Top 5 ’90s Rock Hits That Took “Alternative” Mainstream

Updated:

October 20, 2023 1:10 pm

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The ‘90s saw the rise of many new genres of rock and roll. Grunge and alt-rock had begun developing in the late 1980s, but were still niche sub-genres with small audiences through to the end of the decade. The 1990s saw them move more toward the mainstream with bands such as Pearl Jam and Nirvana coming to define and shape “alternative rock” as we know it today. Check out these top alt-rock hits from the 1990s!

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1. “Jeremy” — Pearl Jam (1992)

“Jeremy” made waves when Pearl Jam released it in 1992 because of its intense subject matter and controversial video. The song was based on several stories of teens affected by gun violence in the United States. Its title came from Jeremy Wade Delle, a high school sophomore who killed himself in front of his teacher and fellow students in 1991. Frontman Eddie Vedder was moved both by Delle’s death and by a junior high classmate who went on to commit a school shooting. The music video for “Jeremy” aired frequently on MTV, further cementing the song as an alt-rock classic, despite its heavy background.

2. “You Oughta Know” — Alanis Morissette (1995)

Alanis Morissette burst onto the scene in 1995 with her album Jagged Little Pill. The album cemented her firmly in the alternative rock genre. The lead single was “You Oughta Know,” a vulgar, aggressive song that let Morissette really stretch her vocal abilities. It might have been shocking for the time, but it earned Morissette three Grammy nominations, one of which she won. “You Oughta Know” is now widely considered one of the best alt-rock songs ever.

3. “Closer” — Nine Inch Nails (1994)

Alternative rock often explores themes of violence and sexuality, which can translate into some shocking content. That might explain why Nine Inch Nails’ 1994 song “Closer” became one of their biggest hits. The song shocked audiences thanks to its aggressive, vulgar content, which led to it being interpreted as a song about sex and lust. But “Closer” is actually about self-hatred and the temptation to be self-destructive, which accounts for its aggressive lyrics. The accompanying music video is remembered as one of the most controversial ever to air on MTV and was only played late at night to appease censors.

4. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” — Nirvana (1991)

Few bands better represent 1990s grunge or alternative rock than Nirvana. The band’s 1991 song “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” with an assist from its influential video, put the band on the map and is arguably the single-most defining event of the grunge phenomenon. It helped transform grunge from an “alternative” niche sub-genre to, ironically, a popular form of mainstream music. Several years after Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain died by suicide, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame included “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in its “The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll” exhibit.

5. “Losing My Religion” — R.E.M. (1991)

No one really expected “Losing My Religion” to become a hit for R.E.M., so it was a shock when it did score big and become one of their signature songs. It even won two Grammy Awards, one for the song and one for the music video. “Losing My Religion” fits solidly into the alt-rock category, particularly because of its highly unusual instrumentation: it builds on a mandolin riff, which is followed by orchestral accompaniment. It’s an unexpected flavor for a rock song, but one that clearly worked.

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