FUN FACT
When you think of the 1990s grunge and alternative scene, names like Nirvana and Pearl Jam immediately come to mind as the biggest stars. But did you know the best-selling album in that entire genre and decade isn’t by either of those iconic bands? It’s actually Alanis Morissette’s groundbreaking album, Jagged Little Pill!

Released in 1995, Jagged Little Pill was nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. Alanis’s raw, emotional lyrics combined with a powerful alternative rock sound struck a chord with millions around the world. The album didn’t just dominate the alternative charts — it became one of the best-selling albums of the entire 1990s, outselling even some of the biggest pop legends of the era, including Michael Jackson. Its blend of vulnerability, anger, and introspection captured the spirit of the decade and inspired a whole generation of listeners.

Coming in second is Metallica’s Black Album, which is truly impressive. Heavy metal albums rarely reach such massive commercial success, but Metallica broke that mold, selling tens of millions of copies worldwide. The Black Album’s blend of aggressive riffs and accessible melodies made it a crossover hit, cementing Metallica’s status as one of the most influential bands in rock history.

And of course, no list would be complete without Nirvana’s Nevermind in the top three. This album defined an entire generation and was the anthem of grunge culture. Its release in 1991 marked a seismic shift in popular music, bringing alternative rock to the mainstream and inspiring countless artists that followed.

So, while Nirvana and Metallica undoubtedly shaped the sound of the ’90s, it was Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill that quietly but firmly took the crown as the best-selling grunge/alternative album of the decade — a surprising and well-deserved honor for one of the era’s most unforgettable voices.