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Top Post-Punk singles of all time

Separate: live, archival, soundtracks and scores
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1 2 ... 126 Next
Updated: 2 April
Average Ratings Reviews
Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime / Seen and Not Seen, Cover art
Once in a Lifetime / Seen and Not Seen
Talking Heads
4.44 3k 3,051 28 28
February 1981 Single
New Wave Post-Punk
Funk Art Rock Spoken Word Neo-Psychedelia Afrobeat
existential anxious rhythmic philosophical repetitive surreal quirky playful
3k Ratings 28 Reviews 4.44 Average
Television - Marquee Moon, Cover art
Marquee Moon
Television
4.41 3k 2,504 20 20
April 1977 Single
Art Punk Post-Punk Art Rock
Progressive Rock
epic progressive rhythmic cryptic complex introspective philosophical energetic
3k Ratings 20 Reviews 4.41 Average
The Cure - Disintegration / Plainsong, Cover art
Disintegration / Plainsong
The Cure
4.41 1k 1,166 3 3
1989 Single
Post-Punk Gothic Rock
Dream Pop Gothic Rock
breakup ethereal melancholic rhythmic depressive sombre longing atmospheric
1k Ratings 3 Reviews 4.41 Average
Talking Heads - Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) / Cities, Cover art
Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) / Cities
Talking Heads
4.36 2k 1,577 9 9
1980 Single
New Wave Funk Rock Post-Punk
Afrobeat Dance-Punk Funk Mutant Disco Art Rock
abstract repetitive cryptic anxious tribal quirky rhythmic polyphonic
2k Ratings 9 Reviews 4.36 Average
New Order - Ceremony / In a Lonely Place, Cover art
Ceremony / In a Lonely Place
New Order
4.34 3k 2,630 57 57
6 March 1981 Single
Post-Punk
melancholic bittersweet anxious atmospheric lonely introspective love sombre
3k Ratings 57 Reviews 4.34 Average
Talking Heads - The Great Curve / Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On), Cover art
The Great Curve / Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)
Talking Heads
4.35 1k 1,415 4 4
1980 Single
New Wave Post-Punk
Afrobeat Funk Dance-Punk Mutant Disco Afro-Funk
tribal rhythmic energetic tropical abstract passionate playful polyphonic
1k Ratings 4 Reviews 4.35 Average
Joy Division - Atmosphere / She's Lost Control, Cover art
Atmosphere / She's Lost Control
Joy Division
4.33 3k 3,233 48 48
September 1980 Single
Post-Punk Coldwave
Gothic Rock Dream Pop
atmospheric melancholic ethereal introspective sad existential sombre alienation
3k Ratings 48 Reviews 4.33 Average
The Smiths - How Soon Is Now? / Well I Wonder, Cover art
How Soon Is Now? / Well I Wonder
The Smiths
4.33 3k 2,847 46 46
28 January 1985 Single
Post-Punk Indie Rock
Jangle Pop Neo-Psychedelia Baggy Shoegaze
lonely atmospheric hypnotic melancholic alienation anxious longing existential
3k Ratings 46 Reviews 4.33 Average
The Cure - Pictures of You, Cover art
Pictures of You
The Cure
4.33 2k 2,107 14 14
6 March 1990 Single
Dream Pop Post-Punk
Gothic Rock Dream Pop
romantic melancholic sad breakup atmospheric ethereal sentimental love
2k Ratings 14 Reviews 4.33 Average
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart / These Days, Cover art
Love Will Tear Us Apart / These Days
Joy Division
4.30 5k 5,283 95 95
20 June 1980 Single
Post-Punk
Synthpop New Wave
melancholic depressive pessimistic sombre introspective cold atmospheric love
5k Ratings 95 Reviews 4.30 Average
LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends, Cover art
All My Friends
LCD Soundsystem
4.29 2k 2,293 42 42
28 May 2007 Single
Alternative Dance Post-Punk Revival
Krautrock Dance-Punk Post-Minimalism
bittersweet sentimental energetic rhythmic passionate repetitive introspective existential
