90s Alt Rock Anthems: The Ultimate Top 100 Songs

(Pictured – Pearl Jam in the 1990s, a defining band of the alternative rock era)

The 1990s remain a monumental decade in music history, primarily recognized as the era when alternative rock exploded into the mainstream. Unlike previous decades where alternative sounds remained largely underground, the 90s witnessed a unique convergence. What was once considered alternative rock became the dominant force in popular music. This list of the top 100 greatest 90s Alt Rock songs celebrates this golden age, a time marked by the rise of grunge, the sophisticated sounds of post-Smiths indie rock, and the infectious energy of Britpop. This was arguably the broadest and most impactful classification alternative rock would ever experience. While the grunge phenomenon waned after the tragic loss of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain and Britpop faded by the turn of the millennium, the legacy of 90s alt rock continues to resonate. Though alternative music shifted somewhat underground in the 2000s, paving the way for the indie rock revival, the 90s left an indelible mark. Join us as we delve into the top 100 songs that defined 90s alt rock, encompassing grunge, indie, Britpop, post-punk, new-wave, jangle-rock, experimental rock, and shoegaze. While we’ve focused on songs primarily within the alternative sphere, we have included artists straddling genre lines, acknowledging the broad spectrum of 90s alternative music. For those seeking a deeper exploration, be sure to check out our Top 100 Alternative Artists of All Time and the Top 100 Greatest Alternative Albums of All Time.

The Defining Sounds of a Generation: Top 90s Alt Rock Tracks

1. Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana

   Arguably the quintessential anthem of the 90s, Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana captured the zeitgeist of a generation grappling with angst and rebellion. Released from their groundbreaking album Nevermind, considered one of the 9th best rock albums of all time, this track ignited the global grunge explosion. Kurt Cobain himself described the song as an attempt to emulate The Pixies’ sound, and it undeniably delivered a potent combination of distorted guitars, a driving bassline, and thunderous drums, all underpinning Cobain’s raw and emotive vocals. Smells Like Teen Spirit remains a cultural touchstone, a powerful and enduring rock song that continues to be revered by fans and critics alike, long after Cobain’s passing, solidifying its place as the ultimate 90s alt rock anthem.

2. Losing My Religion – R.E.M.

   By 1991, R.E.M. had firmly established themselves as titans of alternative rock. After a decade of building a dedicated following, they reached new heights with Losing My Religion. This iconic track, from their seventh album Out of Time, showcased a different facet of 90s alt rock – one that coexisted alongside the grunge explosion. R.E.M. maintained their signature jangle-pop sensibilities, subtly weaving in folk influences, appealing to both college radio loyalists and the mainstream audience. Propelled by a distinctive mandolin riff and Michael Stipe’s evocative lyrics, Losing My Religion became not only R.E.M.’s most recognizable song but also a defining track of the 90s alternative landscape.

3. Wonderwall – Oasis

   Wonderwall, from Oasis’s seminal album What’s the Story (Morning Glory), stands as the quintessential Britpop ballad. Penned by Noel Gallagher about an imagined companion, this beautifully crafted song features a laid-back, swaying rhythm and subtle jangle-pop guitar melodies characteristic of the Britpop genre. While not strictly a ballad in structure, Wonderwall is brimming with heartfelt emotion, connecting with listeners on a deeply personal level. Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs’ mellotron work adds layers of orchestral texture, enriching the piano, guitar, and gentle drum arrangement. Wonderwall endures as a timeless Britpop anthem, its catchiness and emotional resonance cementing its status as a cornerstone of 90s alt rock.

4. Everlong – Foo Fighters

   Dave Grohl’s transition from Nirvana’s drummer to Foo Fighters’ frontman and guitarist proved to be a resounding success. Following the dissolution of Nirvana, Foo Fighters emerged, partly filling the void for grieving fans, and Everlong became their signature track. Grohl’s multifaceted talent shines on this song, where he not only fronts the band with his distinctive vocals and guitar work but also takes on drumming duties. Everlong is a masterclass in rock songcraft, showcasing exceptional musicianship, poignant lyrics, and stellar production. In the post-Nirvana era, Foo Fighters, with songs like Everlong, helped carry the torch for 90s alternative rock.

