The 1990s were a time of major change in the world of popular rock music, unlike any that had been seen beforeāor since. The excess and showmanship of the ’80s had grown tired, and a new paradigm emerged, temporarily obliterating every hair-metal and glam-rock band.
The generation that grew up in that decade has now reached the age where they have real jobs, have money to spend, and can afford to go out to see cover bands in bars and clubs. More and more, those patrons are requesting songs that represent their youth, and as a cover band musician it’s essential to roll with the changes.
What follows is a list of 50 rock songs from the ’90s that are most-often played by cover bandsā largely due to their popularity and ease for musicians of most skill levels in a basic four or five-piece band. The tracks are listed in alphabetical order, so as to give equal weight to all of the tunes. Even if you or your band don’t currently play any of these songs, they’re easy to learn, and are good to have in your arsenal as a working musician.
1. ā3 A.M.ā ā Matchbox Twenty
Released in 1997, the third single on the bandās debut album scored a top three or better position on five Billboard charts, including a #1 spot on the Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks. Today it ranks as the most popular Matchbox Twenty song played in a cover band.
2. āAliveā ā Pearl Jam
There are a handful of great Pearl Jam songs to play in a cover band. In fact, thereās one a little further down in this list. But this first single from their debut album in 1991 is the most instantly recognizable of their early hits. The three-chord progression at the end of the song lends itself well to extended jamming, and itās a lot of fun to play.
3. āAll Mixed Upā ā 311
From their triple-platinum, self-titled album released in 1995, this second single scored a #4 spot on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart the following year and can be considered 311ās signature song. Cover bands have also been known to play the first single āDownā as well, but itās this track that gets covered most often.
4. āAll the Small Thingsā ā Blink 182
Although the song wasnāt released until January, 2000, this second single off the bandās 1999 albumĀ Enema of the StateĀ reached a peak of #6 on Billboardās Hot 100 chart and can still be considered a ā90s tune. Itās a fun, upbeat party tune that usually goes over well with the bar scene.
5. āAnts Marchingā ā Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews once said, āThis song is our anthem,ā and it is certainly one of the most recognizable tunes from the band. The second single from 1994āsĀ Under the Table and DreamingĀ is the DMB tune most-often played by cover bands. Many have been able to even play it without the horns and still make it sound good.
6. āAre You Gonna Go My Wayā ā Lenny Kravitz
Covered by such acts as Metallica, Tom Jones, and Robbie Williams, this first single off of Kravitzās album of the same name reached #1 on Billboardās Album Rock Tracks after being released in early 1993. With a blistering guitar riff to open the song, this is usually a winner for any cover band to include in their set.
7. āBasket Caseā ā Green Day
As the third single off the bandās third albumĀ Dookie, āBasket Caseā spent five weeks at the top of the Modern Rock Tracks chart in late 1994. Singer Billie Joe Armstrong wrote the song about his troubles with anxiety, and it helped propel Green Day to superstar status. Bands all over the world play this song, even if they donāt focus on ā90s songs in particular.
8. āBitchā ā Meredith Brooks
One of few the one-hit-wonder songs on this list, āBitchā has been lumped in with the āangry chick rockā of the ā90s, largely due to the success of Alanis Morissette and other Lilith Fair-type artists. Most female singers in cover bands are at least familiar with this song, and it usually gets the other girls in the venue singing along.
9. āBlackā ā Pearl Jam
Another Pearl Jam song on this list from their groundbreaking albumĀ Ten, āBlackā was never actually released as a single, but it did enjoy some chart success in 1992. With its slow-build to an explosive climactic ending, howling vocals, and fierce full-band sound, this tune works well in rock cover situations just about all of the time.
10. āBulls on Paradeā ā Rage Against the Machine
RATM has another, even more popular song on this list (any guesses?), but this track from the 1996 albumĀ Evil EmpireĀ rocks just as hard. Most cover bands tend to play this one later in the night or set, and itās even been known to rile a rowdy crowd up to the point of a barroom fight. But with the friendlier folks, it just gets their fists pumping and heads banging, making for a killer addition to your set list.
11. āCounting Blue Carsā ā Dishwalla
The only hit song for American rock group Dishwalla, āCounting Blue Carsā was a crossover success on several Billboard charts in 1996. For cover bands that want to keep the patrons relatively mellow but still singing along, this mid-tempo track is great to include in your ā90s classic rock set.
