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Alternative & Indie · 1990s

Best 1990s Alternative & Indie Songs

The best alternative songs of the 1990s (90s), ranked — each linking to the album it's from, on vinyl, CD or Amazon Music.

  1. 1
    NI

    Smells Like Teen Spirit

    Nirvana · from Nevermind (1991)

    The riff that changed the 90s.

  2. 2
    MB

    Only Shallow

    My Bloody Valentine · from Loveless (1991)

    A wall of bent, gliding guitar.

  3. 3
    RA

    Creep

    Radiohead · from Pablo Honey (1993)

    The self-loathing anthem that launched them.

  4. 4
    BE

    Loser

    Beck · from Mellow Gold (1994)

    The slacker anthem that came out of nowhere.

  5. 5
    PU

    Common People

    Pulp · from Different Class (1995)

    A witty class-war anthem that builds to euphoria.

  6. 6
    OA

    Wonderwall

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

    The singalong that defined Britpop.

  7. 7
    RA

    Paranoid Android

    Radiohead · from OK Computer (1997)

    A six-minute, multi-part art-rock epic.

  8. 8
    VE

    Bitter Sweet Symphony

    The Verve · from Urban Hymns (1997)

    A string-swept anthem of resignation.

  9. 9
    RA

    Karma Police

    Radiohead · from OK Computer (1997)

    A haunting, piano-led standout.

Tap the artwork or "Listen" to find the track on Amazon Music; "Watch" opens a YouTube search; the song title opens its album page. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases and sign-ups.