Top 10 Best Punk Songs of All Time
When it comes to punk rock, the music's raw energy, rebellious attitude, and refusal to play by the rules have made it more than just a genre - it's a lifestyle. Punk songs can be short, fast, and furious, or they can dig deep into social issues, questioning the status quo with every riff and scream. Whether you're into the old-school sounds of the '70s or the more polished punk anthems of the '90s, there's something on this list that probably defined a moment in your life, or at least left you feeling like you wanted to flip off authority.pologetic.
I have been thinking for several minutes. However, I think that this song must be at the top of the chart. Longview is a great song, and I love it. Blitzkrieg Bop is better than it also, but it's not my favorite Ramones song.
This is my point: this song shows what punk is about. The voice of Johnny, the guitar of Steve, the personality of Sid, and the drums of Paul make this a powerful song. It's amazing. It's what punk is about: rebellion, a distorted sound, and the idea of anarchism. That's all.
I don't know how people think when they vote here, but I think this list is wrong because people forget about the early punk rock bands. If bands like Green Day and Rise Against count as punk rock bands, I think the top 10 should be:
1. Anarchy in the U.K. - Sex Pistols
2. Pretty Vacant - Sex Pistols
3. White Riot - The Clash
4. Holiday in Cambodia - Dead Kennedys
5. American Idiot - Green Day
6. Complete Control - The Clash
7. The Kids Aren't Alright - The Offspring
8. God Save the Queen - Sex Pistols
9. Blitzkrieg Bop - The Ramones
10. London Calling - The Clash
Hey-ho, I agree with this at No. 2, but the majority of this chart places too much emphasis on U.S. commercial pop punk. Some of it is good, but a lot isn't.
If you're going to pick that genre, where are The Queers (absolutely superb), Screeching Weasel, Teenage Bottlerocket, and Riverdales? The greatest oversight, however, is the absence of punk greats such as The Undertones and Buzzcocks. Avril Lavigne before "Teenage Kicks" and "Love You More"? Come on...
This is the catchiest and most well-written punk song of all time. London Calling is the only punk song on par with it. The Ramones really knew how to rock the punk scene, and this is their crowning achievement.
I don't know how Green Day made it on this list, but The Clash and The Ramones were infinitely better than Green Day. To be honest, I think it's disrespectful to include Green Day in the same sentence as these two great bands. I shall say nothing further on the matter, and please excuse me while I take a shower to wash off the dirtiness of mentioning them in the same sentence.
First, I don't know how Yellowcard or Good Charlotte made it on the list. Old Green Day and Blink are amazing, but there is no way they could ever compete with London Calling. This song is often put in the top twenty greatest songs of all time. It started riots in London and was banned on many radio stations. That is punk!
I absolutely LOVE punk rock and stuff! I am 13, and I would much rather listen to rock and stuff, not that auto-tune crap! I like Green Day, Blink-182, Pierce the Veil, We Came as Romans, Papa Roach, and TONS of other bands. Longview is one of my most favorite songs of all time!
I must say that there are a lot of songs that are nominated here that don't really belong, but this one absolutely does. The bass line is just amazing. The lyrics are great, as are the drums and the guitar. And the way Billie sings it fits so well.
Raw, aggressive energy mixed with politically astute lyrics. "God Save the Queen" effectively personifies punk attitude, lyrics, and music, while also giving a voice to the disenfranchised working class. It attacked the "system" in a way that has never been matched.
The song gave birth to the "No Future" generation. Its lyrics still apply to modern-day England, and it stands as a fantastic punk rock anthem. Excellent lyrics, powerful vocals, and great guitar riffing. Great song, period.
God Save the Queen is a brilliant song that is what punk rock is all about. Comparing the monarchy of England to a fascist regime couldn't be more true. Johnny Rotten and Steve Jones are amazing musicians but underrated for their musical talent. God save the Queen!
This is one of the best songs ever. It remains one of my favorites, even in view of more popular Green Day songs. May this be a long-standing top ten punk song.
Best song I have ever heard! Come on, guys, it is the best album and the best song! This deserves to be number 1. I can never get it out of my head!
Love classic Green Day. This is my favorite song. All of you who say Blink and Green Day shouldn't be on this list are wrong!
