Nirvana’s phenomenal 1991 single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” has triumphed over hits from Madonna, Britney Spears and U2 to be labeled the unsurpassed pop song in 20 years by Britain’s Q Magazine.

In its November issue, which marks Q’s 20th anniversary, the publication embarked on spotting the leading 20 singles of the previous two decades. Their selection varies from pop icons like Britney Spears’ ‘... Baby,

One More Time,” and Outkast’s “Hey Ya” to The Prodigy’s punk/techno mix “The Firestarter” and Guns N’ Roses’ hard-edged rock ballad, “Sweet Child O’ Mine.”

“The thing about ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit,’ was that it was a defining period in rock music. It altered everything,” observed Q magazine deputy editor Gareth Grundy regarding the sensational Nirvana hit and added,’ It put heavy music back on the map in the early 90’s, really, that combination of punk-rock anger and the heavy Black Sabbath 70’s metal. It was something new. Sulky kids everywhere loved Nirvana and continue to do so.”