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Thirty years ago, John Lennon and his mates recorded the upbeat ''I'm a Loser'' for Beatles for Sale -a song the liner notes said was ''a lesson to other artists.'' In the '90s, a generation of alterna-rockers are taking Lennon's lesson to their twisted hearts-and doing quite well commercially, thank you:
Song: ''Creep,'' by Stone Temple Pilots Sample Lyric: ''Guess I'm livin', I'm a mouse/Alls I gots is time.'' Degree of Inferiority Complex: Lukewarm-in the video, singer Weiland is slightly more slumped over than usual. Ironic Success: Sold over 3 million copies of its debut album, Core.
Song: ''Loser,'' by Beck Sample Lyric: ''I'm a loser, baby, so why don't you kill me?'' Degree of Inferiority Complex: Minimal-that tongue in his cheek is at least a foot long. Ironic Success: Sold 315,000 copies and counting of first album, Mellow Gold.
Song: ''Weirdo,'' by Five-Eight Sample Lyric: ''There's a pain in my heart/What did you say? You said, 'Weirdo, weirdo, weirdo.''' Degree of Inferiority Complex: Intense-singer Mike Mantione sometimes performs the song naked. Ironic Success: Invited to open for buzz band Cracker.
Song: ''Creep,'' by Radiohead Sample Lyric: ''You're so f -- -in' special/I wish I was special.'' Degree of Inferiority Complex: Acute-and cute singer Thom Yorke effortlessly plays the MTV generation's heartstrings. Ironic Success: Debut album, Pablo Honey, went gold.
