Top 100 Greatest Alternative Rock Songs of the '90s
Updated: Nov 27, 2023
(Pictured - Pearl Jam)
Following alternative rock's introduction in the late '70s, alternative rock and mainstream rock seldomly intertwined, at least not on a large scale. The 1990s stand primarily as the lone decade where what was considered alternative rock, was also the popular mainstream rock making this list a tad different and a bit broader than the ones we have done in the past. The '90s was alternative rock's time to shine with the introduction of the grunge scene, a growing presence of post-Smiths indie rock and of course the explosion of Britpop. The decade found about the broadest classification alternative rock would ever have with the grunge scene drastically declining following the death of Nirvana frontman, Kurt Cobain and Britpop completely disappearing by 2000. Alternative music largely went underground, at least in the eyes of the mainstream by the 2000's with a growing presence of indie rock through the post-punk-revival route with groups like Interpol and The Strokes. In celebration of the golden age of alternative rock, we decided to take a stab ranking what we believe to be the Top 100 greatest alternative rock songs of the 1990s. With alternative rock being a broad classification, we will be including songs primarily considered alternative rock itself, along with grunge, indie rock, Britpop, post-punk, new-wave, jangle-rock, experimental rock and shoegaze. We are excluding songs primarily considered metal, pop, ska, pop-punk, punk rock, hip hop and rock artists who were never considered alternative (Guns N' Roses, Eric Clapton, Bryan Adams, etc.). Some artists, such as Green Day have been made eligible due to their place in alternative and post-punk music. Rage Against the Machine is also eligible, resulting from their impact on alternative music even though they could largely be considered rap-rock or metal, along with alternative rock. For a deeper dive into alternative music, check out the Top 100 Alternative Artists of All Time or the Top 100 Greatest Alternative Albums of All Time. Check us out on Instagram @melophobemusicfor new articles, releases, reviews, pictures and more!
1. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
If there was a song that defined the '90s, it is undoubtedly Smells Like Teen Spirit. Singing about youth, angst and rebellion, Nirvana captured the spirit of an entire generation with this song. Being released off of their second studio album Nevermind, which we consider the 9th best rock album of all time, an explosion in the popularity of grunge music followed. Being described by frontman Kurt Cobain as "basically trying to rip off The Pixies," the song implemented distorted guitars, heavy bass playing and loud drums over aggressive lyrics. About as powerful of a rock song as there ever was, the song lives on in immense popularity being deeply respected and loved by fans and critics alike, long after Cobain's untimely death.
2. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
By 1991, R.E.M. was pretty much at the top of the game for alternative rock. Having already been a well-established band for about ten years, they showed no sign of slowing down. Released off of their seventh studio album Out of Time, Losing My Religion depicted the other, non-Nirvana side of alternative rock. Still holding onto their jangle-pop influence alongside subtle-folk influences, R.E.M. continued to be revered from college radio to mainstream radio. With a bright mandolin riff propelling the words of Michael Stipe, Losing My Religion remains not only R.E.M.'s most popular song, but a song that is instantly recognizable to just about anyone.
3. Wonderwall - Oasis
Released from the bands second album What's the Story (Morning Glory), Wonderwall is the quintessential Britpop song. Written by Noel Gallagher about an imaginary friend, this beautiful song is set to a slow paced, swaying, danceable beat with subtle jangle-pop guitar licks, quite prominent in much of Britpop. Although the song is not quite a ballad, it still finds itself stuffed with heartfelt, genuine emotion, being able to resonate with just about anyone. Paul "Bonehead" Aurthurs on mellotron projects essentially the sounds of an entire orchestra over the piano, guitar and soft drum playing. Wonderwall remains as impactful and as catchy as ever, cementing it as the premiere Britpop anthem.
4. Everlong - Foo Fighters
As successful as Dave Grohl was as the drummer for Nirvana, it seems his true calling was as a guitarist and a frontman. Dave Grohl experienced a huge amount of well-deserved praise for his impact on rock in the '90's with Foo Fighters following the end of Nirvana. Of all of the noteworthy tracks released by the group, Everlong sits at the forefront with Grohl not only making his presence known with his singing and guitar playing, but also as the drummer on the track. The track stands as a perfect rock song filled with great musicianship, great lyrics alongside top-notch production. In a post-Nirvana world, Foo Fighters partly filled a void for a lot of heartbroken fans.
