The 90s—a.k.a. the most eclectic music decade ever—boasted a lot of downer music. Let’s just face it. There was a lot of anger and angst going on during the decade, from angry grunge to violent rap music. But that wasn’t all the era had to offer. There were some songs that could uplift and even put a smile on your face.

That’s what we wanted to check out here. We wanted to examine three songs from the 1990s that were joyous and that still remain so. We’re not talking the bubblegum pop of groups like The Backstreet Boys, we’re talking rock music that thrilled and enlivened. Indeed, these are three classic rock songs from the 1990s that just make us feel good.

“Two Princes” by Spin Doctors from ‘Pocket Full Of Kryptonite’ (1993)

While the West Coast in the mid-90s was overflowing with grunge music that highlighted the depressing side of life, from rainy days to drug addiction, there were bands on the East Coast that were basking in more of the sunshine that life had to offer. Example: Spin Doctors. The New York City (via Princeton, New Jersey) band broke out in 1993 thanks to their debut LP, Pocket Full Of Kryptonite, which featured the goofy, fun rock hits “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” and “Two Princes”. Both songs you still hear today—why? Because they simply induce so many grins!

“Warehouse” by Dave Matthews Band from ‘Under The Table And Dreaming’ (1994)

Virginia-born jam band Dave Matthews Band released their debut studio LP, Under The Table And Dreaming, in 1994. And with it came a slew of now-classic songs from the group, from “Ants Marching” to “Satellite”. But one of the songs that is both most fun to hear on that album and to hear in concert these days is the tune, “Warehouse”, an epic offering that can sometimes extend for a dozen or more minutes in a live setting. And when paired back to back with the DMB song “Dancing Nancies”, with one song bleeding into the next, it’s chef’s kiss.

“When I Come Around” by Green Day from ‘Dookie’ (1995)

The California-born pop punk band wrote a lot of hit songs in the 90s that were both rambunctious and riveting. Their songs were often combinations of three-chord rollicks and introspective dalliances. But while some of their music could be very cerebral, some of it could also simply just be fun. And that’s where this track, “When I Come Around”, which is from the band’s famed LP, Dookie, comes in. It’s loud and it’s confident. The song’s chest is definitely pushed out. It makes you want to hear it again and again. Indeed, you want the song to come around as often as possible!

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