The Top 100 Grunge & Post-Grunge Singles of 1995 Countdown (Part 2)

Let's continue the countdown with part 2.

Note: Next to each title is its chart peak.

Rock = Billboard Album Rock (Mainstream Rock) Singles chart

Mod = Billboard Modern Rock Singles chart

65. Life of Agony – “Lost at 22”

One of the most intelligent bands to brush up against grunge, Life of Agony fuse metallic heaviness with dynamic shifts, unusual structures, and emotional depth. Several gripping riffs interlock to form a sonic assault that mirrors the weight carried by 22‑year‑old Keith Caputo.

64. Stone Temple Pilots – “Dancing Days” (#3 Rock, #11 Mod)

This Led Zeppelin cover kept STP on the airwaves during their brief hiatus, bridging the gap between Purple and Scott Weiland’s Magnificent Bastards project. They tone down the original’s grinding riff, leaning into folk‑rock textures instead, with light electric slide guitar accenting the acoustic foundation. Weiland sounds like a blissed‑out hippie fresh from meditation—in the best way.

63. Stompbox – “No Woods”

Some fans say this track predicted Disturbed. “No Woods” revolves around an astoundingly powerful primary riff—so forceful and convincing that it elevates the entire song. It stands as Stompbox’s best metal/grunge hybrid.

62. Ammonia – “In a Box”

Though “Drugs” was their U.S. breakthrough, “In a Box” didn’t get the same exposure and shouldn’t be forgotten. Its wordless chorus is incredibly catchy, and the driving rhythm section gives it an infectious momentum.

61. Starflyer 59 – “Monterey”

Another track that should have been a guaranteed radio hit, “Monterey” pairs a simple lyric about a spontaneous trip with memories of an old girlfriend. The seductive shoegaze verses carry gorgeous melodies, and the distortion fades in and out beautifully, creating a low/loud contrast that rivals the genre’s best.

60. Silverchair – “Israel’s Son” (#39 Rock)

A very loud but cleverly arranged track, “Israel’s Son” tackles global issues with a political slant. It’s a roaring, tension‑filled beast that grows angrier as it progresses.

59. Pearl Jam – “Not for You” (#12 Rock, #39 Mod)

“It never was for you!” Eddie Vedder roars at critics during this six‑minute brooding rocker, built more on a hypnotic groove than a traditional riff or melody.

58. Silverchair – “Pure Massacre” (#12 Rock, #17 Mod)

Another monster grunge track in the vein of “Israel’s Son,” this one is even more politically charged. Daniel Johns shifts from pleading to authoritative screams, and the song became a major hit—reaching #2 on the Australian singles chart and going platinum.

57. Tripping Daisy – “Piranha” (#35 Rock, #32 Mod)

Tripping Daisy’s second hit of 1995 offers timeless advice: “Beware of piranhas, there’s always piranhas.” It works as well in life as it does in the song.

56. Foo Fighters – “For All the Cows”A fan favorite that still appears in live sets, this track mixes swing‑jazz verses with pounding choruses. It calls out people who leverage others for money—perhaps a nod to “cash cows.” Though it didn’t chart like the band’s other early singles, it reached #28 in the U.K.

55. Collective Soul – “The World I Know” (#1 Rock – 4 weeks)

The one song on this list associated with post‑grunge solely because of the band’s other material. This is a tender, symphonic pop ballad about depression, accompanied by a music video that addresses suicidal ideation but ends on a hopeful note. It ranks lower here because, aside from its subject matter, it has no real connection to grunge. It also crossed over to hit #19 on the Billboard Hot 100.

54. Green Day – “Geek Stink Breath” (#9 Rock, #3 Mod)

The opposite situation from the previous entry: Green Day were never a grunge band, yet this track checks every post‑grunge box. It blends metal and punk, features gory self‑destructive lyrics, uses a muscular production style, and sits at a mid‑tempo pace compared to their usual punk speed.

53. Pearl Jam – “Immortality” (#10 Rock, #31 Mod)

A haunting, slow‑burning track, “Immortality” is one of the band’s most captivating ’90s moments, though its glacial tempo made it an odd choice for a single. Eddie Vedder delivers some of his darkest lines—“Cannot find the comfort in this world,” “Surrendered, executed anyhow,” and “Some die just to live.” The latter has been rumored to reference Kurt Cobain, though the band has denied it.

52. Tad – “Dementia”

If Tad ever had a late shot at a hit, it was with “Dementia,” a thunderous grunge anthem from one of the genre’s most underrated bands. But Tad never broke through—hampered by bad luck, bad behavior, and, according to some, prejudice against their image.

51. Soundgarden – “Superunknown”

One of the final singles from their most successful album, the title track showcases Soundgarden’s mastery of long‑form arrangements. They keep listeners hooked through shifting sections, inventive riffs, and Chris Cornell’s commanding presence.

50. Better Than Ezra – “In the Blood” (#6 Rock, #4 Mod)

A great single that instantly transports listeners back to the mid‑’90s, “In the Blood” is the band’s hardest rocker and the track most responsible for linking them to post‑grunge. While they occasionally flirted with heavier sounds, Deluxe is largely conventional rock—making this song stand out even more.

49. Everclear – “Heroin Girl”  (#34 Mod)

With Art Alexakis’ troubled youth behind him, certain subject matter still clung to his songwriting. With heroin devastating parts of the rock scene at the time, the harrowing “Heroin Girl” rang painfully true—for him and for many listeners. This arrived just before Everclear broke big with “Santa Monica” in 1996.

