Alternative rock songs did the unthinkable in the 90s – they became global hits and cultural touchstones. This type of music had been growing ever since the previous decade. Still, few, if anyone, could’ve predicted the success, both artistic and commercial, of some of the biggest alternative rock songs of the 90s and the artists behind them.

This is why today we are looking at the most creative, the most influential and the most groundbreaking music of that fabled time. I am counting down the 150 greatest alternative rock songs of the ’90s for Alt77.

Top 150 Greatest Alternative Rock Songs of the 1990s

Criteria for Song Selection

The 150 greatest alternative rock songs of the 1990s were, fortunately, also ones that achieved global notoriety. While this is hardly the case now, it certainly makes my job easier. I didn’t want to get too clever with the picks, opting for obscure Mongolian groups that only recorded Demo cassettes.

Instead, these are songs that had a massive impact on listeners and on many other alternative bands. These are songs that signified a change in what was possible in music, often bringing in experimental, leftfield tactics. The ranking of the 150 songs is determined principally by these factors.

Looking to dive deeper? Also, make sure to check out List of 100 Greatest Alternative Rock Songs and Artists of All-Time, together with the accompanying playlists.

“Greatest Alternative Rock Songs of the ’90s” Playlist

1. “Losing My Religion” – R.E.M. (1991)

“Losing My Religion“ by R.E.M. proved that alternative rock, unlike most pop music, didn’t need to follow any formats. This was a global hit by a band from Athens, Georgia, U.S.A., who had been the toast of the 1980s underground. This was a song that lent the spotlight to tortured poetic lyrics and to the mandolin as a lead instrument, not the guitar. And, just as importantly, it was a song that instantly resonated with people from all walks of life, from across the world. It still does.

R.E.M. achieved the freedom that all artists in the alternative rock space desired. It’s no wonder that Kurt Cobain admitted to being envious of the group. “Losing My Religion” helped R.E.M. sell 30 million copies of their album “Out of Time.” But the band did it by their own rules and at their own pace.

The discography of R.E.M. was already celebrated by people in the know. Each new album brought new fans and an increase in popularity. In singer Michael Stipe and guitarist Peter Buck, the band had atypical rock stars, artists who relied on their instincts. R.E.M. didn’t copy but invented. And, in turn, they would be copied by a myriad of bands trying to crack their formula.

The undeniable success, creative and commercial, of “Losing My Religion” felt like a victory for the entire alternative-rock community. It paved the way for indie-rock, grunge, or even nu-metal to have success. The general public’s taste was suddenly open to sounds that didn’t fit a simple formula. R.E.M. slowly educated the public, and this was the culmination of their efforts.

Pop songs tend to lose their power upon repeated listens. That’s not the case with “Losing My Religion.” It’s a song so well-written, complete with a performance so full of emotion, that it became the best alternative rock song of the 1990s.

2. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana (1991)

“Smells Like Teen Spirit“ by Nirvana is the ultimate underdog story. Here’s a song by a trio from rain-drenched Seattle, featuring punk-infused power chords and taking more than a little inspiration from the bands Pixies and Boston that immediately impacted the world of pop music. Stranger still, with each passing year, the magic of the song doesn’t seem to evaporate.

Few saw it coming. Nirvana’s discography is a sadly short one but filled with marvellous quirks and idiosyncrasies. The band’s singer and main songwriter, Kurt Cobain, was directly influenced by dissonant punk, art-rock, folk and even classic rock. The band’s great first album, “Bleach,” presented these influences. But it also seemed to suggest that Nirvana would not be a commercial proposition.

“Nevermind,” of course, proved any naysayers wrong. A pristine pop album, filled with memorable hooks, great songs, and emotional lyrical and vocal delivery, the album was an instant smash hit. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” may have been an afterthought as far as Geffen Records was concerned, but it gave the label a band just as commercially successful as their beloved Guns n’ Roses.

Before you knew it, Nirvana clones were springing up everywhere and being signed to major labels. But original, honest rock groups were inspired by Nirvana as well. Kurt Cobain continues to be a reference point for many of the new musicians picking up guitars today.

As most readers will know, the story of Nirvana and Cobain ended tragically in April of 1994. It is not a stretch to say that, by the time it was over, Nirvana had changed the world. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is not just the band’s most famous song. It is one of the few alternative rock songs that seems to connect with audiences of any type, any time it is played.

3. “Under the Bridge” – Red Hot Chili Peppers (1992)

“Under the Bridge“ by Red Hot Chili Peppers was another hit song that seemed to tell the world that alternative rock bands could do anything. These bands could afford to take risks, to challenge their artistic abilities, and to try and surprise audiences.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ fans must have surely been caught off guard. The band had grown a sizeable but local California fan base in the 1980s on the strength of a funk-rock sound played with maniacal intensity. The Chili Peppers enjoyed crude humour, often playing naked on stage. Their singer, Anthony Kiedis, preferred rapping to singing whenever possible. And, by the time of their album “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” in 1992, they’d already been through a number of line-up changes.

“Under the Bridge” respected none of those stereotypes. The song is built on a poem written by Anthony Kiedis. The words deal with the issue of drug addiction, an issue all too familiar to the band.

