Best Songs of 1995

Ask most people what their favorite musical years were, and almost without fail—and often without realizing the connection—they’ll tell you whatever years they were in high school. Despite my intense and unrelenting love of music, I am much like everyone else in this regard. In my commentary preceding my Best Songs of 1994, I mentioned that it might be my favorite musical year of my lifetime. If it isn’t, that is only because 1995 has assumed the role.

In her excellent memoir, Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein perfectly captures the reason this high school-era music (no matter which era was yours) is so potent:

“These songs and albums were the best ones because of how huge adolescence felt then, and how nostalgia recasts it now.”

I might add that at this age, we have accumulated enough life experiences to appreciate music in a new way, but not enough to be nostalgic about our pasts.

For me, too, these high school years were a chance to explore new arenas for discovery. I no longer needed to rely on my Dad, or my sister, or whatever everyone else was listening to. For the first time, I could spend time looking on my own. Twenty years ago, this was a combination of myriad sources: MTV (especially my new favorite, 120 Minutes), the radio (The End and The Mountain), Tower Records listening stations, local musical weekly The Rocket, and yes, a few things my sister liked first.

With rare exceptions (like, say, The Dismemberment Plan’s first record), the vast majority of this 100-song list features songs, albums and artists I knew and loved back then. So many of them now conjure vivid memories, not just of 20 years ago, but also of the 20 years that have passed since. I love them all still. The passage of time and the accumulation of new music into my life has not lessened their impact.

For these year-end lists, I like to undertake the seemingly impossibly task of creating an hours-long mix. The order you see below represents that effort, which you can listen to via Spotify. Sadly all 100 tracks aren't available, but you get the general idea. Track notes to come eventually or maybe never.

December 2015

Show Grid

Against the ’70s

Mike Watt featuring Eddie Vedder

Ball-Hog or Tugboat?

Columbia
via 107.7 The End library: 12/7/2004

Notes
I’m the Ocean

Neil Young

Mirror Ball

Reprise
via 107.7 The End library: 11/5/2003 (9/9/1995)

Notes
Natural One

Folk Implosion

Kids

London
via 107.7 The End library: 11/19/2009

Notes
Hey Man, Nice Shot

Filter

Short Bus

Reprise
via 107.7 The End library: 8/13/2010

Notes
More Human Than Human

White Zombie

Astro Creep: 2000

Geffen
via 107.7 The End library: 8/2/2011

Notes
Again

Alice in Chains

Alice in Chains

Sony
via past experience library: 11/16/2003 (11/18/1995)

Notes
Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver

Primus

Tales From the Punchbowl

Interscope
via MTV library: 7/27/2010

Notes
Bored

Deftones

Adrenaline

Maverick
via 107.7 The End library: 10/5/2010

Notes
Starseed

Our Lady Peace

Naveed

Columbia
via 107.7 The End library: 7/1/2010

1994 Canadian release; 1995 US release.
In the Blood

Better Than Ezra

Deluxe

Elektra
via TK by way of “Good” library: 4/2/2011

Notes
Someday I Will Treat You Good

Sparklehorse

Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot

Capitol
via Laurel Canyon (2002) library: 12/7/2004

Notes
Rattled by the Rush

Pavement

Wowee Zowee

Matador
via past experience library: 9/17/2009

Notes
Country House

Blur

The Great Escape

Food/Virgin
via 107.7 The End, past experience library: 11/11/2003 (1/13/2001)

Notes
In the Meantime

Spacehog

Resident Alien

Sire
via 107.7 The End / my sister library: 1/12/2010

Notes
Wonderful

Adam Ant

Wonderful

Capitol
via 103.7 The Mountain library: 7/14/2009

Notes
Judy Staring at the Sun

Catherine Wheel

Happy Days

Island
via 107.7 The End library: 4/3/2011

Notes
Bright Yellow Gun

Throwing Muses

University

Reprise
via 107.7 The End library: 4/21/2011

Notes
Superwise

Goodness

Goodness

Y Records
via 107.7 The End library: 3/1/2005

Notes
Dizzy

Green Apple Quick Step

Reloaded

Medicine Label
via 107.7 The End library: 7/6/2009

Notes
Feed Yourself

Sweet Water

Super Friends

Elektra
via 107.7 The End library: 11/13/2003 (1/14/1999)

Notes
Sick of Myself

Matthew Sweet

100% Fun

Zoo Entertainment
via 107.7 The End library: 7/14/2009

Notes
Speed of Silence

Dog’s Eye View

Happy Nowhere

Sony
via Tower Records listening station / MTV and 103.7 The Mountain by way of “Everything Falls Apart” library: 11/18/2003 (10/17/1995)

Notes
Janitor

Toad the Wet Sprocket

In Light Syrup

Columbia
via past experience library: 10/26/2003 (10/25/1995)

Notes
Don’t Leave Me on My Own

Chris Isaak

Forever Blue

Reprise
via past experience library: 11/18/2003 (6/8/1995)

