Top 10 Rock Bands with the Best Lyrics
Pink Floyd are an English progressive rock band formed in 1965 in London, England. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. The band consisted of 5 members - David Gilmour (Vocals and Guitar), Syd Barrett (Vocals and Guitar), Nick Mason (Drums), Roger Waters... read more Their albums are nothing like I've heard before. While there are better songs out there musically, the lyrics are unmatched with this band. The albums are like well-thought-out and vivid images portrayed through music. It's pure genius.
Whether the albums/songs are about the former Syd Barrett, war, etc., I heard the album The Final Cut recently, and it completely blew me away. The stuff they write is genius. Definitely number 1!
I vote Pink Floyd for a better world. Wake up, people. Read the Animals, read The Wall, read Wish You Were Here, read all of them. Read and then listen to what you read because all you see and feel in the end is dark.
Linkin Park is an American alternative rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The current members include Mike Shinoda (vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bass), Joe Hahn (DJ), and Rob Bourdon (drums). Linkin Park is associated with a mixture... read more Their lyrics always have a beautiful meaning. You can dislike their sound, but if you read the lyrics, I'm sure you would fall in love with them!
Anyone who says that "LP's good albums are only about getting pissed off at their parents" is ignorant and speaks without knowing! Before speaking, you must be informed and know their past!
Definitely cast my vote for these guys. All of their songs have meanings that most people can relate to. I especially prefer their song Iridescent, which tells us not to get occupied by sadness and frustration. Just let it go and live on in life.
Rise Against is an American hardcore punk band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The band's current line-up comprises vocalist/rhythm guitarist Tim McIlrath, lead guitarist Zach Blair, bassist Joe Principe, and drummer Brandon Barnes. They are known for popularizing punk. Some of their most well-known... read more I personally can't stand punk for the most part, but Rise Against is an exception. While the instrumental aspect of their music is rather simplistic, the lyrical content is nothing less than pure genius. The only other artist out there that I think can possibly compare would be Eminem, a product of another genre I'm not particularly fond of.
Their lyrics are so deep, bands like Green Day and Linkin Park would drown in them. Seriously, Tim McIlrath is a punk poet, and in combination with his band's mighty sound, they are a force to be reckoned with.
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The group comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the development of the 1960s counterculture and the recognition of popular... read more You don't have to be an expert to judge this legendary band by their lyrics. In their early days, they usually sang about love between a boy and a girl. In their later days, they sang about love between people with different opinions.
"A Day in the Life" is a masterpiece because of John's lyrics, for example: "I read the news today, oh boy, about a lucky man who made the grade." And I'm not even mentioning "The Long And The Winding Road," which is a brilliant song for its lyrics and music.
All the Beatles members are very good with lyrics, especially John Lennon and (sometimes) Paul McCartney.
Red is an American Christian alternative metal/alternative rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. The band was formed in 2002 by brothers Anthony Armstrong (guitarist) and Randy Armstrong (bassist), along with lead vocalist Michael Barnes. I love this song. It always states my feelings.
Breaking Benjamin is an American alternative metal band formed in 1999. The band's members changed between 2010 and 2014, with the exception of Ben Burnley (vocals). The ex-members included Chad Szeliga (drums), Aaron Fink (guitar), and Mark Klepaski (bass)... read more The best thing about their lyrics is that there are always multiple ways to perceive them. You think they are singing about a girl, but they are singing to your soul. Once you notice that, it's hard not to like Breaking Benjamin.
Their lyrics get so meaningful that they become emotional when they play some of their songs.
Their lyrics are really amazing and meaningful, such as in the song Dear Agony.
Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996 and based in the United States. Yes! Oh, I'm so happy to see them high on this list. They definitely deserve it. They're one of the greatest artists out there, with complex hard rock music and very meaningful and positive lyrics. This is one of those bands that have saved a lot of people from depression. Love them.
Not a bad place. Maybe they could be a little higher, but not bad.