RHCP’s previous guitar player, Hillel Slovak, had died of a drug overdose. His replacement, John Frusciante, now felt comfortable enough in the band to bring his Jimi Hendrix-inspired wizardry. Meanwhile, in the dynamic rhythm section, Flea and Chad Smith also felt at ease to play softly on “Under the Bridge.” The result is a dramatic alternative rock number that opens with Frusciante’s moody guitar arpeggios and ends with fiery backing vocals.

“Under the Bridge” catapulted Red Hot Chili Peppers to superstardom, a status they would keep until the present day. It wasn’t the song anyone thought they could write or that could be globally successful, but once more, an alternative rock band proved it could take on the odds.

4. “Zombie” – The Cranberries (1994)

“Zombie,” one of the many songs written about The Troubles in Ireland, is the most haunting and the only international hit. The fact that this was produced by an alternative-rock band whose bread and butter were tender, sensitive songs about love and family made the words and Dolores O’Riordan’s singing all the more powerful.

“Zombie” became a global smash hit. It’s one of the best-known alternative rock songs of the 1990s. And, in the context of modern political troubles, it is frequently covered today.

However, “Zombie” is also an anomaly in the discography of The Cranberries. It’s true that the time was ripe for the Irish band to become very successful. But those looking for other angry, distorted songs like “Zombie” in the band’s catalogue would have been surprised. Instead, this is an angry shout for peace from a band that specialised in delicate compositions.

5. “Jeremy” – Pearl Jam (1992)

“Jeremy“ and Pearl Jam’s album “Ten” seemed to come out of nowhere, just like the opening line of the song does. And, “Jeremy” has undeniable power and creative momentum behind it. Judged by sound alone, it was easy to make this alternative rock song into a hit.

Yes, Pearl Jam’s sound had more in common with classic rock radio than the band’s grunge counterparts. But underneath the catchy guitar riffs, there was a restlessness to confess, to tell the truth. “Jeremy,” for example, was a song about a child being bullied in school and likely inspired by a real school shooting.

The video for “Jeremy” helped Pearl Jam’s album “Ten” reach platinum status. It would go on to be the biggest selling grunge album of all-time, albeit still somewhat eclipsed by Nirvana’s rise.

Pearl Jam would take steps to try to distance themselves from the hype. Regardless, it had proven the band’s instincts right when they hired the unknown singer Eddie Vedder and moved on from the wreckage of Mother Love Bone.

6. “Basket Case” – Green Day (1994)

“Basket Case” by Green Day is the sound that Ramones, The Descendents, or The Undertones had all dreamed of. This was punk music that was so sticky that nobody who heard it could get it out of their minds.

That sound belonged to Green Day, a band that had paid its dues in the punk-rock underground and who had graduated from the famous 924 Gillman Street Club, where groups like Operation Ivy or Rancid had also started.

For all intents and purposes, Green Day’s album “Dookie” launched pop-punk into the homes of millions of teenagers. The movement, however, has proven to have staying power. At the time of writing, pop-punk, powered by a similar sound and aesthetic, is still massively popular. And, despite cries by some, like Sex Pistols‘ John Lydon, against the authenticity of Green Day, they have remained arena-packing alternative rock stars.

7. “Black Hole Sun” – Soundgarden (1994)

“Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden was the alternative rock song whose success made all fans of classic rock radio happy. Here was a Seattle band that had more in common with Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath. This was a band fronted by a singer, Chris Cornell, blessed with a four-octave range. And, this was a band finally getting its due.

Soundgarden may have been highly respected among their peers. But 1994’s hit “Superunknown” was the first time that the band truly managed to cash in on the success of grunge. The album continues to be highly regarded. It’s a great artistic achievement.

“Black Hole Sun” is the most memorable of the songs on “Superunknown” and something of a perverse experiment with retro pop music. The melodies are reminiscent of The Beatles, while the surreal lyrics add dark smoke clouds. The music video for “Black Hole Sun,” played on heavy rotation on MTV, perfectly captured that dichotomy.

Chris Cornell and Soundgarden were finally respected at the level they deserved. But, like other groups on the list, success was a double-edged sword. The pressure of fame and heavy touring made the band release just one more studio album during their initial run. Regardless, “Black Hole Sun” is, without question, one of the very best alternative rock songs of the ’90s.

8. “Loser” – Beck (1994)

“Loser“ was one of the biggest hits of 1994. Like “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, it had seemingly arrived from nowhere, with no assistance from record labels’ A&R people. In 1994, nobody expected that lo-fi alternative rock artist Beck could have produced “Loser.”

It might sound crazy to think about it now, but Beck was indebted to no musical genre, and this was an oddity in the music business. Besides, Beck hadn’t pursued musical success. He had made countless demo cassettes showcasing his post-modern approach to copying and pasting elements from different musical genres.

When released, “Loser” sounded like something of a novelty tune. Its DIY video, made in the same vein, was immediately picked up by MTV. It’s undeniable hook and fame threatened to make Beck into an alternative rock one-hit wonder.

But there was much more to the story, as it turns out. Beck would continue to take the same kinds of artistic risks with albums like “Odelay.” And, while “Loser” is one of the best-known alternative rock songs of the 1990s, it is merely a speck in the artist’s incredible discography.

