This is Part 2 (songs 50–01) of our 100 Most Underrated Indie Rock Songs List. Click here to get to Part 1.
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50. “Powder” (1994)
Bedhead
Bedhead’s dreamy, atmospheric hypnotic songs are exactly what you want to put on as you drive your beat-up car across Texas in the middle of the night, chain-smoking the whole way. It would be OK if you just put “Powder” on repeat until you hit the New Mexico border.
49. “Colors and the Kids” (2003)
Cat Power
Cat Power has flirted with semi-stardom, but her early records had some relatively undiscovered gems. This is one of them (duh.)
48. “At Break of Day” (2001)
Bonnie Prince Billy
Only Bonnie Prince Billy (or Will Oldham or Palace Music or whatever you want to call him) can make a song about committing suicide at dawn sound so sweet. [This isn’t on Spotify. Click the link to watch it on YouTube.]
47. “The Badger Song” (1992)
The Extra Glenns
Before there was the Honey Badger, there was the Extra Glenns’ “Badger Song.” And I think we all know which one is better. Fans of John Darnielle’s Mountain Goats will appreciate this very early track. [Also not on Spotify. You know the drill.]
46. “Starfire” (1999)
Low
I think I can safely say that this is the best song ever written about two best friends who want to start their own ambulance service. Broken bodies all the time. Let’s take a ride. Awesome.
45. “A Passing Feeling” (2003)
The Thermals
The Thermals were indie pop/punk at its finest in the early 2000s. They never got the recognition they deserved. Well, they’re starting to get some recognition. But if you’re currently recognizing them for the first time, you should also recognize their earlier albums.
44. “Canary” (1993)
Liz Phair
I had a giant crush on Liz Phair when I was 17 years old. While she was known for the over-the-top sexualized lyrics, I always thought “Canary” was way hotter than “Flower.” It was smart and sad and mysterious – pretty much everything 17-year-old-me really liked.
43. “Dean’s Dream” (1985)
The Dead Milkmen
When you peel away the jokey, satire of a lot of the Dead Milkmen’s songs, you’re left with stuff that’s almost touching. “Dean’s Dream” is one of those songs that captures the other side of the Milkmen. While most people put on “Bitchin’ Camaro” or “The Beach Song,” this is one that Milkmen fans put on when people leave the party. They would probably hate being called “indie rock,” but we’re so indie we put them on this list anyway.
42. “Capital Letters” (1991)
Ned’s Atomic Dustbin
Ned’s Atomic Dustbin suffered from having a terrible name. No one took them seriously, even though God Fodder (which had “Happy,” “Kill Your Television” and “Grey Cell Green”) was one of the best records of the 120 Minutes era. And “Capital Letters” was always a song that seemed like it could have been a bigger hit.
41. “Bad As They Seem” (1995)
Hayden
If you watched MTV as much as I did in the late ’80s and early ’90s, you might vaguely remember the video for this playing for a week or two. It was basically just Hayden mowing his lawn in slow motion looking at neighbors driving by. And then it was gone. Well, here it is again.
40. “Iceblink Luck” (1990)
Cocteau Twins
The shoegaze-y soundtrack for the John Hughes-ian 2012 flick The Perks of Being a Wallflower inspired me to rummage through my closet for that old Cocteau Twins cassette that used to get stuck in the tape deck of my Chevy Cavalier. But then it occurred to me that I no longer have a cassette player. This track, with virtually indecipherable lyrics that I am convinced employs the phrase “cherry cola,” was always my favorite song on that cassette.
39. “Coast Is Clear” (1991)
Curve
This faux-industrial bangeroo got me through that surreal week in 1991 when I thought, incorrectly, that I was being stalked. It turned out that she was just someone who’d signed up for a lot of the same classes. [This isn’t on Spotify. Click the link.]
38. “Wonderful Woman” (1983)
The Smiths
Can any band boast a higher percentage of songs that don’t suck than the Smiths? Even tossed-off tracks such as this early B-side succeed in not sucking. I’m seriously asking, is there another band whose catalog is more unassailable than the output of Morrissey-Marr?
37. “The Swish” (2004)
The Hold Steady
Any band that namechecks Elisabeth Shue and Steve Perry in the same song earns major awesome points, so kudos to nebbishy Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn for doing just that in this taut fan favorite from the Brooklyn-based band’s first album.
36. “Teenage Lust!” (2007)
Times New Viking
That rare band that has named itself after a fake font let loose on its ultra lo-fi debut record with one of the best lyrics of the decade: “I don’t want to die in the city alone.” It funny because it’s true.
35. “Wave Backwards to Massachusetts” (2007)
Hallelujah the Hills
This Boston-based group should win you over with this way-under-the-radar sonic nugget while simultaneously bring to mind a thorny discussion topic. Namely: Hallelujah the Hills is neither religious nor from elevated terrain. Discuss.
