#156 - Top 6 Songwriters of the 90s
Erykah Badu - Breezy R&B and soul paired with punchy lyrics, Erykah Badu is a true nineties icon. We love every track on her much-loved 1997 album, ‘Baduizm’ but, if we had to choose, ‘Appletree’, with it’s fun word-play veering into scat-singing, is our go to track.
Nick Cave - Cave is an expert in the craft of songwriting, and ‘Lime Tree Arbour’, from his 1997 album, ‘The Boatman’s Call’, is testament to this. Mournful lyrics, made complex by a comparatively upbeat piano backdrop, it’s a story of a relationship on the rocks, told through the metaphor of the protagonist's lover dying - songwriting at its best!
Alanis Morissette - Known for her emotive mezzo-soprano voice, Alanis Morissette’s confessional songwriting teases out the nuances of everyday life experiences. ‘Hand in My Pocket’, taken from her 1995 album, ‘Jagged Little Pill’, is one of our favourites, putting a positive spin on feelings of being young and lost.
Damon Albarn - The lyrical brains behind many of Blur’s greatest hits, as well as being the mastermind behind the virtual band, Gorillaz, Albarn has flexed his songwriting skills for countless artistic projects. While it’s not exactly underappreciated, ‘Girls & Boys’, taken from Blur’s 1994 ‘Parklife’ album is a wonderful example of Albarn’s tongue-in-cheek, swirling lyricism.
Tori Amos - An icon of 90s pop, Tori Amos’ success as an artist is both down to her classical training, as well as her undeniable skill as a songwriter. ‘Crucify’, taken from Amos’ 1992 album, ‘Little Earthquakes’, travels beautifully through the emotions of helplessness and defiance experienced when someone makes you feel like you’re not good enough.
Elliott Smith - A genius at pulling in popular cultural references, from Coleridge to Iron Maiden, into his lyrics, Elliott Smith’s songwriting uses metaphor to the fullest. ‘Needle In The Hay’, taken from his 1995 self-titled album, is a melancholic tale dealing with the complexities of drug addiction, driven by Smith’s simple guitar chords and punctuated by his hypnotic, circling chorus.