This has to be the ultimate punk record. It is punk music in every way possible. Group artists with a real punk attitude. Lyrics that capture the punk spirit. Music with the same intensity and menace that goes with the lyrics.
Even the super punk groups like the Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Undertones, and The Buzzcocks pale into insignificance when measured against this track. Only Stiff Little Fingers come close.
I'm not even sure how the Dead Kennedys in general, and this song in particular, didn't make the top 5. There are great punk bands, and then there are legends. The DKs, the Clash, the Ramones - these are punk bands with songs that remain among the greatest punk has to offer even after decades of new acts.
Nothing against acts like Green Day and their ilk, but they have yet to reach the standard set by the original punks, including the NY Dolls and the Stooges.
I listen to this song almost every day, just because I love it so much! For me, this is the Green Day song that best represents punk rock. Go Green Day!
There is no amount of GD hate that one man can drink to make them hate this song. It's simply too catchy. Yes, I admit GD became more pop-punk and alt-rock after the 90s, but that stuff is good anyway. However, Dookie was the most punkish you can get.
Awesome song! I got to see them live in Houston.
Easily my favorite punk song of all time. No list is complete without it!
I don't know who votes here, but this song should be at least #3!
I'm not a huge punk fan, but this song is simply amazing.
Awesome music and lyrics. Never get tired of listening to this song. Even better live, a true test of its impact and meaning. Just a great song.
One of the greatest songs of all time! Every time it comes on, you can only do one thing, and that is get out the air guitar and have a rave!
Hey, what the heck! American Idiot is the best punk rock song by Green Day! What's Longview? Never even heard about it!
The Newcomers
One of the greatest songs written, backed up by great music.
It's actually a punk song, and a great one at that. Oh, and Green Day isn't punk, it's pop rock and sucks.
Brilliant song, but I personally prefer it by Metallica.
The best punk song from the best punk soundtrack to the best punk movie ever. Enough said. "Let's get sushi and not pay."
One of the Ramones' greatest songs. My name is Shawn, so I sing, "Shawnie is a punk rocker now!" Seriously great punk though.
"Well, I'm startin' to sweat, you know my shirt's all wet, what a feeling,
With the sound that abounds and resounds and rebounds off the ceiling..."
Pure poetry.
One of my favorite songs of all time! Easily worthy to be on this list.
One of the best hardcore punk songs ever, easily sublime!
One of my personal favorite Pistols songs. The beginning with the boots marching and Steve Jones' fiery guitar gives me goosebumps.
The best punk song of all time. Period. No room for debate, and there is no need to even think about this one.
The best punk song. Although it will never get the recognition it deserves, The Clash made a masterpiece when writing this song.
Just listened to this for the first time based on the comments. Agree. Pure awesome.
This song is way more punk than Boulevard of Broken Dreams or 21 Guns.
Too bad these pop-punk fangirls don't know anything about real punk. This song is far better than anything Green Day or Blink-182 ever did. The Dead Kennedys unapologetically told it like it is on issues that matter. Blink whines about how much they miss their girlfriends.
Shame this is not on the top tens. It really is the best of all these songs. You could listen to this all day and not get tired of it.
I am Governor Jerry Brown... My aura smiles and never frowns! One of my favorites from the Dead Kennedys.
This song has lasted for so long and is still riot-worthy! Black Flag for the win!
By the way, I don't think sellouts like Green Day should be on this list.
Shocked it's not in the top 10. Probably because hardcore punk frightens Blink-182 fans.
I think the Stooges were the first band to play music that we would recognize as punk now, in the late 60s. The first punk had to be Jim Morrison of The Doors. What a guy, recognized by Iggy as a massive influence!
1969, brilliant. Anyone who hasn't heard this album should have a listen. Fair play to everyone who put Green Day up. Punk was about being yourself and having fun!
Iggy Pop's masterpiece from 1969, being way ahead of its time. He was one of the pioneers when it comes to punk music.
Great intro, great solo, and especially great lyrics. I'm happy that they wrote a song about reality. This song may be depressing, but it's the truth.
I recommend this song to any guitarists who are looking for a challenging and great song.
Damn, this is hard... to pick between two equally amazing songs. But my vote is for The Kids Aren't Alright over Self Esteem because it needs the vote more. And to anyone who says Americana wasn't as good as Smash, screw you!
If we're talking best punk rock songs, The Offspring should be in the top 10!