10 Best Alternative Rock Songs

The best '90s alternative rock songs still remain relevant today, songs that carry over legions of fully-grown fans who can still remember the first time they heard Eddie Vedder's gravely baritone blast from their radio speakers. As rated by AOL Radio listeners, here are the Top 10 Alternative Rock Songs.

'Under the Bridge'

Red Hot Chili Peppers

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."

iTunes | Lyrics

'Black Hole Sun'

Soundgarden

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

iTunes | Lyrics

'Wonderwall'

Oasis

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."

iTunes | Lyrics

'Interstate Love Song'

Stone Temple Pilots

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.

iTunes | Lyrics

Stone Temple Pilots Interstate Love Song

'Say It Ain't So'

Weezer

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.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Today'

The Smashing Pumpkins

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.

iTunes | Lyrics

'No Rain'

Blind Melon

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.'

iTunes | Lyrics

'Black'

Pearl Jam

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.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Creep'

Radiohead

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."

iTunes | Lyrics

'Smells Like Teen Spirit'

Nirvana

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.

iTunes | Lyrics

List Your Top Alternative Rock Songs

Share your personal list of the Best Alternative Rock Songs in the comments below. Also, don't miss our top 10 lists of Nirvana Songs and Pearl Jam Songs.

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Filed under: Best Songs, Top 10 Lists, Rock, Alternative

Reader Comments

(Page 1)

1. Okay, these 90s songs are a lot better

Posted at 12:35PM on Dec 9th 2009 by Kaittt

2. NINE INCH please...

Posted at 9:12PM on Jan 22nd 2010 by JBird

3. Don't get me wrong, i love Interstate Love Song... but Plush should take it's place, and there's a better song called 'Creep' than Radiohead's version lol, I just plain out don't like it. Everything else is golden.

Posted at 2:27PM on Aug 13th 2010 by redbirdrebirth

4. I am so glad to see Pearl Jam in that list . . .
''Black'' IS the best song EVER ! ! !
But . . . ''Machinehead'' from ''Bush'' should have it's place in there.
I know . . . it's hard to please everybody ! ! !

Posted at 2:54PM on Sep 14th 2010 by Isa

5. I think Black hole sun should be lower on the list, Soundgarden was one of the most influential and important bands of the 90's. Other than that it's a pretty good list.

Posted at 11:16AM on Dec 9th 2010 by Dalton

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10 Best Alternative Rock Songs

List Your Top Alternative Rock Songs

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