The 5 Songwriters From the 90s Who Quietly Dominated the Decade

When it comes to famous songwriters in the 1990s, most of us know the big names. Prince, Madonna, Fiona Apple, and PJ Harvey are just a few. However, quite a few songwriters during that decade really dominated the decade with their songwriting prowess. Let’s look at a few examples of songwriters who deserve their flowers!

1. Elliott Smith

Elliott Smith does not get as much credit as he deserves. The late great songwriter was quite a genius, particularly in how he incorporated pop culture references into his lyrics. For many, this would be corny; for him, it was pure vulnerability. His 1995 self-titled album is melancholic, as is most of his work. However, it takes the often simple feeling of sadness and picks it apart, dissects it, even. That album is a stunning exploration of drug addiction and depression, and Smith didn’t need more than his voice and a simple guitar to make something very special.

2. Alanis Morissette

Alanis Morissette’s stunning mezzo-soprano vocal range is what she’s heralded for the most, and we don’t think she gets enough credit for how incredible of a songwriter she is. Her 1995 post-grunge effort Jagged Little Pill was all everyone was talking about that year for a reason. The way she confesses in her music is brilliant, and she manages to sing about very mundane things in a way that’s both lonesome and positive at the same time.

[See Alanis Morissette Live]

3. Damon Albarn

Would this be a list of 1990s songwriters that dominated the decade without mentioning Blur’s own Damon Albarn? We don’t think so. Albarn is, to many, a lyrical genius. He knows how to craft a pop hit that is both catchy, lyrically significant, and apt for the time it’s being made in. One could say Blur and Gorillaz are drastically different bands, but Albarn’s songwriting made them both what they are today: legendary.

4. Tori Amos

Tori Amos’ success as a musician could be linked to her classical training. However, all the training in the world can’t make an incredible artist; that takes a lot of heart, vulnerability, and talent. Amos has all three. Little Earthquakes from 1992 was one of her very best albums mainly because of how she explores helplessness and the need for defiance. If you’ve ever felt not good enough, this album is soothing in a way that similar works can’t match.

5. Nick Cave

It’s no secret that Nick Cave is quite the master of songwriting. His famed 1997 album The Boatman’s Call is one of the most significant examples of what he is capable of. Few writers know how to craft grief-filled, mournful lyrics that cling to your heart, all while accompanied by a janky, upbeat, and delightful piano. That balance of misery and joy would be jarring if anybody else did it, but Cave is just a natural pro at it.

Photo by Theo Wargo

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