In the ’90s, it felt like every moment had its own soundtrack—even moments that definitely didn’t require one (who remembers the tunes from Oz?). While we all cherish the iconic soundtracks of films like Pulp Fiction, The Bodyguard, Clueless, and Romeo + Juliet, several others have faded into obscurity—packed away with our old Discman or traded in for credits at the record store. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and reconnect with some of these forgotten gems.
1. Singles (1992)
The Source: Once upon a time, Cameron Crowe’s films resonated deeply with the Gen-X crowd, and Singles was a perfect example. Released during the same year as Melrose Place, it felt like it belonged to an entirely different universe.
The Music: As someone who was initially more into pop like Wilson Phillips, grunge caught me off guard, and the Singles soundtrack served as my introduction.
Standout Songs: Paul Westerberg’s “Dyslexic Heart” and “Waiting for Somebody,” along with Jimi Hendrix’s “May This Be Love.” (I know they aren’t strictly grunge, but let’s consider my musical journey!)
Pairs With: Then: Navigating first-job jitters and dreaming of a trip to Seattle. Now: Calculating retirement savings while contemplating a visit to Portland.
2. The Craft (1996)
The Source: A tale about girls embracing their witchy sides, The Craft is a reminder that we are long overdue for a Fairuza Balk comeback—how about a guest role in a popular series?
The Music: This soundtrack is arguably the most quintessentially ’90s, featuring artists like Matthew Sweet, Jewel, Sponge, Tripping Daisy, and Elastica.
Standout Songs: Covers like Heather Nova’s “I Have the Touch,” Love Spit Love’s “How Soon Is Now?” and Juliana Hatfield’s “Witches Song.”
Pairs With: Then: Lighting candles, losing yourself in Weetzie Bat books, and deep conversations. Now: Lighting candles, revisiting those classic books, and indulging in some Instagram stalking.
3. Party of Five (1996)
The Source: Chronicling the lives of five siblings navigating life after losing their parents, Party of Five was an early ABC Family show—and introduced us to characters like Jack from Lost.
The Music: If any song stands out from this soundtrack, it’s the upbeat “Closer to Free” by the BoDeans, which makes Hootie & the Blowfish sound downright somber. Most of the other tracks have aged surprisingly well.
Standout Song: Stevie Nicks’ cover of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” could just be your new anthem for midlife reflection.
Pairs With: Then: Cleaning up your space after a breakup and investing in new organizational tools at Target. Now: Finally enjoying some uninterrupted time on Pinterest.
4. Stealing Beauty (1996)
The Source: In this film, Liv Tyler journeys through Tuscany in search of her father and a bit of self-discovery.
The Music: This soundtrack aims for the artistic mix you’d strive for in a homemade CD, blending unexpected artists like John Lee Hooker and Liz Phair effortlessly.
Standout Song: “My Baby Just Cares for Me.” (If you didn’t discover Nina Simone until this soundtrack, we can share the shame but at least we appreciate her now!)
Pairs With: Then: Gaining the courage to share your creativity and impressing dinner guests with your wine selection. Now: Rediscovering your artistic passions and enjoying the wine you love without caring what anyone else thinks.
5. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1999)
The Source: It’s practically a rite of passage for our generation to adore Buffy. This soundtrack predates the more famous “Once More With Feeling.”
The Music: As the ’90s soundtrack scene began to wane, this compilation still delivered with the catchy alternative vibes of Guided by Voices’ “Teenage FBI” and the infectious guilty pleasure “Lucky” by Bif Naked.
Standout Song: Naturally, the iconic theme by Nerf Herder, which could be considered the decade’s ultimate anthem for TV’s coolest female character.
Pairs With: Then: Hitting the gym and taking a road trip with friends. Now: Home workouts and family road trips with your daughter or niece.
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In summary, these five soundtracks from the ’90s are not just nostalgic—they represent a unique time in music and film culture. Dust them off and give them another listen; you may discover some hidden gems along the way.