Top 10 Best Modest Mouse Songs
You don't just stumble into Modest Mouse. You wander in, confused but intrigued, tripping over a jagged guitar riff or a muttered Isaac Brock lyric that sounds half-drunk, half-prophetic. Then before you know it, you're knee-deep in existential dread with a weird grin on your face.
Formed in the mid-90s out of Issaquah, Washington, Modest Mouse took the road less paved. They weren't trying to charm you. Their early albums were raw, cracked open like nerves with scratchy production and lyrics that read like scribbled thoughts from someone stranded in the desert with a bottle and too much time. But that mess? It clicked. And it stuck.
They carved their weird, angular niche through years of underground cred before spilling into mainstream territory with Good News for People Who Love Bad News in 2004. Suddenly, they were everywhere. "Float On" was impossible to avoid, not that you'd want to. Still, even at their most radio-friendly, they never lost that twitchy, brainy, slightly unhinged energy that made fans obsess and new listeners scratch their heads.
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Float On
Such an amazing song! Also, looking at the comments from Missed the Boat made me listen to the whole album again. I still think Float On and Ocean Breathes Salty are better than Missed the Boat, but that's just my opinion.
I cannot help but bounce along to the rhythm of this every time it comes on. Modest Mouse made this song amazingly. Everything feels right when listening to Float On.
One of the best songs I have ever heard, seriously. So amazing that there should be a number higher than one to put this into.
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Trailer Trash
This is one of, if not the best, songs I've ever heard. You should hear it yourself to know what I'm talking about. I'll just say that it has the best lyrics in a Modest Mouse song ever.
Maybe the best lyrical group of all time. But for some reason, this song is the most special to me despite its somewhat murky lyrical content.
Their best song in my opinion. Listening to that rhythm, singing, and looking at that album picture makes me feel better and takes me to different places.
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Dramamine
It was almost impossible for me to choose only one song when it comes to one of my favorite bands, Modest Mouse. Along with Dramamine, they have some amazing songs like Doing the Cockroach, 3rd Planet, Satellite Skin, Dashboard, The View, The World at Large, Bankrupt on Selling, and The Good Times Are Killing Me.
Like I said earlier, it's impossible to choose just one. I probably would choose another song over Dramamine tomorrow. Amazing band.
This song is so hypnotizing. Whenever I listen to it, I just have to stop and really listen. Beautiful song. Love the lyrics. Modest Mouse has the best lyrics overall, but these are amazing. So hopeless and sad but at the same time really lovely.
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Ocean Breathes Salty
I like Dashboard, Dramamine, Missed the Boat, and 3rd Planet, but this is by far my favorite.
I relate to this song. It's very sorrowful, but it sure is a beautiful one.
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Dashboard
This song makes me so happy! Every time I listen, I just want to dance. It's such a great song, with good lyrics and good instrumental. It's perfect! I would definitely rate this number 1 on my charts.
The lyrics, the drums, the bass, the guitars, the singing - this song rules. Definitely better than Float On. I'm so glad it's number 1! Good job, everyone! Wonderful song!
When I moved from Dallas, I was sad. When my dad played this song, it made me happy. I am happy it's one.
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Gravity Rides Everything
I can't understand why the hit songs, which are good and all but not great, are at the top and this great song is at the bottom. Well, I guess I can, but I still think it's not right!
This song is so truthful. When you look at your life and think of all of the bad things that are happening, you just think of this song and you will know that everything will fall into place.
This is, personally, my favorite Modest Mouse song. I think it should be higher on the lists. I love the beat and the lyrics. It's wonderful.
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Cowboy Dan
The pickup from the slow middle to the overwhelming emotional climax - it's just such a great song.
This is a very dark song. It's messed up, and that is why it is amazing.
Repressed violence. Loneliness. Rural prairie. God, if I have to die, you'll have to die.
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3rd Planet
I have been listening to this song over and over for the past few weeks. Some of the lyrics are so affecting and relatable in a way unrelated to the actual meaning (which I'm pretty sure is about losing a child). "Remind me of when we used to be three and not two, and that's how the world began, and that's how the world will end." It doesn't matter what the third thing is. If it's the most special thing to you, it is what began your world and will end your world if you lose it.
Catchy, moody, emotional, cold yet hopeful. It's a mystery that takes a few listens to decipher. Wonderful, intoxicating song.
