# Most punk song of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 14, 2007, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021 "2007-12-14T18:49:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/41 "2007-12-14T20:22:34Z")
Forming, the Germs, is what I say. They couldn’t play instruments, they couldn’t sing, and their fans burn themselves for no reason at all. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/42 "2007-12-14T20:23:03Z")
[QUOTE=VCO3] Amen! Too bad the philistines in this thread will just be all “TEH SEX PISTALS”, having never heard true punk music like Wire. [/QUOTE] Way to win friends and influence people! 😉 My tastes have changed over the years (I much prefer the British post-punk era) but I still have huge soft spots for Buzzcocks and Television. So I’m going to state that the best punk song of all time is either Orgasm Addict or Marquee Moon. Or perhaps Rowche Rumble by The Fall. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/43 "2007-12-14T20:26:12Z")
I don’t think I’m qualified to judge on an all time basis, given most of the punk I know ('sides the Clash, Ramones, Misfits, Dickies, & Bauhaus) are from the 90s or later, but first ones that spring to mind for me are Pennywise “Straight Ahead,” Rancid “Time Bomb,” Social Distortion “Pleasure Seeker” & Face To Face “I Won’t Lie Down” in that order. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/44 "2007-12-14T20:26:16Z")
[QUOTE=Ol’Gaffer] “Minor Threat” by **Minor Threat** or “Institutionalized” by **Suicidal Tendencies** [/QUOTE] I would say that these are closer to what I think of when I think of punk. I would also throw in “Suburban Home” by the Decendants and “Kill the Poor” by DK. Between these 4 songs you have a good cross section of your typical punk sound (I hate classifying punk by sound too, but these days it has to be done) and punk sentiment. All of these are way more punk rock then the Ramones or the Pistols or even the Clash. That isn’t to say that I like them more, just that in my mind they are more punk. Harsher, faster, more anti establishment and funnier (funny is a surprisinly important aspect of punk rock that is frequently overlooked.) ---
**Author:** ![akira5822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@akira5822](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akira5822)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/45 "2007-12-14T20:26:23Z")
[QUOTE=Grossbottom] Flag’s “Rise Above” followed by the DK’s “Too Drunk to Fuck”. Sunday morning playlist, meet SDMB. [/QUOTE] Rats!!! you beat me to “rise against” :smack: My next one would be “Holiday in cambodia” by the Dead Kennedy’s ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/46 "2007-12-14T20:29:31Z")
[QUOTE=VCO3] Amen! Too bad the philistines in this thread will just be all “TEH SEX PISTALS”, having never heard true punk music like Wire. [/QUOTE] I…you know what, never mind. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/47 "2007-12-14T20:34:10Z")
“The Shah Sleeps in Lee Harvey’s Grave,” The Butthole Surfers. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/48 "2007-12-14T20:42:31Z")
[QUOTE=Biffy the Elephant Shrew] Now if you asked me to play the most punk song I can think of, I think I’d go with “Oh Bondage Up Yours” by X-Ray Spex. [/quote] Oooo..X-Ray Spex!!! Who else can make a saxophone sound so _punk_?! Awesome song, awesome band. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/49 "2007-12-14T20:52:48Z")
Oh and since I mentioned it in another thread and it is that time of year, how 'bout a best holiday punk song? Gun For Christmas by The Vandals is one of my favorites. ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/50 "2007-12-14T20:53:30Z")
The most punk song of all time was actually released in 1970. [“TV Eye”](http://youtube.com/watch?v=VN7qDlwQ7Bs) by the Stooges. And as a special added bonus, here’s Iggy and the Stooges playing it live in [1970](http://youtube.com/watch?v=BD_XCECbAEU). ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/51 "2007-12-14T20:54:57Z")
[QUOTE=Kuboydal] I’ve always argued that Stepping Stone by the Monkees was the perfect punk song, but sometimes I just like to argue. [/QUOTE] I’d go for Pleasant Valley Sunday…it has that anti-suburban thing going. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/52 "2007-12-14T20:56:20Z")
> [@](#): > > Amen! Too bad the philistines in this thread will just be all “TEH SEX PISTALS”, having never heard true punk music like Wire. But punk should be a uniter, not a divider! ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/53 "2007-12-14T21:03:54Z")