9. “Buddy Holly” – Weezer (1994)

“Buddy Holly“ by Weezer gave hope to all the music fans who had fallen in love with Nirvana’s heavy pop hooks. Here was a new band that had mastered the art of the three-minute single, who could be just as heavy as the grunge or pop-punk bands and who possessed great humour.

In many ways, Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo had a new vision of what power-pop could be. Most definitely, with Weezer’s debut, known colloquially as “The Blue Album,” he had enough great songs to make radio stations pay notice.

“Buddy Holly” is one of the best alternative rock songs of the 90s. It’s hooky, funny, and heavy. It’s no wonder how Weezer launched a bunch of copycat groups, all hoping to lend their guitar chops to pretty pop songs, all hoping to get Weezer’s dorky look just right.

10. “Freak on a Leash” – Korn (1998)

“Freak on a Leash“ by Korn may just be the greatest achievement of nu-metal. A genre that had the youth of the world enthralled yet still courted many detractors, nu-metal never managed to effortlessly blend as many styles, sound as heavy, or resonate as loudly with audiences as it did with “Freak on a Leash.”

It all makes sense when investigated closer. Korn was the band that originated this sound and aesthetic. Munky and Brian “Head” Welch were the guitarists who introduced the 7-string guitar attack to this style. Jonathan Davis brought in the lyrics related to childhood trauma and also shaped the recognisable look. It was a new strategy to sound heavy and look modern.

“Freak on a Leash” proved that while Korn had many imitators, the band was still looking for new paths forward. It became one of the biggest alternative rock songs of the 90s. It is one of the most unsettling songs to receive so much radio airplay, and a rare instance of metal and beatboxing coming together.

11. “Common People” – Pulp (1995)

“Common People“ by Pulp was the funniest, most clever piece of social commentary of the entire Britpop era. Jarvis Cocker delivered his lyrics partly as an arrogant rock singer and partly as a self-deprecating comedian.

But Pulp was also a band that had paid its dues. And while their music was left out of the Battle of Britpop between Oasis and Blur, the band’s legendary live performance at Glastonbury showed how the group had mastered their art by the time they had made it big.

“Common People” and the album “Different Class” remain a high point for British rock music. And, the always clever, funny Jarvis Cocker is a symbol for like-minded individuals from the rain-soaked, fashionable streets of England.

12. “Closer” – Nine Inch Nails (1994)

“Closer“ by Nine Inch Nails was the work of a man with a singular vision. Trent Reznor was kicking and screaming all the way to the top of the charts just as his life, as described in music, seemed to be crashing to the bottom. But, the first time audiences may have heard this song or seen its music video on MTV, they likely questioned Reznor’s sanity, as well as that of the media owners.

Trent Reznor took on the music industry like a man plotting revenge. Nine Inch Nails’ music was inspired by Ministry, industrial metal, and an interest in all things dark, deranged, and forbidden. It, in turn, influenced countless bands as well as other artists, such as Chuck Palahniuk, author of “Fight Club.”

If listeners thought that “Closer” was depressing, they were in for quite a ride when they heard the entire album, “The Downward Spiral.” A record rivalling the great works of nihilist philosophies or existential painting, it is one of the true masterpiece albums of 90s alternative music.

13. “Man in the Box” – Alice In Chains (1990)

“Man in the Box“ by Alice In Chains was the sound of Seattle heavy metal before the term “grunge” came to be fashionable. It was also the sound of a band changing. What had started as a Guns n’ Roses-inspired hair-metal group had mutated into a heavy, precise, and dark-sounding hard-rock group.

In Layne Staley, Alice In Chains had a talented and schooled singer capable of creating a direct emotional impact. Jerry Cantrell was the guitar player, songwriter and seer of the group.

Like Nirvana, Alice In Chains’ original run was cut short by tragedy. “Man in the Box” is one of the best alternative songs, for certain. Fortunately, the group had time to show their strengths through ever-more subtle albums released during the 1990s.

14. “Tonight, Tonight” – The Smashing Pumpkins (1995)

“Tonight, Tonight” allowed The Smashing Pumpkins to confess to their audience that progressive musical ideas and world domination were on the band’s mind all along. Not that you’d know, given the grunge-friendly sounds of their previous release.

Singer and guitarist Billy Corgan may have worked his way among the grunge crowd. But playing only distorted riffs and yelling about the state of the world, as he’d do on songs like “Bullet with Butterfly Wings”, could only satisfy his creativity for so long.

“Tonight, Tonight” is a gigantic, triumphant-sounding alternative rock song complete with a full orchestra. It’s the centrepiece of a double album, “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness,” that became a smash hit. It proved that alt-rock audiences were ready for anything, even prog-rock.

15. “Mr. Jones” – Counting Crows (1993)

“Mr. Jones“ by Counting Crows sounds as if it was written during a frenzied episode of pure inspiration. It sounds as if, had David Bryson and Adam Duritz not put it to tape, it would have been lost forever.

Audiences over the world must have felt the same way. Released as the first single from the band’s debut, “August and Everything After,” “Mr. Jones” steamrolled through the charts, leaving audiences with more questions than answers about the lyrics.

Sure, Counting Crows had other noteworthy songs. These helped the band lead an assault on the charts that combined classic folk values with modern soft-pop hooks. No other song was on the level of “Mr. Jones,” but then again, how could anyone make such insane demands in the first place?