34. “Get Under It” (1996)
Robert Pollard
According to the amazing GBV database (GBVDB.com), “Get Under It” is one of over 100 Robert Pollard–penned songs released in calendar year 1996. At this exact second, it’s also the absolute best of them, but ask me again in a few minutes and you’ll no doubt get a different answer, as the gems he unearthed that year are very shiny. [It makes me very sad that this one is not on Spotify. If you do one thing today, click the link so you can hear this song.]
33. “Day Glo” (1993)
Hazel
Remember when music videos could be shot on your front porch with your friends and it could get on MTV? Yeah, that doesn’t really happen anymore, does it? (I’m looking at you, Beyoncé.) [Also not on Spotify.]
32. “Bed of Roses” (1991)
Screaming Trees
Yes, they sound like The Doors. And yes, this song was briefly on MTV, but the Screaming Trees (and this song in particular) never achieved the indie rock success that their Seattle counterparts achieved. Maybe that’s a good thing, since a lot of their contemporaries are now dead.
31. “The Loft” (1995)
Ben Lee
When Ben Lee got signed to The Beastie Boys’ Grand Royal label when he was 16, everyone thought he was going to be the next Beatles. That didn’t happen, but that record was 21 songs of pure indie pop gold. “The Loft” never seemed to get the love it deserved. [Another Spotify leave-off.]
30. “Blackout” (1993)
Heatmiser
I used to drink in a bar in Park Slope where Elliott Smith used to also drink before he killed himself. There’s no reason for me to include that tidbit, as I never said one word to him. But Heatmeiser is his first band. So, I guess that’s a suitable-enough tie-in. [No Heatmeiser on Spotify.]
29. “Coby” (2000)
The Lilys
While everyone waited 20 years between My Bloody Valentine albums, the Lilys were sitting there the whole time, recording songs that were as awesome as “Coby.” You’re welcome. [I’m going to stop mentioning that a song is not on Spotify soon.]
28. “Today Is the Day! (Rock Version)” (2003)
Yo La Tengo
Sometimes you can’t believe that no one else has a heard a song that is so awesome it can change your whole outlook on life. This version of “Today Is the Day” is one of those songs. Why does Katy Perry get 70 bajillion YouTube views and this only has 10K? I don’t understand people.
27. “Amusement” (1982)
Hüsker Dü
If you like Hüsker Dü, or if you don’t like Hüsker Dü, you should listen to this song because it’s fucking awesome. You should also like Hüsker Dü. [Not on Spotify. Click the link.]
26. “Between Planets” (1989)
The Jesus and Mary Chain
Yes, the drum machine and chord progression central to “Between Planets” sound quite similar to those offered up by “Head On,” the best-known track on the Chain’s divisive album Automatic, but who cares? Complaining about two fantastic songs sounding similar is like complaining about two different brands of awesome beer. Ultimately, we’re enjoy both.
25. “Like Hearts” (2006)
The Prids
You may not agree that this song from hugely D.I.Y., Portland-based The Prids sounds like a cross between “In a Big Country” and early Echo and the Bunnymen. At least you listened to it, which is something everyone should be required to do.
24. “Faith Healer” (1987)
Big Dipper
One of the few bands named after a constellation, the Boston-based Big Dipper has an ardent, cultish following, albeit much smaller than contemporaries Dinosaur Jr. and the Pixies. Little Dipper doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.
23. “Good Morning Captain” (1991)
Slint
When this loping doozy off the seminal Kentucky band’s masterwork finally reaches its boiling point at the 6 minutes and 40 second mark, your mind will be blown, even if it’s thousandth time you’re listening.
22. “Cigarette in My Bed” (1988)
My Bloody Valentine
MBV should be fined for endorsing smoking in bed if this song wasn’t so darn impossible to hate. [Not on Spotify]
21. “Underwhelmed” (1992)
Sloan
Famous in its native Canada, Sloan remains nearly unknown here, despite a strong 1992 debut with this clever modern-rock hit. You wouldn’t necessarily be wrong to suggest that most Americans were underwhelmed by them.
20. “Just North” (2009)
The Non-Commissioned Officers
Would you believe this lovely song was written for the soundtrack of a zombie movie no one has ever seen? Would you also believe it’s not on Spotify?
19. “She’s Gone” (1995)
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
This cultish band’s cultish name has scared off more than one pair of potentially receptive ears, but the intrepid souls fearless enough to explore BJM’s vast catalogue will likely find at least one track that speaks to them … and maybe more like 50.
18. “Sennen” (1992)
Ride
If you must know, Ride was Oasis before Oasis was Oasis, only they wrote better songs than Oasis ever did, even after Ride’s Andy Bell joined Oasis. It had to be said.
17. “How Wrong You Are” (2009)
Boston Spaceships
One of the more impressive Robert Pollard side projects is his fruitful, accessible collaboration with former GBV bassist Chris Slusarenko and Decemberists drummer John Moen. From 2008 to 2011, the power trio issued five albums and nearly 100 songs, not the least of which is the hook-laden number “How Wrong You Are.”
