The Longest Hits in Alt-Rock and metal History

By Adam Morrison

An unwritten rule is that hit songs should be under four minutes long, but being alternative sometimes means not following the rules. Yes, there are longer songs out there, but we’re focusing on actual, certified hit songs in a radio, record and retail sense.

Thanks to Mike Stringer for lots of help with this list!

1. Nine Inch Nails: “Closer” (the single is 06:26, thirteen seconds longer than the album version)

2. Alice In Chains: “Rooster” (6:15)

3. The Smashing Pumpkins: “Rhinoceros” (the almost-six-minute single version was cut down from the 06:32 album version)

4. Ministry: “(Every Day Is) Halloween” (06:35)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXtX9u7_6F8

5. Radiohead: “Paranoid Android” (06:23)

6. Tool: “Forty Six & 2” (6:03)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tja6_h4lT6A

7. Metallica: “One” (7:24)

8. Metallica: “The Day That Never Comes” (7:56)