16. “Creep” – Radiohead (1992)

“Creep“ by Radiohead is one of the most recognizable songs of the 1990s. It’s a pleasantly surprising grunge rock song. It’s a song whose lyrics about creepily stalking others strangely resonate with audiences. And it is the only song like it that Radiohead ever wrote.

In its wake, Radiohead was unfairly dubbed “The British Nirvana.” They would soon shake these shackles off and progress from one album to the next, introducing new layers of emotion and musical complexity along the way.

Regardless, “Creep” perfectly distilled the sound of the time to one song. There might be no other sound that defines 90s alternative rock better than Jonny Greenwood’s chugging pre-chorus guitar.

17. “Killing in the Name” – Rage Against the Machine (1992)

“Killing in the Name“ by Rage Against the Machine showed that not all alternative-rock bands had entirely forgotten about the militant ideals of 1980s rap or hardcore punk. RATM built their career on left-wing politics and a sound that fused alt-rock and rap in a way that, at the time, seemed extreme.

Singer Zack de la Rocha had been a member of the hardcore band Inside Out. His lyrics dealt with his disappointment with American capitalism, his interest in the struggles of the peoples of Latin America, and his championing of left-wing causes.

“Killing in the Name” was the biggest single off the band’s debut album. It featured a riff by Tom Morello, one of the best-known guitar parts of 90s rock. And, while vague in terms of lyrics, it portrayed Rage Against the Machine’s musicians as rebels against unjust authority.

18. “Wonderwall” – Oasis (1996)

“Wonderwall” by Oasis has to be one of the most played songs of the entire decade of the 1990s. The song was endlessly championed by radio stations, the video was shown frequently on MTV, and the simple guitar chords of the song often made part of the repertoire of street performers everywhere.

While we’re dangerously close to a world where “Wonderwall” by Oasis has been overplayed, it’s important not to forget what it represented. This was the crowning achievement of the biggest, best Britpop band. Blending elements of The Beatles and Sex Pistols, Oasis had charged up the charts like no other group. And, for a while, the tag of “The New Beatles” genuinely did not seem out of place.

“Wonderwall” was also the song that allowed British-focused music to crossover to the rest of the world and laid the groundwork for a strong but brief New British Invasion.

19. “Paranoid Android” – Radiohead (1997)

“Paranoid Android“ by Radiohead is one of the most complex songs to become a hit during the 90s. While the song’s structure is a tribute to The Beatles and progressive rock, it is also a testament to the idiosyncratic nature of alternative rock during the 1990s.

Anyone who had lost sight of Radiohead following their grunge hit, “Creep,” was about to be surprised by 1997’s album “OK Computer.” Endlessly fascinating, “OK Computer” is a songwriting masterclass. It’s endlessly inventive, brilliantly played and produced and, surprisingly, immensely catchy.

“Paranoid Android” also signified a shift. The good times of Britpop were coming to a close. The ship was going down. And the only ones that would make it were those that could swim the dangerous tides. Radiohead was no longer following trends, as it had done on its debut, but inventing a modern musical school of its own.

20. “Friday I’m in Love” – The Cure (1992)

“Friday I’m in Love“ by The Cure is one of Robert Smith’s prettiest songs and a hit that the band thoroughly deserved. The Cure had been one of the premier alternative rock bands of the 80s. Their gothic-inspired albums gradually increased the band’s popularity, which led them to play for stadium crowds by the end of the decade.

But The Cure did not have a pleasing, global pop hit. “Friday I’m in Love” changed that and challenged Smith’s reputation as a doom peddler. There are few songs ever recorded that are as instantly memorable or as deserving of receiving repeated plays.

With The Cure’s reputation already well established, “Friday I’m in Love” did not shake the foundations of the band’s core group of fans. It was, instead, the cherry on top of all the band’s achievements and a reminder that the best alternative rock songs of the 90s were of global interest and possessed endless creative strength.

Top 21 – 30

21. “1979” – Smashing Pumpkins (1996)

It’s true that, for a while, 90’s alternative rock was pretty conservative. But by the middle of the decade, simply playing distorted power chords wasn’t enough for bands like The Smashing Pumpkins. With the ears of the world upon them and Billy Corgan’s endless ambition leading the group, the Pumpkins began experimenting with electronic sounds and with the concept of a double album format.

It could’ve all been too much, sure, but “1979,” luckily, was an instant classic. A song which plugs the listener into a wave of euphoric nostalgia, Corgan wrote this about the scary change of becoming an adult. The opening sequence and the chorus are two of the most recognizable sound bites of 90s alt-rock.

22. “Runaway Train” – Soul Asylum (1992)

“Runaway Train” showed that 90s alternative hits could have a soul, and plenty of it. The song also made stars of the hard-working, Replacements-loving band Soul Asylum. But it was a success that was well due. It must’ve been difficult not to hear “Runaway Train” for the first time and decide you’ve stumbled upon a piece of ageless songwriting.

Of course, the video for “Runaway Train” featuring photographs and names of missing children helped its fame. Not only was it an eye-catching music video, but some of the kids in it were actually found. Not bad for one of the best rock songs of the 90s.

23. “Ocean Man” – Ween (1997)

Ah, finally, a 90s alternative rock song that all modern kids will know. Sure, sure, much of the fame of “Ocean Man” hinges on its use in the extremely popular show “Spongebob Squarepants.” This has been one of the most popular animated shows, with kids and adults alike.

