Twilight
Wild Wild West
Famous Couples
Have a retro party -- for 1991
have people dress like its the early 90s
play early 90s music
Popular Culture 1991
The release of Nirvana's Nevermind signified the start of the Grunge era that would dominate the music scene up to the mid-90's.
Technology
Internet is made available to unrestricted commercial use and number of computers on the net reaches 1 million.
Linus Torvalds releases first version of the Linux operating system kernel
Popular Films
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
The Silence of the Lambs
Hook
The Addams Family
Sleeping with the Enemy
Father of the Bride
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear
Beauty and the Beast
Backdraft
Beethoven
Thelma & Louise
What do you remember ? was this the year you graduated ?, what music was being played the year you were born?
Popular Musicians
Pearl Jam
Whitney Houston with All The Man That I need
Michael Jackson with black and White
Queen
Bryan Adams with Everything That I do I do it for You
Erasure
Marillion
Phil Collins
Guns N' Roses
Mariah Carey with Someday
Metallica
Amy Grant
Beverly Craven
Cher
Gloria Estefan
R.E.M.
Janet Jackson
Extreme
Boyz II Men
U2
Van Halen
The Clash
Paula Abdul with The Promise of The New Day
Billy Bragg
Garth Brooks
Nirvana
The musical era of the 1990s was one filled with a variety of pop, rap, and alternative music artists as well as a plethora of one-hit wonders. It was a time when musical taste was as varied as the events that were happening at the time. Many of the most popular acts that emerged in the 1990's were bands and artists who enjoyed a type of resurgence in the mainstream music scene after their popularity had dwindled for a decade or so. Other artists were just starting out during this decade and make a huge impact on the musical scene. Following is an explanation of some of the most memorable artists that helped to define the era in terms of musical differentiations as well as some artists who are best forgotten.
The early years of the 1990s began with a surge in popularity for music genres like techno (often called dance or house music) and hip-hop that continued throughout the decade. Groups like Technotronic entered the Billboard charts with big hits like “Pump Up the Jam” and “Get Up (Before the Night is Over)”. Others will undoubtedly remember the hits from C+C Music Factory, including “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” that is still a popular dance song at many of the dance clubs across the country. Similarly, the hip-hop music scene achieved popularity with artists like MC Hammer, Tone Loc, and Vanilla Ice. The subject matter that these artists chose to use in their music was as varied as their audiences. MC Hammer, for instance, sung (or rapped, depending on you want to refer to it) about subjects including the rise of his career as well as songs about praying for the betterment of society. On the other hand, Tone Loc’s songs were riddled with sexual lyrics and innuendo that seem tame and conservative by today’s standards.
Around late 1992 to early 1993 , there was a change starting in the mainstream radio playlists. While the sexual lyrics of techno and hip-hop still dominated the airwaves, a new style of rock music was making an impact. Bands like Pearl Jam and Soundgarden were offering youngsters a new type of rock music to listen to that contained catchy lyrics about the angst and trials of teenage years. These songs also seemed to send a message about the status quo of society and the helplessness that was felt among the teens and early adults of the era. Songs like Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” spoke about a teen revolution in a seemingly meaningless world. The song also marked the beginning of the grunge and alternative rock phase that remained popular throughout the mid-1990s.
By late 1995, many young people were getting tired of the hopelessness that the grunge and alternative bands were inundating the airwaves with. They were ready for something fresh and new. As a result of this feeling, there was a movement of “happy rock” that was in direct contrast to the negativity of the grunge bands. Bands like Hootie and the Blowfish, Sister Hazel, and The Bodeans perpetuated upbeat melodies and positive lyrics that many people were ready for after years of negativity. These bands also created a resurgence in songs that dealt with love and relationships through ballads and happier-sounding songs. “All For You” by Sister Hazel was a popular song about the things a person does for another in a relationship while, contrastingly, “Let Her Cry” by Hootie and the Blowfish dealt with a tearful breakup that deeply hurt both people.
The “happy rock” years in the mid-90s helped to pave the way for the “bubblegum pop” that followed in the waning years of the decade. Artists like Britney Spears and Christina Aguil