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

099

'Good'

Better Than Ezra

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

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

097

'Tomorrow'

Silverchair

This slow, brooding song is actually a revenge fantasy about trapping a rich guy in a crappy hotel room.

iTunes | Lyrics

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

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

094

'Pepper'

Butthole Surfers

Pretty much the one and only time this legendary underground band would sync up with the mainstream.

iTunes | Lyrics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

082

'Low'

Cracker

This song sneaks in a nice lyrical tribute to Captain Beefheart's 'Her Eyes Are a Blue Million Miles.'

iTunes | Lyrics

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

Filed under: Best Songs, Alternative, Top 100 Songs

Reader Comments

(Page 1)

1. thank you so much for this compilation. it brings me back to the best times of my life, just after leaving high school! ha ha ha! i love it. thanks again!!!! you rock!!!

Posted at 5:07PM on Aug 14th 2010 by carriemacmurray

2. no Alanis Morissette?

Posted at 10:52PM on Sep 16th 2010 by Julia

3. "Picture" by Filter should have made this list --- easily top 50 song of the nineties. Very underrated song, still gets to me today.

Posted at 6:07AM on Jan 15th 2011 by anon

4. Plez, More artist/bands 90's Alternative Rock!
Burned out on overplayed Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Soundgarden in the 90's and now on AOLradio

Posted at 11:51AM on Feb 3rd 2011 by jimmydean

5. Awsome... Concerts, the lake, care-free summers--the 90's were so laid back;I miss the old days sometimes.

Posted at 7:22PM on Feb 26th 2011 by Sharon

6. GREATS MOMENTS WHITS 100 CAN I DOWLOADS

Posted at 1:21PM on May 4th 2011 by JORGE

7. wow, this list is actually quite accurate, and pretty much all of these songs still sound fresh and get played on my local commercial alternative rock station. it's funny how so much 90s alt-rock sounds undated and like it could have come out today. then again, you could say that about most 90s music in general.

Posted at 5:05PM on Dec 14th 2011 by Doogie

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Top 100 Alternative Songs of the '90s

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