5. Even Flow - Pearl Jam
Released as the second track off of Pearl Jam's masterful debut album Ten, Even Flow has its legacy deeply entrenched in the world of early '90s grunge. Released in 1991, the perfect time, its captivating melody, emotive lyrics, and raw energy made this one of the most memorable songs of the decade. The track's grunge-infused sound, coupled with Eddie Vedder's distinct vocal style, captured the essence of the early '90s grunge scene on a level that few did.
6. Friday I'm in Love - The Cure
Released as the second single from the ninth studio album by The Cure, Friday I'm in Love takes listeners back to the early days of The Cure in the late '70s with its guitar forward, jangly sound. Initially written to be played considerably slower and in a different key, the final result the group went with was the upbeat, danceable track which has resonated so well with listeners. In an early '90s post-Smiths world, an upbeat, jangly song like this was quite desirable of course to long time Cure fans, but especially to indie and alternative fans. The legacy of The Cure is a massive one and of all of the groups stand-out tracks, this might just be them at their best.
7. Paranoid Android - Radiohead
Not Creep? Not Karma Police? No, and here's why. Not only was OK Computer the best album of the '90's other than perhaps Nevermind, but Paranoid Android was also one of the most musically interesting, yet equally infectious rock songs of the era. With Thom Yorke's vocals setting an eerie scene, it's the repeating breakdown featuring guitar and bass guitar is top-notch and one of the coolest musical phrases of decade. For alternative rock fans, but especially musicians, this is just one of those songs you hold in a special place and simply marvel at its composition. Nevertheless, fear not Radiohead fans, this won't be their last time making an appearance.
8. Bullet With Butterfly Wings - Smashing Pumpkins
The world is a vampire.... perhaps one of the most iconic opening lines of all time comes from a Smashing Pumpkins song off of their critically lauded album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Billy Corgan's iconic, recognizable voice paired with Jimmy Chamberlains drumming resulted in a duet of sorts between the musicians in the verses. The groups masterful dynamic control between quiet and immensely loud shows itself phenomenally on this track making it one of many factors it was such an era-defining song.
9. Zombie - The Cranberries
This powerful song sings about The Troubles in Northern Ireland in the early '90s. Although the song generally gets bunched in with the grunge sound, it's perhaps a bit closer to the pre-grunge sound of Pixies, Dinosaur Jr. or Sonic Youth. "This wasn't grunge, but the timing was good," remarked writer and singer of The Cranberries, Dolores O'Riordian. Regardless, the song captured a feeling of uncertainty and fear that many people, not only in Northern Ireland felt, but all over the world. Dramatic dynamic contrast, powerful guitar playing and interpersonal lyrics made this song stand the test of time.
10. Under the Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers
The most popular track off of what most people would say was the best Chili Peppers album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Under the Bridge has it all. Starting with a beautiful, very exposed guitar riff, Anthony Kledis comes in shortly after with relatable, and melancholic lyrics. Perhaps one of the most praiseworthy feats of this iconic song is that essentially the entire song is a gradual build up to a huge chorale, singalong style outro. A perfectly crafted song, with all sides exposed just to see that not even the slightest thing is even a tad out of place.
