Image: Corbis/VCG / Corbis / Getty Images
About This Quiz
Grunge music isn't just about wearing flannels and being depressed. The first grunge sounds came out of Seattle in the mid-1980s, but it really gained popularity in the early and mid-1990s.Â
This subgenre of rock music was a sensation. Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Stone Temple Pilots broke through and showed the world that there was a type of rock music that wasn't necessarily metal and not necessarily psychedelic. This alternative sound resonated with the outcasts of the '90s, and it changed the way we saw music. Rock was no longer a fusion of country, blues, and electronics. It became a pure sound that wasn't always perfect but always made a difference.Â
The lyrics to these new sounds attacked society more than they targeted the government, as some previous decades' music had. It was about looking at yourself and understanding who you were. It attacked topics of self-understanding, bullying and inequality.Â
No doubt, grunge changed the sound of music for an entire generation, and for good reason. The music was pure, the vocals were passionate and the lyrics were poetry. It was so popular that the genre lasted over a decade with fans spanning the globe. If you think you're a fan of grunge bands, try to identify these grunge songs from the lyrics we give you.
We'll make the first one easy. What song has these lyrics: "Flies in the vasoline we are, sometimes it blows my mind, keep getting stuck here all the time."
"Vasoline" by Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots formed in 1989 in San Diego, California. The band's lead singer, Scott Weiland, struggled with addiction throughout his life; he lost this struggle in 2015 to an accidental drug overdose. In an interview, Weiland revealed that he came up with this song while listening to "Life in the Fast Lane" by the Eagles and misheard the lyrics, thinking they were "flies in the Vaseline." The other lyrics in the song refer to the drug addiction that Weiland was trying to hide at the time.
"Cherub Rock" by Smashing Pumpkins
"Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns and Roses
"Oceans" by Pearl Jam
Advertisement
Which grunge song starts off with these lyrics: "Sell the kids for food, weather changes moods"?
"W.M.A." by Pearl Jam
"Rooster" by Alice in Chains
"In Bloom" by Nirvana
Founded in 1987, Nirvana was one of the original grunge bands. The original members included Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl. Kurt Cobain noted that this song was an attack on rednecks, machismo and abusive people. He didn't like intolerant people, and the band wore dresses in the video to enrage any homophobic viewers.
"Dollar Bill" by Screaming Trees
Advertisement
Which song includes the lyrics, "If you don't want to be seen, well you don't have to hide"?
"Lady Picture Show" by Stone Temple Pilots
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana
"Superunknown" by Soundgarden
Soundgarden formed in 1984 in Seattle, Washington. Lead singer and guitarist Chris Cornell founded the band with Kim Thayil and Hiro Yamamoto. Their first album was released in 1988 and was titled "Ultramega OK." Cornell has said that the Superunknown album was "about showing that we were not just a flavor of the month. We had a responsibility to seize the moment."
"Overblown" by Mudhoney
Advertisement
"Can you see like a child? Can you see what I want?" are the lyrics to what song?
"Hunger Strike" by Temple of the Dog
"Limo Wreck" by Soundgarden
"Jeremy" by Pearl Jam
"Wicked Garden" by Stone Temple Pilots
"Wicked Garden" was a track on the debut album for Stone Temple Pilots, "Core." "Core" was released in 1992 by Atlantic Records and produced by Brendan O'Brien. The song is about Stone Temple Pilots before they signed a record deal. The lyrics suggest it is all about loss of innocence, which could be related to addiction.
Advertisement
Which grunge song has these lyrics: "Into the flood again, same old trip it was back then"?
"Would?" by Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains was formed in 1987 with Jerry Cantrell as vocalist. "Would?" was released in 1992 on the album "Singles." Written about Andrew Wood, this song is all about overcoming drug addiction, rehab and what happens after. Andrew Wood died of a drug overdose and inspired several grunge songs that you will see in this quiz.
"Seether" by Veruca Salt
"Lizzy" by Melvins
"Backwater" by Meat Puppets
Advertisement
In what song would you hear the lyrics, "I want to be the girl with the most cake, I love him so much it just turns to hate"?
"Seether" by Veruca Salt
"Seether" by Hole
"Doll Parts" by Veruca Salt
"Doll Parts" by Hole
Hole's lead singer and guitarist, Courtney Love, is the widow of Kurt Cobain (the lead singer of Nirvana). She founded Hole in 1989 in Los Angeles. This song really encompasses the dichotomy of the wonderful and terrible things that come with being in the public eye. Love wrote the song after meeting Cobain, and she's said she doesn't understand why such a simple song resonates with so many.
Advertisement
Which grunge song starts with these lyrics: "What's up with what's going down, in every city, in every town"?
