10 Songs That Saved Rock And Roll

It was a miracle to have a band like Guns N Roses actually make rock relevant again in the late '80s. Whereas glam rock may have been a fun idea at the time, it was lasting way too long past its expiration date. However, one kickass band does not equate to a full revolution. You needed something a little bit more, and Kurt Cobain managed to write the national anthem of the next decade with just a handful of chords.

Clad in a flannel shirt and a grimy guitar, Smells Like Teen Spirit became the clarion call of the next generation, signaling the rise of the alternative nation almost single handedly. It's not like alternative didn't exist before this though. As far back as the early '80s, bands like R.E.M. and the Smiths were already making waves with songs that were a bit left of the dial for your average music fan.

This is where the alternative sound became a household name though. Aside from its amazing sound, Smells Like Teen Spirit was proof that you didn't have to look like a bonafied superstar in order to really make it. You might only have a couple of chords under your fingers and a big heart, but you'd be surprised how far that can really get you in this industry when you think of the right idea.