Five 90s Songs that Ask WHERE and WHY we GO

Where do we go? Why do we go there? These are existential questions we often wake up in the morning and ask ourselves over a mug of coffee. As it turns out, many musical artists in the 1990s also asked these questions. So, here are five 90s songs that ask where and why we go to help you ponder.

"Why Go?", Pearl Jam (1991)

In 1991, Pearl Jam asked the most fundamental question: Why go at all? Specifically, Pearl Jam’s lyrics ask over and over again, “Why go home? Why go home?” I used to ask this same question after work when my in-laws moved into my house. Like Norm from Cheers, I asked this question and would often make extended detours on the way back.

Like many Pearl Jam songs, “Why Go” has very morose origins. According to Eddie Vedder, the song was about a teen girl in Chicago who, although healthy and normal, was put in a hospital by her parents as they were essentially being unable to handle raising a teenager. The tune criticizes the culture of “counseling prisons” and the overdiagnoses of American kids’ mental fitness issues for the profit of insurance corporations.

“Where'd You Go?”, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (1991)

Okay, so maybe you didn’t go home. But in that case, where’d you go? As the father of a teenage boy, I find myself asking this question with ever-expanding frequency over the years. Back in 1991, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (they are very mighty indeed) asked the same question: “Where’d You Go?”

Formed in 1983, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones were one of the originators of the ska punk genre which would see mainstream success in the late 90s. The band released this song on an EP, which is kind of a smaller album on a smaller record, of the same name which also included their unique ska core covers of tunes from Aerosmith, Metallica and Van Halen. The lyrics for “Where’d You Go?” are pretty neurotic about all the manic activities someone is doing while wondering where another went. Maybe a lover? Maybe a parent? In any case, they want to know: Where did you go? Incidentally, the band broke up in January 2022 after almost 40 years of ska punking.

“Are You Gonna Go My Way?”, Lenny Kravitz (1993)

Why you go or where you went is of no concern to Lenny Kravitz. He just wants, nay, he’s got to know, if you’re gonna go his way. In fact, “Are You Gonna Go My Way” isn’t Lenny’s way at all, but the Big Man himself, Jesus Christ, who Lenny refers to as “the ultimate rock star”. The tune is about God giving man a choice on which way to go: The dark path or his way of love. I guess the modo, “Jesus Rocks” is certainly fitting if Lenny Kravitz is involved.

I love this song but was unaware of two facts about it until I wrote this article. Firstly, I didn’t know it is essentially Christian music. I always thought it was a 60s-inspired ditty inspiring people to unite, love each other, and rock on… or something like that. Secondly, I didn’t realize how many times the song was remade, and covered by the likes of Metallica, Tom Jones, Robbie Williams and Mel B. It also has an awesome remix for the 2001 video game Gran Turismo 3.

“Where Do You Go?”, No Mercy (1996)

So, if you’re not going Lenny’s way, where do you go? No Mercy asked this of their “lovely” in this 1996 dance tune. I was unaware that No Mercy’s “Where Do You Go” is a cover of the original by La Bouche. The Eurodance vibes and flamenco guitar riffs made this a great summer track for young people in the late 90s.

I was also unaware, until my podcast co-host and I talked with Genevieve Hassan, that the boy group was put together by none other than Frank Farian himself. Yes, the same Frank Farian that produced the mega rollercoaster that was Milli Vanilli. So, if you are wondering if the boys of No Mercy are actually singing their own songs, you are percipient to do so.

“Where Do We Go From Here?”, Vanessa Williams (1998)

Have you ever looked around after a self-inflicted life disaster and asked your inner self, “where do we go from here?” Well, Vanessa Williams asked this very question in 1998, although more in a tender love song sense than the irreparable life-altering variety.

This tune was featured in the film “Eraser” in which Vanessa achieved critical accolades as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s co-star. Williams was actually recommended for the role by Arnold’s wife, Maria Shriver. Interestingly, the song would not be included in the Erasure motion picture soundtrack.

Do you remember any of these songs that ask why and where we go? Where do you go and why do you go there? Leave a comment or get with me on Twitter. With that, I leave you with this quote:

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

— C.S. Lewis