The Top Alternative Songs from 2011

Can you believe it has been 10 years?

January 8

Waiting for the End by Linkin Park

Released on October 1, 2012, it was the second single and eighth track from their fourth studio album, A thousand Suns which was released on September 14th, 2012. The song debuted at number 96 on the US Billboard 100 upon release of the album, it also obtained the number 2 spot on the Top Rock Songs Billboard chart. Last after spending 15 weeks on the Alternative songs chart it replaced Tighten up by the Black Keys as number 1.

January 29

Tighten Up by The Black Keys

The third track on their 2010 album Brothers and the first single off their record. One of The Black Keys most successful singles in the US and their first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number one on the Alternative songs and Rock charts. Rolling Stone named this song in their list of the 15 Best Whistling Songs of All Time. Tighten Up also won a Grammy at the 53rd Grammy Awards as Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group.

February 12

Shake Me Down by Cage the Elephant

The fourth track off of their second album Thank you, Happy Birthday and first single. On January 11th the music video for the single was released which earned them a nomination at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. The single was most successful in the UK despite not being their highest charting.

March 26

Rope by Foo Fighters

This was the second track off of their seventh studio album, Wasting Light. The single Rope was released on March 1st, 2011. The song was nominated at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards as best rock track and the Deadmau5 remix was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording. The song is only second in history to debut atop the Rock Songs chart after The Catalyst by Linkin Park.

June 25 

Pumped up Kicks by Foster the People

Released as the indie pop bands debut single in January 2011 which later made it onto their EP, Foster the People, and their debut album Torches. The song became the groups breakthrough hit being one of the MOST popular songs coming out of 2011. Pumped up Kicks was also heavily used in the media but was also pulled out of some U.S radio stations following the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting. It is obvious this song charted as number one which is why the record went Dimond in the U.S

July 9

You are a Tourist by Death Cab for Cutie

First single off their seventh album Codes and Keys, which released on March 28th, 2011.  The single topped the US Billboard Alternative songs, Adult Alternative songs and Bubbling under Hot 100 singles. The song also reached #3 on the US Billboard Rock Songs chart. This song is Death Cab for Cutie’s only number one alternative hit and their first to date.

August 6 

Walk by Foo Fighters

This song was the third single off of Wasting Light written by Dave Grohl. Gaining the number one spot on the Billboard Rock Songs chart on July 20, 2011 and it dethroned their previous song Rope. This gave the band their third number one single on the charts, the song also won two awards at the 54th Grammy Awards for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock song.

August 20

The Adventures of Raindance Maggie by The Red Hot Chili Peppers

The first single off of their tenth album, I’m With You and is the first single released since their 2007s hit Hump De Bump. The single became the band’s record holding 12th number one single on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, where it spent 4 straight weeks on the chart.  In 2011 Rolling Stone named the song the 50th best song of 2011 in their annual Top 50 Singles list.

October 29

The Sound of Winter by Bush

This Song is by the British band Bush, it was the second single released from the band’s fifth studio album, The Sea of Memories. On July 21st the band appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live debuting the song to promote the album.  On October 18th 2011 the single topped the Alternative Songs chart knocking off Walk by the Foo Fighters and made number one, their first in 12 years.

December 3

Paradise by Coldplay

The famous British rock band released Paradise as their single from their fifth studio album, Mylo Xyloto. The debut of the song was at 7:50 am on The Chris Moyles Show (BBC Radio1) on September 12th, 2011. The song quickly became the bands second number one following the hit single Viva La Vida. Later was nominated for a Grammy Award in Best Pop Duo/Group performance and the song became top 5 in 15 countries and peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

December 17

Lonely Boy by The Black Keys

El Caminos opening track off of the record and released as the lead single on October 26, 2011. The single became one of the groups most successful singles topping several rock radio charts, including the Alternative Songs and Rock Songs charts in the U.S. Lonely Boy was the groups highest-charting song in several countries.

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