Top 10 Best Alternative Songs of All Time

The Top Ten
1 Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

Although I would have loved to see an R.E.M. song at number one, I have to say that for the 90s, this song revolutionized rock forever. It brought a whole scene into the mainstream and basically put Seattle on the Rock Map. No Linkin Park song will ever come close to doing what this song/band did for Rock N Roll. Long live Nirvana and the other fellow 90s rockers like Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Mother Love Bone, Melvins, etc!

Amazing song, amazing band. No doubt it's the best alternative song ever. It's basically the one that propelled the alternative scene. In the End by Linkin Park is great and deserves to be number 2. No other two songs even come close to those two!

2 In the End - Linkin Park

It's funny how Nirvana's top comments are just people crying because of the first spot, and insulting Linkin Park, instead of talking about their favorite band. Now look at the comments on Linkin Park. You can see proud fans talking only about Linkin Park. They don't insult Nirvana and are not angry because of the second spot. To be honest, Linkin Park is more popular than Nirvana. Their songs In the End and Numb beat all of Nirvana's songs combined! So, stop crying, poor Nirvana fans...

Ok, notice how Linkin Park is all over this list? That's because they are an alternative band! So yes, I think they should be number one on this list. Also, Nirvana is a grunge band! "They're a mix of rock and alternative" – that's grunge. So, if you're on an alternative song list, you shouldn't be mad if they're not number one. Linkin Park is one of the few bands that represent alternative music really well, not Nirvana, sorry. Nirvana is my grunge band.

3 Welcome to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance

My Chemical Romance rocks my world. Welcome to the Black Parade is a perfect example of their type of music. Honestly, you can't put them into one genre of rock. My Chemical Romance kind of stretches itself over all of them.

Welcome to the Black Parade is THE best alternative rock song of all time. There, I said it. It will take a few years - maybe even decades - to sink in so everyone will be able to truly see how empowering and meaningful this song is. My Chemical Romance is one of the greatest...

Go MyChem! This song is a journey. If you are ever in need of inspiration, or have a five-page DBQ essay due tomorrow (like I do now), this is the song to listen to. I guarantee it will pull you through it (or should I say, make you carry on).

4 Mr. Brightside - The Killers

A true epitome of alternative rock, unlike some other pop punk/grunge ones listed here. It's simply amazing to listen to from beginning to end, over and over again.

One of the most diverse and fun alternative songs to listen to. It has such fantastic riffs and lyrics. The Killers are the future of alternative rock.

Love, love, love this song. There's something about it that just makes me so excited and nostalgic.

5 I Miss You - Blink-182

I don't mind Green Day. However, their music does not even compare to the sheer brilliance of each and every Blink-182 song. I Miss You is my favorite Blink song and deserves to be #1. Or at least much higher than its current ranking.

This song deserves much more than this ranking. It's such a nice song, and I love the lyrical content of the song. Plus, the band's music is great. Blink-182 all day.

Lol, the only Blink-182 song that doesn't sound like Tom DeLonge pooped his diaper. Seriously though, this is a great song mainly because Mark does the opening line, and you don't have to hear Tom screaming "Forever, Forever, let's make this last forever!"

6 Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green Day

Green Day is by far the best alternative band ever, and this is one of their best songs. This song is absolutely amazing. It has meaning, it has life. There cannot be a better song or a better band than that, well, maybe OneRepublic. But I have listened to Green Day my whole life, and I fell in love with this song when it first came out.

This song is amazing in so many ways. The lyrics are incredible, the tune is enchanting, the singer's voice couldn't have been a better match, and the title by itself is pretty awesome!

This song is absolutely amazing. How could it not be top ten? It has so much emotion and feeling. And it has meaning. It's not just a bunch of catchy lyrics with no point to them.

7 The Kill - Thirty Seconds to Mars

This song is truly a masterpiece. Listening to "Thirty Seconds to Mars" takes me on an inspiring journey filled with all the things I can ever imagine, especially this song. I love all the emotion the band, but mostly Jared Leto, puts into this song. This song has made its way into music history. It is, by all means, one of the greatest songs of all time.

It's not a pure alternative rock song. Anyway, it's really good. I have heard it 100+ times and still, I am not bored. Jared at his best. The only better vocalist than him is Chester Bennington of Linkin Park.

8 Bring Me to Life - Evanescence

The only rock song that broke the limits between rock and pop music, you can never find a person who hates this song no matter what type of music they like.

This song should head this list without any competition!

This song really penetrates down to the soul. Right off the bat, you're immediately carried away to another place. This song is an ecstasy that brings you to life even on the worst days! Number one!

I never thought alternative rock could sound so good. A real masterpiece. For me, this song is THE best, including all genres!

