Banging My Head Into A Wall – 13 Punk Songs About Life & Love
This is a new section I am starting, called Mix Tape.
Music is the soundtrack to our lives.
When I worked at the strip club, I performed DJ duties for many years. To me, it’s not about just playing music, but conveying a feeling and setting a mood. In these themed posts, I will list at least 13 songs for you to make your very own mix tape (CD) or playlist.
For my first installment, I have an awesome punk/post-punk rock mix playlist of songs about life and love.
If there is any topic you’d like me to make a Mix Tape post about, please feel free to comment it below!
The following playlist has been tested and approved by me.
ENJOY!
Once in a Lifetime – Talking Heads
I can always picture David Byrne doing the hand thing in the video whenever I hear this awesome tune.
Great song to start this mix tape off on the right note!
“Same as it ever was…”
Should I Stay or Should I Go? – The Clash
Love. This. Song.
This is a good one about indecision – whether or not to stay in a relationship.
“If you say that you are mine / I’ll be here ’til the end of time / So you got to let me know / Should I stay or should I go?”
It’s also a great party tune with high energy. The Clash are classic UK Punk!
Ball & Chain or Story of My Life – Social Distortion
This was a tie for me – so suck it!
Ball & Chain is a good one if you’re feeling angsty about a relationship. This was a favorite of mine when I first considered leaving my ex-husband. I played it constantly.
“But wherever I have gone / I was sure to find myself there / You can run all your life / But not go anywhere”
Story of My Life is a Social D classic – ’nuff said!
“Good times come and good times go / I only wish the good times would last a little longer. / I think about the good times we had / and why they had to end.”
Pick one – or use both – you can’t go wrong with Social D!
I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend – The Ramones
Any good and respectable punk mix tape has to include The Ramones. This song is simple and almost innocent.
Ever notice a lot of The Ramones songs are either “I Wanna” or “I Don’t Wanna”?
“Sweet little girl / I wanna be your boyfriend / Do you love me babe? / What do you say?”
One of my friends told me her mom dated Joey Ramone – how fucking cool is that?! I wonder if he ever sung this to her?
Love Song – The Damned
This song always makes me want to get up and slam dance whenever I hear it!
Raw, short, sweet and to the point – with a killer bass line!
“Just for you, here’s a love song / And it makes me glad to say / It’s been a lovely day and it’s okay”
Love is Stronger Than Death – The The
I’ve always thought this would make an excellent vampire movie theme song.
The lyrics are powerfully emotional.
“In our lives we hunger for those we cannot touch / All the thoughts un-uttered and all the feelings unexpressed / Play upon our hearts like the mist upon our breath”
Boys Don’t Cry or A Night Like This – The Cure
Another tie, and I don’t care!
Pick one – either way, you’re a sad bastard like Robert Smith.
Boys Don’t Cry
“I would tell you / That I loved you / If I thought that you would stay / But I know that it’s no use / That you’ve already / Gone away”
A Night Like This
“I’m coming to find you if it takes me all night / Can’t stand here like this anymore / For always and ever is always for you / I want it to be perfect / Like before / I want to change it all”
Die Die My Darling – Misfits
My cynical nature can’t let this tape get too mushy with love!
This quick little anti-love song by the Misfits will get your blood pumping again.
“Dead end zone for a dead end girl / Come crying to me now baby / And now your life drains on the floor / Come crying to me now baby”
Ever Fallen in Love… (with someone you shouldn’t’ve) – The Buzzcocks
We all have that one person (or persons) that we wish we hadn’t fallen for.
Breaking up sucks and The Buzzcocks sum it up perfectly in this catchy late 70’s punk rock song.
“You disturb my natural emotions / You make me feel like dirt and I’m hurt”
I could use this song for every broken relationship I’ve had. Sad but true.
Add it Up – Violent Femmes
The Violent Femmes were angsty about love way before Alanis Morissette made it popular to be that way in the 90’s.
“Day after day, I get angry and I will say / That the day is in my sight / When I’ll take a bow and say goodnight”
Punk Rock Girl – Dead Milkmen
I absolutely love this song!
The Dead Milkmen were known for their funny lyrics and it’s demonstrated in this very cute late 1980’s punk ode to punk rock girls everywhere in the 80’s.
Classic line from this great song:
“We went to the Philly Pizza Company and ordered some hot tea / The waitress said ‘Well no, we only have it iced’ / So we jumped up on the table and shouted ANARCHY!”
I’ve always wanted to go and do that…
The Passenger – Iggy Pop
Punk rock classic from Iggy’s album Lust For Life.
This great narrative song has been covered by bands like Siouxsie & The Banshees (excellent cover!), Bauhaus (in live shows) and the late Michael Hutchence.
“And everything was made for you and me / All of it was made for you and me / ‘Cause it just belongs to you and me / So let’s take a ride and see what’s mine”
My Way – Sid Vicious
Gotta end it strong!
Nothing better than Sid Vicious fucking up the lyrics on Sinatra’s popularized classic, My Way!
A definite punk rock classic and one of my all-time favorites!
“And now, the tears subside / I find it all so amusing / To think, I killed a cat / And may I say, not in the gay way. / Oh no. oh no not me / I did it my way!”