📚Homework Alert! — Dig Into The Singles of 1995
Revisit the charts, rediscover the year’s biggest tracks, and get ready for our upcoming podcast
Hey class, it’s time for another Dig Me Out assignment — and this one’s a deep dive into the unforgettable (and sometimes very forgettable) singles of 1995. This year had it all: post-grunge anthems, Britpop battles, alt-rock breakthroughs, and a few one-hit wonders that are probably still stuck in your head.
Joining us for this roundtable are two fantastic guests with deep roots in music — but before we dive in, we want to take a moment to send love to a fellow rock soldier.
💔 Our Thoughts Are With S.W. Lauden
We had originally planned for S.W. Lauden to join the panel, but he was sadly unable to participate after losing his home in the recent Los Angeles wildfires. Our hearts go out to him and his family during this difficult time.
For those unfamiliar, S.W. is an incredible music writer and drummer. He’s edited the essay collections Go All The Way: A Literary Appreciation of Power Pop and Forbidden Beat: Perspectives on Punk Drumming, and you’ve likely seen his work on his Substack, Remember the Lightning.
We encourage our followers to check out his Substack and consider becoming a paid subscriber to help support him during this challenging time. His writing is insightful, passionate, and full of heart.
The Roundtable Panel
(Stars After Stars After Stars)
A rock manager, radio promoter, A&R exec, music producer, teacher, and record store clerk — James has done it all, and he’s got the stories to prove it. Now a music archivist and audio tech writer, James shares his deep industry knowledge on his Substack, Stars After Stars After Stars.
(On Repeat Records)
Frustrated by the cold, algorithm-driven world of music discovery, Kevin built On Repeat to make sharing songs personal again. Three times a week, he delivers playlists, forgotten gems, and new favorites with the goal of sparking joy and building community. His love language? Playlists. His mission? Helping you find your next favorite song.
1995: The Year of Alt-Rock Domination
1995 was a wild year for modern rock and alternative music. Some of the biggest singles included:
🎶 Alanis Morissette — “You Oughta Know”
🎶 Smashing Pumpkins — “Bullet with Butterfly Wings”
🎶 Foo Fighters — “This Is a Call”
It wasn’t all grunge and angst — Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” was everywhere, TLC made us rethink chasing “Waterfalls,” and Madonna slowed things down with “Take a Bow.”
But for every Wonderwall, there were plenty of forgotten singles. Who remembers Better Than Ezra’s “Good”? Or The Rentals’ “Friends of P”? And who’s willing to admit they still know the words to Dishwalla’s “Counting Blue Cars”?
Your Homework
1️⃣ Revisit the Charts from 1995
Check out these singles charts from 1995 and start building your own list of hits, misses, and forgotten gems.
📊 Billboard Year-End Hot 100 Chart
🇬🇧 UK Top 100
🇦🇺 Australian ARIA Top Selling Singles of 1995
🇨🇦 Canadian Top 100 Airplay/Sales
2️⃣ Check Out Our Guests’ Substacks
Dive into the music commentary from
and to get in the zone.3️⃣ Support S.W. Lauden’s Substack
Consider becoming a paid subscriber to Remember the Lightning and help support an incredible writer through a tough time.