9 The Diary of Jane - Breaking Benjamin

This song taught me a lesson: I love women, but I won't be pushed by girls that I obsess over. This song is helping me end the obsession. There is one girl, and every time I see her, my legs get weak, I get queasy, and instantly my face turns red and gets hot. Not long after, I'm punching, all teary-eyed and alone. It's been like this for two years, and I've had enough! Benjamin Burnley, you rock. I still hope with enough practice, I can be like you and give everyone that "you're not alone, take a stand" feeling. Since Breaking Benjamin came into my life, especially the singer himself, my writing and musical interests have grown. Thank you, for saving my life, my musical hope, everything. Thank you.

10 Numb - Linkin Park

I don't care what position it is in because I know its real position in my heart and nothing can change the fact that Numb is without a doubt one of the greatest alternative rock songs ever composed.

What the hell? This song must be the first song on this list, I really wondered! It makes my heart stop when I listen to it. I feel like something is telling me to stand up and destroy anything I see.

This song must be at the number 1 spot. It is so good that I never get tired of listening to this song again and again.

The Contenders
11 21 Guns - Green Day

One. *heart pumps* Twenty One Guns! *pumps again* This is truly a great song. I always try to hear this song from a 21st-century war point of view, and it always makes sense. I love this song. Just get Boulevard Of Broken Dreams and this one in the top 10, guys.

The first song I heard by them besides Good Riddance (who hasn't heard that song?) It has a good feel to it. This song really shows you their range of genres they fit into, not just punk. Punk isn't just a genre though either, so... What do you think?

It's so damn perfect! I play it over and over.

12 Creep - Radiohead

One of the greatest songs ever, and truly one of the anthems of the '90s and one of the best songs about self-loathing. Very depressing yet very beautiful.

"I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here."
This song represents all the angsty teenagers out there. Thank you, Radiohead, for understanding us.

The day I first heard it, I just kept hearing it again and again. Goosebumps, touchy, and the vocal just delivers it with lots of feelings.

13 Iris - The Goo Goo Dolls

A classic hit about the insecurity all of us feel at one time or another. The Goo Goo Dolls' Iris really brings the feeling of loneliness home.

This is the best alternative rock song, guys! It is simply brilliant. I love this song!

Is this a joke? How can this NOT make the top 5, let alone top 10! It's one of the best songs ever. Come on, people!

14 1979 - The Smashing Pumpkins

From the moment when the guitars sweep you off your feet in the beginning, this is one of the most authentically beautiful alternative songs, in my opinion. The lyrics are riveting and honest. Should definitely be in the top ten!

Pause what you're doing. You've got to be kitten me right meow. This is a catastrophe. No Smashing Pumpkins until the 50s? Seriously? These guys were the alternative band of the 90s, and this nostalgic song deserves top 10 recognition. Come on now.

This song and Bullet With Butterfly Wings should absolutely be near the top.

15 Time is Running Out - Muse

Classic Muse, amazing sound. The premier live act of the last 15 years. Their Wembley shows justifiably voted as one of the greatest moments of the stadium's history.

Come on, this song is catchy, moving, clever, and makes great use of all instruments. Muse is one of the greatest bands, and don't deny it.

It should be way higher! Such an underrated band and an even more underrated song. Should be at least top 5.

16 My Immortal - Evanescence

The best songs are the ones that take you out of your world, and plunge you into theirs. Evanescence reaches to you with a hauntingly beautiful voice, deep soulful lyrics, and music at the end that completely drowns you in its wake.

17 Walking Disaster - Sum 41
18 Breaking the Habit - Linkin Park

Unique and with awesome meaning!

19 Never Too Late - Three Days Grace

You people should know your tastes...

Best ever, the lyrics are perfect!

20 Blackbird - Alter Bridge

This is not the place for an all-time awesome song. This song should be at least #1 (with a huge gap between it and #2). This song was a fusion between Alternative Music, Hard Rock, Metal, and Post-Grunge. This song has changed many people's lives with its unmatched rhythm, riffs, and singing.

And Myles Kennedy's voice is one of the best of all time. He's truly the best vocalist till now.

This song is 8 minutes and it broke all musical limits, and we ended up hearing a phenomenal song that will never be imitated. This song is a one-in-a-lifetime musical experience that you shouldn't miss!

Alter Bridge... YOU ROCK!

21 The Middle - Jimmy Eat World

This song is what I listen to whenever I get bullied. It reminds me of how things will get better. I admire this song and I base my life on its meaning and lyrics. This song has and always will get me through hard times.

This song always picks me up on a bad day. I love listening to it while in the car. It's one of the best on my iPod!

This is a great song to rock out to, and perfect to listen to when growing up.

22 Waiting for the End - Linkin Park

My favorite song, glad to see it's risen to the top 20 in the list.

My favorite song. It's so catchy.

23 Wonderwall - Oasis
24 Only In Dreams - Weezer
25 Ode to Sleep - Twenty One Pilots

Everything that Tyler creates is always pure genius. This is no exception! Twenty One Pilots has yet to make a single song that doesn't contain raw emotion, presented in a format that is comforting to everyone. Ode to Sleep deserves recognition!

Where are all of the top songs on this list? Someone bring up Anathema.

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