Pop Will Eat Its Children, Pt. 7

20. "Loser," Beck

1994
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: #10

As a homeless musician bouncing from small gig to even smaller gig, Beck Hansen discovered the best way to keep an attentive audience was to be as bizarre as possible. This tactic worked also for his debut single, which, over twenty years later, still sticks out on the radio like a horse boner.

Keep it? NO

"Devil's Haircut," Beck

1996
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: #94

Odelay ended the debate over whether or not Beck was a calculating culture crook with the very first song. He borrows sugar from his neighbors, all of whom can't wait to see him again.

19. "Heartbreak Hotel," Whitney Houston (feat. Kelly Price and Faith Evans)

1998
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: #2

Pretty women singing prettily.

Keep it? NO

"Sweet 69," Babes In Toyland

1995
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: Did not chart

When Kat Bjelland bats her eyelashes, batten down the hatches.

If Edna Turnblad had come of age in late-60s Detroit, she'd be the Babes number one groupie. She'd eat Lori Barbero's panties for luck.

18. "Queer," Garbage

1995
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: Did not chart

Butch Vig has solid claim to ownership of the decade. Shirley Manson shines as a fuckable Lady Miss Kier. Groove is in the every part of the body, mind included.

Keep it? NO

"Cindy (Rotten Tanx)," Thurston Moore

1995
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: Did not chart

A shitty movie adaptation of a great book doesn't diminish the book.

17. "Sure Shot," Beastie Boys

1994
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: Did not chart

Flutey loops. Yoo-Hoo is guaranteed to do nothing but begin tasting like radish juice if you don't drink it all down within 15 minutes. "Sure Shot" is classic hip-hop: braggadocio and banging beats. Then MCA uses his last verse to be incredibly un-hip-hop--he calls for women to be respected!

Keep it? NO

"I Shot Reagan," Non Phixion

1998
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: Did not chart

Hoo boy did Matador Records shit the bed with these guys. Flag-incinerating, conspiracy-crushing, COC-blasting, the greatest chorus in rap history, "I Shot Reagan" has it all.

16. "Get Up," Sleater-Kinney

1997
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak Position: Did not chart

Stars, bloody stars. The women of SK would be a much-needed energy source in the last part of the decade--and beyond.

Keep it? YES