Smells Like Teen Spirit — Nirvana (1991)

The most culturally significant rock song of the 1990s, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” killed hair metal and launched the alternative revolution. Its iconic quiet/loud dynamic and Cobain’s reluctant anthem sold over 3 million copies in the US alone in its first year. The song outperforms #2 in Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart longevity, staying at No. 1 for 2 weeks and reshaping radio playlists nationwide.