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Doin' the Cockroach
I know the image TheTopTens gave this song is from a live bootleg album, and same with the sample (I recommend listening to a sample from a music streaming service for the better version), but this song is so good. It starts off kind of calm with moments of bombast, then into what sounds like a chorus, but then turns into bombast, which then for the rest of the song is just insanity. I love it so much.
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Teeth Like God's Shoeshine
This song embodies all that is Modest Mouse. The manic shouting vocals, the harmonics, the winding guitar riffs, the changes throughout the song... perfection.
This is the epitome of what is good about music.
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We are Between
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Walking and Running
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Talking S**t About a Pretty Sunset
This is, in my opinion, the greatest Modest Mouse song. It is so sporadic, and all of its parts are amazing. Isaac's lyrics are some of his best, and the sweeping string instruments are definitely a highlight.
Kind of reminds me of Edit the Sad Parts.
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The World at Large
God, this song is so beautiful. "Ice age, heat wave, can't complain" is one of the most beautiful lyrics I've ever heard. It's like any Modest Mouse song - lyrics that are so touching and yet so subtle. Stories that move you without many words. "I like songs about drifters, books about the same." This song is my love.
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Truckers Atlas
Long, very long. I think it's Modest Mouse's longest song ever recorded (I think it is at least). It's so good, talking about traveling, with music to the song along the lines of Doing the Cockroach at the bombastic part. It's very underrated.
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Paper Thin Walls
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Out of Gas
It's such a neat song. If I could describe it in one word, it's like the song from the same album, Heart Cooks Brain, just done shorter and better.
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Polar Opposites
If this song isn't in the top three, then this list is a sham!
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Missed the Boat
This is one of the most musically complex pieces that I have ever heard. The blending of Isaac's voice and guitar harmonies makes me feel like I'm swimming through sound. Perfect mix of complexity and melody.
All their songs are really nice, but "Missed the Boat" embodies the band way more than the "happy" songs. I think they are way better at the deeper songs about the bad things than the more mindless "Float On" type.
I'm new to Modest Mouse. I have no worthwhile opinion. But this song is the reason why we have the ability to hear external noises.
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Night on the Sun
My favorite song of all time. So relaxing, so hypnotizing, so beautiful.
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Satin in a Coffin
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The Stars Are Projectors
By far the greatest lyrical achievement in any song I have ever heard. I will stand corrected if it comes to that. Match that with gorgeous and thundering music, great interplay between rhythm and the copious bouts of guitar riffs, and the ending gives you time to process what you heard. The best song on the best album ever made.
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Dark Center of the Universe
I absolutely love this song! I'm surprised it's not more highly rated among fans.
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Spitting Venom
I just can't help but cry at times during this song. It's so beautiful, so emotional, and really just a perfect song lyrically, instrumentally, and energetically.
My Top 10 Modest Mouse songs in no particular order: Cowboy Dan, Spitting Venom, Teeth Like God's Shoeshine, Ocean Breathes Salty, Little Motel, Dramamine, King Rat, Parting of the Sensory, Trailer Trash, and Doing the Cockroach. It pains me to leave out Talking About a Pretty Sunset, Missed the Boat, The World at Large, The Good Times Are Killing Me, 3rd Planet, and so many more.
This song just... I don't know how to explain it. It really gets me through anything. I listen to it during depressing times and joyful moments with family or friends. This song always makes me feel good.
I love Modest Mouse so much. They express emotion in an amazing way.
Some other favorites:
Breakthrough
The View
Lampshades on Fire
Ansel
Sugar Boats
King Rat
Never Ending Math Equation
And more, of course. Keep up the good work, Modest Mouse!
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King Rat
King Rat is epic, and I can't believe I was the first to actually add it. The vocals are awesome, the style is different and funky, and it sends an important message.
Definitely my favorite Modest Mouse song, and my second favorite song of all time. So many emotions are displayed in one song.
It's just such a fun song to listen to. I get Disney villain vibes every time. Also, the music video is very entertaining.
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Little Motel
I believe this to be their most depressing song, but it is amazing, and the video for it is so sad.
This is such a touching song. Whenever I listen to it, tears fill up in my eyes.
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Bankrupt on Selling
Most powerful song of theirs by far. I get shivers every time I listen to it, and I've been listening to them for over 6 years.
One of my favorite songs (Modest Mouse or otherwise) of all time.
Just heard it for the first time today. I instantly fell in love.