5. Even Flow – Pearl Jam

   Even Flow, the second track from Pearl Jam’s monumental debut album Ten, is deeply embedded in the fabric of early 90s grunge. Released in 1991, at the peak of the grunge movement, its captivating melody, emotionally charged lyrics, and raw energy resonated instantly. This song perfectly encapsulates the early 90s grunge scene, with its signature sound and Eddie Vedder’s distinctive and powerful vocal delivery. Even Flow became an instant classic, solidifying Pearl Jam’s place in the pantheon of 90s alt rock giants.

6. Friday I’m in Love – The Cure

   Friday I’m in Love, a standout single from The Cure’s ninth studio album, is a delightful throwback to the band’s early jangle-pop origins in the late 70s. Initially conceived as a slower, lower-key track, the band ultimately opted for an upbeat, danceable rendition that proved immensely popular. In the early 90s, amidst the post-Smiths indie landscape, a cheerful, jangly tune like Friday I’m in Love was a welcome addition for long-time Cure devotees and broader alternative fans alike. The Cure’s extensive catalog boasts numerous iconic songs, but Friday I’m in Love might just represent them at their most effervescent and universally appealing, a bright spot in 90s alternative music.

7. Paranoid Android – Radiohead

   Why Paranoid Android over Creep or Karma Police? Because Paranoid Android, from OK Computer, arguably the best album of the 90s alongside Nevermind, is a testament to Radiohead’s musical innovation. It’s not only incredibly catchy but also one of the most musically complex and rewarding rock songs of the era. Thom Yorke’s haunting vocals set an unsettling tone, but the song’s brilliance truly lies in its dynamic shifts and the unforgettable guitar and bass breakdown – a musical phrase that defined the decade for many. For alternative rock aficionados, especially musicians, Paranoid Android is a song to be studied and admired for its sheer compositional genius. And rest assured, Radiohead’s influence on 90s alt rock extends beyond this single entry.

8. Bullet With Butterfly Wings – Smashing Pumpkins

   “The world is a vampire…” – Billy Corgan’s iconic opening line from Smashing Pumpkins’ critically acclaimed double album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, is instantly recognizable. Bullet With Butterfly Wings showcases the dynamic interplay between Corgan’s distinctive vocals and Jimmy Chamberlin’s powerful drumming, creating a compelling sonic dialogue throughout the verses. The Smashing Pumpkins’ masterful control of dynamics, shifting seamlessly between quiet introspection and explosive intensity, is on full display in this track. This dynamic range, among other elements, contributed to making Bullet With Butterfly Wings an era-defining song within the 90s alternative rock scene.

9. Zombie – The Cranberries

   Zombie is a potent protest song addressing The Troubles in Northern Ireland during the early 90s. While often categorized within the grunge sphere, its sonic DNA is perhaps closer to the pre-grunge sounds of bands like Pixies, Dinosaur Jr., and Sonic Youth. Dolores O’Riordan, the song’s writer and vocalist, acknowledged, “This wasn’t grunge, but the timing was good.” Regardless of genre classification, Zombie resonated deeply, capturing the widespread feeling of unease and fear experienced not only in Northern Ireland but globally. Its dramatic dynamic contrasts, powerful guitar work, and poignant lyrics have ensured Zombie‘s enduring relevance as a powerful 90s alternative anthem.

10. Under the Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers

    Under the Bridge, the most commercially successful single from what many consider the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ masterpiece, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, encapsulates everything that makes the band great. It opens with a delicate and exposed guitar riff, soon joined by Anthony Kiedis’s introspective and relatable lyrics. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this iconic song is its masterful pacing – the entire track gradually builds towards a cathartic, singalong-style outro. Under the Bridge is a meticulously crafted song, with every element perfectly in place, showcasing the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ evolution within the 90s alt rock landscape.

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

(Explore further into the 90s alt rock era with the Top 100 Greatest Alternative Albums list)

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.

The Enduring Legacy of 90s Alt Rock

The 90s alt rock explosion was more than just a musical trend; it was a cultural reset. From the raw intensity of grunge to the melodic charm of Britpop and the introspective depths of indie rock, the decade offered a diverse and dynamic soundscape that continues to inspire and influence music today. These top 100 songs represent just a fraction of the incredible music that emerged from this era, but they serve as a testament to the creativity, innovation, and enduring appeal of 90s alternative rock. To delve deeper into this iconic period, be sure to explore our accompanying playlist and our features on the Top 100 Alternative Artists of All Time and the Top 100 Greatest Alternative Albums of All Time. Revisit these anthems, rediscover the bands, and relive the golden age of 90s alt rock.