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Taco Bell\u2019s most surprising release wasn\u2019t a new menu item, it was a CD.<\/p>\n
In 1994, the alternative revolution was at its peak. Nirvana <\/a>and Pearl Jam<\/a> had spawned the breakout of grunge, Oasis<\/a> and Blur<\/a> had begun their Britpop battles, artists like Beck<\/a> were blending multiple genres, while Lollapalooza<\/a> had become the de facto festival for Gen-Xers everywhere. Taco Bell took a look at the musical landscape and decided they had to be a part of it.<\/p>\n While the matchup seemed unlikely on paper, the was at least some precedent. Based in Southern California, the fast food giant had a history of appealing to music fans. They\u2019d previously run campaigns with M.C. Hammer, Young M.C. and Johnny Cash<\/a>. The Man in Black famously hocked Taco Bell\u2019s value meal by asking, \u201dWhere else can you get so many choices for just a little cash?\u201d<\/p>\n Still, their decision to launch an alt rock compilation album went beyond pure marketing. By \u201894, young adults in America had developed a new form of social consciousness. The Gulf War had been beamed onto cable television. Race relations continued to be a hot topic in the wake of the Rodney King beating. Bill Clinton had become the first Democrat president in 12 years. Non-profits like Rock the Vote had empowered young people like never before.<\/p>\n READ MORE: 10 ’90s Rock Bands That Deserve More Respect<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Seeing this, Taco Bell decided their alt rock CD needed to have a philanthropic element. The fast food chain aligned with DoSomething, an organization dedicated to inspiring young people to positively impact their communities. Naturally, the CD would be titled: Do Something Alternative<\/em>.<\/p>\n Priced affordably at $4.99 for a CD, $3.99 for cassette, Do Something Alternative<\/em> was designed for the same consumer who loved Taco Bell\u2019s 59 cent tacos \u2013 aka, college kids. The release was supported by a heavy television campaign, which proudly featured a crowd of Gen-Xers partying outside a Taco Bell.<\/p>\n \u201cSome people call it \u2018alternative’. Others call it \u2018new rock.\u2019 We just call it dinner music,\u201d the commercial declared.<\/p>\n Watch a TV Commercial for Taco Bell’s ‘Do Something Alternative’ Album<\/strong><\/p>\n In total, 10 songs made up the Do Something Alternative<\/em> track listing, each of them from a different artist of the era. The eclectic collection of musicians showcased how varied the alt-rock landscape was at the time. Highlights included \u201cLeave It Alone\u201d by Living Colour<\/a>, the Smithereens\u2019 \u201cMiles From Nowhere,\u201d \u201cLow\u201d by Cracker and the Spin Doctors<\/a>\u2019 \u201cMay Jane.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: 17 One-Hit Wonders From the ’90s: Where Are They Now?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Still, other choices were a bit more head-scratching. General Public\u2019s reggae-pop cover of \u201cI\u2019ll Take You There\u201d felt weirdly out of place, as did German electronica group Enigma with their tune \u201cReturn to Innocence.\u201d And while the inclusion of Sarah McLachlan\u2019s “Possession” certainly foreshadowed the upcoming Lilith Fair phenomenon, in hindsight the song is about as \u201calternative\u201d as an ABBA track.<\/p>\n Regardless, Do Something Alternative<\/em> was largely viewed as a success. Though Taco Bell seemed like a strange corporate partner for such a release, the compilation album quickly sold out around the country. It remains something a relic of the era \u2013 a novelty that fans still track down on eBay. At the very least, it\u2019s better than what Taco Bell has been giving out recently<\/a>.<\/p>\n Any discussion of the Top 100 ’90s Rock Albums will have to include some grunge, and this one is no different.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: UCR Staff<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhat Songs Were on Taco Bell\u2019s Alt Rock Album?<\/h3>\n
Top 100 ’90s Rock Albums<\/h2>\n