"Nevermind" by Nirvana
"Pretend We're Dead" by L7
While some consider L7 a punk band, some of their songs fell under the grunge genre. They formed in 1985 in Los Angeles. This is a political grunge song, but like most grunge songs, it focuses more on the fact that people have to take action and not lay down to the government. The band was against the 1991 war in Iraq, and they wanted to show people that you can fight back and doing nothing is what the government wants from you.
"Loser" by Beck
"Nearly Lost You" by Screaming Trees
Advertisement
"Some things will never change, they stand there looking backwards, half unconscious from the pain" are lyrics to what song?
"Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden
"Out There" by Dinosaur Jr.
"Spoonman" by Soundgarden
"Backwater" by Meat Puppets
Meat Puppets were formed in 1980 in Phoenix, Arizona. They were the original singers of "Lake of Fire" and "Plateau," two songs played by Nirvana in their Unplugged special. "Backwater" was written as a gospel, inspired by the sounds of Elvis Presley ... sounds that lead singer Curt Kirkwood grew up on.
Advertisement
In which song did we hear the words "All the warmth in her heart can't keep my blood from running cold"?
"Swallow My Pride" by Green River
Green River was established in 1984 in Seattle, Washington. They didn't have a lot of commercial success, but they were considered the pioneers of grunge. This song is clearly another anti-war song that focuses on how society perceives pride over pain. The lyrics imply that pride is a killer, and we shouldn't feel safe when our nation is proud, because "pride comes before a fall."
"Bob (Cousin O.)" by The Gits
"Tomorrow" by Silverchair
"Jessie" by Paw
Advertisement
Which song states, "you say that money isn't everything, but I'd like to see you live without it"?
"Shine" by Collective Soul
"Blew" by Nirvana
"Tomorrow" by Silverchair
Silverchair was an Australian band that formed in 1992. Though they weren't from the west coast of the U.S., many listeners find that their sound puts them in the grunge genre. Daniel Johns wrote "Tomorrow" after watching a documentary about a rich man who went to live among the homeless for a week.
"Jessie" by Paw
Advertisement
"I drink myself a newfound pity, sitting alone in New York City" is part of the chorus for which grunge song?
"Shine" by Collective Soul
"December" by Collective Soul
"Precious Declaration" by Collective Soul
"The World I Know" by Collective Soul
Some consider Collective Soul to be alternative rock or post-grunge; however, their sound and style gives them all of the attributes of grunge. "The World I Know" was written by lead singer Ed Roland after taking a walk through New York City. He tried to see the good and the bad throughout the city, and where the transition from feeling good and feeling bad really happens.
Advertisement
"Tomorrow we can drive around this town, and let the cops chase us around" are lyrics in which song?
"December" by Collective Soul
"Hey Jealousy" by Gin Blossoms
The Gin Blossoms were formed in Tempe, Arizona in 1987. Their album "New Miserable Experience" put them on the map in 1992. Guitarist Doug Hopkins wrote this song after a fight with his girlfriend. After the band recorded this song, they fired Hopkins. Tragically, he later died from suicide.
"1979" by Smashing Pumpkins
"Long Way Down" by Goo Goo Dolls
Advertisement
Which song has the lyrics, "And now we're grown up orphans that never knew their names"?
"Name" by Goo Goo Dolls
The Goo Goo Dolls started off as a punk band in 1986. When they made the switch to the grunge/alternative rock style, they experienced quite a backlash from their original fans (even if they made a lot of money doing so). "Name" was their first national hit, and it is about lead singer John Rzeznik's childhood.
"Mrs. Rita" by Gin Blossoms
"Far Behind" by Candlebox
"Cherub Rock" by The Smashing Pumpkins
Advertisement
The lyrics, "Do no wrong, so clean cut, dirty his hands, it comes right off" can be found in which song?
"Betterman" by Pearl Jam
"Limo Wreck" by Soundgarden
"Fresh Tendrils" by Soundgarden
"W.M.A." by Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. Their first album, "Ten," had eleven songs on it. "Ten" was released in 1991. "W.M.A." was on their second studio album, "Vs." The song was inspired by an encounter with the police that Eddie Vedder had in which he was standing next to a man of color and the police proceeded to harass the man of color while ignoring Vedder.
Advertisement
"I know I'm headed for the bottom, but I'm riding you all the way" are lyrics from which song?
"Wicked Garden" by Stone Temple Pilots
"Dead and Bloated" by Stone Temple Pilots
"Limo Wreck" by Soundgarden
"Mailman" by Soundgarden
"Mailman" is on Soundgarden's fourth studio album, "Superunknown." This album was released in 1994 and features songs that include "Black Hole Sun" and "Fell on Black Days." Upon inspecting the lyrics to "Mailman," you'll notice that this song is really coming from the devil's perspective, and his temptations.
