10 songs that define post-punk
How do you define something as undefinable as post-punk? The term was never really considered its own genre. Instead, it was a label given to the movement that followed the death of punk. Johnny Rotten and the Sex Pistols had taken over the world, but their flame burned bright and fast, leaving in its wake a range of politically charged music, ripples in water akin to their sinking stone.
The music that followed punk was (correctly) referred to as post-punk, and while some themes linked the bands and artists who performed it, there were no set rules as to what defined a post-punk artist. Shouty lyrics helped, or at the very least, artists who made music in their own accent and allowed their human side to shine through both in the lyrics and instrumentation, but other than that, everything was up for grabs.
The first iteration of post-punk was one of the most loved, as bands like Talking Heads and Gang of Four captured the hearts of listeners worldwide. They expanded upon what punk did and showed that avant-garde music could still be commercially successful. This gave rise to other artists and continues to inspire musicians today.
Since that period, there have been a number of different waves and movements in post-punk, to the point that it is now used to describe most acts that have something unique about them. There is no set definition of what makes a post-punk artist, but there are songs that can give you a pretty good idea of its overall sound. Here are some of the best post-punk songs that help to understand the genre.
10 songs that typify define post-punk:
Talking Heads – ‘Once In a Lifetime’
Talking Heads are one of the biggest names in the world of post-punk. Their quirky attitude towards music and complete reluctance to be subdued musically, lyrically, or performatively have inspired countless artists that followed. One of their most significant contributions to the musical world and post-punk comes in the form of ‘Once in a Lifetime’.
The song dealt with the futility of life and highlighted the struggles of keeping moving every day even when the world seems comfortable turning without you. “Most of the words in ‘Once in a Lifetime’ come from evangelists I recorded off the radio,” said David Byrne, “While taking notes and picking up phrases I thought were interesting directions.”
Siouxsie and the Banshees – ‘Spellbound’
Siouxsie and the Banshees are a great example of a band that rose to popularity during the punk movement but maintained that popularity once the genre had burned itself out. One of the Banshee’s first gigs was doing a haphazard show at the 100 Club, supporting the Sex Pistols during their peak.
Despite initially supporting Sex Pistols, the Banshees had a career that outlived them for decades, and songs like ‘Spellbound’ helped with this success. One of the most definitive post-punk songs out there, Sioxsie’s emotive singing style and the band’s unrelenting nature make for a great listen for fans of punk worldwide.
Public Image Ltd – ‘Public Image’
Following the death of punk, upon hearing the news that Johnny Rotten had started a new band, everyone was looking forward to the second iteration of the punk pioneers; however, Rotten was having none of it. He started by ditching the Rotten, opting to use his real name, John Lydon. He also moved away from writing about politics and became more introspective with his lyrics.
“I think it’s clear,” he said when discussing the meaning of the track ‘Public Image’, “I don’t need to repeat where I stand politically, not ever again. Now let’s deal with the personal politics, sort myself out, get rid of the wrong things in me. You can change everything that’s wrong with your enemy by changing yourself first.”
Gang of Four – ‘Damaged Goods’
Another well-loved band that championed the early iteration of post-punk was Gang of Four. While they may not have had a lot of commercial success, their innovative fusion of funk and punk appealed to plenty of music lovers. The band is cited as influencing a range of modern bands, such as Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party.
There are a number of good songs that personify Gang of Four, but ‘Damaged Goods’ was the lead single off their debut and the first insight into the band that many fans had. “We weren’t paid a cent for our work, majorly ripped off,” said singer Jon King, “I regret not punching out the bloke who ran the label.”
Joy Division – ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’
While Joy Division may not have been a mainstream band for long, their impact still resonates throughout the music industry today, and their sound cannot be replicated, no matter how hard people try. One of their biggest hits was ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart,’ which was written as a sarcastic and cynical response to the track ‘Love Will Keep Us Together’.
Lead singer Ian Curtis wrote the song when he was going through a particularly difficult period in his life. His marriage to Deborah Curtis was on the brink of collapse, and his attitude towards love is perfectly reflected in the song’s lyrics. In her biography, Deborah Curtis recalls Ian asking her to look at and approve the cover art for the single despite banning her from going to his gigs.
The Strokes – ‘Reptilia’
A later iteration of post-punk came in the form of The Strokes. While they were huge on the indie scene, especially with their debut album Is This It, the band had a look and an attitude towards music that clearly took from the post-punk scene. While this may not be clear in their first album, it can be heard clearly in their second, Room On Fire.
One of the leading singles from this record is ‘Reptilia’, the lyrics of which influenced the LP’s name. Jullian Casablancas reflected on writing the track during the sessions for Is This It, saying he recognised the shift in tone towards a more post-punk sound and saved it for the second record. “I remember when we started ‘Reptilia’ and ‘The End Has No End’, I was like, ‘This is the new vibe’,” he said.
Dry Cleaning – ‘Scratchcard Lanyard’
A more modern band that completely inhabits the spirit of post-punk is Dry Cleaning. The instrumentation is guitar-heavy, with exciting riffs and licks providing the perfect backdrop for frontwoman Florence Shaw’s lyrics. These tend to be odd strands of poetry that she has thrown together, but they make for an experimental and enticing listen.
One of their most revered songs is ‘Scratchcard Lanyard’, which sees the singer frustrated with life and putting that frustration into her words. While the way she delivers the lyrics is quite monotone, her blasé attitude towards the words only adds to the song. This is a modern iteration of post-punk, which keeps the movement alive.
The Cure – ‘A Forest’
Trying to fit The Cure into a genre is a near-impossible task. Their newest album, Songs of a Lost World, shows that even after decades of performing and writing, they are still willing to push the boat out and make new songs that reach different levels. Another great example of their unique sound is ‘A Forest’.
The track features Robert Smith singing about following someone through a forest and getting lost. It’s haunting to listen to, and while the band is difficult to pin to a genre, this freedom of creativity is pretty much what best defines post-punk. The movement is built on being experimental and trying new things, even when your band has a specific sound.
New Order – ‘Ceremony’
Following Joy Division’s split came New Order. Once again, as was the case with Public Image, many people were expecting a new iteration of the band, but instead, they got something a little different, with a welcome shift in music and tone. However, before this shift occurred, you had their debut tracks.
The first song released by Joy Division was ‘Ceremony’. It was initially written by Joy Division, but following Ian Curtis’s death, it carried over and was released as the debut single of New Order. While the band did represent a change in style, this song showed them paying homage to their roots and former bandmates.
Echo and the Bunnymen – ‘The Killing Moon’
The final song on this list is an offering from Echo and The Bunnymen. While certainly having a unique sound, the song’s meaning remains elusive, as its interpretation is fluid. This is another excellent example of something that defines post-punk: the ability to convey emotion sonically without being explicit about whether a song should be happy, sad, or somewhere in between.
“I never really tell people what the meaning is to all the songs because that surely spoils their journey,” said Ian McCulloch, “When they listen to something like ‘The Killing Moon,’ there are so many different ideas of what that is about. To me it’s like to be or not to be moments.”
