[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 song! Alternative Rock Masterpieces and Popular Tracks (31–40)

Basket CaseGreen Day

Green Day – Basket Case [Official Music Video] (4K Upgrade)

Basket CaseGreen Day

A song by Green Day, a rock band formed in 1987 in California, USA.

With a simple three-piece lineup, each part stands out within the straightforward sound, making it easy to listen to and the kind of track that can hype up any rock fan.

Interestingly, the title of this song means “a person who is incapacitated,” but the music has a bright, uplifting vibe that blows away those kinds of feelings.

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still feel.half•alive

half•alive – still feel. [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

still feel.half•alive

“Still Alive” is a song by half•alive, an alternative rock band from California.

Its funkiness could even give Daft Punk a run for their money.

Above all, the music video is incredibly cool, showcasing unique, highly expressive dance.

They’re not just great dancers—their outstanding vocal ability shows they’re a truly versatile band.

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Ace of SpadesMotörhead

Motörhead – Ace Of Spades

Ace of SpadesMotörhead

It’s a feel-good track by Motörhead, a band you could call the original alternative rock group.

With its fast beat and sense of speed, it’s the kind of song that might make you accidentally drive a little too fast.

The raspy vocals are incredibly cool.

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Song 2Blur

Blur – Song 2 (Official Music Video)

Song 2Blur

In the UK during the 1990s, a British style of rock known as Britpop was popular, featuring bands distinct from those of the American alternative movement.

One of the bands that epitomized Britpop was Blur.

In particular, the song “Song 2,” which I’m introducing here, employed grunge techniques and played a role in fueling the alternative boom in Britain.

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LongshotCatfish&the Bottlemen

Catfish and the Bottlemen – Longshot

LongshotCatfish&the Bottlemen

Catfish and the Bottlemen are an indie rock band from Wales.

They’re such a polished band that you wouldn’t believe they came from a quiet corner of Europe! This song is included on their album The Balance, released in April 2019.

With this album in tow, it sounds like they’ll be playing numerous festivals throughout 2019.

We can’t take our eyes off them going forward!

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