Loser

Beck’s 1994 breakthrough hit fused folk, hip-hop, and absurdist lyrics into an unlikely slacker anthem. With its iconic chorus (“I’m a loser, baby, so why don’t you kill me?”), “Loser” perfectly captured Generation X’s ironic shrug. Beck’s deadpan delivery over a slide-guitar sample and funky beat created a sound that felt completely new. The offbeat track became a surprise Top 10 hit and launched Beck as a pioneering voice of ’90s alternative. To this day, its quirky mix of genres and laid-back nihilism keep “Loser” an enduring symbol of ’90s cool.