In The Alternative Number Ones, I’m reviewing every #1 single in the history of the&nbsp;Billboard&nbsp;Modern Rock Tracks/Alternative Songs, starting with the moment that the chart launched in 1988. This column is a companion piece to&nbsp;The Number Ones. The column is now biweekly, alternating with The Number Ones on Mondays. Depending on how you count them…

The Alternative Number Ones: Eels’ “Novocaine For The Soul”

usesLabels

hasHeading

reviewHeading

itemLabel

itemValue

lede/review-card-item

lede/review-card

core/paragraph

type

providerNameSlug

responsive

className

core/embed

Tom Breihan

The Alternative Number Ones

The Alternative Number Ones: Matchbox 20’s “Push”

The Alternative Number Ones: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ “The Impression That I Get”

The Alternative Number Ones: Third Eye Blind’s “Semi-Charmed Life”

The Alternative Number Ones: The Verve Pipe’s “The Freshmen”

The Alternative Number Ones: U2’s “Staring At The Sun”

The Alternative Number Ones: The Wallflowers’ “One Headlight”

Legal

Main Menu - Menu 1

Main Menu - Menu 2

Nav Bar

SECTIONS

The week's most important music stories and least important music memes.

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

This column is only available to subscribers.

This column is available to subscribers.

Thanks for reading!

See plan options...

You must subscribe for continued access.

Register to continue

Paid subscribers also get exclusive features and playlists, Discord access, and more.

Register for free to read this article and get our weekly newsletter.

You've reached your article limit.

Stereogum

Danielle Chelosky

New Music

The Spook School Reunite For New Album <em>Like A Heartbeat</em>: Hear “Falling”

Chris DeVille

Willi Carlisle – “Marlboro Vinyasa”

Resavoir Announce New Album <em>Above The Clouds</em>: Hear “4th Cloud” (Feat. Gregory Uhlmann)

The Alternative Number Ones: Eels’ “Novocaine For The Soul”

October 12, 1996