After becoming one of the premier genres in the 1970s, punk rock made massive strides with the songs that defined it in the 1980s. These works continued to shape the genre that would inspire Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bands like the hit-making Green Day. All of these groups made punk rock a viable option for others to explore and showed that this was a genre where a name could be made, just as much as it could be made by making a great debut album in rock.
The interesting aspect of punk rock is that a lot of these bands did not become like other classic rock artists, who created more than 10 studio albums. For many, their careers were quick. Additionally, a lot of these classic songs are faster than some traditional ones, but in this genre, it doesn’t matter. Lasting impressions can be made in various ways, and there is no handbook on how to become a legend. For many of these artists who inspired and are still revered, it comes from the top hits they released in the 1980s, shaping punk rock forever.
10
The Replacements – Takin’ A Ride
Album: Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash (1981)
Even though the original run of the Replacements lasted less than 15 years, the band produced an incredible amount of work. Through their seven studio albums, they became one of the punk bands from the 1980s that would inspire the next generation. For them, everything started in 1981 when they released their debut album, Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash.
This first album was a pure dive into punk rock and hardcore punk. “Takin’ a Ride” was the lead single from this and served as a great example of what this record contained. Additionally, it was the first track on the album, so it truly served as its representation. It did well in showing their energetic style, and their songwriting abilities. The song remains one of the signature tunes they are known for.
9
The Clash – Rock The Casbah
Album: Combat Rock (1982)
Some of the most well-known tracks in punk rock come from The Clash. One of their premier songs was “Rock the Casbah,” which is from their fifth record, Combat Rock. The song actually incorporated an interesting subgenre: dance-punk. Essentially, it mixes elements of punk rock with those of new wave and disco, truly making it a song you can move to.
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On the charts, this song performed well, finishing in the Top 10 on three Billboard rankings, including the Hot 100. One of the key factors in boosting the song’s popularity was the accompanying music video, which featured the band performing the track in a desert environment. Although their run ended in 1986, this has been one of the defining tunes that has cemented their legacy.
8
Siouxsie And The Banshees – Christine
Album: Kaleidoscope (1980)
After punk became one of the mainstream genres in the 1970s, many artists experimented with the defining elements to create different subgenres. One of those was post-punk, which deviated from the fundamentals, opting instead for more experimentation. A perfect example of this is “Christine” by Siouxsie and the Banshees, from the band’s third album.
The song features interesting lyrics inspired by the book The Three Faces of Eve, which tells the story of a woman named Christine Sizemore, known for her multiple personalities. Additionally, the song showcases an unforgettable instrumental that played a key role in helping the band broaden their sound and explore new options for their music moving forward. Later, the tune would be covered by John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the band Simple Minds.
7
Screeching Weasel – Say No! To Authority
Album: Screeching Weasel (1987)
A major factor in punk rock has always been its rebellion against authority. Therefore, Screeching Weasel’s first song on their debut album, “Say No! to Authority,” was perfectly titled. Even though it was only 55 seconds long, this was not uncommon for the hardcore punk genre. Many times, these songs prioritize quality over quantity.
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They had a message to convey, and they accomplished it with this tune. It also showcased the influences of bands such as Bad Religion and the Angry Samoans, among others. It serves as a prime example of how influences in the genre are transmitted from one musician to the next. Since they only released two albums in the 1980s, this remains one of the highlights as a perfect introduction to the band.
6
Bad Religion – I Want To Conquer The World
Album: No Control (1989)
If you’re looking for a band that has influenced others, Bad Religion is among the biggest. Their sound helped shape genres such as emo, post-hardcore, and skate-punk. They shaped the early sound of bands such as The Offspring and Green Day. A perfect example of what they were known for is their song, “I Want to Conquer the World.”
This song has become popular for its thought-provoking nature, touching on divisive topics.
This was the sixth track from their 1989 record, No Control, which is known for diving deep into hardcore punk with a faster sound. This song has become popular for its thought-provoking nature, touching on divisive topics. It served as a great template for up-and-coming bands to show not only how to write about these issues but also create instrumentals that fit the themes as well.
5
Dead Kennedys – Viva Las Vegas
Album: Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables (1980)
When artists decide to cover songs, you never know if they will try to stick to the original interpretation or make it their own. The Dead Kennedys decided to take on an Elvis Presley song and put their own spin on it. The original song was released by Presley in 1964 when it was written for the film of the same title.
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The Dead Kennedys recorded the song for their debut album, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables, which arrived in 1980. Since the track was done in a hardcore punk style, it showcased exactly what the band was capable of, as their unique traits stood out against the song’s original sound. Their version remains among the top alongside other acts such as Bruce Springsteen and ZZ Top.
4
Misfits – Skulls
Album: Walk Among Us (1982)
One of the most recognizable punk bands of all time is the Misfits. With their signature skull logo, their merchandise is everywhere, as they helped shape the genre and influence others. The first full-length album they actually released was Walk Among Us in 1982. One of the top tracks from it was “Skulls,” found on Side B.
The tune was a perfect representation of the band, showcasing their catchy horror-themed lyrics. The song would later be included on two other releases by them, as it remained a signature tune. Adding to its rich history was the cover by two different bands, Duster and The Lemonheads, showcasing how the Misfits inspired those that followed them.
3
The Damned – Dozen Girls
Album: Strawberries (1982)
A band that helped shape the punk genre in the 1970s was The Damned. They released three records during the decade and carried their success into the ’80s. Their fifth studio album, Strawberries, arrived in 1982, with one of the top songs being “Dozen Girls.” At this point, the band had experimented with various sounds, but this was an example of them returning to their roots.
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While they never strayed too far away, they implemented more rock elements into their tunes. “Dozen Girls” showcased the band bringing back their punk sound mixed with garage rock. It was a good mix, helping them appeal to a mainstream audience. Although it didn’t chart as they had hoped, it remains a key moment in the band’s history, demonstrating their ability to expand their horizons.
2
Black Flag – Rise Above
Album: Damaged (1981)
With six of their seven studio albums released in the 1980s, Black Flag became one of the most prominent punk acts of the decade. Their debut arrived in 1981, with the first track being “Rise Above.” This was one of the most important tunes in the band’s career as it was one of the first introductions to listeners.
It is a great example of the band’s signature sound that made them a major influence on hardcore punk.
The song was a perfect start for them as it had raw energy and lyrics to match. It is a great example of the band’s signature sound that made them a major influence on hardcore punk. It set the stage for what would be possible not just for them in the ’80s, but also for the bands that would follow in their footsteps, trying to put their own spin on the genre.
1
Ramones – Psycho Therapy
Album: Subterranean Jungle (1983)
By the time their seventh studio album arrived in 1983, The Ramones had become one of the biggest acts in punk rock. At this point, they had their punk roots but were also experimenting with other sounds such as power pop and hard rock. A great example of this time period for them is the song “Psycho Therapy.”
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With this, the band stuck to their energetic style while diving into lyrics that touched on the subject of mental health. Although this song isn’t always seen as one of their greatest hits, it’s important in telling the band’s story. It shows that they also adapted with the times, demonstrating how to stick to their roots while being able to experiment.
