10 90s Songs With Tragic Backstories

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at 10 90s songs that came from real-life pain.

“100%” (1992)

Sonic Youth

This rock song might not be Sonic Youth’s most popular, but alternative rock fans definitely vibed with it. At first listen, it sounds cool and grungy, but it’s actually a mourning song. Sonic Youth wrote it as a tribute to their close friend, Joe Cole who was killed in an armed robbery in 1991. The attackers were reportedly angry Cole and his friend had little cash on them, and the encounter ended in Cole’s death. To this day, his murder remains unsolved. So while the video shows punky energy and skateboarding clips, it’s really their raw, gritty way of grieving. That’s very Sonic Youth, right?

“What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” (1994)

R.E.M.

Can you really say you’re a true R.E.M fan if you’ve never jammed to this song - or even used the slang a few times? This energetic track might seem like it’s just about generational disconnect and identity crisis, but a darker story lies in its title. It comes from a 1986 incident in which CBS News anchor, Dan Rather was attacked on the street by a man who kept repeating a variation on the title phrase. No one knew what it meant then. But years later, the attacker was identified as Willaim Tager, a delusional man who thought television signals were being beamed into his brain. He was eventually identified some years after murdering a stagehand on “The Today Show.” Kinda changes the vibe, doesn’t it?

“Get Your Gunn” (1994)

Marilyn Manson

For some rock bands, it isn’t just about making music - it’s about making a statement. That’s exactly what Marilyn Manson did in 1994 with the gothic 1994 “Get Your Gunn.” You may have danced to it, but what you might not know is that it’s about the real-life murder of Dr. David Gunn. This OB-GYN was killed by an anti-abortionist extremist in one of the first major acts of violence against abortion doctors in the U.S. As for lead singer Manson, he saw the brutal irony in taking a life all in the name of being pro-life. So the band channeled their rage in calling out that hypocrisy. Sure, the song’s provocative, but it showed they weren’t afraid to confront ugly truths.

“Jesus to a Child” (1996)

George Michael

When you listen to George Michael’s “Jesus to a Child,” there’s a gentle ache in every note that makes it clear it's a sad love song. The story behind it makes it even more heartbreaking. Michael wrote it during one of the most painful periods of his life. He had lost his first love, Anselmo Feleppa, to AIDS just months into their relationship. For a year and a half, he couldn’t bring himself to write any song - until he poured out his grief into this beautiful tribute, completing the lyrics in just one hour. At the time, Michael wasn’t out publicly, so the words don’t spell out the nature of their relationship. Still, the pain and loss are unmistakable in every line.

“The Way” (1998)

Fastball

Listening to a song is one thing, but digging into its lyrics and backstory can make it hit differently. Fastball’s “The Way” is a perfect example. This catchy 90s anthem was inspired by the true story of Lela and Raymond Howard. This elderly couple went missing in 1997. They both had serious health issues but that didn’t stop them from heading to a festival all alone. But they never made it there. Weeks later, their car was found at the bottom of a ravine, hundreds of miles off course - a truly heartbreaking way to die. Fastball’s Tony Scalzo turned this sad tale into the poetic and haunting song “The Way.” A bittersweet homage indeed!

“Zombie” (1994)

The Cranberries

There’s no denying that “Zombie” is one of the most powerful anti-war songs from the 90s. But what inspired Dolores O'Riordan to pour out her heart in those touching lyrics? It traces back to a heartbreaking event that shook Britain and Ireland. In 1993, a bomb planted by the IRA exploded on the streets of Warrington, killing two young children. Horrified by the senseless violence and death of the innocents, Dolores poured that anger into “Zombie.” You can hear it in her voice- that cry for peace…that visceral call to those perpetuating the violence. Dolores may be dead, but this timeless song will always hold relevance, as long as war exists.

“These Are the Days of Our Lives” (1991)

Queen

This Queen classic is heartbreak in musical form, especially for Freddie Mercury fans. Anyone who loves the band likely knows the tragic story behind it. The song was written by Queen’s drummer, Roger Taylor when Mercury was gravely ill with AIDS. Having known Mercury since his youth, Roger probably used the song to reflect and make peace with the inevitable. Even with his declining health, the legendary Mercury gave his all in this music video, which marked his final appearance on camera. At the very end, he looks directly into the lens and says “I still love you.” That moment is enough to shatter the hearts of anyone who loves this man.

“Polly” (1991)

Nirvana

It’s easy to start nodding when listening to “Polly” by Nirvana, but once you learn the chilling backstory, the mood changes. It was inspired by the 1987 abduction of a teenaged girl in Tacoma, Washington. She was taken while returning from a rock show and subjected to a horrifying ordeal. Her kidnapper was Gerald Friend, a sadistic criminal who had served a sentence for committing a similar crime in 1960. This brave 14-year-old girl managed to escape and Friend was eventually caught and convicted. Appalled by this act, Kurt Cobain wrote the song from the perspective of the abductor. So it might sound all melodic, but it’s actually a very disturbing song that’s intended to raise awareness.

“Jeremy” (1992)

Pearl Jam

Here’s another example of a song that goes beyond just being a song. “Jeremy” by Pearl Jam is a haunting narrative about the dark corners of youth, isolation and tragedy. It draws from two stories. One is the real-life story of Jeremy Delle who shot himself in front of his classmates in 1991. Eddie Vedder read about it in a newspaper. It hit so hard, he turned it into a song. The second comes from Vedder’s own memory of a student in high school who shot up a school property. No wonder the music video was so controversial - so much that it was heavily censored by MTV. But when you really listen to “Jeremy,” it’s more like a raw plea for empathy.

“Tears in Heaven” (1992)

Eric Clapton

How do you deal with immense grief? For someone like Eric Clapton, the answer might be turning pain into music. “Tears in Heaven” may be a masterpiece, but it’s also one of the most personal and heartbreaking songs ever written. In 1991, Clapton’s four-year-old son tragically died after falling from the 53rd floor of a New York apartment building. The pain was unimaginable and Clapton withdrew from the world for some time. When he finally returned, this heartfelt song was created. What began as a father’s way of honoring his son’s memory became a top-charting hit and went on to win three major Grammy awards. Its enduring legacy continues to resonate even today.

Which tragic backstory struck you the most? Let us know in the comment section.