12. āCreepā ā Radiohead
As the debut single for Radiohead in 1992, āCreepā was not an initial success, but became a worldwide hit once re-released in 1993. The song has been covered several times on popular reality singing shows like American Idol and The Voice, and many bands find that it works just as well in a club/bar setting.
13. āCumbersomeā ā Seven Mary Three
Seven Mary Threeās first and only hit song was released in 1996. The single led to big album sales for the band, but also pigeon-holed the group into one-hit-wonder status. āCumbersomeā reached #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and received heavy airplay well into the next decade. Most rock cover bands will play this song at one time or another.
14. āEnter Sandmanā ā Metallica
This song could easily be included in a lot of other cover band must-know lists (like this one). Since this is a ā90s rock song list, it must be included here as well. āEnter Sandmanā achieved platinum status, selling over a million copies since its release in 1991. Itās one of the songs that Metallica has played the most during their career, and it has been covered by over a dozen other artists in several different styles and genres.
15. āFar Behindā ā Candlebox
The bandās best-known hit peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #18 in 1994 after nearly a full year on the chart. It was one of a few ā90s songs that were written in tribute to late Mother Love Bone singer Andrew Wood (Alice in Chainsā āWould?ā and Temple of the Dogās āSay Hello 2 Heavenā were among the others). Although itās considered a power ballad, the song works well for cover bands in just about any live performance situation.
16. āGoodā ā Better Than Ezra
New Orleansā own Better Than Ezra released āGoodā in 1995 as the first single off of their major label debut albumĀ Deluxe.Ā The song went to #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart and peaked at #30 on the Hot 100. Itās the same four chords throughout the entire song, save for a brief whole-step modulation. This is one that is a no-brainer to learn, goes over well, and should definitely be included in your library of nineties songs.
17. āHey Jealousyā ā Gin Blossoms
The Gin Blossomsā hit was originally recorded for the 1989 albumĀ Dusted,Ā but didnāt enjoy success until its re-release on the 1992 breakthrough albumĀ New Miserable Experience,Ā where it reached #25 on the Billboard Hot 100. This is a ā90s rock tune that most girls dig, and you definitely want to make the ladies happy!
18. āI Aloneā ā Live
Live released āI Aloneā in August, 1994 as their second single from the multi-platinum albumĀ Throwing Copper,Ā where it reached #6 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Some cover bands will include āLightning Crashesā and āAll Over Youā in their master set list, too, as they can also go over well at a club or bar gig.
19. āIf You Could Only Seeā ā Tonic
Tonic released this song back in 1997 and it was the biggest hit single from their debut albumĀ Lemon Parade. āIf You Could Only Seeā reached #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and enjoyed significant airplay for over a year.Ā
Fun fact!Ā Iāve played in bands that play this song in A minor and some that play it in B minor, but the band actually plays the song in A minor with a capo at the first fret, making it sound like Bb in standard tuning.
20. āInside Outā ā Eve 6
āInside Outā hit the top of the Modern Rock Tracks chart three separate times in a matter of four weeks in the summer of 1998. Eve 6 hasnāt had a hit since then, making them yet another artist to join the ranks of the one-hit-wonderers. Most thirty-somethings know this song, and will be happy that you played it.
21. āInterstate Love Songā ā Stone Temple Pilots
Ranked by VH1 as the 58th greatest rock song of all time, āInterstate Love Songā is considered one of Stone Temple Pilotsā biggest hits ever. It succeeded āVasoline,ā STPās previous single from the #1 multi-platinum album PurpleĀ in the Fall of 1994, and remained in the top spot for 15 weeks. Rock cover bands all over the world have been playing this song ever since, and it works every time.
22. āJust a Girlā ā No Doubt
As the lead single off of No Doubtās third albumĀ Tragic Kingdom, āJust A Girlā helped break Gwen Stefani and company into the mainstream when they hit #23 on Billboardās Hot 100 chart in 1995. Itās another āgirl powerā anthem from the ā90s that many female singers in cover bands know and perform often. It kinda rocks, too.
23. āKilling in the Nameā ā Rage Against the Machine
In the early ā90s, rap metal was all the rage, fusing two genres of music that hadnāt previously coexisted. Arguably the first band to have success with this marriage was the Los Angeles-based band Rage Against the Machine. The 1992 single off of their debut album didnāt chart in the United States, most likely due to its liberal use of the āFā word, but āKilling in the Nameā put the band on the map, and paved the way for future rap metal artists such as Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, and even Kid Rock.
