[Western Music] Start with this one! Classic and popular songs of alternative rock

Active club DJkento
Active club DJ. With over five years on the front lines of the club scene, they freely cross over from dance music to US hip-hop and Japanese rap. Blending in their own edits with assured mixing, they craft a unique groove that captivates the floor.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

Even for those who love rock, it’s not easy to succinctly explain what alternative rock is.

As rock history produced a variety of genres, the term “alternative rock” emerged as music that stood against the mainstream—an underground counterpart.

It might even be more accurate to think of it not as a genre, but as a musical attitude that the musicians themselves embody.

In this article, we’ve curated a selection focusing on iconic Western tracks from the 1990s—songs through which alternative rock upended trends across the global music scene.

If you’ve recently become interested in alt rock, be sure to check them out!

[Western Music] Start with this one! Classic and Popular Alternative Rock Songs (21–30)

Sex on FireKings Of Leon

Kings Of Leon – Sex on Fire (Official Video)

Sex on FireKings Of Leon

This song, which portrays a passionate romance, is known as one of Kings of Leon’s signature works.

It deftly conveys intense desire and transience, featuring lyrics that leave a deep impression on listeners.

Released in September 2008, it was included on the album Only by the Night.

It became a worldwide hit and won a Grammy Award, topping the charts in Australia and the United Kingdom.

It’s recommended for couples newly in love and for those who feel nostalgic for their youth.

Why not experience those exhilarating moments along with Kings of Leon’s powerful sound?

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New SlangThe Shins

The Shins – New Slang [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

New SlangThe Shins

This is a song whose gentle melody and poetic lyrics resonate deeply.

Released by The Shins in February 2001, it was included on their debut album, Oh, Inverted World, and became one of the band’s signature works.

The lyrics delicately capture anxiety, loneliness, and a yearning for change, striking a chord with many listeners.

It gained attention after being featured in the 2004 film Garden State, cementing the band’s place in the indie rock scene.

The track has since appeared in various films and TV shows and is beloved by a wide audience.

It’s recommended listening when you’re at a crossroads in life or want a quiet moment of introspection.

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Driving SouthStone Roses

This is a famous song by The Stone Roses, hugely popular in the UK, that even influenced members of Oasis.

With danceable drums and driving guitars, it’s an incredibly cool alternative classic.

It’s no surprise it had a massive impact on the British rock bands that followed.

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Killing In the NameRage Against The Machine

Rage Against The Machine – Killing In the Name (Official HD Video)

Killing In the NameRage Against The Machine

Rage Against the Machine—aka Rage—shocked the music scene with a sound that fuses hip-hop, funk, punk, metal, and hardcore, and with raps that put their political convictions front and center, channeling unflinching anger at all forms of power and injustice.

Charismatic Zack de la Rocha’s vocals; Tom Morello, a Harvard-educated intellectual with an innovative guitar style no one else would conceive; Tim Commerford’s rock-solid, groove-forging bass; and Brad Wilk’s drums—together they create a sound only Rage can produce from a simple band lineup.

For anyone who wants to experience that unique sound, start with this one track.

You’ll understand that Rage’s fury still resonates—and remains effective—in today’s chaotic world.

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One Armed ScissorAt The Drive-In

One Armed Scissor (official video)

One Armed ScissorAt The Drive-In

Lastly, let me introduce At The Drive-In, a post-hardcore band from Texas.

Their defining features are an explosive, barely contained intensity and a chaotic sound that seems to swallow up everything from punk to noise rock.

They later became the foundation for The Mars Volta, and their musicianship is exceptionally high.

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