2 of 3

Write now Article Tools

Everyone has their own favorite alternative songs. Some prefer songs that never had much airplay, but most will agree that the breakthrough radio hits of the 90s helped define the alternative rock genre and brought a new sound to mainstream music.

The term "alternative music" casts a wide net over many sub-genres of indie or non-mainstream rock. However, alternative music of the 90s is most often remembered for the sound of grunge. Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Stone Temple Pilots reached international success and are nearly always mentioned when discussing alternative music of the 90s.

Some of the best alternative grunge songs of the 90s include:

1. Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden - With a surreal video and singable lyrics, Black Hole Sun is a favorite song of the 90s for many people. While the lyrics are more poetry than story, they speak to the same disillusionment present in many songs of the grunge era.

2. Come As You Are - Nirvana - While Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit is sometimes considered the anthem of 90s grunge, Come As You Are makes the list for having one of the best - and most recognizable - guitar riffs in 90s grunge.

3. Creep - Stone Temple Pilots - Not to be confused with Radiohead's song with the same title, Creep is a great song to kick back to and listen to the lyrics. Though, like many grunge songs, discussions of the lyrics are bound to lead to debates over the intended meaning.

4. Alive - Pearl Jam - The first single released from Pearl Jam's debut album, Ten, Alive is another classic song of the 90s grunge scene. Memorable lyrics about a mother who tells her son that the man who raised him is not his biological father and an amazing guitar solo have helped this song endure as an alternative rock hit.

While grunge ruled the airwaves in the early 90s, it wasn't the only alternative sound to break into the conventional music scene. Many strong female vocalists stepped forward in the 90s with songs that voiced powerful, and often dark, emotions that had generally not been expressed by women in mainstream music.

A few of the best female led songs of the 90s include:

1. You Oughta Know - Alanis Morissette - With edgy lyrics and powerful vocals, You Oughta Know cuts to the painful truth behind the breakup of a romance. Avoiding the more traditional expression of sadness, this song releases the true anger and hurt of a broken heart.

2. Only Happy When It Rains - Garbage - Fronted by vocalist Shirley Manson, Garbage had a hit with Only

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about The best alternative songs of the 90s?
We want to hear your view. Write now!