Alternative music is broadly viewed as an expression of opposition to the system reflecting the voice of the weaker ones against the actions of the stronger ones. And so it is. So, in a sense, alternative music and love songs sound like the two sides of a coin. On the other hand though, alternative rock scene has produced incredible love songs proving that music is universal and totally capable of expressing own experiences in melodramatic lyrics.
To my view, it wouldn’t make sense to write about love songs without focusing on their lyrics. Alternative or commercially popular, love songs talk about love in a distinctive way. So, here they are, some of the best alternative love songs (in alphabetical order) up to date (the list is by no means comprehensive):
1. Cure – Pictures of You, from the album Disintegration (1989)
“If only I had thought of the right words i could have hold on to your heart if only I’d thought of the right words i wouldn’t be breaking apart all my pictures of you.”
The unique sadness of Robert Smith anchored by complex synth and guitar riffs, consistent drum patters and a clear melody express the lament of the aftermath when realizing that the choice was wrong.
2. Depeche Mode – I Feel You, from the album Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993)
I feel you, your heart it sings, I feel you, the joy it brings, where heaven waits, those golden gates and back again you take me to and lead me through oblivion.
Dominant synth, controversial bluesy guitar chords, atmospheric drums, grunge-influenced emotion and excellent lyrics comprise one of the best alternative love songs of the 90s.
3. Garbage – You Look So Fine, from the album Version 2.0 (1999)
“You look so fine, I want to break your heart and give you mine, you’re taking me over, it’s so insane, you’ve got me tethered and chained, I hear your name and I’m falling over.”
Purely fresh melody expressed through a humid voice anchored in obscure guitar riffs, while reflecting mature pop scene.
4. Lucky Jim – The Honeymooners, from the album Our Troubles End Tonight (2007)
“Oh lover, still your tongue, you’re the king of all you see, the unmade bed you lie upon, this strange likeness of me, my body be your focus, your labour be my joy, for everything’s decided in the twinkle of an eye.”
Atmospheric ballad, with consistent guitar chords anchored to a slightly military drum pattern, and a deeply personal performance reflecting the psyche of a tormented love affair.
5. Oasis – Wonderwall, from the album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)
“The fire in your heart is out, I’m sure you’ve heard it all before, but you never really had a doubt, I don’t believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now.”
The idiosyncratic voice of Liam Gallagher carries the listener away for the 4:18 minutes that one of the most memorable tunes in the history of alternative rock lasts.
6. Placebo – Crawl, from the album Without You I’m Nothing (1998)
“It takes the pain away, but could not make you stay, it’s way too broke to fix, no glue, no bag of tricks, lay me down, the lie will unfurl, lay me down to crawl.”
Being the landmark of glam rock of the ’90s and the toughest of English boy guitar-glam bands, Placebo feature “The Crawl”, a hymn of piano gloom that gives Brian Molko an edge and makes the group one of the best alternative groups of the 90s.
7. Portishead – Roads, from the album Dummy (1994)
“Oh, can’t anybody see, we’ve got a war to fight, never found our way, regardless of what they say.”
The lament for an ill-fated relationship approached with a suffering, violently melodramatic tune and the unique vocals of Beth Gibbons.
8. Radiohead – Creep, from the album Pablo Honey (1993)
“I don’t care if it hurts, I wanna have control, I want a perfect body, I want a perfect soul, I want you to notice, when I’m not around, you’re so f**n’ special, I wish I was special.”
The grieve for lacking self-confidence expressed with a solid tune, the “Creep” gave rise to Radiohead making them one of the most important and quickly rising alternative bands in the history of rock. Moving from the alternative to the mainstream, Radiohead have spread the seeds of glory.
9. Skunk Anansie – Infidelity (Only You), from the album Stoosh (1997)
“In my face there’s no more joy, I’m all I should be, cracked infidelity is all you are to me.”
Subtle, moody, and melodic expression of intense emotion, anger, and lament anchored with the outrageous tenderness of Skin’s voice and a mature metal sound, breeding elements of funk.