Still, “Ocean Man” is also the opening song from Ween’s creative zenith, “The Mollusk.” A nautical concept album about sea life and its creatures, “The Mollusk” captures one of the greatest alternative bands at its quirkiest and most inventive. It was a sleeper hit, of course, but few bands deserved to be beloved by wide-eyed kids everywhere than Ween.

24. “Movin’ on Up” – Primal Scream (1991)

Primal Scream’s musicians were always where the cool music was. They were there for the party mostly. But by 1991, the Scottish group had found a way to become the party. Charging their indie rock sound with the rave scene influences that they were soaking up nightly, Primal Scream made a dance-rock classic with “Screamadelica.”

“Movin’ on Up” is the gospel-influenced dance-rocker that opens the record. It was also the first time that Primal Scream stormed the charts. And, for many, it was a moment when rock showed its willingness to daringly step into the future.

25. “Would?” – Alice In Chains (1992)

Alice In Chains always craved success. Luckily for the grunge rockers, they finally achieved mainstream notoriety with arguably their greatest song, “Would?” Driven by drummer Sean Kinney’s complex groove and by the vocal interplay between Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell, “Would?” also proved, beyond much doubt, that there was no 90s Seattle group more enamoured with darkness than Alice In Chains.

Inspired by the death of local Seattle legend Andy Wood and featuring some of the band’s most memorable musical moments, “Would?” paved the way for “Dirt,” the band’s influential album. When the dust settled, and the hype died down, AiC produced some of the most meaningful alternative rock songs.

26. “Scar Tissue” – Red Hot Chili Peppers (1999)

“Scar Tissue“ introduced the tender, beautiful side of the once frightful funk-rock party monsters, The Red Hot Chili Peppers. This was a song of survival, and even those who weren’t aware of the near-fatal drug-induced tragedies of the band’s members could feel it.

All of it was captured in John Frusciante’s great Hendrix-styled riff and Anthony Kiedis’ lyrics about perseverance. It’s rightfully featured on virtually any 90s alternative music playlist.

27. “Come As You Are” – Nirvana (1991)

“Come As You Are” proved to any of those not yet convinced that Kurt Cobain was, first and foremost, a great pop songwriter. Sure, there was plenty of darkness in the song. The lyrics would have a profoundly tragic echo in just a few years’ time.

Taking inspiration from the 80s post-punk group Killing Joke and building his myth, Cobain developed one of alternative rock’s best songs. If you were looking for some of the others in 1991, you could probably find them on the band’s sophomore album, “Nevermind.”

28. “Say It Ain’t So” – Weezer (1994)

“Say It Ain’t So“ must’ve made alt-rock fans of the 1990s incredibly hopeful. Here was a band that could not only write jokey tunes like “Buddy Holly.” Here was a band that, in Rivers Cuomo, had a songwriter who could open up his heart all while writing foot-stomping choruses.

Weezer’s debut record, known to most as “The Blue Album,” was chock-full of alternative rock hits. Still, nowhere is Cuomo as revealing about his upbringing as on “Say It Ain’t So,” and audiences immediately picked up on this and resonated with the song.

29. “Disco 2000” – Pulp (1995)

“Disco 2000“ verified to audiences worldwide that there was simply no way to be cooler than the Brits. This was even true when they sang about wood chips falling off the walls or damp and lonely Thursday evenings.

Oasis and Blur might’ve found the charts more often. Yet, no band was funnier and more charming than Jarvis Cocker’s Pulp. “Disco 2000” finally made them a hit in Britain and outside of it. And, without question, this is a song for the ages, one that immortalises Deborah for every subsequent generation of listeners.

30. “Everlong” – Foo Fighters (1997)

“Everlong” was Foo Fighters’ shining moment. The song also proved the band had a future outside of its post-grunge sound. And, most remarkably, it confirmed that the former drummer of Nirvana had a future as a frontman.

“Everlong” is one of the great, and rare, genuine love songs in alternative rock. It dares to ask if things could ever be this good again. For most rock fans living in the 90s, the answer must’ve been “no.” It all helps make “Everlong” an oddly romantic entry of the decade’s best songs.

Top 31 – 40

31. “Blind” – Korn (1994)

Enjoying Korn’s sound, or not, in many ways is irrelevant. Ignoring how innovative the group was in both terms of sound and aesthetic, however, is downright criminal. Korn’s 1994 self-debut release blended rap and metal. It combined powerful grooves with detuned guitar riffs played on a 7-string guitar. And it brought in an entirely new fashion to rock music. “Blind” is the song that best captures those ideas. It’s one of the best alternative songs of the 90s. It’s no wonder that Korn’s sound should be so highly imitated.

32. “What’s the Frequency Kenneth?” – R.E.M. (1994)

R.E.M. was an underground sensation during the early 1980s, and one of the principal reasons why alternative rock became successful in the latter part of the decade. Yet, most surprising was how Michael Stipe and the band handled massive fame during the 1990s.

Inspired by a paranoid attack on a popular television host and driven by some of the band’s strongest melodies, “What’s the Frequency Kenneth” is one of the great songs of alternative rock.

