American Vs British Punk Part Two

We revisit the beginnings of punk rock, and this time I am comparing what I think are the three best punk songs from both countries, and I will give my humble, and yes flawed opinion as to which version of punk had the best songs.

American Punk

3. No Values - Black Flag
This is a great hardcore tune that I think sets the bar, and has a lot more of the rock from punk rock in it’s design. Great lyrics, and it almost embodies that snotty British attitude.

2. Police Truck - The Dead Kennedys
This is the first Dead Kennedys tune I ever heard. It was on the first Tony Hawk game for Playstation one. It is well written, the music is executed perfectly, and if Jello’s voice doesn’t piss you off it is a great intro to some of the more experimental punk like Flipper, or Husker Du.

1. Blitzkrieg Bop - The Ramones
The song that everyone knows. Probably the most recognizable punk song of all time. Heck it might be one of the most recognizable period. Great tune. Great anthem, and one of the few songs that don’t suck at sporting events.

British Punk

3. Oi, Oi, Oi - Cockney Rejects
This song is what punk is all about. It is an anthem for the Oi scene as far as I am concerned, and it just gets you moving. I twas the first song that really caught my ear from the Cockney Rejects. If you like this track check out Shitter, or The Greatest Cockney Rip-off.

2. Working - Cock Sparrer
What is more punk than ripping of the government for what I would assume is the equivalent to EI here in Canada. It's been covered many times, and most notably the Dropkick Murphys. The entire Shock Troops album is amazing. Check out Argy Bargy, and I Got Your Number if this song is what you like.

1. God Save The Queen - Sex Pistols

I know a lot of people will hate this pick, but it may be the most recognizable punk song ever. It is either this or the Blitzkrieg Bop. I like the story about the way the song was created the most. From what i understand EMI had wanted the boys to write a song for the Queen's bicentennial or something, and this is what they came up with. The song is political, it is fast and it has some great lines "There is no future and England's dreamin'."


I have to give round two to the British side, not so much because the quality of the songs is better, but because it is so hard to choose which songs are really the rockinest from across the pond. I wish I could have got some GBH, Clash, Addicts, Major Accident, and however more I am forgetting about.

See you soon, and comment. I want to know what is rockin people for my radio show the On-Slot 6-7PM Wednesdays on KICK FM.