Best Alternative Rock singles of all time - Rate Your Music
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Top Alternative Rock singles of all time

Separate: live, archival, soundtracks and scores
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Updated: 9 April
Average Ratings Reviews
My Bloody Valentine - When You Sleep, Cover art
When You Sleep
My Bloody Valentine
4.47 4k 3,806 24 24
1991 Single
Shoegaze Noise Pop Dream Pop
Neo-Psychedelia
dense noisy ethereal atmospheric romantic psychedelic love lush
4k Ratings 24 Reviews 4.47 Average
The Smiths - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out, Cover art
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
The Smiths
4.44 4k 4,203 49 49
June 1986 Single
Jangle Pop Indie Pop
Chamber Pop Neo-Acoustic
romantic bittersweet poetic melancholic death passionate melodic love
4k Ratings 49 Reviews 4.44 Average
Radiohead - Let Down / Karma Police, Cover art
Let Down / Karma Police
Radiohead
4.44 3k 3,353 31 31
1997 Single
Alternative Rock Post-Britpop
Art Rock Dream Pop Space Rock Revival
melancholic melodic depressive lush bittersweet mellow existential lonely
3k Ratings 31 Reviews 4.44 Average
Cocteau Twins - Heaven or Las Vegas, Cover art
Heaven or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins
4.42 2k 2,359 10 10
October 1990 Single
Dream Pop Neo-Psychedelia
Ethereal Wave Shoegaze Jangle Pop
ethereal uplifting warm lush soothing atmospheric cryptic melodic
2k Ratings 10 Reviews 4.42 Average
The Cure - Just Like Heaven / Snow in Summer, Cover art
Just Like Heaven / Snow in Summer
The Cure
4.39 2k 2,489 28 28
20 October 1987 Single
New Wave Jangle Pop Neo-Psychedelia
Dream Pop Post-Punk Jangle Pop
romantic love melodic bittersweet ethereal passionate uplifting sentimental
2k Ratings 28 Reviews 4.39 Average
Radiohead - Paranoid Android, Cover art
Paranoid Android
Radiohead
4.37 4k 4,311 56 56
26 May 1997 Single
Alternative Rock Art Rock
Progressive Rock Post-Britpop Space Rock Revival
anxious progressive complex pessimistic angry misanthropic melancholic sarcastic
4k Ratings 56 Reviews 4.37 Average
New Order - Blue Monday / The Beach, Cover art
Blue Monday / The Beach
New Order
4.35 4k 4,491 51 51
7 March 1983 Single
Synthpop Alternative Dance
Hi-NRG
rhythmic mechanical futuristic repetitive apathetic breakup cold energetic
4k Ratings 51 Reviews 4.35 Average
Slowdive - Alison, Cover art
Alison
Slowdive
4.36 2k 2,332 9 9
1994 Single
Shoegaze Dream Pop
Space Rock Revival
ethereal romantic drugs atmospheric melancholic lush calm mellow
2k Ratings 9 Reviews 4.36 Average
New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle, Cover art
Bizarre Love Triangle
New Order
4.35 2k 2,370 29 29
3 November 1986 Single
Synthpop Alternative Dance
Electro-Disco New Wave New Romantic Freestyle
love romantic rhythmic bittersweet longing melodic ethereal energetic
2k Ratings 29 Reviews 4.35 Average
Microphones - The Moon, Cover art
The Moon
Microphones
4.35 2k 1,646 7 7
2001 Single
Slacker Rock Singer-Songwriter Indie Folk
Psychedelic Folk Indie Folk Shoegaze Post-Rock
dense lonely lo-fi bittersweet breakup melancholic nocturnal existential
2k Ratings 7 Reviews 4.35 Average
My Bloody Valentine - Only Shallow, Cover art
Only Shallow
My Bloody Valentine
4.34 3k 2,716 23 23
March 1992 Single
Shoegaze Noise Pop Dream Pop
Neo-Psychedelia Noise Rock
noisy psychedelic atmospheric dense hypnotic ethereal lush sensual
3k Ratings 23 Reviews 4.34 Average
Sonic Youth - Teenage Riot / Silver Rocket / Kissability, Cover art
Teenage Riot / Silver Rocket / Kissability
Sonic Youth
4.33 2k 2,126 27 27
October 1988 Single
Alternative Rock Noise Rock Slacker Rock
Post-Punk Art Punk
energetic rebellious anthemic noisy urban dissonant bittersweet raw
2k Ratings 27 Reviews 4.33 Average
The Smiths - How Soon Is Now? / Well I Wonder, Cover art