33 “Spoonman” – Soundgarden (1994)

Chris Cornell found a way to channel the pure power of early Soundgarden records together with clever rhythmic patterns and Beatlesque melodies on the “Superunkown” album. “Spoonman” helped to further build the myth of Seattle as one of the artistic capitals of the world. It’s one of Soundgarden’s most iconic songs.

34. “Just” – Radiohead (1995)

Radiohead, believe it or not, was labelled a grungey one-hit wonder the moment that “Creep” ended its chart run. But the highly inventive, gently psychedelic “The Bends” album proved that there was so much more to the band. “Just” captures the grittiness of the band’s alt-rock roots together with marvelously creative playing.

35. “Alive” – Pearl Jam (1992)

The beauty of rock music is that it starts as someone’s personal diary and ends up being owned by the world. That’s what happened to “Alive” by Pearl Jam. One of the biggest rock anthems of the ’90s, “Alive”, was inspired by Eddie Vedder’s difficult upbringing, but has become a life-affirming slogan in concerts.

36. “Interstate Love Song” – Stone Temple Pilots (1994)

You can never argue against a great song that gets to the point immediately and hits an emotional nerve. And all of the people who had decried the grunge influences of Stone Temple Pilots had to bow down in recognition of the group’s sophisticated alt-rock hooks on songs like the incredible “Interstate Love Song.”

37. “Grace” – Jeff Buckley (1994)

Jeff Buckley worked with emotions first, and with his sensational singing voice second. “Grace,” one of the perfect alternative songs of the 1990s, may lead into near-operatic territory. But it’s how Buckley can manoeuvre through the complicated feelings that he had for his early life, which makes this a truly sensational song.

38. “When I Come Around” – Green Day (1994)

Green Day, practically, replaced the grunge movement in the affections of rock fans by bringing in fun and a down-to-earth attitude to their music. But there were layers to this as well. The words to “When I Come Around” made it sound fragile and brittle. But the power chords behind it always primed it as a future stadium rock anthem. It has, fairly, become that.

39. “You Get What You Give” – New Radicals (1998)

A one-hit wonder by choice rather than design, New Radicals promised to reinvent alt-rock music circa 1998. And, in many ways, they just about achieved it with “You Get What You Give.” And while the hit made New Radicals unpopular with f Beck, Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson, it’s certainly one of the gems of 90s alternative music.

40. “Today” – Smashing Pumpkins (1993)

Billy Corgan simplified everything for the writing of “Siamese Dream.” And the effort to reduce the size of the compositions paid off. Not only was “Today” an instantly memorable single. Not only did it smash the doors wide open for The Smashing Pumpkins. Most importantly, perhaps, it is still one of the most beloved alternative rock songs of the 1990s.

Top 41 – 50

41. “Even Flow” – Pearl Jam (1992)

Is Eddie Vedder mumbling or quoting poetry at breakneck speed? It didn’t matter much. This vocal performance ended up turning Vedder into a character on SNL and into the most oft-copied singer of his generation. “Even Flow” remains a fiery performance off of one of the best albums of the decade.

42. “Rooster” – Alice In Chains (1992)

There was a darkness and a complexity to Alice in Chains’ compositions that most of the group’s peers were forced to merely try to copy. “Rooster,” a song written from the perspective of a soldier and inspired by Jerry Cantrell’s Vietnam vet father, is further proof of just how important the Seattle groups of the 1990s really were. It’s a sensational alt-rock song.

43. “Where The Wild Roses Grow” – Nick Cave & Kylie Minogue (1995)

Kylie Minogue was one of the biggest bubblegum pop stars of the era. Nick Cave was a brooding, morose post-punk songwriter. Together, they formed quite the pair. “Where the Wild Roses Grow” is one of the strangest, most darkly romantic songs to ever become a hit. It’s one of the greatest achievements of either Cave or Minogue.

44. “Violet” – Hole (1994)

There was gossip, sure. Some of it isn’t worth mentioning on this site. And, of course, there were those who insisted that Kurt Cobain had written Courtney Love’s songs for Hole’s sophomore record “Live Through This.”

Regardless of the conspiracy theories, there was no denying the power and emotion captured in Love’s voice. “Violet” is one of the iconic songs of the ’90s.

45. “Guerrilla Radio” – Rage Against the Machine (1999)

Rage Against the Machine fashioned itself as a vehicle for left-wing protest set in the heart of American capitalism. By the time of the “Battle of Los Angeles” album in 1999, the group’s legend was firmly established. “Guerrilla Radio” was something of a victory lap.

Tom Morello’s innovative guitar tricks and Zach de la Rocha’s politically-charged poetry make this one of the most important rap-rock songs of all time.

46. “Down By The Water” – PJ Harvey (1995)

PJ Harvey was so convincing in her performances that concerned fans would approach her on the street. Having heard the incredible single “Down by the Water,” they’d question the singer-songwriter about why she had abandoned her daughter. But PJ Harvey didn’t just write great stories. She wrote great, memorable, drama-filled parts for herself.

47. “Iris” – The Goo Goo Dolls (1998)

Learn what you’re really good at, then sell it to the world! This is what the Goo Goo Dolls did in all of those early years in which they tried to convince themselves that they’re The New Raplacements. And while that wasn’t bad, it was romantic alt-rock ballads at which John Rzeznik and his bandmates truly excelled. “Iris” became one of the great hits of the era.

