The Top Tens, a site dedicated to creating top 10 lists on nearly every topic imaginable, has unveiled their picks for the top ten 90s rock songs and it’s a nostalgic journey through one of rock’s most iconic eras.
From the soaring ballad of Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain” and the relentless grit of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” to the haunting melancholy of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” and the pure punk energy of Green Day’s “Basket Case,” the list perfectly captures the essence of 90s rock.
It was a decade where rock became introspective, raw, and unapologetically loud, blending heavy metal’s ferocity with grunge’s soulful angst.
Topping the list, however, is the song that defined not only the genre but an entire generation: Nirvana’s era-defining anthem, “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
Written by Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl, the track exploded onto the scene in 1991 as part of their legendary Nevermind album, forever altering the trajectory of music.
One user captured its impact perfectly, staying that, “If someone says this song is “overrated,” well, maybe it is. But the intention of this song wasn’t to become a legendary change in the music world. This song was written to be heard. However, it became a revolution. It was a ’90s head-turner. It brought the grunge scene to the world, which opened up incredible opportunities for other bands.”
Another fan described the song as “hard and thrashy” yet “deeply emotional,” reflecting on how Nirvana delivered something timeless that still resonates more than three decades later.
Though Nirvana’s time was heartbreakingly cut short with Cobain’s death, their legacy endures. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” continues to captivate listeners, stir emotions, and stand as a symbol of what the 90s meant to rock music.
It wasn’t merely a song, it was a cultural shift, a revolution in sound that still echoes today.
The top 10 was:
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
November Rain – Guns N’ Roses
Enter Sandman – Metallica
Black Hole Sun – Soundgarden
Basket Case – Green Day
The Show Must Go On – Queen
Everlong – Foo Fighters
Under the Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Would? – Alice in Chains
High Hopes – Pink Floyd
