Best 1990s Alternative and Indie Songs

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   Smells Like Teen Spirit

   Nirvana · from Nevermind (1991)

   The riff that changed the 90s.

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   Losing My Religion

   R.E.M. · from Out of Time (1991)

   Mandolin in 1991. Michael Stipe said the quiet part out loud.

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   Only Shallow

   My Bloody Valentine · from Loveless (1991)

   A wall of bent, gliding guitar.

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   Creep

   Radiohead · from Pablo Honey (1993)

   The self-loathing anthem that launched them.

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   Loser

   Beck · from Mellow Gold (1994)

   Slacker-folk collage that accidentally became a generational anthem.

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   Buddy Holly

   Weezer · from Weezer (1994)

   Three minutes of pure, uncomplicated joy.

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   Undone – The Sweater Song

   Weezer · from Weezer (1994)

   Lo-fi alternative on the edge of something warmer.

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   Common People

   Pulp · from Different Class (1995)

   A witty class-war anthem that builds to euphoria.

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9. 9
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   Wonderwall

   Oasis · from (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)

   The acoustic song everyone learned on guitar in 1995.

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10. 10
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    1979

    The Smashing Pumpkins · from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995)

    The most atmospheric thing Corgan ever recorded.

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11. 11
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    You Oughta Know

    Alanis Morissette · from Jagged Little Pill (1995)

    The fury that made confessional rock commercially unstoppable.

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    RA
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    Fake Plastic Trees

    Radiohead · from The Bends (1995)

    Stripped acoustic Thom Yorke — devastating.

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