Best Indie & Alternative Songs of All Time

1. 1
   SM
   ▶

   There Is a Light That Never Goes Out

   The Smiths · from The Queen Is Dead (1986)

   Morrissey and Marr's most beloved song.

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2. 2
   PI
   ▶

   Where Is My Mind?

   Pixies · from Surfer Rosa (1988)

   Quiet-loud dynamics that defined a decade.

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3. 3
   RA
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   Karma Police

   Radiohead · from OK Computer (1997)

   A haunting, piano-led standout.

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4. 4
   AF
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   Wake Up

   Arcade Fire · from Funeral (2004)

   A communal, goosebump anthem.

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5. 5
   ST
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   Last Nite

   The Strokes · from Is This It (2001)

   Effortless garage-rock cool.

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6. 6
   YY
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   Maps

   Yeah Yeah Yeahs · from Fever to Tell (2003)

   A raw, aching love song.

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7. 7
   IN
   ▶

   Evil

   Interpol · from Antics (2004)

   Sleek, melodic post-punk revival.

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8. 8
   LS
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   All My Friends

   LCD Soundsystem · from Sound of Silver (2007)

   A pulsing, emotional epic.

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9. 9
   VW
   ▶

   A-Punk

   Vampire Weekend · from Vampire Weekend (2008)

   Two minutes of bright, preppy energy.

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10. 10
    MB
    ▶

    Only Shallow

    My Bloody Valentine · from Loveless (1991)

    A wall of bent, gliding guitar.

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11. 11
    CU
    ▶

    Just Like Heaven

    The Cure · from Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me (1987)

    Their sunniest, most perfect single.

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12. 12
    JD
    ▶

    Disorder

    Joy Division · from Unknown Pleasures (1979)

    Post-punk dread set to a racing pulse.

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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.