48. “Sober” – TOOL (1993)

That rabid cult that TOOL has to rely on nowadays didn’t just happen by accident. In the early 1990s, TOOL was a group that mined mystery. They’d provide information only if absolutely crucial, and that was, usually, false.

The group also had a knack for seeking out friction and bringing it into their alt-metal compositions. “Sober,” a song about excessive violence and organised religion, with its claymation promo, was one of the most memorable singles of the 1990s.

49. “Just A Girl” – No Doubt (1995)

Gwen Stefani had become the lead singer of her teenage band, No Doubt, because of unfortunate circumstances. But once tasked with leading the band, she turned out to be not only a good singer and a beloved entertainer, but also the lyrical focus of the band’s music.

“Just a Girl” was an anthemic song that was picked up immediately by women in the punk-rock scene. It helped make ska-punk popular again. And it’s one of the biggest alternative music singles of the 1990s.

50. “Let Forever Be” – The Chemical Brothers (1999)

The misconception was that all electro duos sounded like The Pet Shop Boys or Kraftwerk. Audiences expected from them music that could only be played in discos or on novelty radio programs.

But The Chemical Brothers, with their slice-up DJ techniques, could rock harder than most alt-rock groups of the time. That’s something that Noel Gallagher and the majority of the Britpop bigwigs recognised early on. “Let Forever Be” was a booming single, focusing on everything that an electric guitar and live drums couldn’t quite do.

Top 51 – 60

51. “Doll Parts” – Hole (1994)

Drama sells! And, there was no greater drama in the 1990s than the untimely death of alt-rock reluctant figurehead, Kurt Cobain.

“Doll Parts” is certainly stoked in that tragedy. It’s part of the song without being mentioned directly. But it’s also a terrific tune, making good use of Courtney Love’s scratchy vocals and proving that (mostly) acoustic grunge was a fantastic invention.

52. “Coffee and TV” – Blur (1999)

Blur could never decide what kind of band it was. This wasn’t just due to commercial pressures. It was, in no small part, the result of having multiple creative directors.

On “Coffee and TV,” its guitarist, and in this case, co-vocalist Graham Coxon, takes the reins, creating a beautiful pastiche of The Kinks and Syd Barrett for ’90s alt-rock.

53.“Green Machine” – Kyuss (1992)

It wasn’t just the press that kept hammering on about Kyuss’ members coming out of the dusty, scorching desert. The band’s music certainly reflected this as well.

“Green Machine” is one of stoner rock’s sole true anthems. It’s made up of doomy guitar riffs played at top speed, and an intensity that made Kyuss one of the more exciting bands of the 1990s.

54.“Walkin’ on the Sun” – Smash Mouth (1997)

You hear and know that it’s a hit! Smash Mouth’s “Walkin’ on the Sun” is endlessly enjoyable!

Much of this is the clever juxtaposition of ideas. Smash Mouth blends hip hop elements with retro surf rock and lounge music. It’s one of the undeniable hits of the decade!

55. “The Way” – Fastball (1998)

Fastball was another 1990s band that had no qualms about raiding the past for inspiration. It wasn’t, however, just their outfits or the guitar pedal effects that suggested pop history.

“The Way” is one of the best-written hit singles of the 1990s. Always just outside of time and space, “The Way” is one ’90s song that never gets old. And, if the lyrics are true, neither will the heroes depicted in the song.

56.“Last Kiss” – Pearl Jam (1999)

Sure, Pearl Jam had plenty of songs of their own to make popular. However, it was the surprising adoption of “Last Kiss,” an early 1960s car-wreck love song, that gave the Seattle band its biggest commercial lift.

There’s just a spark to this performance. Eddie Vedder’s vocals are honest, and the tone is perfect for the song’s dramatic finale. One of the best covers of ’60s material!

57. “The Beautiful People” – Marilyn Manson (1996)

Marilyn Manson shot fear into the heart of America. And, consequently, he became a hero (or villain, depending on your perspective) worldwide.

The music was hellishly attractive as well. “The Beautiful People” is, essentially, an industrial metal death march. Can you believe that this was a colossal hit in the 1990s?

58. “Rocks” – Primal Scream (1994)

If you could bottle the swagger of Primal Scream and sell it, you’d make millions in any currency.

Sure, this Scottish band had brought electronica and rave culture into mainstream rock, but they had some Stonesy groove left in them. “Rocks” proves Primal Scream is just as great when rocking out or tripping away.

59. “Animal Nitrate” – Suede (1993)

Every few years, a great British guitar band comes around, seemingly, to save all of rock music. In 1993, that band was Suede.

“Animal Nitrate” contains some of the best guitar work of the decade, and a Bowie-like falsetto that’s hard to forget. It also hints at Lord Byron-levels of debauchery. It’s a British classic!

60. “Holland, 1945“ – Neutral Milk Hotel (1998)

“Where does this music come from, what does it mean, and why is it so good?” Those were legitimate questions asked in 1998 vis-à-vis Neutral Milk Hotel.

Time has been kind on this freak folk outfit. The internet’s fallen irrevocably in love with the band’s sophomore album, and this manic song about, likely, Anne Frank is simply fantastic still.