Advertisement
This song is a little fast, but the lyrics say it all. Which song has these lyrics, "Sell your soul to sign an autograph"?
"Big Bang Baby" by Stone Temple Pilots
"Big Bang Baby" was released in 1996 with the album "Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop," which was Stone Temple Pilots's third studio album. The lyrics to "Big Bang Baby" really don't make a lot of sense, because STP was focusing on the music over the words for this entire album.
"Big Bang Baby" by Soundgarden
"Head Down" by Stone Temple Pilots
"Head Down" by Soundgarden
Advertisement
"I wish I was like you, easily amused" are lyrics in which song?
"All Apologies" by Nirvana
The album "In Utero" included several hits by Nirvana, including "All Apologies" and "Heart-Shaped Box." This was the band's third and final album to be released before the untimely death of lead singer, Kurt Cobain. Cobain noted that this song was dedicated to his wife and daughter. It's about the pressures he was dealing with at the time.
"Far Behind" by Candlebox
"Jeremy" by Pearl Jam
"Rooster" by Alice in Chains
Advertisement
Which Nirvana song starts like this: "I'm so happy, 'cause today I found my friends"?
"Heart-Shaped Box"
"Polly"
"Dumb"
"Lithium"
"Lithium" was released in 1991 on Nirvana's second studio album, "Nevermind." This album included such hits as "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Come as You Are." "Lithium" was written during a time when Cobain's depression was in full swing, which is apparent in the self-loathing lyrics.
Advertisement
Can you name the Pearl Jam song that ends with these lyrics: "Oh whispering hands gently lead him away, him away, him away."
"Why Go"
"Release"
"Oceans"
"Even Flow"
Even though the music for this song was written before Eddie Vedder joined the band, the lyrics to "Even Flow" were written by Vedder when he joined a few months later. The song is about experiencing homelessness and mental illness. It was released on the album "Ten" in 1991.
Advertisement
Which grunge song has these lyrics: "Hands are bruised from breaking rocks all day"?
"No Excuses" by Alice in Chains
"No Excuses" was released by Alice in Chains in 1994. The song is about singer Layne Staley's drug addiction; tragically, he eventually died of a drug overdose in 2002 at the age of 34. Though "No Excuses" was never released as a single, it was an incredibly popular song from the album "Jar of Flies."
"Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden
"Interstate Love Song" by Stone Temple Pilots
"Jane Says" by Jane's Addiction
Advertisement
Which grunge song has these lyrics: "I enjoy stealing, it's just as simple as that"?
"Man in the Box" by Alice in Chains
"Alive" by Pearl Jam
"Been Caught Stealing" by Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction was formed in 1985 in Los Angeles. "Been Caught Stealing" was released in 1990 on the album "Ritual de lo Habitual." This song, as the title suggests, is all about the joys of stealing. It's not Jane's Addiction's first time telling their fans to do bad things. As a matter of fact, it was a favorite pastime of lead singer Perry Farrell.
"In Bloom" by Nirvana
Advertisement
Which Candlebox song begins with "Now maybe I didn't mean to treat you bad, but I did it anyway"?
"Far Behind"
Candlebox was formed in 1990 in Seattle, Washington. "Far Behind" was released in 1990 on the album "Candlebox." The song was inspired by the death of Andrew Wood in 1990, and the lyrics explore the heroin addiction that killed him.
"Change"
"He Calls Home"
"Cover Me"
Advertisement
Which grunge song starts with these lyrics: "Must be your skin that I'm sinking in"?
"Glycerine" by Bush
Bush originated in 1992 in London, England. Even from across the pond, Gavin Rossdale could encompass the grunge style and make a name for himself in the genre... for their first album, at least. Rossdale wrote this song about his then girlfriend, Jasmine Lewis.
"Two Princes" by Spin Doctors
"Far Behind" by Candlebox
"December" by Collective Soul
Advertisement
Which song by The Smashing Pumpkins has these lyrics: "Hipsters unite, come align for the big fight"?
"Cherub Rock"
The Smashing Pumpkins got together in 1988 in Chicago, Illinois. Their first album, "Gish," was released in 1991, but they really made an impact with "Siamese Dream" in 1993, which included the song "Cherub Rock." Bill Corgan wrote this song as an attack on the Indie rock scene in Chicago at the time.
"1979"
"Mayonnaise"
"Quiet"
Advertisement
Which grunge song begins with these lyrics: "Chloe don't know better, Chloe just like me"?