How Soon Is Now? / Well I Wonder
The Smiths
4.33 3k 2,853 46 46
28 January 1985 Single
Post-Punk Indie Rock
Jangle Pop Neo-Psychedelia Baggy Shoegaze
lonely atmospheric hypnotic melancholic alienation anxious longing existential
3k Ratings 46 Reviews 4.33 Average
Radiohead - No Surprises, Cover art
No Surprises
Radiohead
4.32 4k 3,536 25 25
12 January 1998 Single
Post-Britpop Alternative Rock Art Rock
Art Pop Dream Pop Lullabies
suicide melancholic depressive lonely existential sad alienation melodic
4k Ratings 25 Reviews 4.32 Average
The Smashing Pumpkins - 1979, Cover art
1979
The Smashing Pumpkins
4.32 3k 2,784 37 37
22 January 1996 Single
Alternative Rock
Dream Pop Neo-Psychedelia Paisley Underground
bittersweet sentimental ethereal mellow melancholic melodic longing introspective
3k Ratings 37 Reviews 4.32 Average
The Cure - Pictures of You, Cover art
Pictures of You
The Cure
4.33 2k 2,110 14 14
6 March 1990 Single
Dream Pop Post-Punk
Gothic Rock Dream Pop
romantic melancholic sad breakup atmospheric ethereal sentimental love
2k Ratings 14 Reviews 4.33 Average
Ween - Transdermal Celebration, Cover art
Transdermal Celebration
Ween
4.32 1k 1,220 4 4
2003 Single
Alternative Rock Psychedelic Rock
Space Rock Revival Neo-Psychedelia Progressive Rock Art Rock
bittersweet psychedelic abstract melodic surreal epic melancholic warm
1k Ratings 4 Reviews 4.32 Average
The Smiths - This Charming Man / Jeane, Cover art
This Charming Man / Jeane
The Smiths
4.30 3k 2,756 33 33
28 October 1983 Single
Jangle Pop Indie Pop New Wave
Post-Punk New Wave
LGBT melodic bittersweet energetic passionate rhythmic romantic playful
3k Ratings 33 Reviews 4.30 Average
LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends, Cover art
All My Friends
LCD Soundsystem
4.29 2k 2,299 42 42
28 May 2007 Single
Alternative Dance Post-Punk Revival
Krautrock Dance-Punk Post-Minimalism
bittersweet sentimental energetic rhythmic passionate repetitive introspective existential
2k Ratings 42 Reviews 4.29 Average
Beach House - Space Song, Cover art
Space Song
Beach House
4.29 2k 2,163 13 13
2015 Single
Dream Pop
Ethereal Wave Indie Pop Neo-Psychedelia Chillwave
ethereal lush atmospheric romantic calm soothing melancholic longing
2k Ratings 13 Reviews 4.29 Average
Radiohead - Jigsaw Falling Into Place, Cover art
Jigsaw Falling Into Place
Radiohead
4.28 2k 2,392 15 15
14 January 2008 Single
Alternative Rock Art Rock
Post-Punk Revival Krautrock
energetic party alcohol love anxious mysterious rhythmic nocturnal
2k Ratings 15 Reviews 4.28 Average
Interpol - Obstacle 1, Cover art
Obstacle 1
Interpol
4.28 2k 1,911 17 17
12 November 2002 Single
Post-Punk Revival
sombre dark anxious lonely passionate atmospheric cryptic melancholic
2k Ratings 17 Reviews 4.28 Average
Spiritualized® - Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space / Come Together, Cover art
Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space / Come Together
Spiritualized®
4.27 1k 1,147 5 5
1998 Single
Dream Pop Neo-Psychedelia
Symphonic Rock Space Rock Revival Brill Building Chamber Pop Art Pop
romantic lonely space love melancholic bittersweet psychedelic ethereal
1k Ratings 5 Reviews 4.27 Average
Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) / My Buddy, Cover art
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) / My Buddy
Arcade Fire
4.26 2k 2,309 32 32
20 June 2004 Single
Indie Rock Chamber Pop
Art Pop Post-Punk Revival Big Music
passionate bittersweet sentimental winter melancholic energetic melodic anxious
2k Ratings 32 Reviews 4.26 Average
Deftones - Digital Bath, Cover art
Digital Bath
Deftones
4.26 1k 1,427 6 6
2000 Single
Alternative Rock
Shoegaze Alternative Metal Post-Hardcore
atmospheric death violence dark passionate melancholic heavy nocturnal
1k Ratings 6 Reviews 4.26 Average
Alice in Chains - Would?, Cover art
Would?
