The 1995 Alternate Universe Mixtape: What Could’ve Been 🎶
We built a Mixtape with hidden gems that could’ve changed the timeline of modern rock.
When you think of 1995, certain rock singles come to mind—“Glycerine,” “Run-Around,” “Good.” But what about the tracks that didn’t get their moment? The ones that flew under the radar, or were just too ahead of their time to crack into the mainstream?
In our “Singles of 1995 | Roundtable” episode, we asked: What if the biggest hits of 1995 were different? What if the playlists of modern rock radio had taken more risks? Our guest panel of
(Stars After Stars After Stars), (On Repeat Records), , and imagined an alternate universe of singles that should have defined 1995—and created a top 5 list to match.This mixtape is the soundtrack to that alternate universe. It’s a journey into forgotten songs, hidden gems, and what could’ve been if rock radio had embraced the bold, the weird, and the experimental.
🎧 Ready to rediscover 1995? Hit play and let’s dig in.
Pulp – “Common People” (James Barber)
A Britpop anthem of rebellion and class divide, blending biting social commentary with an infectious melody. In an alternate timeline, this song could’ve been a U.S. cultural phenomenon, not just a U.K. hit.
Jawbreaker – “Fireman” (Kevin Alexander)
A raw slice of emo-punk grit that deserved more attention. If radio had embraced punk’s DIY ethos, this track could’ve been a breakthrough moment for the band.
Catherine Wheel – “Heal” (J Dziak)
Blending shoegaze atmosphere with classic rock hooks, this track showcased the band’s pop sensibilities and had the potential to be a modern rock staple.
Bjork – “Army of Me” (Kevin Alexander)
Industrial, dark, and bold, this genre-defying track would’ve thrived on a more adventurous radio landscape. It remains one of Bjork’s most powerful statements.
Goo Goo Dolls – “Long Way Down” (J Dziak, Kevin Alexander)
A hard-edged rocker that could’ve redefined the band’s trajectory. Had this track broken through instead of their ballads, the Goo Goo Dolls might have stayed rooted in punk and hard rock.
Tricky – “Black Steel” (James Barber)
A radical cover of Public Enemy’s “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos,” blending trip-hop with political commentary. This track had the potential to introduce darker, experimental sounds to mainstream rock radio.
Scarce – “Glamorizing Cigarettes” (J Dziak)
A ragged, melodic underground gem that captured the raw energy of the East Coast scene. In another timeline, this band could’ve helped lead a new rock movement.
R.E.M. – “Strange Currencies” (James Barber)
A deeply emotional and introspective track that showcased Michael Stipe’s vocal brilliance. A standout from Monster that deserved more attention.
Soul Asylum – “Misery” (Kevin Alexander)
A sharp critique of the music industry disguised as a catchy alt-rock anthem. This track’s complexity and subtle progressive elements have aged well.
Pulp – “Disco 2000” (J Dziak)
A playful, disco-inspired Britpop banger with a darker lyrical undercurrent. It could’ve been a meaningful alternative to the novelty hits that dominated U.S. radio in 1995.
Matthew Sweet – “Sick of Myself” (Tim Minneci)
A power-pop gem brimming with fuzzy guitars and infectious hooks. This track had all the makings of a modern rock radio staple but never quite got its due.
Son Volt – “Drowned” (Tim Minneci)
Bridging Americana and rock, this alt-country track had a timeless, rootsy feel that could’ve added diversity to modern rock playlists.
Hum – “Stars” (Tim Minneci)
Dreamy, heavy, and unforgettable, this track remains the ultimate underdog hit. In an alternate universe, it’s not just a cult favorite—it’s a massive success.
Lisa Loeb – “Do You Sleep?” (James Barber)
Following the success of “Stay,” this thoughtful, catchy track showed Lisa Loeb’s depth as a songwriter. It deserved a bigger impact on alternative radio.
Songs of 1995 | Roundtable
1995 was the year everything started to shift—some of it for the better, some of it not. The big question for rock fans at the time was: Where do we go from here? Grunge had cracked open the mainstream, but the raw, chaotic energy that made Nirvana and Soundgarden so essential was fading. What followed was a fascinating tug-of-war between authenticity a…
I'm a fan of those Matthew Sweet and Lisa Loeb songs. They were both on heavy rotation for me in '95.
I grew up in a town big enough to have a few radio stations but small enough that most every station was effectively "mainstream." The nuance of "alternative rock" on the radio for me was non-existent; indeed, alt rock was played alongside pop pretty regularly. So I have to ask if I lived in your alternate universe, because a good chunk of these songs *were* mainstream hits in my market.
In fact, I'm really surprised they weren't everywhere. I couldn't escape "Do You Sleep" if I tried (not that I'd want to, as I still have a crush on Ms. Loeb to this day). "Long Way Down" was attached to the soundtrack to "Twister," so it got ridiculous airplay. "Misery" and "Strange Currencies" were equally omnipresent.
And while they didn't play much in my hometown, FM 96 based in London, Ontario, played the hell out of Matthew Sweet and Hum, so those tracks were also always on.
I know the Telecom Act of '96 destroyed a lot of these regional variations, but it's still fascinating to point out these differences.
Were you all in larger markets during this time? Smaller? My hometown is about 120,000 people, so hardly a bustling metropolis, but small enough that mainstream included a fair amount of alternative rock.