15. No Reason Why by Gorilla Biscuits (1:55)
from 1988's 'Gorilla Biscuits'. A hardcore clean living anthem of sorts from the scene legends. Combining catchy, sinalong lyrics with raspy vocals and probably the most prominent bass line in the hardcore scene, No Reason Why is an essential for any punk fan.
14. One Life, One Chance by H2O (1:55)
from 1999's 'F.T.T.W'. Another hardcore anthem, filled with inspirational lyrics and a fist pump worthy melody, One Life, One Chance, is a track that exists solely to make everyone who listens to it feel that bit better.
13. Situation On Mars by Swing Kids (1:34)
from 1998's 'Discography'. Ridiculously heavy post-hardcore from the short lived, but none the less important Swing Kids. Swing Kids' brand of post-hardcore has almost become a template for hundreds of bands recently (The Wave bands etc.) and 'Situation On Mars' is one of their most brutal yet attractive songs.
12. Shortcut by Built To Spill (1:30)
from 1996's 'The Normal Years'. Shortcut shows Built To Spill at their college rock best. Brilliantly sloppy vocals and songwriting lead to the laidback vibe that Beck's Loser could never fully capture, yet this remains one of Built To Spill's most obscure tracks. Indie rock at its least pretentious and most catchy.
11. Straight Edge by Minor Threat (0:46)
from 1988's 'Complete Discography'. It started an entire scene in 46 seconds. 'Nuff said.
10. Cricketty Rise - Moss Icon (1:41)
from 1988's 'Lyburnum Wits End Liberation Fly'. Seminal punk band that combined hardcore with melody and emotion. Cricketty Rise shows them at their most emo, being both heavy and skillfully executed. Moss Icon showed an intensity that few bands have managed to capture since.
9. Crazy For You by Best Coast (1:50)
from 2010's 'Crazy For You'. Within the first second of Crazy For You the listener is transported to the sixties where he/she then listens to the best darn pop song of that era. Crazy For You combines sugary sweet melodies with possibly the most catchy chorus of all time.
8. Fix Me by Black Flag (0:58)
from 1983's 'The First Four Years' One of the seminal hardcore punk band's catchiest and shortest tracks. Later featured on the soundtrack of the Tony Hawk video games, Fix Me shows Black Flag at their best and still sounds as just as effective today than ever before.
7. Suburban Home By Descendents (1:41)
from 1982's 'Milo Goes To College'. Yet another classic punk rock track from Descendents, the band that basically invented the pop punk formula that has been copied by so many since. Suburban Home displays Descendents' trademark melodic hardcore and their brilliantly sarcastic lyrics. Definite highlight of their back catalogue.
6. Things Left In last Year by Merchant Ships
from 2010's 'For Cameron'. Modern post-hardcore that combines screamed vocals with tired sounding guitars. Things Left In Last Year is incredibly depressing and is a highlight of one of the best of the genre today.
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5. Self Esteem by Andrew Jackson Jihad (1:37)
from 2009's 'Can't Maintain'. In the space of a couple of minutes, Andrew Jackson Jihad manage to make the world's most happiest song about self-hatred. Folk punk at its finest, Self Esteem is beyond catchy.
4. Between Pacific Coasts - The Promise Ring (1:53)
from 1996's '30 Degrees Everywhere'. Arguably the best of the emo bunch, The Promise Ring may have come into their own later in their career, however Between Pacific Coasts shows a glimpse of the brilliance that was to come, with their brand of nerdy emo sound just as good as anything that Weezer may have crafted.
3. Fell In Love With A Girl by The White Stripes (1:50)
from 2001's 'White Blood Cells'. In a measly couple of minutes The White Stripes have created the best track of their careers, with the garage pomp and ridiculously catchy chorus. Fell In Love With A Girl is definitely one of the best indie rock songs of the century so far.
2. Pope Alexander by Crywank (1:57)
from 2010's 'James Is Going To Die Soon'. Yes, it's over dramatic. Yes, it's quite immature. And yes, it's a bit emo, but Pope Alexander is one of the most genuine sounding songs written, with Crywank squeezing emotion from every single syllable and half formed chord. Showcasing his very best emo tinged folk punk, Pope Alexander could have been a hit, if it wasn't for.. y'know... Crywank.
1. Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want by The Smiths (1:52)
from 1984's 'Hatfull Of Hollow'. It's The Smiths. Duh.
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