The 1990s were loud. It seemed like everywhere you looked, there was a guitar blasting a big chord on stage, MTV, the radio, VH1, or in your home stereo. Rock music was all around, from grunge to alt-rock to jam bands. It was the lifeblood of the era. Indeed, the 90s were wealthy with music—you heard it everywhere you went. Part of that wealth, though, came in the shape of collaboration. And that’s what we wanted to dive into today. We wanted to highlight three classic rockers from the 90s who not only wrote hits for themselves but also penned tunes for their peers, their friends, and their contemporaries. These are three classic rock stars from the 90s who wrote songs for other artists.
Billy Corgan
Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan is well-known for saying that Kurt Cobain was the best songwriter of the 90s. But Corgan has also been quick to say that he was perhaps the next best. Well, he got the chance to showcase his skills when he worked with Cobain’s spouse, Courtney Love, co-writing one of the biggest songs for Love’s band Hole. Indeed, the hit “Celebrity Skin” is a lampoon of celebrity culture. It subverts the idea while still putting the glamours Love front and center. Smart stuff from all those involved, including Corgan.
Videos by American Songwriter
Lenny Kravitz
In 1990, there were perhaps no two people as smoldering hot as Lenny Kravitz and Madonna. So, when the two worked together, it was bound to be a blast. And indeed it was. Kravitz helped the pop star write one of her smash hits, “Justify My Love”, which she released at the turn of the decade. With a hard-hitting beat and a powerful vocal delivery, the lustful, breathy song remains a fan favorite from the blonde icon, thanks in part to the rocker Kravitz.
Slash
Speaking of Kravitz, he was not only giving out helping hands but he was receiving them, too. The iconic singer teamed up with another in 1991 when he worked with classic rock star Slash on the buzzing offering, “Always On The Run”. The result is one of Kravitz’s most memorable tracks, the kind of thumping tune that sticks to your ribs. Thinking about it, it’s actually too bad the two never worked together more. They could have been a duo for the ages!
Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images
Most Viewed
-
SAS Hotel – Brussel – Belgium – 14/11/1997 Studio portrait of Meredith Brooks posing with Fender Stratocaster guitar Photo gie Knaeps -
The Beatles at the press launch for their new album 'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band', held at Brian Epstein's house at 24 Chapel Street, London, 19th May 1967. Left to right: George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 – 1980) and Paul McCartney. (Photo by John Downing/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
American musician Stevie Nicks of the group Fleetwood Mac perform onstage at the Los Angeles Forum, Inglewood, California, December 6, 1979. In the foreground is American musician Lindsey Buckingham. (Photo by Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images) -
Television still shows the popular music and television group the Monkees as they perform onstage in an episode of their self-titled tv show, late 1960s. From left, Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Mickey Dolenz (on drums), and Michael Nesmith. (Photo by NBC Television/Courtesy of Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES – APRIL 1975: Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd onstage at the Sports Arena in April 1975 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Hollies 1969 (Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** -
(MANDATORY CREDIT Gutchie Kojima/Shinko Music/Getty Images) Nirvana, group portrait, backstage at Nakano Sunplaza, Tokyo, Japan, 19th December 1992. (From left) Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl. (Photo by Gutchie Kojima/Shinko Music/Getty Images)