24. āKryptoniteā ā 3 Doors Down
The breakthrough hit for 3 Doors Down was officially released in January 2000, but rose to success the previous year when it was released as a demo for local play at a radio station in Mississippi. Most rock cover bands will play āKryptoniteā at one time or another, so itās a good one to know.
25. āLaidā ā James
The 1993 single for the band James was their one and only hit, largely due to its popularity on American college radio. āLaidā works well with the party crowd, and with only three chords following the same exact progression throughout the entire song, itās a no-brainer to learn. Bands do well when playing it a little faster than the original recording.
26. āLowā ā Cracker
Crackerās 1993 hit landed on a number of charts late in the year and well into 1994. āLowā is another bar band staple song, with the same 4-chord progression throughout the entire tune (D-C-E-G), making it an easy song to learn and remember.
27. āMachine Headā ā Bush
Bush had more success in ā95 and ā96 with āComedownā and āGlycerineā from the albumĀ Sixteen Stone, but itās āMachineheadā that gets played most often by rock cover bands. Of those three hit songs, the latter is the most upbeat and dance-able, lending itself well to the bar and club scene.
28. āMan in the Boxā ā Alice in Chains
1991 was the year that grunge was introduced to the masses, and one of the pioneers was Seattleās Alice in Chains. The albumĀ FaceliftĀ was released the prior year, but the band broke through with the single and video for āMan in a Boxā and never looked back. Even after the passing of lead singer Layne Stayley in 2002, AiC continues to put out new material and tour. But this song defines the group, and just about every cover band musician knows and has covered it at some point.
29. āMary Janeās Last Danceā ā Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released a Greatest Hits album in 1993 and included this song, which may or may not be referencing a popular herbal party favor. The song hit #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Pettyās first Top 20 hit of the ā90s. Even though the song rides along at a moderate tempo, it usually gets people onto the dance floor.
30. āMr. Jonesā ā Counting Crows
āMr. Jonesā was the first radio hit for the Counting Crows in 1993, and remains their most popular song to this day. As a cover, this song works well in both bars and clubs, as its upbeat groove and memorable chorus keep people dancing and singing along.
31. āMy Own Worst Enemyā ā Lit
This single from Litās second albumĀ A Place in the SunĀ spent 11 weeks at the top of the Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1999 and crossed over successfully to the Mainstream Rock chart. It became a staple for the band at their live shows, and for rock cover bands. Itās an easy tune, and it gets people to bang their heads and dance.
32. āNo Rainā ā Blind Melon
Blind Melonās second single off of their debut album was one of MTVās most-played hits of the ā90s. āNo Rainā also enjoyed a great deal of success on the charts in both the U.S. and abroad. Cover bands have been known to play different versions of this song in their set, making it unique while still honoring the spirit of the original.
33. āOutshinedā ā Soundgarden
This song can be a tricky one for some bands, as it doesnāt represent your run-of-the-mill rock number. With the stratospheric vocals of Chris Cornell, drop D tuning, and a 7/4-time signature, Soundgardenās 1991 single fromĀ BadmotorfingerĀ is not an easy one to pull off. But if youāve got the goods, itās a killer rock song to include in your ā90s set.
34. āPlushā ā Stone Temple Pilots
āPlushā was one of the biggest hits for Stone Temple Pilots, and it still gets considerable radio play today, long after its 1993 release. The song was a huge hit for the band, and is probably the most popular song by STP that cover bands perform.
35. āPossum Kingdomā ā The Toadies
Another song on the list that utilizes 7/4-time (alternating with 4/4), āPossum Kingdomā was the second single released from The Toadiesā 1994 albumĀ Rubberneck. The band saw some chart success with this tune in 1995, and it still holds up to this day as a great song to include in your set list.
36. āSanteriaā ā Sublime
The first of two Sublime songs on this list, āSanteriaā was released as the second single from their self-titled album in early 1997. It peaked at number three on Billboardās Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, and remains one of the bandās most popular tunes.
37. āSay It Aināt Soā ā Weezer
Weezerās third single off their self-titled debut album peaked at #7 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1995. Itās a favorite party tune for bands and club-goers alike, and never fails to get people singing along with the chorus.
