppy hooks and choruses. Once Dookie landed in 1994, the trio went international. Singles like ‘Basket Case’ and ‘When I Come Around’ followed, topping the charts and soundtracking a generation's moshing sessions. That alone gives them a permanent place in '90s music history. 

 

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And there we have it, the best bands of the '90s. Why not take the nostalgia one step further? From festivals and gigs to throwback club nights, Skiddle has plenty of '90s events to scratch that retro itch. Grab your mates, dig out your bucket hat, and relive the decade in style.

 

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