Holiday punk songs? OI TO THE WORLD! **Vandals** version, of course. Ahem. Anyway. I probably mentioned it over there. The first song to pop into my head was \*Punk as Fuck \* by the Vandals. Anything by the Dead Kennedys. I heart the Clash. I’m tired and bored of Sex Pistols and the Ramones okay fine, I never liked them, but I recognise. Howzabout some NOFX? _August 8th_! ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/54 "2007-12-14T21:07:53Z")
[QUOTE=Freudian Slit] Is that the one that the Sex Pistols covered? [/QUOTE] I…m not your steppin stooooone…OI! OI! OI! OI! OI! Not your steppin’ stone! (Minor threat, but perhaps the Pistols covered it as well?) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/55 "2007-12-14T21:13:49Z")
[QUOTE=Ludovic] I…m not your steppin stooooone…OI! OI! OI! OI! OI! Not your steppin’ stone! (Minor threat, but perhaps the Pistols covered it as well?) [/QUOTE] The Pistols covered it on _The Great Rock’n’Roll Swindle_. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/56 "2007-12-14T21:18:25Z")
Well, for “true” 🙂 punk (just a bunch of noise, no melody, can’t play their instruments, no good lyrics, just yelling) I’d say anything by Sham 69. ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/57 "2007-12-14T21:19:15Z")
Half of the bands mentioned are harcore. Yea, it wasn’t all that much of a difference to begin with, but hardcore and punk were always divided. Although, there was a lot of crossover, completely unlike punk/metal. Other bands that need to be tried: [Suicide - Ghost Rider](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WqOMPakGCg) [Richard Hell and the Voidoids - Blank Generation](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUU85sOxZ78) (Hell, Richard Hell at all - he basically invented punk fashion AND he built the damn stage at CBGB’s) [Damned - New Rose](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91rAHIb8BwY&feature=related) The first punk single. [MC5 - Kick Out the Jams](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2LCErRSqIs&feature=related) [Blondie - X Offender](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ6fpSdQQKc&feature=related) [Slits](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kggJcRmu4z8&feature=related) [Television - Marquee Moon](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bMC8DloyJU) I could go on… ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/58 "2007-12-14T21:23:00Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn] Well, for “true” 🙂 punk (just a bunch of noise, no melody, can’t play their instruments, no good lyrics, just yelling) I’d say anything by Sham 69. [/QUOTE] That didn’t really come about until later. True punk are bands that feature Richard Hell, or Television, Blondie, Patti Smith, and all of those people. They were the first on the CBGB scene and for the most part were musical as fuck. Sure, Ramones existed, but they weren’t exactly the rule. Not to mention all of punks direct influences (MC5, Stooges, Velvet Underground, et al) all were melodious mother fuckers. The yelling thing really didn’t start happening until hardcore a few years later. Then emo. Screamo is rebranded emo. Anyway… ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/59 "2007-12-14T23:28:22Z")
PiL - [Careering](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9O2tsIbKD0&feature=related) PiL - [Public Image](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpWJRNuLHmM) Caberet Voltaire - [Nag Nag Nag](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-IixtxKETU) Birthday Party - [Release the Bats](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaWn0qcRYFA) Buzzcocks - [Ever Fallen in Love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycQXK30Ofls) The Stooges - [No Fun](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLCQU8iKalA) Television - [Marquee Moon](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bMC8DloyJU) Velvet Underground - [Venus in Furs](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwzaifhSw2c) MC5 - [Kick out the Jams](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I8o3y5wP48) Vanilla Fudge - [You keep me hanging on](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71cGLyOKhSc) Joy Division - [Transmission](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZwMs2fLoVE) Cocteau Twins - [Pearly Dew Drops Drops](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-hSQBaSf-0) My Bloody Valentine - [You made me Realise](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njqRt7PH-5I) ---
**Author:** ![threnodyangelfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@threnodyangelfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threnodyangelfire)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021/60 "2007-12-14T23:38:41Z")
Ruby Soho by Rancid. Ok maybe not the most punk song in the world, but I love it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-punk-song-of-all-time/430021.md?page=4)