38. āSemi-Charmed Lifeā ā Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blindās first single off their self-titled debut album saw huge success in the ā90s, scoring a #4 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as being named the 34th best song of the ā90s by VH1. Itās yet another fun, upbeat party tune that works well for cover bands in bars and clubs.
39. āShimmerā ā Fuel
āShimmerā peaked at number two on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart after its release in 1998 as the first single off of Fuelās albumĀ Sunburn. The song was hugely popular for cover bands well into the following decade, and it still works great today as a part of your ā90s rock repertoire.
40. āShineā ā Collective Soul
āShineā was named the number one Album Rock song of 1994 by Billboard the year after its release. It also topped the Album Rock Tracks chart for eight straight weeks in the same year. Itās another drop-D song, something that became quite popular in the ā90s for rock bands. If youāre playing any Collective Soul, you should include this track in your set.
41. āSlideā ā The Goo Goo Dolls
The Goo Goo Dollsā sixth studio album finally broke the band into the mainstream, largely due to the success of āSlide.ā It hit #1 in 1998 on three different Billboard charts and reached #4 on the Hot 100 late the same year. Itās very popular on the rock cover band scene as well. The song was originally recorded in the key of Ab, but the band plays it live in the key of G, making it easier to play open chords, as well as on singer Johnny Rzeznikās voice.
42. āSmells Like Teen Spiritā ā Nirvana
Itās the quintessential ā90s rock tune, and the song that single-handedly turned the popular music world upside-down. A new era of alternative and āgrungeā music was born in 1991 with this song (aided by significant MTV airplay) and made Kurt Cobain and Nirvana household names. If you play in a classic rock cover band that emphasizes ā90s tunes, you need to know this song.
43. āSmoothā ā Santana
In 1999, veteran guitarist Carlos Santana reinvigorated his career with the mutli-platinum selling albumĀ Supernatural, which featured guest vocalists such as Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty who also co-wrote this song. āSmoothā went on to win three Grammy awards and was the last #1 Hot 100 hit of the decade. Even without the extra percussion and horns that are sometimes lacking in cover bands, this tune rocks.
44. āSoberā ā Tool
Released in 1993 as the second single off of Toolās albumĀ Undertow, āSoberā still gets regular airplay to this day on radio stations across the country. The driving bass intro makes this song instantly recognizable, and music fans at any venue canāt help but throw their fist in the air for this powerful rocker.
45. āWhat I Gotā ā Sublime
Although released in 1996, Sublimeās second single from their self-titled album was one of the most popular songs of 1997 in the U.S. It reached #1 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, and was ranked by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time. āWhat I Gotā uses a very simple two-chord structure through the entire song, and is always a crowd-pleaser at a gig.
46. āWhatās Upā ā 4 Non Blondes
āWhatās Upā was the second single from 4 Non Blondesā debut album in 1993, and it enjoyed chart success in over a dozen countries. Singer Linda Perry has since gone on to be a very successful songwriter for other artists such as Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, and American Idolās Adam Lambert. This is another song that most female singers in cover bands know, and it usually goes over well with the bar crowd.
47. āWhen I Come Aroundā ā Green Day
Green Dayās fourth single off of the mega-popular albumĀ DookieĀ was released in 1995 and became the bandās most successful single early in their career. There are a few other songs from Green Day that cover bands will include in their catalog, but this one is definitely easy to learn and usually goes over well.
48. āWonderwallā ā Oasis
The third single off of Oasisā 1995 albumĀ (Whatās the Story) Morning Glory?Ā was a huge success, hitting the top ten on over a dozen charts worldwide. āWonderwallā has been covered by a wide variety of artists, from Ryan Adams to Jay-Z, and itās popular tune for bar and club cover bands around the globe.
49. āYou Oughta Knowā āĀ Alanis Morissette
In 1994, Alanis Morissette took the rock world by storm with her insanely popular debut albumĀ Jagged Little Pill. The record spawned several subsequent hits, but āYou Oughta Knowā was the first single for the Canadian singer, and it elevated her to superstar status overnight. Just about every female singer in a rock cover band knows this song and has performed it many times.
50. āZombieā ā The Cranberries
Yet another four-chord song that never deviates from the progression, The Cranberries āZombieā charted in over a dozen countries, including hitting the #1 spot on Billboardās Modern Rock Tracks after its release in 1994. The chorus usually gets the ladies singing along, and of course, we all want to make the ladies happy.
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