"Machinehead" by Bush
"Creep" by Stone Temple Pilots
"No Excuses" by Alice in Chains
"Crown of Thorns" by Mother Love Bone
Mother Love Bone was formed in 1987. In the grunge world, they are considered pioneers of the genre. They were active for three years, until frontman Andrew Wood died of a heroin overdose in 1990. His death inspired songs from both Candlebox and Alice in Chains.
Advertisement
Which Nirvana song begins with the lyrics: "She eyes me like a Pisces when I am weak"?
"Lithium"
"Dumb"
"Heart-Shaped Box"
Written by Kurt Cobain, "Heart-Shaped Box" was released in 1993 on the album "In Utero." This was the final album the band released. While Cobain claims "Heart-Shaped Box" was written based on a documentary he saw in which a child had cancer, the lyrics suggest that it is actually about his relationships with Courtney Love.
"Smells Like Teen Spirit"
Advertisement
Which Alice in Chains song includes the lyrics, "Bury me softly in this womb"?
"Rooster"
"Down in a Hole"
"Down in a Hole" was written by Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell. It is said he wrote it about the insecurities he felt while being in love and in a relationship. "Down in a Hole" reached number ten on the Billboard charts.
"Man in the Box"
"Grind"
Advertisement
Which grunge song has these lyrics: "I'm burning diesel, burning dinosaur bones"?
"Rusty Cage" by Soundgarden
Chris Cornell wrote "Rusty Cage" while feeling claustrophobic on a tour bus. It was released on their third studio album, "Badmotorfinger" in 1991. "Rusty Cage" was covered by Johnny Cash in 1996.
"Feel the Pain" by Dinosaur Jr.
"Big Empty" by Stone Temple Pilots
"Daughter" by Pearl Jam
Advertisement
Which Pearl Jam song begins with these lyrics: "She nursed him there, ooh, over a night"?
"Daughter"
"Dissident"
"Dissident," like most Pearl Jam songs, has a deep meaning and a storyline with characters. It's about a woman who takes in a man who's wanted by the authorities and tries to help him. Ultimately, she turns him in and has to live with the guilt.
"Elderly Woman..."
"Alive"
Advertisement
Which grunge song has these lyrics: "I can't see her till I'm foaming at the mouth"?
"Grind" by Alice in Chains
"Yellow Ledbetter" by Pearl Jam
"Doll Parts" by Hole
"Seether" by Veruca Salt
Veruca Salt was formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1992 with vocalists/guitarists Nina Gordon and Louise Post. "Seether" was released in 1994. While the lyrics of this song are up for interpretation, they appear to be about a woman and her alter ego.
Advertisement
Which Screaming Trees song has these lyrics: "Drag me far enough to know I'm blind every mile that you burn"?
"Dying Days"
"Dollar Bill"
"Bed of Roses"
"Nearly Lost You"
Screaming Trees was formed in Washington in 1985. The band's vocalist was Mark Lanegan. Their most well-known songs were "Nearly Lost You" and "Dollar Bill." Much of the song's success was due to the fact that it landed on the soundtrack of the movie "Singles."
Advertisement
Which grunge song has these lyrics: "My pain is self-chosen, at least, so the prophet says"?
"In Bloom" by Nirvana
"Even Flow" by Pearl Jam
"River of Deceit" by Mad Season
Mad Season was formed in 1994 as a supergroup with several members of famous grunge bands. These members included Layne Staley, Mike McCready and Mark Lanegan. Many consider the "river" in this song to be the river Styx, the mythical path to the underworld.
"Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden
Advertisement
Which Stone Temple Pilots Song has these lyrics: "Have you seen your mother girl? Has she gone away"?
"Pretty Penny"
Scott Weiland wrote the song "Pretty Penny" during a time when his heroin addiction was consuming him. Many of the songs on the album "Purple" reflected this, including this song, which is about a mother and daughter who both suffer from addiction.
"Mary"
"Wicked Garden"
"Creep"
Advertisement
Which Temple of the Dog song begins with these lyrics: "Please, mother mercy, take me from this place"?
"Say Hello 2 Heaven"
Temple of the Dog was another grunge supergroup formed in 1990. This group included Eddie Vedder, Chris Cornell and Matt Cameron. "Say Hello 2 Heaven" was another song inspired by the death of Andrew Wood.
"Hunger Strike"
"Reach Down"
"Times of Trouble"
Advertisement
Which Bush song starts off like this: "There must be something we can eat, maybe find another lover"?
"Glycerine"
"Comedown"
"Machinehead"
"Everything Zen"
"Everything Zen" was the first popular single from the band Bush. It's about youth culture in the '90s. There are multiple cultural references in the lyrics, including references to David Bowie, Jane's Addiction and Allen Ginsberg.
Advertisement
You Got:
/35