Notes
Don’t Speak

No Doubt

Tragic Kingdom

Interscope
via MTV library: 12/7/2004

Notes
My Friends

Red Hot Chili Peppers

One Hot Minute

Warner Bros.
via past experience library: 11/14/2003 (9/14/1995)

Notes
All Mixed Up

311

311

Volcano
via MTV library: 12/7/2004

Notes
Ruby Soho

Rancid

…And Out Come the Wolves

Epitaph
via MTV / 107.7 The End library: 8/13/2010

Notes
Name

Goo Goo Dolls

A Boy Named Goo

Metal Blade
via MTV / 103.7 The Mountain library: 12/3/2003 (3/20/1996)

Notes
Window

Guster

Parachute

Aware
via past experience / Aware 3: The Compilation library: 10/30/2003 (9/10/1998)

Notes
Angeline Is Coming Home

The Badless

River Songs

A&M
via 103.7 The Mountain library: 11/17/2003 (7/11/1996)

Notes
Route

Son Volt

Trace

Warner Bros.
via 103.7 The Mountain library: 11/15/2003 (9/26/1995)

Notes
Narcotic Prayer

Chris Whitley

Din of Ecstasy

Sony/Work
via past experience library: 11/15/2003 (5/11/1998)

Notes
Bad As They Seem

Hayden

Everything I Long For

Outpost
via 120 Minutes on MTV in 1996 library: 6/26/2011

Notes
Should’ve Been in Love

Wilco

A.M.

Reprise
via 103.7 The Mountain library: 5/24/2005

Notes
The Mountains Win Again

Blues Traveler

Four

A&M
via my sister / MTV library: 11/13/2003 (1/14/1999)

Notes
Blue

The Jayhawks

Tomorrow the Green Grass

American
via 103.7 The Mountain library: 9/5/2009

Notes
Goodbye

Steve Earle

Train a Comin’

Warner Bros.
via past/future experience library: 11/6/2011

Notes
32 Flavors

Ani DiFranco

Not a Pretty Girl

Righteous Babe
via my sister library: 11/8/2008

Notes
Ferris Wheel

The Freddy Jones Band

North Avenue Wake Up Call

Capricorn
via my sister library: 118/2003 (2/19/1996)

Notes
Flood

Jars of Clay

Jars of Clay

Essential/Jive
via MTV library: 10/31/2003 (11/22/1995)

Notes
Who Will Save Your Soul

Jewel

Pieces of You

Atlantic
via MTV / my sister / 103.7 The Mountain library: 12/28/2010

Notes
Pensacola

Joan Osborne

Relish

Mercury
via my sister library: 2/26/2010

Notes
Carnival

Natalie Merchant

Tigerlilly

Elektra
via my sister library: 4/10/2012

Notes
Counting Blue Cars

Dishwalla

Pet Your Friends

A&M
via 103.7 The Mountain library: 11/18/2003 (4/11/1995)

Notes
Tomorrow

Silverchair

Frogstomp

Epic
via 107.7 The End library: 6/29/2009

Notes
Diana

3lb. Thrill

Vulture

550 Records
via 107.7 The End library: 11/17/2003 (5/11/1996)

Notes
Rock and Roll Is Dead

Lenny Kravitz

Circus

Virgin
via past experience library: 4/10/2012

Notes
Scream

Michael & Janet Jackson

HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book 1

Sony
via past experience library: 7/14/2009

Notes
Bad Days

The Flaming Lips

Clouds Taste Metallic

Warner Bros.
via Batman Forever (1995) library: 12/3/2003 (6/16/1995)

Notes
Friends of P.

The Rentals

Return of the Rentals

Maverick
via 107.7 The End library: 7/21/2011

Notes
California

Wax

13 Unlucky Numbers

Interscope
via 120 Minutes on MTV library: 6/28/2012

Notes
Brain Stew

Green Day

Insomniac

Reprise
via past experience library: 11/17/2003 (10/25/1995)

Notes
Common People

Pulp

Different Class

Island
via source unknown, possibly KEXP in 2010/2011 library: 5/16/2011

Notes
Goldfinger

Ash

1977

Reprise
via 120 Minutes on MTV library: 8/13/2010

Notes
Heartspark Dollarsign

Everclear

Sparkle and Fade

Capitol
via 107.7 The End library: 11/19/2009

Notes
Stars

Hum

You’d Prefer an Astronaut

RCA
via 107.7 The End library: 5/13/2006

Notes
Rock Chick

Lotion

Nobody’s Cool

spinART
via Tower Records listening station library: 10/26/2003 (3/20/1996)

Notes
Peaches

The Presidents of the United States of America

The Presidents of the United States of America

Pop Llama/Columbia
via 107.7 The End library: 10/28/2003 (8/9/1995)

Notes
I Got Shit

Pearl Jam

Merkinball

Epic
via past experience library: 11/13/2003 (12/8/1995)

Notes
Wonderwall

Oasis

(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?