16. “Form and File” (1996)
Archers of Loaf
The first two Loaf albums tend to dominate any conversation about the newly reformed Chapel Hill band that’s fronted by crazy-tall songwriting genius Eric Bachmann. But “Form and File,” the twelfth track on the excellently titled All the Nations Airports, is their best song. Well, probably.
15. “The Cardinal Movements” (2006)
Bottomless Pit
The day that the surviving members of Silkworm formed this band and began putting out music as good as anything they’d done previously was a very good day indeed.
14. “Childhood Memories” (2003)
British Sea Power
Ah, nostalgia. Although none of my childhood memories involve British Sea Power, because I’m old. [This isn’t on Spotify. Click the link to watch it on YouTube.]
13. “Dine Alone” (1993)
Quicksand
Yes! I just received a memo from Mandatory HQ permitting me to say that “Dine Alone” is the most incredible song ever written about eating.
12. “Hexenzsene” (1994)
Unwound
If you can tell us what the title refers to, we’re game to hear it. But we’d rather just hear this highlight from this grunge-era post-hardcore band that we missed the first time around.
11. “Eddie Vedder” (1997)
Local H
Most folks who did hard time with MTV circa 1997 remember Local H’s vaguely Nirvana-y hit “Bound for the Floor” but we’d like to reacquaint you with the Chicago band’s shout-out to the Pearl Jam frontman because it holds up a bit better.
10. “Ex Lion Tamer” (1977)
Wire
As you greedily consume this post-punk mofo by the massively influential British band Wire, consider ordering new business cards that refer to your profession as “ex lion tamer” before heading out to your next sales conference.
9. “Scarlet” (1990)
Lush
This is the song that appears in the dictionary next to the word “shoegaze.” Well, not really, but we’d love to own a dictionary that gives props to Lush like that.
8. “Slow Song” (1995)
Sleater-Kinney
From the debut album of the best band ever named after a freeway exit, this song was recorded not in the group’s native Pacific Northwest but, improbably, in Melbourne, Australia.
7. “Dedicated” (1995)
The Amps
Even if you own everything ever recorded by those two better-known Kim Deal bands, you probably missed her mid-’90s side project, The Amps. That would be a piteous shame, for reasons you can discern for yourself while listening to this track that will slap you silly with goodness.
6. “Glad I Don’t Know” (1989)
Lemonheads
Did you know that before they were covering Simon and Garfunkel and pimping frontman Evan Dando as a Sassy magazine pinup, the Lemonheads were essentially a strangely badass preppy ripoff of Hüsker Dü? [The subpar version of this song is in the Spotify link. For the better version, click the song name link.]
5. “Advice to the Graduate” (1994)
Silver Jews
No offense to my parents, but the most helpful advice anyone ever gave me is, “Your third drink will lead you astray,” just one of the many perfect David Berman lines found on this lo-fi team-up with longtime pal Stephen Malkmus. [This is not on Spotify. Click the link to watch on Youtube.]
4. “Teenage Crimewave” (2007)
CPC Gangbangs
Few Americans have experienced the many guffaws lurking within FUBAR: The Movie, the 2001 Canadian mockumentary about beer-guzzling headbangers that coined the always useful phrase, “To my left nut, see ya later, fella.” And fewer still can claim to have had their chest hairs singed off by CPC Gangbangs, a short-lived Montreal garage punk outfit featuring that one dude from FUBAR. A visit to Netflix and an earful of CPCG’s loud/proud “Teenage Crimewave” would solve those problems pretty quickly.
3. “Pantherz” (1995)
Guided By Voices
Whether or not you agree with our (incidentally true) belief that Robert Pollard is the most underrated songwriter in the history of music, it’s hard not to consider him the most prolific. So, to recap, he’s the most underrated, most prolific songwriter in the history of music. Now enjoy “Pantherz,” an invaluable relic from the unreleased Guided By Voices album, The Power of Suck.
2. “Ed Ames” (1992)
Pavement
Spoiler alert: This is a song about lonely Edward Franklin Ames that ends, ridiculously, with Mr. Ames offering “respect to the Vikings and the Caucasian warriors.”
1. “Nobody Loves Us” (1995)
Morrissey
Some songs, you want to marry. “Nobody Loves Us,” a hidden classic that easily eclipses the mid-period Morrissey single fostering it, is that kind of song. “Nobody Loves Us” makes you want to lobby Congress to alter the definition of marriage to include human/recording relationships. It makes you worried about visitation rights should either one of you become hospitalized. Lots of other mushy junk, too. But this song is polyamorous and we’re cool with that, so enjoy.
Click on the song titles to watch the videos. Or, you can go straight to the full Spotify playlist here, or watch/listen to these songs on our YouTube playlist here.
This is Part 2 (songs 50–01) of our 100 Most Underrated Indie Rock Songs List. Click here to get to Part 1.
