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Top 100 Alternative Songs of the '90s

The top alternative songs of the '90s helped usher in a major cultural shift, as serious-minded, image-free bands blew hair metal and pop off the airwaves almost overnight. Many of these bands have gone on to become the new ruling class of rock 'n' roll in the years, and decades, that followed. Here's where it all started: The top 100 alternative rock songs of the '90s, as chosen by AOL Radio listeners.
100
'Been Caught Stealing'
Jane's Addiction
The success of this bass-heavy ode to theft helped fuel the decade's highly influential Lollapalooza tours.
iTunes | Lyrics
Jane's Addiction Ritual de lo Habitual
099
Does he mean it was great? If so, shouldn't he do more than just wait to see her again on the Fourth of July?
iTunes | Lyrics
Better Than Ezra Deluxe
098
'Down'
311
If you're a historian from the future, by "down" he means having a close friendship, not low or sad.
iTunes | Lyrics
311 311
097
'Tomorrow'
Silverchair
This slow, brooding song is actually a revenge fantasy about trapping a rich guy in a crappy hotel room.
iTunes | Lyrics
Silverchair Frogstomp
096
'6 Underground'
Sneaker Pimps
This moody, atmospheric club hit probably deserved to be on a better soundtrack than 1997's 'The Saint.'
iTunes | Lyrics
Sneaker Pimps Becoming X
095
'In the Meantime'
Spacehog
The British glam-rockers wake up in a really great mood and send love "to the future of the humankind."
iTunes | Lyrics
Spacehog Resident Alien
094
'Pepper'
Butthole Surfers
Pretty much the one and only time this legendary underground band would sync up with the mainstream.
iTunes | Lyrics
Butthole Surfers Electriclarryland
093
'(Good Riddance) Time of Your Life'
Green Day
Cliches are cliches because they are true, and great songs like this get overplayed because they are great.
iTunes | Lyrics | Top 10 Green Day Songs
Green Day Nimrod
092
'You'
Candlebox
It may be titled 'You,' but Kevin Martin says "I" or "I'll" almost 40 times. Somebody order a mixed message salad?
iTunes | Lyrics
Candlebox You
091
'The Distance'
Cake
This song's like a pile of unassembled parts, or a magic trick where you see the secret, but are still awed.
iTunes | Lyrics
Cake The Distance
090
'Down in a Hole'
Alice in Chains
This tale of hopelessness is even more haunting to hear now that singer Layne Stayley has left us behind.
iTunes | Lyrics | 10 Best Alice in Chains Songs
Alice In Chains Down In A Hole
089
'Bound for the Floor'
Local H
A powerful reminder of how harsh criticism, from parents or peers, can lead to a very negative self-image.
iTunes | Lyrics
Local H Bound For The Floor
088
'Cannonball'
The Breeders
This song's fantastic bass line is a like a big, happy, boisterous, lurching drunk. Gimme the keys, though...
iTunes | Lyrics
The Breeders Last Splash
087
'Flagpole Sitta'
Harvey Danger
A bit of a dichotomy between the catchy sing-along music and the "only stupid people are breeding" message here.
iTunes | Lyrics
Harvey Danger Flagpole Sitta
086
'Head Like a Hole'
Nine Inch Nails
You know why this record's out of print? Cause Trent would rather die, than give a label control...
iTunes | Lyrics
Nine Inch Nails Pretty Hate Machine
085
'Karma Police'
Radiohead
This was the one you could play for your parents or older siblings. Our Pink Floyd and R.E.M., all in one.
iTunes | Lyrics | 10 Best Radiohead Songs
Radiohead Karma Police
084
'Killing in the Name'
Rage Against the Machine
In 2009, Facebook fans decided to send this to the top of the British Pop Charts. Why? it's a great story...
iTunes | Lyrics
Rage Against The Machine Rage Against The Machine
083
'Gone Away'
The Offspring
The normally bratty California punk-rockers get serious, not quiet, when talking about a grave site visit.
iTunes | Lyrics
The Offspring Ixnay on the Hombre
082
'Low'
Cracker
This song sneaks in a nice lyrical tribute to Captain Beefheart's 'Her Eyes Are a Blue Million Miles.'
iTunes | Lyrics
Cracker Kerosene Hat
081
'Cumbersome'
Seven Mary Three
While we're talking about past classics, isn't 'Cumbersome' really a '90s version of the out-of-touch protagonist in 'Comfortably Numb'?
iTunes | Lyrics
Seven Mary Three American Standard

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