Epic
via past experience / MTV / 107.7 The End library: 11/18/2003 (1/10/1996)

Notes
December

Collective Soul

Collective Soul

Atlantic
via 103.7 The Mountain library: 7/20/2011

Notes
Ironic

Alanis Morissette

Jagged Little Pill

Maverick
via MTV library: 12/18/2011

Notes
1979

Smashing Pumpkins

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

Virgin
via MTV / 107.7 The End library: 10/31/2003 (10/30/1995)

Notes
Fanfare

Eric Matthews

It’s Heavy in Here

Sub Pop
via The Seattle Times library: 10/27/2003 (5/11/1996)

Notes
Honey White

Morphine

Yes

Rykodisc
via 103.7 The Mountain library: 8/5/2009

Notes
Girl Like You

Edwyn Collins

Gorgeous George

Bar/None
via 107.7 The End library: 7/18/2008

1994 European release; 1995 U.S. release.
This Is How We Do It

Montell Jordan

This Is How We Do It

Def Jam
via KUBE 93.3 library: 12/3/2003 (12/25/1995)

Notes
Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)

Monica

Miss Thang

Rowdy
via KUBE 93.3 library: 3/25/2012

Notes
1st of tha Month

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

E.Eternal 1999

Ruthless
via MTV library: 12/6/2010

Notes
World Go Round

Naughty By Nature

Poverty’s Paradise

Tommy Boy
via past experience library: 3/2/2008 (6/3/1995)

Notes
Get Money

Junior M.A.F.I.A.

Conspiracy

Atlantic
via Yo! MTV Raps: Hits library: 4/7/2011 (7/19/1997)

Notes
Loungin’

LL Cool J

Mr. Smith

Def Jam
via past experience library: 12/20/2010

Notes
Runnin’

The Pharcyde

Labcabincalifornia

Delicious Vinyl/Rhymesayers
via past experience library: 11/3/2003 (11/18/1995)

Notes
Brown Sugar

D’Angelo

Brown Sugar
via MTV library: 5/19/2011
EMI

Notes
Dear Mama

2Pac

Me Against the World

Interscope
via past experience library: 11/13/2003 (11/27/1998)

Notes
Cell Therapy

Goodie Mob

Soul Food

La Face
via past/future experience (Cee-Lo Green) library: 5/5/2012

Notes
I Wish

Skee-Lo

I Wish

Scotti Bros.
via MTV library: 6/24/2010

Notes
Gangsta’s Paradise

Coolio

Gangsta’s Paradise

Tommy Boy
via past experience, MTV library: 12/9/2010

Notes
Blood Brothers

Bruce Springsteen

Greatest Hits

Columbia
via past experience library: 11/25/2008

Notes
Margaret

Seven Mary Three

American Standard

Mammoth
via 107.7 The End by way of “Cumbersome” library: 4/7/2011 (9/9/1995)

Notes
Time

Supergrass

I Should Coco

Capitol
via past/future experience library: 7/31/2004

Notes
If I Don’t Write

The Dismemberment Plan

"!"

DeSoto
via past/future experience library: 11/8/2003

Notes
I’ll Stick Around

Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters

Roswell/RCA
via past experience (Nirvana) / 107.7 The End / MTV library: 10/26/2003 (7/11/1995)

Notes
Only Happy When It Rains

Garbage

Garbage

Almo Sounds
via 107.7 The End library: 12/15/2012

Notes
Down by the Water

P.J. Harvey

To Bring You My Love

Island
via 107.7 The End library: 8/18/2009

Notes
Stutter

Elastica

Elastica

DGC
via 107.7 The End library: 10/27/2010

Notes
Away With the Pixies

Ben Lee

Grandpaw Would

Grand Royal
via 120 Minutes on MTV library: 10/26/2003 (8/12/1997)

Notes
Philosophy

Ben Folds Five

Ben Folds Five

Passenger
via past/future experience library: 10/30/2003 (9/26/1997)

Notes
23 Minutes in Brussels

Luna

Penthouse

Elektra
via KEXP in 2011 library: 5/12/2012

Notes
Needle in the Hay

Elliott Smith

Elliott Smith

Kill Rock Stars
via past/future experience library: 5/28/2007

Notes
You’ve Got a Friend in Me

Randy Newman

Toy Story

Walt Disney
via the movie library: 9/26/2010

Notes
It’s Oh So Quiet

Björk

Post

Elektra
via my sister library: 10/11/2007

Notes
Sleepy Maggie

Ashley MacIsaac

Hi, How Are You Today?

A&M
via 103.7 The Mountain library: 11/19/2009

Notes
Feeling So Real

Moby

Everything Is Wrong

Elektra
via past/future experience library: 5/12/2012

Notes
Aftermath

Tricky

Maxinquaye

Island
via 107.7 The End library: 6/11/2011

Notes
Alive Alone

The Chemical Brothers featuring Beth Orton

Exit Planet Dust

Astralwerks
via past/future experience library: 1/1/2008

Notes
Black Star

Radiohead

The Bends

Capitol
via past experience library: 12/10/2003 (5/5/1995)

Notes
River of Deceit

Mad Season

Above

Columbia
via 107.7 The End / past experience (Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, et al) library: 10/27/2003 (3/20/1995)

Notes
Diamond Sea

Sonic Youth

Washing Machine

DGC
via 107.7 The End library: 10/27/2007

Notes