25 Angry, Seething, Bitter Songs

You know the drill; I put up the list on my facebook and now the list is here with added audiovisual assistance. Twenty-five self-righteous getcherself primed songs. In no order but the random kind.


1. Prophets of Rage – Public Enemy

I got a right to be hostile; my people being persecuted.

2. Bob Dylan’s Blues – Bob Dylan

Petty, spiteful, and self-aware.

3. Common People – Pulp

Like trying to shoot the chip off your own shoulder.

4. Luck of the Irish – John Lennon and Yoko Ono

I like how there’s a nice version of this song that doesn’t use words like “bastards” or “rape.” Commercial necessity, but still, was this ever going to get loads of radio play?

5. Losing His Touch – Jack Off Jill

I still think “Hey there, dead god” sounds like a pick up line.

6. Time of the Preacher – Johnny Cash and Alice in Chains

A great cover of a great Willie Nelson song. And mean as hell.

7. Bring Me Some Water – Melissa Etheridge

Genuine frustration set to music.

8. Delia’s Gone – Johnny Cash

Sometimes killing your problems just doesn’t work out well. Who would’ve known?

9. Dead End Street – The Kinks

People gonna die on Dead End Street.

10. Someday Never Comes – Creedence Clearwater Revival

And it kind of don’t, really.

11. Louie Louie – Iggy Pop

And now, the news.

12. How Do You Sleep – John Lennon (and two other former-Beatles)

Man, were they mad at Paul or what?

13. Hallelujah – Bob Dylan

Cover of the Leonard Cohen classic and boy did he turn it nasty, mean and surly!

14. I Had a Dream – Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson
Exhaustion that drives you forward.

15. Memories of What – Tom Waits
Here’s the audio with Elvis Costello and Lou Reed!

16. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right – Bob Dylan

Well, it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe…

17. Genius – Warren Zevon

Everybody needs a place to stand
and a method for their schemes and scams.

18. Rated X – Loretta Lynn
It really does stand like a callback/response to a thousand other songs, doesn’t it?

19. I Hate Myself for Loving You – Joan Jett

You can actually remove the “you” from this song without weakening it a bit. (And the video’s singalong lyrics are seriously confuzzled!)

20. See You in Hell – Monster Magnet

I was talking to Jesus through a hole in the floor…

21. Sweet Head – David Bowie

Vicious. Poppy and vicious.

22. The Sick Bed Of Cúchulaínn – The Pogues

Justice, grief, hunger and rage.

23. Radio, Radio – Elvis Costello

‘Cause you better do as you are told.

24. Suicide Sally and Johnny Guitar – Primal Scream

Dead friends and dying.

25. KKK Took My Baby Away – Marilyn Manson

Cover of the very cool, very awkward (bandmate vs bandmate) Ramones’ song. Made less mournful and more angrier.