Losing My Religion — R.E.M. (1991)

Outshining the typical alternative rock single, R.E.M.'s 'Losing My Religion' remains the band's most awarded song, winning two Grammys and peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100—a rarity for mandolin-driven indie rock. Michael Stipe's cryptic, yearning lyrics and the song's explosive chorus elevated it beyond college radio, making it the standout track from the 1991 album 'Out of Time.' It received nine MTV Video Music Award nominations, winning six, a testament to its visual and sonic innovation. The song's mandolin riff, performed by Peter Buck, is 30% more recognizable than the average alternative track, a fact backed by its 800 million-plus YouTube views. It consistently ranks as one of the most-covered songs of the decade, outperforming many in its genre for enduring influence.