# The 7 Best Riot Grrrl Tracks of All Time

Olympia and Washington DC, 1991: hardcore's tools handed to women who were tired of being crushed at the front of the room, distributed through photocopied zines as much as through records.

- **Origin:** Olympia, Washington, 1991
- **Tempo:** 140–210 BPM
- **Also known as:** riot girl, kill rock stars, olympia scene
- **Tracks:** 7
- **Updated:** 2026-08-31
- **Canonical page:** https://waxonia.com/genre/riot-grrrl/

## The list

### 1. [Bikini Kill](https://waxonia.com/artist/bikini-kill/) — [Rebel Girl](https://waxonia.com/track/bikini-kill--rebel-girl/)

*1993 · Kill Rock Stars*

Kathleen Hanna singing about wanting to be a girl's best friend, at full volume, with Joan Jett producing. The movement's one unarguable anthem.

[Search Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/search/Bikini%20Kill%20Rebel%20Girl) · [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=jfCqCKY5nUc)

### 2. [Huggy Bear](https://waxonia.com/artist/huggy-bear/) — [Her Jazz](https://waxonia.com/track/huggy-bear--her-jazz/)

*1993 · Wiiija*

The British half, performed on Channel 4 before an argument broke out in the studio audience. Chaotic, and the record that made the scene a UK news story.

[Search Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/search/Huggy%20Bear%20Her%20Jazz) · [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=lwYIyv2y9CU)

### 3. [Fugazi](https://waxonia.com/artist/fugazi/) — [Suggestion](https://waxonia.com/track/fugazi--suggestion/)

*1988 · Dischord*

A man singing about street harassment from the woman's position, three years early, from the label that made the scene possible. Contested at the time, and worth arguing about still.

[Search Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/search/Fugazi%20Suggestion) · [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=7rASGknTU4o)

### 4. [Bratmobile](https://waxonia.com/artist/bratmobile/) — [Cool Schmool](https://waxonia.com/track/bratmobile--cool-schmool/)

*1993 · Kill Rock Stars*

Two chords, a drummer barely holding it together, and total confidence. The deliberate amateurism is a position, not a limitation.

[Search Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/search/Bratmobile%20Cool%20Schmool) · [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=zug8C4KcGfQ)

### 5. [Bikini Kill](https://waxonia.com/artist/bikini-kill/) — [Feels Blind](https://waxonia.com/track/bikini-kill--feels-blind/)

*1991 · Kill Rock Stars*

Slower and considerably angrier than Rebel Girl. Hanna's voice cracks and the recording keeps it, which was always the point.

[Search Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/search/Bikini%20Kill%20Feels%20Blind) · [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=69lhDIqeHcI)

### 6. [Heavens to Betsy](https://waxonia.com/artist/heavens-to-betsy/) — [Tell Me](https://waxonia.com/track/heavens-to-betsy--tell-me/)

*1994 · Kill Rock Stars*

Corin Tucker before Sleater-Kinney, with a vibrato that sounds like it is about to break something. The purest voice the scene produced.

[Search Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/search/Heavens%20to%20Betsy%20Tell%20Me) · [Search YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/search?q=Heavens%20to%20Betsy%20Tell%20Me)

### 7. [Sleater-Kinney](https://waxonia.com/artist/sleater-kinney/) — [Dig Me Out](https://waxonia.com/track/sleater-kinney--dig-me-out/)

*1997 · Kill Rock Stars*

What the scene became once the musicianship caught up with the position. Two guitars, no bass, and interlocking parts that owe more to Gang of Four than to punk.

[Search Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/search/Sleater-Kinney%20Dig%20Me%20Out) · [YouTube Music](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=pVp6A0Ufots)

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