Some of these songs actually have some dark history to them. Let's dig through this dark, creepy, sometimes even gory playlist and dig deep into these 10 pretty disturbing songs of the 1990's.
#1: Jeremy by Pearl Jam
There are two very true, and heartbreaking, stories that run in the verses of 'Jeremy'. The first of which gives the song its name.
The tale of 16 year old Jeremy Wade Delle from Richardson, Texas is a truly shocking one. The young boy took his own life in front of his class mates with a Smith & Wesson 19-4 .357 Magnum on the morning of Tuesday, January 8th in 1991. Eddie Vedder, the band's front man, mentioned in an interview that he had felt the need to take the article about Jeremy and make something of it.
In the second verse of the song, Vedder sings about another true story. However, this one is closer to home. This time, Vedder sings about a classmate from his days in Junior High School. This boy, instead of taking his own life, decided to take a gun and shoot up an oceanography room. Vedder recalls that he heard the shots from where he was in the school. He had actually had altercations with the boy in the past.
Essentially, the song is about two boys. Both of whom were very disturbed and took their revenge out on a world that had shunned them in two very different, but equally violent ways.
When you really look at the story of Jeremy Delle in particular, the lyrics "Jeremy spoke in class today" and "Try to erase this from the blackboard..." suddenly become way, way more foreboding.
#2: Rape Me by Nirvana
The song itself was conceived to make a powerful statement in support of women and the violence that is often (Too often.) brought down upon them. In the words of lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain, it's the story of a man who rapes a woman, is sent to prison for it, and is himself raped while he is there. Cobain also mentioned that there is a direct parallel with the song "Polly", which is a song told from the point of view of the rapist.
It was theorized by fans and lyrical analysts that the song can also be interpreted as an expression of Cobain's feelings of being raped by the media.
Either way, one listen of this song can make even the most hardened person a little queasy. The phrase "rape me" sung over and over in an almost accepting, yet defiant, tone can set anyone's teeth on edge.
#3: One by Metallica
Perhaps one of the most popular rock bands of all time, Metallica actually released this little rosebud in 1988. However, as the band grew in popularity through the following decade, so did their songs.
When dissected this is a pretty sad and horrific song. It's about a World War 1 soldier who is hit by a landmine explosion that takes away his limbs and face. The soldier then becomes a prisoner in his own body and cannot even communicate anything to anyone around him.
Not to worry, though. This soldier is actually a character in the Novel 'Johnny Got His Gun' by Dalton Trumbo. That does take some of the weight off.
The song does, however, shed light on what some real life soldiers may be feeling when facing similar injuries. The lyrics themselves appear to be a plea for the soldier to be released from his despair; a cry to the void that he himself cannot physically make.
#4: Closer by Nine Inch Nails
This song by the Cleveland, OH native band, Nine Inch Nails, admittedly already has a pretty dark, grungy tone to it. On the surface, it appears to be purely sexual. Technically, it is.
Trent Reznor, the band's front man, equates the feeling of sexual fulfillment with being a heavenly experience. Thus, "You bring me closer to God" as a lyric.
However, it has been theorized that the sexual fulfillment aspect of the song equates to an escape not unlike drug or alcohol addiction. If you combine this with the theme of the rest of the album this single came out on ('The Downward Spiral'), which in itself is a combination of songs about self-loathing, suicide, and depression...this song suddenly takes on a whole new meaning.
Interpret it as you will. But it truly makes you stop and think when you know all of that, doesn't it?
#5: Spice Up Your Life by The Spice Girls
For many young girls, whether pre-teen, tween, elementary school age, and teenagers alike, The Spice Girls were the ultimate girl group. With the success of their first album and their movie debut in 'Spice World', these 5 ladies solidified their place in the 1990's hall of fame.
One of their most popular songs, 'Spice Up Your Life', seems to be a simple dance inspired tune that encourages everyone to "spice up" their lives. It seems innocent, and it's ridiculously catchy.
However, in recent years a theory has been circulating that the lyrics aren't just about encouraging their fans to have a good time. Apparently, according to some people, the lyrics are describing the process of making crystal meth and enjoying its effects. Allegedly, the lyrics "Slam it to the left" and "Shake it to the right" are apparently steps in the cooking process to make the lethal drug.
The song was used in a scene from the hit show 'Breaking Bad', sort of taking this theory from a mere shower thought to a sudden, and very possible, reality.
Apparently, neither the girls themselves nor the writers who helped with a majority of their songs have commented on the matter.
Perhaps we will never truly know if this is merely a wild fan theory, as there are so many floating around nowadays, or if this is what the song was really about. Either way, when you think about it and do a little bit of digging on how the drug is actually made, the dots connect a little TOO well.
While some are just theories, the songs that have confirmed their meanings really make you think about what your favorite song could possibly be about. Sometimes, it's fun to delve into the waters of a songwriter's mind and see where their inspiration came from. Other times, if you take a dip in there, you're going to find some sharks.
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