Green Day are an American pop punk/punk rock band formed in East Bay, California in 1987. The members include Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals and guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), Tré Cool (drums) and Jason White (guitar). Green Day are associated with punk rock, pop punk and alternative rock. Some of their... read more Green Day should at least be in the top three, if not number 1. Their songs are so meaningful. Just listen to Jesus of Suburbia, Holiday, 21 Guns, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, and Wake Me Up When September Ends.
Green Day is my 6th favorite band of all time (my favorite is Queen), and their lyrics are awesome.
I don't understand why on earth Linkin Park is #1! It's obvious that Green Day must be #1!
Metallica is an American Heavy/Thrash Metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup was James Hetfield (Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist), Dave Mustaine (Lead Guitar), Lars Ulrich (Drums), Ron McGovney (Bassist). The group came into mainstream from their Self-Titled album and the hit single "Enter Sandman"... read more The lyrics are far from straightforward and annoyingly repetitive. Just listen to Nothing Else Matters or even Fade to Black. Beautiful lyrics, great lyrics, awesome lyrics.
Who said Metallica doesn't deserve to be on the list? Are you insane? What about Nothing Else Matters, Fade to Black, Unforgiven, Sad but True?
Enter Sandman, One, Nothing Else Matters, and even Until It Sleeps represent Metallica's excellent lyricism.
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. The classic lineup, as signed to Geffen Records in 1986, consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. Apart from hard rock they are also... read more The lyrics on Appetite for Destruction may revolve around "sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll," and they are very efficient in doing so. But Illusions and Chinese Democracy have very profound and interesting lyrics. Axl has really matured as a lyricist and songwriter and has gotten better as a person through the years.
Strong lyrics should imply multiple interpretations for the same song. Gn'R achieves that with their interesting lyrics and beautiful choruses that accompany their songs.
Sweet Child O' Mine, November Rain, Don't Cry, Paradise City, and more.
Alter Bridge is an American hard rock/alternative metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 2004. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Myles Kennedy, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips.
Adema is a nu-metal band from Bakersfield, California. The band formed in 2000 with members: lead vocalist Mark Chavez, vocalist/guitarist Tim Fluckey, guitarist Mike Ransom, bassist Dave DeRoo, and drummer Kris Kohls.
Tool is an American alternative metal/progressive metal band, that was formed in 1990.The band is set together between Maynard James Keenan (Vocals), Danny Carey (Drums), Adam Jones (Guitar) and since 1995 Justin Chancellor (Bass).
The band is known for their influences from electronic... read more
Tool offers the deepest lyrics of any band, in my opinion. They delve into so many different subjects. The diversity between their songs in terms of the lyrics is astonishing. Listen to H. and then listen to Vicarious. There is just such a difference.
Tool easily belongs in the top 3. The only reason it's not there is that not many people have listened to Tool. If you haven't listened to them, I highly recommend you do.
Of all the other names on this list, Pink Floyd is the only band whose lyrics even come close to hosting the same amount of depth, intelligence, and insightfulness. Before discovering Tool, I was a huge Rush fan, and I was absolutely blown away by what I read when I researched the lyrics to one of their songs. Literally pick any one, read the lyrics, then come back to this list and try to convince yourself that the 26 bands listed above have higher quality in lyrical content.
Anberlin was an American rock band formed in Winter Haven, Florida in 1998. Since the beginning of 2007, the band consisted of lead vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney, bassist Deon Rexroat, and drummer Nathan Young.
Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The members are Matt Bellamy (lead vocal, lead guitar, piano, keyboard), Dom Howard (drums, percussion) and Chris Wolstenholme (bass, backing vocals). They've won several awards including 5 MTV Awards, 8 NME Awards, 2... read more "Life will flash before my eyes.
So scattered and lost.
I want to touch the other side.
And no one thinks they are to blame.
Why can't we see
That when we bleed, we bleed the same."
The music and lyrics just blend so flawlessly. This band is fabulous!
