Categories: Music

The Ten Most Underrated Soundtracks of the 90s

When discovering an awesome and inspiring soundtrack, it’s unusual to find it if you haven’t seen the movie it came from. This works to the advantage of the box office successes and mainstream hit flicks, while unfortunately films on the opposite end of the spectrum tend to fall in the cracks, along with their music.

Below I have compiled a list of my top ten favorite movie soundtracks of the 90s, in no specific order. Hopefully you’ll find something familiar and something new for your ears to listen to.

1. Cruel Intentions (1999)

Cruel Intentions was supposedly aimed at a teenage audience. Unlike most cheesy teenage flicks where the prom is the main problem and theme, this movie had a bit more maturity, a bigger vocabulary and a better sense of style.

Another aspect different from the standard teen movie is the fact that this soundtrack actually has substance.

Besides the 90s hits “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve and “Praise You” by Fatboy Slim, this soundtrack houses many underestimated artists whose work will leave you curious as to what else they have to offer.

The moody “Coffee & TV” by Blur and the dismal “Ordinary Life” by Kristen Barry are notable tracks, while Aimee Mann’s “You Could Make a Killing” could arguably be the best this soundtrack has to offer.

Counting Crows fans will note the addition of their beautiful, piano-laden track, “Colorblind,” which will take you straight back to the love scene of Cruel Intentions if you’ve seen the movie. “Comin’ Up From Behind” by Marcy Playground will also leave you questioning whether these boys deserve more than their one-hit fame from “Sex & Candy.”

Personally, my favorite track was Skunk Anansie’s “Secretly,” which plays at the conclusion of the movie. Her voice gave me chills while providing me with something I wasn’t used to hearing, which is always a positive aspect in my book.

2. Cant Hardly Wait (1998)

Unlike Cruel Intentions, Can’t Hardly Wait would probably be classified by many as “one of those teen movies.” Breaking the rules of convention however, the soundtrack to this movie is a diverse breath of fresh air, bringing together hits from artists of every genre, while putting some underrated songs on the map as well.

Where else could you find classics like “Dammit” by Blink 182, “Paradise City” by Guns N’ Roses and “It’s Tricky” by Run DMC.

“Graduate (Remix)” by Third Eye Blind is a great song that never got much exposure, while “Can’t Hardly Wait” by the Replacements shows this soundtrack isn’t just for teeny boppers.

Hip-hop and R&B; fans get their fair share of songs as well, from “Turn It Up/Fire It Up” by Busta Rhymes and “Swing my Way (Remix)” by KP & Envyi, to “Hit ‘Em Wit Da Hee” by Missy Elliot and the funky jam “I Walked In” by Brougham.

Check out “High” by Feeder and “Umbrella” by Dog’s Eye View for a mellow dose of melody.

3. Clueless (1995)

If this movie were made in the past five years, most likely its soundtrack would have suffered. However, Clueless lucked out by being made in the 90s, giving it a definite edge over the Legally Blondes and Mean Girls of today.

Here you will find strong but most likely unheard tracks from Coolio, the Beastie Boys and Jill Sobule. The soundtrack also features some excellent covers, such as World Party’s “All the Young Dudes,” The Muff’s “Kids in America” and Cracker’s “Shake Some Action.

Highlights for me were found in the outstanding slow track “Ghost in You” by the Counting Crows and “Need You Around” by The Smoking Popes.

The acoustic version of Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees” is enough alone to make this soundtrack worth the listen.

4. Empire Records (1995)

As this movie took place in a record store, Empire Records definitely could have gotten away with two, even three soundtracks. Unfortunately, we only got one, however the tracks are nothing short of spectacular, bringing to the forefront great songs from recognizable artists and unheard gems that never made it past the nineties.

The CD opens up strong with “Til’ I Hear it From You” by the Gin Blossoms, “Liar” by The Cranberries and “A Girl Like You” by Edwyn Collins. Songs you’ll easily recognize from the movie are the somber “Free” by the Martinis and “Sugarhigh” by Coyote Shivers,

Toad the Wet Sprocket, Better Than Ezra and Cracker add some interesting tracks to the soundtrack, while the vocals in “Bright as Yellow” by the Innocence Mission will surely remind you of Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval.

Personally, the best track on this soundtrack hands down goes to former Lemonheads’ front-man Evan Dando, for his soft-spoken serenade of hope, “The Ballad of El’ Goodo.”

5. Singles (1992)

This soundtrack is a little known wonder that is probably the best soundtrack on this list.

Featuring an overflowing amount rock from legends like Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and the Smashing Pumpkins, who would argue?

The CD opens up with the hit “Would?” from Alice in Chains, followed by Pearl Jam’s “Breath” and “Seasons” by a solo Chris Cornell. The Replacement’s Paul Westerberg contributes two tracks: “Dyslexic Heart” and “Waiting for Somebody.”

Drown” by the Smashing Pumpkins and “Nearly Lost You” by the Screaming Trees are stand-out songs, while The Lovemongers contribute an interesting take on Led Zeppelin’s “Battle of Evermore.

The best song on this compilation belongs to the underrated Mother Love Bone, whose timeless ballad “Chloe Dancer/ Crown of Thorns” deserved more attention in the 90s.

6. Great Expectations (1998)

Again, another soundtrack that brings together artists and genres never crossed before. Where else could you find tunes by the Grateful Dead, The Verve Pipe and Iggy Pop nestled together?

While the movie may have lacked expectations, the soundtrack delivered completely.

The delicate and other-worldly “Life in Mono” by Mono and the unexpectedly jazzy “Lady, Your Roof Brings Me Down” by former STP front man Scott Weiland, makes this soundtrack a steal.

Tori Amos fans will love her addition of the powerfully charged track “Siren,” arguably the soundtrack’s greatest song and one of Tori’s best as well. Chris Cornell also delivers one of his best solo projects, in the beautiful and poetic “Sunshower.”

Overall this soundtrack is nothing short of being a unique work of art. It takes you from one atmosphere to the next, while never lacking quality.

7. The Jackal (1997)

This is one soundtrack that may have slipped under the radar. Even if you’ve seen the movie, most likely you were too concerned with maniacal Bruce Willis to pay attention to the music in the background. Nonetheless, this soundtrack is pulsing with energy, bringing to the forefront sounds of electronica never heard before.

The CD features songs by Prodigy, Moby and Lunatic Calm, while introducing Dolls Head, Black Grape and Apollo Four Forty.

A remix of Bush’s “Swallowed” and Ani DiFranco’s “Joyful Girl” are wonderful, while Massive Attack’s mix of “Superpredators” is noteworthy.

If anything, check out this soundtrack for track #1: Fatboy Slim’s “Going Out of My Head,” which features a sample from The Who’s “I Can’t Explain.”

8. Lost Highway (1997)

Who would’ve thought this twisted work of art by David Lynch would introduce an equally spellbinding soundtrack?

This CD features multiple tracks by heavy-hitters like Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein and Marilyn Manson. Nine Inch Nails front man Trent Reznor also contributes two tracks.