Here are the greatest '90s alternative songs, ranked by fans everywhere. Alternative music first got its start in the 1970s. It emerged from the independent music scene and embodies multiple rock traditions, such as the DIY nature of punk rock. The genre really began to hit its stride in the 1990s when a host of new artists adopted the label and played to sold-out crowds around the United States. Put on your favorite flannel shirt and get ready to throw up the devil horns because these are the most popular '90s alternative songs.
Alternative rock often goes hand-in-hand with other genres. In the '90s, grunge was all the rage. A lot of alternative artists at the time from Nirvana to Soundgarden incorporated grunge into their music style, but they were alternative all the same. One of the most prominent alternative bands of the era was The Smashing Pumpkins, who released Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness in 1995. The double album would go on to sell over 10 million copies.
Which of the songs on this list do you remember jamming out to? Proud Gen-Xers will remember a lot of these songs on their high school dance playlists. This list of good '90s alternative songs has some of the defining tracks of the era, so vote for the ones that speak to you.
Over 2.4K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Alternative '90s Songs, Ranked
1The Cranberries
3Nirvana
5The Smashing Pumpkins
6Foo Fighters
7Radiohead
9Green Day
11Stone Temple Pilots
12Nirvana
13Nirvana
14Red Hot Chili Peppers
15Soundgarden
16Mazzy Star
17Soundgarden
18The Offspring
19The Verve
20Pearl Jam
21Oasis
22Alanis Morisette
23Weezer
24Beck Hansen
25R.E.M.
26Green Day
27Pearl Jam
28Blur
29Beastie Boys
30Bush, Bush