11. Creep - Radiohead
12. Killing in the Name - Rage Against the Machine
13. Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden
14. Come As You Are - Nirvana
15. Basket Case - Green Day
16. Say It Ain't So - Weezer
17. Man in the Box - Alice In Chains
18. Run-Around - Blues Traveler
19. Mr. Jones - Counting Crows
20. Interstate Love Song - Stone Temple Pilots
21. Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
22. Closer - Nine Inch Nails
23. 1979 - Smashing Pumpkins
24. Semi-Charmed Life - Third Eye Blind
25. Cut Your Hair - Pavement
26. Lover, You Should've Come Over - Jeff Buckley
27. Hunger Strike - Temple of the Dog
28. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel
29. Enjoy the Silence - Depeche Mode
30. The Distance - Cake
31. Karma Police - Radiohead
32. Drive - Incubus
33. Bitter Sweet Symphony - The Verve
34. Loser - Beck
35. Glycerine - Bush
36. Shine - Collective Soul
37. Spoonman - Soundgarden
38. Two Princes - Spin Doctors
39. Cannonball - The Breeders
40. Jeremy - Pearl Jam
41. Feel the Pain - Dinosaur Jr.
42. Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms
43. Song 2 - Blur
44. Just a Girl - No Doubt
45. Shiny Happy People - R.E.M.
46. Scar Tissue - Red Hot Chili Peppers
47. Bulls On Parade - Rage Against the Machine
48. 3AM - Matchbox Twenty
49. One Headlight - The Wallflowers
50. When I Come Around - Green Day
51. Champagne Supernova - Oasis
52. Pepper - Butthole Surfers
53. Plush - Stone Temple Pilots
54. Between the Bars - Elliot Smith
55. Love Spreads - The Stone Roses
56. Been Caught Stealing - Janes Addiction
57. Dreams - The Cranberries
58. Low - Cracker
59. Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying - Belle & Sebastian
60. You Get What You Give - New Radicals
61. Heart Shaped Box - Nirvana
62. Sugar Kane - Sonic Youth
63. Man On The Moon - R.E.M.
64. Buddy Holly - Weezer
65. All Over You - Live
66. Runaway Train - Soul Asylum
67. Only Shallow - My Bloody Valentine
68. She Don't Use Jelly - The Flaming Lips
69. My Hero - Foo Fighters
70. Celebrity Skin - Hole
71. There She Goes - The La's
72. Autumn Sweater - Yo La Tengo
73. Carry the Zero - Built to Spill
74. All I Want - Toad the Wet Sprocket
75. Today - Smashing Pumpkins
76. Ocean Man - Ween
77. Alive - Pearl Jam
78. Tomorrow - Silverchair
79. Just - Radiohead
80. Movin' on Up - Primal Scream
81. Sex & Candy - Marcy Playground
82. Santa Monica - Everclear
83. What's the Frequency Kenneth? - R.E.M.
84. U-Mass - Pixies
85. California Stars - Wilco & Billy Bragg
86. You Oughta Know - Alanis Morissette
87. Would? - Alice In Chains
88. Alright - Supergrass
89. Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth - The Dandy Warhols
90. Brick - Ben Folds Five
91. Heart Cooks Brain - Modest Mouse
92. Flagpole Sitta - Harvey Danger
93. Closing Time - Semisonic
94. Start Choppin - Dinosaur Jr.
95. Suicide Blonde - INXS
96. Lithium - Nirvana
97. The Boy With The Arab Strap - Belle & Sebastian
98. A Long December - Counting Crows
99. Kool Thing - Sonic Youth
100. Nightswimming - R.E.M
Just Outside the Top 100
101. Good - Better Than Ezra
102. Wonderful - Everclear
103. Rid of Me - PJ Harvey
104. Blueprint - Fugazi
105. Linger - The Cranberries
106. Hurt - Nine Inch Nails
107. Holland, 1945 - Neutral Milk Hotel
108. Heavan or Las Vegas - Cocteau Twins
109. She - Green Day
110. License to Confuse - Sebadoh
111. Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead
112. Lump - The Presidents Of The United States Of America
113. Voodoo Lady - Ween
114. Supersonic - Oasis
115. Take a Picture - Filter
116. Cherub Rock - Smashing Pumpkins
117. Vasoline - Stone Temple Pilots
118. Story of My Life - Social Distortion
119. Range Life - Pavement
120. The Old Apartment - Barenaked Ladies
122. Last Kiss - Pearl Jam
123. I Alone - Live
124. Suck My Kiss - Red Hot Chili Peppers
125. Gel - Collective Soul
For an expanded look at alternative rock from all decades including many of the songs and artists on this list be sure to check out the accompanying playlist! For a deeper dive into alternative music, check out the Top 100 Alternative Artists of All Time or the Top 100 Greatest Alternative Albums of All Time.
