The “post-grunge” label gets tossed around a lot, but what does it actually mean? To keep it simple, post-grunge refers to the type of grunge music alt-rock bands were making in the 1990s through the 2000s. Songs in this genre are very much still grunge, but with less abrasion than traditional grunge tracks. Many post-grunge tracks lean toward pop music as well. Let’s take a look at four examples of post-grunge songs that defined the genre!
1. “I Hate Everything About You” by Three Days Grace
This 2003 track from Three Days Grace teeters between post-grunge and nu-metal, which were two genres that often overlapped in the early 2000s. “I Hate Everything About You” was all over rock radio that year and is still considered one of the most memorable alt-rock tracks of the early 2000s, and we’re inclined to agree with that sentiment.
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2. “Bottom Of A Bottle” by Smile Empty Soul
The year 2003 was apparently the year of chart-topping post-grunge songs, it seems. “Bottom Of A Bottle” by Smile Empty Soul was the band’s nu-metal debut, and it charted fairly well that year. Without throwing too much shade at Sean Danielsen, there’s a very clear Kurt Cobain influence here. The lyricism is heartwrenching, but the sound is very much restrained.
3. “How You Remind Me” by Nickelback
Love them or hate them, Nickelback was a big part of the post-grunge movement once the 2000s kicked off. “How You Remind Me” is probably the clearest (and least cheesy) example of their post-grunge contributions. It’s a pop song with grunge leanings, and it works fantastically. It makes perfect sense that the song was a chart-topping hit for the band.
4. “Hanging By A Moment” by Lifehouse
“Hanging By A Moment” by Lifehouse was released in 2000 and is one of the best post-grunge songs on this list. It’s also probably one of the best examples of what post-grunge is: Uptempo, pleasant and restrained enough for radio, but dark enough to not really be considered “pop” music to the typical pop music listener. Surprisingly enough, frontman Jason Wade said he wrote this song in less than five minutes.
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