48. Collective Soul – “Gel” (#2 Rock, #14 Mod)

Highly produced, clean, and radio‑ready, “Gel” became one of the defining tracks of the emerging post‑grunge sound. Yet beneath the polish, it packs a real hard‑rock punch thanks to its strutting riff and tight rhythmic attack. One of several hits from their 1995 self‑titled album.

47. Mad Season – “I Don’t Know Anything” (#20 Rock)

Mad Season could have built a remarkable catalog had they continued, but Above remains their lone album. Thankfully, it contains gems like “I Don’t Know Anything,” one of their rawest, grinding rockers, with Layne Staley surrounded by doubt, darkness, and a crushing sense of weight.

46. Hole – “Asking for It” (Mod #36)

Courtney Love has said “Asking for It” reflects how she felt in hindsight after stage‑diving into a crowd. Kurt Cobain contributes backing vocals, but the highlight is Love shredding her voice at the song’s emotional peak.

45. Nirvana – “Lake of Fire” (Unplugged) (#22 Rock)

Joined by the Meat Puppets for their own song late in Nirvana’s iconic MTV Unplugged set, Kurt Cobain lets his voice crack and fray as he leans into the song’s religiously tinged lyrics with a touch of country twang. Released as a single, it was overshadowed by other tracks from the album.

44. Magnificent Bastards – “Mockingbird Girl” (#27 Rock, #12 Mod)

A fantastic throwback to ’60s psychedelia, this track is pure psych‑rock heaven for neo‑hippies. Twinkling guitars, a grinding chorus riff, a ringing solo tone, and a gorgeous melody make this a hidden delight for Scott Weiland fans who know this brief 1995 side project.

43. Foo Fighters – “I’ll Stick Around” (#12 Rock, #8 Mod)

A raw thrasher loaded with hooks, “I’ll Stick Around” boasts a tremendous riff and enough energy to pull in listeners discovering Dave Grohl’s new project. Oddly, it’s now one of their lesser‑known hits—proof of how deep their catalog has become.

42. Goo Goo Dolls – “Flat Top” (#38 Rock)

A late‑blooming fan favorite, “Flat Top” blends chiming folk‑rock with grunge‑level distortion. Its winning melody and world‑weary lyrics give it a relatability that has only grown over time. One of the band’s best.

41. Our Lady Peace – “Naveed”

A dramatic, tension‑filled track, “Naveed” rides a rollercoaster of dynamics to powerful effect. Its empathetic stance toward suffering and the band’s committed performance have made it one of their most enduring songs.

40. Babes in Toyland – “Sweet ’69” (#37 Rock)

“Sweet ’69” is a blast of adrenaline from a band not typically associated with radio‑friendly hooks. Here, they deliver them in their own raw, unfiltered way—resulting in their lone charting hit.

39. Hum – “Stars” (#28 Rock, #11 Mod)

An early shoegaze‑meets‑sludge classic, “Stars” twists and turns through a series of brilliant shifts. The contrast between Matt Talbott’s humble vocals and the forceful, roaring guitars gives the song its unforgettable spark.

38. Blind Melon – “Galaxie” (#25 Rock, #8 Mod)

Centered on Shannon Hoon’s relationship with his car—“the Cadillac is in the back but it isn’t me”—“Galaxie” works classic grunge dynamics: stop‑starts, soft‑loud contrasts, and smooth transitions that support a punishing riff and the band’s trademark melodicism.

37. Spacehog – “In the Meantime” (#1 Rock – 4 weeks, #2 Mod)

More glam‑rock than grunge, but undeniably one of 1995’s best songs. “In the Meantime” is a grand, sweeping opus filled with clever production touches.  A song that dominated the winter of 1995 heading into 1996.

36. Bush – “Little Things” (#6 Rock, #4 Mod)

One of five major hits from Sixteen Stone, “Little Things” finds Bush getting detail‑oriented in their pain—“tearing at my brain again.” Its mid‑tempo post‑grunge sound would inspire numerous 2000s acts.

35. Stone Temple Pilots – “Unglued” (#8 Rock, #16 Mod)

A revolving riff coils around the listener’s ears, making “Unglued” one of STP’s most energetic, propulsive moments—charging forward with a ferocity rivaled only by “Sex Type Thing.”

34. Live – “I Alone” (#6 Rock, #6 Mod)

Drawing on philosophical teachings rather than romance, “I Alone” builds toward each soaring chorus with gripping drama. One of Live’s most iconic performances.

33. Nirvana – “About a Girl” (Unplugged) (#3 Rock, #1 Mod – 1 week)Placed lower only because the single technically came out in 1994, though its airplay remained strong through 1995. While longtime fans knew the Bleach version, the Unplugged rendition became the definitive hit.

32. Green Day – “When I Come Around” (#2 Rock, #1 Mod – 7 weeks)

If this were truly considered grunge, it would sit near the top. We allow it onto the list because the thick guitars, sludgy tempo, and rhythmic feel overlap with post‑grunge aesthetics—despite Green Day’s punk roots.

31. Hole – “Doll Parts” (#4 Mod)Written as early as 1991 about Courtney Love’s crush on Kurt Cobain, “Doll Parts” features some of her most memorable lyrics. It proved Hole could show restraint and nuance—not just volume and fury.