“You Oughta Know” is the catalyst, then this article really wrote itself. Frankly, rounding the curb on my first semester of college, I’m ready for my Booksmart Karaoke scene. Listening to Alanis Morisette opened an exploration of similar female artists from the nineties and their present-day parallels. Yes, Phoebe Bridgers and Hope Sandoval pen beautiful, gutting, visceral tracks, and if you like “Funeral”, you’ll love “Into Dust.”
To capture feelings of love, loss, and the beauty of female rage is an uncomplicated task for these songwriters. Here are my five recommendations for ladies of the nineties and some present-day writers who I absolutely adore.
- “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morisette and “Motion Sickness” by Phoebe Bridgers
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These songs are about as vulnerable as it gets to walking outside naked. They’re brutally honest yet enlightened and empowered. Between lyrics like “I’m here to remind you of the mess you made when you went away” and “I hate you for what you did, I miss you like a little kid”, these songs contrast premonitions of wanting to scream on the highway and wanting to lay on the floor in the dark.
“You Oughta Know” here: https://open.spotify.com/track/0Dw9z44gXhplDh5HCWZIxP?si=455fMC0PTMmctgV_fKsKGw
“Motion Sickness”: https://open.spotify.com/track/6LxcPUqx6noURdA5qc4BAT?si=0vUAgUrMRseH7ab90ZJK2w
- “Linger” by The Cranberries and “The City” by Ella Jane
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Dolores O’Riordan and Ella Jane share soft, crooning voices that carry tremendous melodies in both “Linger” and “The City.” That fool-for-you feeling is epitomized in their lyrics. These artists are unmerciful, creating this sick, unnamed feeling; wanting so badly for someone to stay, but understanding that they have nothing left to offer you.
“Linger “here: https://open.spotify.com/track/0gEyKnHvgkrkBM6fbeHdwK?si=fD5cc3mNTUGueo8nx69b7g
“The City” here: https://open.spotify.com/track/46VVqPB050Euv6hIxeV45l?si=WB7NUcIqTmCTXpDkIUQcyw
- “You Were Meant For Me” by Jewel and “August” by Taylor Swift
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Who watched the Folklore Long Pond Studio Sessions? My second question is who cried during the Folklore Long Pond Studio Sessions? Jewel and Taylor are duplicitous; tag-teaming heartbroken storytelling in “You Were Meant For Me” and “August.”
“You Were Meant For Me” here: https://open.spotify.com/track/14sVnTYvfzo9sQM4RkQTaq?si=as4lHCubQNCe2oCV0v8R9Q
“August” here: https://open.spotify.com/track/3hUxzQpSfdDqwM3ZTFQY0K?si=NbJzYoh2TEuD8tTefpCtAg
- “Paper Bag” by Fiona Apple and “Moon Song” by Phoebe Bridgers
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“Paper Bag” and “Moon Song” perfectly encapsulate what it is like to shake hands with disappointment. Apple and Bridgers are akin to quirky, eccentric songs, with sharp, slicing lyrics about control, hope, and expectations.
Paper Bag here: https://open.spotify.com/track/0IVkP59yJ9GFF6B7IrvrxA?si=8pH0TgzARk6XSPlPQxFfjA
Moon Song here: https://open.spotify.com/track/6sALLrBPX30ptG1HWH6vmW?si=n3SSHskpSZqnktojl3aoKA
- “Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star and “Sour Breath” by Julien Baker
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“I look to you and I see nothing” echoes the lyrical dejection of “You’re everything I want and I’m all you dread.” Hope Sandoval and Julien Baker employ soothing voices to compose beautifully tragic verses.
“Fade Into You” here: https://open.spotify.com/track/1LzNfuep1bnAUR9skqdHCK?si=mojBUPs1RJ6sOBv62wtl8w
“Sour Breath” here: https://open.spotify.com/track/7CdNO4YnJgoaWAJOiqb9kQ?si=SA9czm7OTAeMsqAp7MSOGA
I hope these recommendations greet you with the empowerment and the vintage-feel you’ve been searching for. Check out the playlist below for more music like what is featured in this article!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2YAaK3VQB5cTRFfGsF06iy?si=XFZEFf8BQoag…