Let's Have a War: The 100 Best Punk Songs
Published May 25, 2006
My co-blogger "the turtle" and I have decided to come up with our own list of the 100 best punk songs. Yea, it's been done a million times before, but maybe not by two people with disparate tastes and a broad vision of what punk rock is - two people who will also take suggestions from you to add to the list (Just please don't say Emerson Lake and Palmer songs or anything about "fire on the mountain" at the Dead show in '78. This is punk and hardcore and maybe indies). See, we know lists like this can start a small war. But that's the fun in doing it.
This list will take a while to compile. We're starting with three songs each. Keep in mind they are in no particular order. We'll worry - and fight about - ranking and order when we reach 100.
So we start with six tonight - three each - In no particular order.
Turtle's picks:
SNFU - "She's Not On The Menu" - What can you say about this song? This song moves. When you listen to it you get the feeling that Chi Pig has seen this shit before and will see it again. And even though he has to watch this happening it doesn't mean he's happy about it. His feeling comes out in this song. This was a song about something I take to heart. Treating people like shit just cause you can. And that's all fucked up. Plus it's got a cowbell in it! download
The Business - "Harry May"- My first exposure to the Business. These were fun songs, but really not. Do you know what I mean? It was always fun to chant the chorus but the verse was about killing people. I was at a bar during World Cup and they kept this song on constantly. This wasn't the first time I heard it but I was surprised how many UK fans, young and old, knew this song like the back of their hand. Great song that will get you ready for World Cup '06. Plus, dude, they talk funny like. "arry arry arry may!" download
Hellacopters -"Fire Fire Fire"- Frustration and anger and fast cars and fast women and fast beer. I'm not sure about the fast beer part. The garage sound on this song really moves you. "Working all day won't give me a buzz, so I set it for a six pack and a fast car. OH YEAH!" This line is a thing of beauty. Barely able to hear the screams as Dregen rips thru it like a hot knife through butter. Great song about hating where you are at and just wanting to get away. download
- Let's Have a War: The 100 Best Punk Songs
- Published: May 25, 2006
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Lists, Music: Punk Rock
- Part of a feature: Let's Have a War: 100 Best Punk Songs
- Writer: Michele Catalano
- Michele Catalano's BC Writer page
- Michele Catalano's personal site
- Spread the Word
- Like this article?
- Email this
Save to del.icio.us
Comments on this articleComments
Oh, Roadrunner will definitely appear on my list somewhere.
Someone can't tell the difference between bad music, loud music, fast music and actual punk music.
Dave
Whey don't you enlighten us at to what "actual" punk music is?
Lets see, I like 'Satellite' by the Sex Pistols, 'Too Drunk to Fuck' by the Dead Kennedys, Gimme Violation by X-15, 'Strychnine' by th Sonics, etc....
Dead Milkmen
My Bitchin Camaro or
Swordfish has to be in the 100...it has to...
"repetition"-the fall
C'Mon Everybody- Eddie Cochran, Jack The Ripper-
Link Wray,I'll Go Crazy - James Brown, You've Got
Your Head On Backwards - The Sonics, Psycho - The
Swamp Rats, I'm Your Witch Doctor - John Mayall &
The Bluesbreakers and Out Of Our Tree - Wailers
That's just a few from the Pre-Punk era... OK,not
"PUNK ROCK" per se,but definitely seven very good
examples of without whom, blah blah blah...
HW, good call on the Sonics and Wailers. Both having roots in Tacoma, WA. Many say that these bands are the beginning of punk rock as we know it in modern times.
But I'll keep remembering top 100 candidates as the day goes on. How about adding 'Transmission' by Joy Division and 'Angels Ride' by Napalm Beach.
Oh man, due to the underground nature of punk rock, this list could get very obscure. And every choice is quite valid!
Joe McCarthy's Ghost.
We're Desperate.
"I Wanna Be Sedated"-The Ramones
"Longview"-Green Day
"Adam's Song"-blink-182
"Smells Like Teen Spirit"-Nirvana
Just some suggestions. I think the 90's was a big time for punk, since that's when it came back into the spotlight, so I do think that a lot of great songs came from the 90's. But of course the original stuff was beyond good.
emilythestrange1992
are u serious???? take your head out of your ass! FIRST OFF nirvana is not punk there grunge blink 182 is punk???? are u fucking kidding me???? actually the 70s and 80's was a "big time for punk" not the 90's u tard!! all these wanna be pop punk bands flooded in the 90's and almost killed punk. here are some REAL PUNK BANDS!!
SEX PISTOLS
BLACKFLAG
UK SUBS
CRASS
FUCK YOU UPS
FEAR
DEAD KENNEDYS
THE PAGANS
STIFF LITTLE FINGERS
A GLOBAL THTREAT
CASUALTIES
ANT-FLAG
CIRCLE JERKS
MIONOR THREAT
CHEAP SEX
THE EXPLOITED
BUZZCOCKS
SHAM 69
AGENT ORANGE
THE GERMS
ANGELIC UPSTARTS
G.B.H
ALLEYCATS
AVENGERS
The Refused. Hands down. Hardcore, political, fast-paced punk. The New Noise is one of the best punk songs ever written.
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/48287)
This opens the door to the age-old question "What are the roots of punk rock?". Based on my wide interpretation, my contribution for the list of top 100 punk songs consists of "Roadrunner" by The Modern Lovers, "Pushin' Too Hard" by the Seeds and "TV Eye" by The Stooges.
Feel free to disagree.