10 Best Alternative Rock Songs

While the '90s are best known for grunge, a lot of the music born in that genre could additionally be identified as alternative rock -- radio-friendly yet still highbrow enough to maintain an air of high regard. The best alternative rock songs have carried over into the aughts, bringing with it legions of fully-grown fans who can still remember the first time they heard Eddie Vedder's gravely baritone blast from their speakers. Here are the Top 10 Alternative Rock Songs as voted by AOL Radio listeners.

10) Red Hot Chili Peppers: 'Under The Bridge'

This alternative rock song was a well-regarded critical darling, called by one critic "an integral part of the 1990s alterna-landscape, [one which] remains one of the purest diamonds that sparkle amongst the rough-hewn and rich funk chasms that dominate the Peppers' own oeuvre."

9) Soundgarden: 'Black Hole Sun'

Steve Lawrence and his wife Eydie Gormé covered the song as a lounge-style jazz number on the 1997 compilation album, 'Lounge-A-Palooza.'

8) Oasis: 'Wonderwall'

Liam Gallagher is quite resentful of his own hit, saying he "can't f---ing stand that f---ing song! Every time I have to sing it I want to gag."

7) Stone Temple Pilots: 'Interstate Love Song'

Bassist Robert DeLeo claims the alternative rock song was originally written in bossa nova style until it was played for Scott Weiland, who turned the melody for the song intro into the melody for the chorus.

6) Weezer: 'Say It Ain't So'

Asher Roth initially sampled the song for his smash 'I Love College,' until Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo refused the clear the rights, prompting Roth to release a remix of his debut single.

5) The Smashing Pumpkins: 'Today'

The music video was inspired by both the film 'Zabriskie Point' and a memory Billy Corgan had of a truck driver who, upon giving up his truck, distributed all his leftover stock to the neighborhood kids.

4) Blind Melon: 'No Rain'

Heather DeLoach, the "Bee Girl" in the video, appeared in costume on both the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards and the video for Weird Al's 'Bedrock Anthem.'

3) Pearl Jam: 'Black'

Eddie Vedder didn't want the song released as a single, claiming that "fragile songs get crushed by the business." In fact, he personally called radio station managers to confirm that Epic hadn't pushed the song as a single for airplay.

2) Radiohead: 'Creep'

Prince covered this alternative rock song in April 2008 at Coachella, but asked that it be removed from YouTube after it was uploaded by a concertgoer. Thom Yorke responded, "Well, tell him to [retract his request]. It's our song."

1) Nirvana: 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'

The song was inspired by Kurt Cobain's friend, Bikini Kill lead singer Kathleen Hanna, who spray painted "Kurt Smells Like Teen Spirit" on his wall. Although Cobain mistook it for a grandiose slogan about youthful revolution, Hanna literally meant that Cobain smelled like Teen Spirit, a brand of deodorant.