Alice in Chains
4.26 2k 1,575 18 18
1992 Single
Grunge
Alternative Metal Stoner Rock
depressive dark passionate drugs angry atmospheric death melodic
2k Ratings 18 Reviews 4.26 Average
Mazzy Star - Fade Into You, Cover art
Fade Into You
Mazzy Star
4.25 2k 2,144 20 20
16 August 1994 Single
Dream Pop
Slowcore Alt-Country Psychedelic Folk
mellow ethereal soft melancholic atmospheric romantic calm bittersweet
2k Ratings 20 Reviews 4.25 Average
Car Seat Headrest - Beach Life-in-Death, Cover art
Beach Life-in-Death
Car Seat Headrest
4.24 2k 1,854 23 23
13 December 2017 Single
Indie Rock Art Rock
Singer-Songwriter Garage Rock Revival Power Pop Indie Surf
LGBT passionate longing energetic anxious lonely introspective bittersweet
2k Ratings 23 Reviews 4.24 Average
Deftones - Change (In the House of Flies), Cover art
Change (In the House of Flies)
Deftones
4.25 2k 1,512 9 9
20 May 2000 Single
Alternative Metal Alternative Rock
Shoegaze Post-Metal
atmospheric dark melancholic sombre passionate heavy suspenseful anxious
2k Ratings 9 Reviews 4.25 Average
Fishmans - ナイトクルージング (Night Cruising), Cover art
ナイトクルージング (Night Cruising)
Fishmans
4.26 1k 1,382 7 7
25 November 1995 Single
Dream Pop Neo-Psychedelia Downtempo
Dub Ambient Pop Post-Rock Space Rock Revival
nocturnal mellow atmospheric ethereal repetitive playful psychedelic bittersweet
1k Ratings 7 Reviews 4.26 Average
Radiohead - Karma Police, Cover art
Karma Police
Radiohead
4.24 3k 3,149 21 21
25 August 1997 Single
Alternative Rock Art Rock Post-Britpop
Piano Rock
melancholic melodic anxious existential atmospheric misanthropic ominous bittersweet
3k Ratings 21 Reviews 4.24 Average
Pixies - Debaser, Cover art
Debaser
Pixies
4.25 1k 1,465 15 15
22 September 1997 Single
Indie Rock Alternative Rock
Power Pop Noise Pop Punk Rock Slacker Rock
manic raw energetic rebellious noisy violence surreal playful
1k Ratings 15 Reviews 4.25 Average
The Stone Roses - I Wanna Be Adored, Cover art
I Wanna Be Adored
The Stone Roses
4.24 2k 1,694 26 26
September 1991 Single
Baggy Indie Rock
Neo-Psychedelia Dream Pop Jangle Pop Post-Punk Shoegaze
lonely atmospheric psychedelic hypnotic longing ethereal repetitive lush
2k Ratings 26 Reviews 4.24 Average
Neutral Milk Hotel - Holland, 1945 / Engine, Cover art
Holland, 1945 / Engine
Neutral Milk Hotel
4.22 2k 2,176 24 24
13 October 1998 Single
Slacker Rock Folk Punk Indie Rock
Psychedelic Folk Noise Pop Singer-Songwriter British Brass Band
history death passionate energetic lo-fi melodic noisy poetic
2k Ratings 24 Reviews 4.22 Average
Foo Fighters - Everlong, Cover art
Everlong
Foo Fighters
4.22 3k 2,535 33 33
18 August 1997 Single
Post-Grunge Alternative Rock
Emo Post-Hardcore
bittersweet longing passionate melancholic energetic sentimental melodic romantic
3k Ratings 33 Reviews 4.22 Average
Gorillaz - DoYaThing, Cover art
DoYaThing
Gorillaz
4.21 3k 3,280 28 28
23 February 2012 Single
Alternative Dance Experimental Hip Hop Dance-Punk
Noise Rock Abstract Hip Hop Electropop Krautrock New Rave
boastful manic noisy playful energetic rhythmic repetitive progressive
3k Ratings 28 Reviews 4.21 Average
The Strokes - Hard to Explain, Cover art
Hard to Explain
The Strokes
4.22 2k 1,953 15 15
25 June 2001 Single
Garage Rock Revival Indie Rock Post-Punk Revival
Post-Punk Revival Power Pop