Disturbed is an American alternative metal/nu-metal/hard rock band from Chicago, Illinois. The band comprises vocalist David Draiman, bassist John Moyer, guitarist Dan Donegan, and drummer Mike Wengren. They are known for songs like "Down With the Sickness" and "Stricken". I got into this band because the boy I've had a crush on for like 8 months has them on his Facebook likes. I listened to them, and I cried a lot.
Bullet for My Valentine are a Welsh metalcore band from Bridgend, formed in 1998. The band is composed of Matthew Tuck (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Michael Paget (lead guitar, backing vocals), Michael Thomas (drums) and Jamie Mathias (bass guitar). Former members include Nick Crandle and Jason James;... read more
Coldplay are a British pop rock band formed in 1996. The band consists of Chris Martin (lead vocalist and pianist), Jonny Buckland (lead guitarist), Guy Berryman (bassist) and Will Champion (drummer and backing vocalist). Manager Phil Harvey is often considered an unofficial fifth member. The band renamed... read more They have some of the best lyrics ever!
For example:
"And I could write a song a hundred miles long, well that's where I belong, and you belong with me." (Swallowed in the Sea)
They have very powerful lyrics. They should be much higher on this list.
The Fray is an American rock band from Denver, Colorado. Formed in 2002 by schoolmates Isaac Slade and Joe King, they achieved success with the release of their debut album, How to Save a Life in 2005, which was certified double platinum by the RIAA and platinum in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and... read more
Alice in Chains is an American grunge/alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley.
Brand New was an American rock band from Long Island, New York. Formed in 2000, the band consisted of Jesse Lacey, Vincent Accardi, Garrett Tierney, and Brian Lane; they were joined by Benjamin Homola for their live performances. There is no way in hell that Linkin Park has better lyrics than Brand New. I like LP as well, but BN has amazingly deep and introspective lyrics, as do many other bands on this list below LP. What a shame, smh.
The only band that rivals Brand New lyrically is Modest Mouse.
I wish suddenly Brand New gained a lot of popularity, and everyone loved them.
Led Zeppelin was an English hard rock band formed in London in 1968 as the New Yardbirds. The group consisted of Robert Plant (Vocal), Jimmy Page (Guitar), John Paul Jones (Bass, Keyboard) and John Bonham (Drums) and was very much the child of Jimmy Page who even financed their first tour. He had tasted... read more Some people think that Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" has a subliminal diabolic message. They are jealous of the song because they realize that the lyrics are just great and amazing. They wanted to hide these awesome lyrics with a supposed "message."
Led Zeppelin is a perfect band. These four guys are great at their work! I think Led Zeppelin has really great lyrics, and if you don't think so, you must like commercial music like hip hop and pop.
Kashmir and Stairway to Heaven are up to the mark. I can't even think this list is complete without Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. Lyrics must match the music, and this band is a maestro of this quality. It's right now at 8th because it's not easy to digest this band too easily.
Thirty Seconds to Mars (commonly stylized as 30 Seconds to Mars) is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1998. The band currently consists of brothers Jared and Shannon Leto.
Pearl Jam is a grunge/alternative rock Band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. The band had comprised of Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament... read more There is a Pearl Jam song for everyone, and all of their songs have truly amazing lyrics.
"I know I was born, I know that I'll die. The in-between is mine."
"I know someday you'll have a beautiful life under somebody else's sky, but why can't it be mine?"
"If once I could feel loved, oh stare back at me."
"All the advantages this life's got on me, picture a cup in the middle of the sea."
Nirvana was an American grunge band that was formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987. Nirvana disbanded after Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994. The drummer of the band, David Grohl, went on to start the Foo-Fighters, an alternative rock band... read more "My heart is broke, but I have some glue.
Help me inhale and mend it with you.
We'll float around and hang out on clouds.
Then we'll come down. Have a hangover."
His lyrics were, all at once, soft, heartbreaking, angstful, and bitter. The sarcastic pop tone of Cobain's lyrics shouldn't be overlooked. Sarcasm is hard to get across successfully in lyrics.
I'm so ugly, that's okay, 'cause so are you.
Come on! Can anything top this?
I think Kurt Cobain definitely deserves number one if the current one is Linkin Park.