Top 61 – 70

61. “Nutshell” – Alice In Chains (1994)
62. “Drive” – R.E.M. (1992)
63. “Devil’s Haircut” – Beck (1996)
64. “Mysterious Ways” – U2 (1991)
65. “Step On” – Happy Mondays (1990)
66. “Novocaine For the Soul” – Eels (1996)
67. “Anemone” – Brian Jonestown Massacre (1996)
68. “Cannonball” – The Breeders (1993)
69. “No Rain” – Blind Melon (1992)
70. “Give It Away” – Red Hot Chili Peppers (1991)

Top 71 – 80

71. “Pepper“ – Butthole Surfers (1996)
72. “Ava Adore” – Smashing Pumpkins (1998)
73. “Miss Misery” – Elliot Smith (1998)
74. “More Human Than Human” – White Zombie
75. “Been Caught Stealing” – Jane’s Addiction (1990)
76. “Pardon Me” – Incubus (1999)
77. “Lump” – The Presidents Of The United States Of America (1995)
78. “Two Princes” – Spin Doctors (1991)
79. “All Apologies” – Nirvana (1994)
80. “Acquiesce” – Oasis (1998)

Top 81 – 90

81. “Low” – Cracker (1993)
82. “Sex & Candy” – Marcy Playground (1997)
83.“Alright” – Supergrass (1995)
84. “Flagpole Sitta“ – Harvey Danger (1997)
85.“Love Spreads” – The Stone Roses (1994)
86. “Hey Man Nice Shot” – Filter (1995)
87. “Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth” – The Dandy Warhols (1997)
88. “Untouchable Face” – Ani DiFranco (1995)
89. “Spaceman” – Babylon Zoo (1996)
90. “My Own Summer (Shove It)” – Deftones (1997)

Top 91 – 100

91. “Hunger Strike” – Temple of the Dog (1991)
92. “Only Happy When It Rains” – Garbage (1995)
93. “The Day We Caught The Train” – Ocean Colour Scene (1996)
94. “Jesus Built My Hotrod” – Ministry (1992)
95. “Santa Monica” – Everclear (1995)
96. “Start Choppin” – Dinosaur Jr. (1993)
97. “A Long December” – Counting Crows (1996)
98. “Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good)” – Skunk Anansie (1996)
99. “In The Meantime” – Spacehog (1995)
100. “Glycerine” – Bush (1994)

Notable Mentions, The “Not Quite in The 100s Club”

Top 101 – 110

101. “Say Hello 2 Heaven” – Temple of the Dog (1991)
102. “Supersonic” – Oasis (1994)
103. “Lovefool” – The Cardigans (1996)
104. “The Distance” – Cake (1996)
105. “In The Meantime” – Spacehog (1995)
106. “Buena” – Morphine (1993)
107. “Self Esteem” – The Offspring (1994)
108. “All The Small Things” – blink-182 (1999)
109. “Big Empty” – Stone Temple Pilots (1994)
110. “Take a Picture” – Filter (1999)

Top 111 – 120

111. “Touch, Peel and Stand” – Days of the New (1995)
112. “Debonair” – The Afghan Whigs (1993)
113. “Time Bomb” – Rancid (1995)
114. “Last of the Famous International Playboys” – Morrissey (1990)
115. “Shadow of the Season” – Screaming Trees (1992)
116. “Joey” – Concrete Blonde (1990)
117. “No Excuses” – Alice in Chains (1994)
118. “Rid of Me” – PJ Harvey (1993)
119. “Super Bon Bon” – Soul Coughing
120. “Every You Every Me” – Placebo (1998)

Top 121 – 130

121. “After the Flesh” – My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult (1994)
122. “Cringe” – Alkaline Trio (1998)
123. “Black” – Pearl Jam (1991)
124. “One” – U2 (1991)
125. “dammit” – blink-182 (1997)
126. “Vasoline” – Stone Temple Pilots (1994)
127. “Daughter” – Pearl Jam (1993)
128. “Good” – Better Than Ezra (1995)
129. “Story of My Life” – Social Distortion (1990)
130. “Time of Your Life (Good Riddance)” – Green Day (1997)

Top 131 – 140

131. “Ruby Soho” – Rancid (1995)
132. “Repeater” – Fugazi (1990)
133. “Fake Plastic Trees” – Radiohead (1995)
134. “Them Bones” – Alice in Chains (1992)
135. “Everybody Hurts” – R.E.M. (1992)
136. “Name” – Goo Goo Dolls (1995)
137. “Yellow Ledbetter” – Pearl Jam (1992)
138. “Come Out and Play” – The Offspring (1994)
139. “Santeria” – Sublime (1996)
140. “Brain Stew” – Green Day (1995)

Top 141 – 150

141. “Hurt” – Nine Inch Nails (1994)
142. “The Boy With The Arab Strap” – Belle & Sebastian (1998)
143. “Gentlemen” – The Afghan Whigs (1993)
144. “You Look Like Rain” – Morphine (1993)
145. “Jessie” – Paw (1993)
146. “Stupid Girl” – Garbage (1995)
147. “Possum Kingdom” – Toadies (1994)
148. “Where It’s At” – Beck (1996)
149. “Peaches” – The Presidents of the United States of America (1995)
150. “Self Esteem” – The Offspring (1994)