bittersweet raw energetic urban melodic melancholic rebellious alienation
2k Ratings 15 Reviews 4.22 Average
The Cure - Lovesong / 2 Late, Cover art
Lovesong / 2 Late
The Cure
4.22 2k 1,688 16 16
19 August 1989 Single
Alternative Rock Gothic Rock New Wave
Jangle Pop
romantic love melodic nocturnal sentimental longing bittersweet melancholic
2k Ratings 16 Reviews 4.22 Average
The Cure - In Between Days / The Exploding Boy, Cover art
In Between Days / The Exploding Boy
The Cure
4.22 1k 1,444 14 14
9 July 1985 Single
New Wave Jangle Pop
Indie Pop Synthpop
bittersweet melodic love melancholic energetic playful longing sentimental
1k Ratings 14 Reviews 4.22 Average
Nine Inch Nails - Hurt, Cover art
Hurt
Nine Inch Nails
4.21 1k 1,394 22 22
30 May 1995 Single
Alternative Rock Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Rock
Drone Slowcore Industrial Rock Post-Rock
suicide depressive lonely sombre dark self-hatred pessimistic alienation
1k Ratings 22 Reviews 4.21 Average
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Soundtracks

  • Bôa - Duvet, Cover art
    Duvet
    1998 Single
    3k Ratings 9 Reviews 4.27 Average
    4.27 3k 2,785 9 9
  • Julee Cruise - Falling, Cover art
    Falling
    1990 Single
    1k Ratings 10 Reviews 4.25 Average
    4.25 1k 1,226 10 10
  • Metric & Brie Larson - Black Sheep (Brie Larson Vocal Version), Cover art
    Black Sheep (Brie Larson Vocal Version)
    2021 Single
    410 Ratings 4.14 Average
    4.14 410 410
  • Round Table Featuring Nino - パズル (Puzzle), Cover art
    パズル (Puzzle)
    2006 Single
    520 Ratings 2 Reviews 4.12 Average
    4.12 520 520 2 2
  • YURiKA - 鏡面の波 (Kyoumen no nami), Cover art
    鏡面の波 (Kyoumen no nami)
    2017 Single
    298 Ratings 1 Reviews 4.15 Average
    4.15 298 298 1 1
    • See all 100 Include in main chart

    Live

  • Nirvana - Where Did You Sleep Last Night, Cover art
    Where Did You Sleep Last Night
    1994 Single
    797 Ratings 10 Reviews 4.10 Average
    4.10 797 797 10 10
  • Nirvana - Aneurysm, Cover art
    Aneurysm
    1996 Single
    344 Ratings 5 Reviews 4.10 Average
    4.10 344 344 5 5
  • Nirvana - The Man Who Sold the World, Cover art
    The Man Who Sold the World
    1995 Single
    1k Ratings 11 Reviews 4.03 Average
    4.03 1k 1,005 11 11
  • Nirvana - About a Girl, Cover art
    About a Girl
    1994 Single
    669 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.93 Average
    3.93 669 669 3 3
  • Nirvana - Lake of Fire, Cover art
    Lake of Fire
    1994 Single
    507 Ratings 2 Reviews 3.90 Average
    3.90 507 507 2 2
    • See all 54 Include in main chart

    Archival

  • The Smashing Pumpkins - Mayonaise, Cover art
    Mayonaise
    2023 Single
    404 Ratings 1 Reviews 4.54 Average
    4.54 404 404 1 1
  • Pixies - Where Is My Mind?, Cover art
    Where Is My Mind?
    2004 Single
    2k Ratings 18 Reviews 4.26 Average
    4.26 2k 2,003 18 18
  • Unwound - Demons Sing Love Songs, Cover art
    Demons Sing Love Songs
    2015 Single
    540 Ratings 2 Reviews 4.23 Average
    4.23 540 540 2 2
  • Joy Division / New Order - Ceremony / In a Lonely Place, Cover art
    Ceremony / In a Lonely Place
    2011 Single
    385 Ratings 5 Reviews 4.17 Average
    4.17 385 385 5 5
    • See all 79 Include in main chart
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