2k Ratings 42 Reviews 4.29 Average
Interpol - Obstacle 1, Cover art
Obstacle 1
Interpol
4.28 2k 1,909 17 17
12 November 2002 Single
Post-Punk Revival
sombre dark anxious lonely passionate atmospheric melancholic cryptic
2k Ratings 17 Reviews 4.28 Average
The Cure - A Forest / Another Journey by Train, Cover art
A Forest / Another Journey by Train
The Cure
4.27 2k 1,766 24 24
8 April 1980 Single
Gothic Rock Post-Punk
Darkwave
forest mysterious dark atmospheric lonely cold nocturnal anxious
2k Ratings 24 Reviews 4.27 Average
The Cure - One Hundred Years / The Hanging Garden, Cover art
One Hundred Years / The Hanging Garden
The Cure
4.27 1k 1,175 8 8
1982 Single
Gothic Rock Neo-Psychedelia
Darkwave Industrial Rock
dark nihilistic depressive cold death ominous suicide misanthropic
1k Ratings 8 Reviews 4.27 Average
Soda Stereo - En la ciudad de la furia, Cover art
En la ciudad de la furia
Soda Stereo
4.27 367 367 1 1
1988 Single
Post-Punk Big Music New Wave
Gothic Rock New Wave Alternative Rock
urban atmospheric existential passionate nocturnal poetic mysterious anthemic
367 Ratings 1 Reviews 4.27 Average
Gorillaz - DoYaThing, Cover art
DoYaThing
Gorillaz
4.20 3k 3,273 28 28
23 February 2012 Single
Alternative Dance Experimental Hip Hop Dance-Punk
Noise Rock Abstract Hip Hop Electropop Krautrock New Rave
boastful manic noisy playful energetic rhythmic repetitive progressive
3k Ratings 28 Reviews 4.20 Average
The Strokes - Hard to Explain, Cover art
Hard to Explain
The Strokes
4.22 2k 1,944 15 15
25 June 2001 Single
Garage Rock Revival Indie Rock Post-Punk Revival
Post-Punk Revival Power Pop
bittersweet raw energetic urban melodic melancholic rebellious alienation
2k Ratings 15 Reviews 4.22 Average
The Cure - Lovesong / 2 Late, Cover art
Lovesong / 2 Late
The Cure
4.22 2k 1,686 16 16
19 August 1989 Single
Alternative Rock Gothic Rock New Wave
Jangle Pop
romantic love melodic nocturnal sentimental longing bittersweet melancholic
2k Ratings 16 Reviews 4.22 Average
Joy Division - Transmission / Novelty, Cover art
Transmission / Novelty
Joy Division
4.21 3k 2,604 32 32
October 1979 Single
Post-Punk Gothic Rock
Dance-Punk
rhythmic energetic anxious cold dark anthemic atmospheric alienation
3k Ratings 32 Reviews 4.21 Average
Echo & The Bunnymen - The Killing Moon / Do It Clean, Cover art
The Killing Moon / Do It Clean
Echo & The Bunnymen
4.21 2k 1,638 24 24
20 January 1984 Single
Post-Punk Alternative Rock Indie Rock
Gothic Rock Neo-Psychedelia Jangle Pop
nocturnal atmospheric melancholic passionate romantic poetic sombre melodic
2k Ratings 24 Reviews 4.21 Average
The Strokes - The Modern Age, Cover art
The Modern Age
The Strokes
4.22 597 597 1 1
2002 Single
Garage Rock Revival Post-Punk Revival
raw energetic melodic summer rhythmic warm urban bittersweet
597 Ratings 1 Reviews 4.22 Average
Talking Heads - Crosseyed and Painless, Cover art
Crosseyed and Painless
Talking Heads
4.21 1k 1,091 3 3
September 1980 Single
New Wave Funk Rock Post-Punk
Funk Dance-Punk Mutant Disco Afro-Funk Disco Rap
polyphonic energetic abstract rhythmic anxious playful surreal manic
1k Ratings 3 Reviews 4.21 Average
Swans - Oxygen, Cover art
Oxygen
Swans
4.19 591 591 5 5
2014 Single
Noise Rock No Wave Experimental Rock
Krautrock Brutal Prog Avant-Prog Totalism Post-Punk
manic chaotic noisy aggressive repetitive anxious avant-garde heavy
591 Ratings 5 Reviews 4.19 Average
Black Country, New Road - Sunglasses, Cover art
Sunglasses
Black Country, New Road
4.17 3k 3,021 31 31
26 July 2019 Single
Post-Punk Experimental Rock Art Punk
Post-Hardcore Post-Rock No Wave Spoken Word Emo
anxious cryptic misanthropic dissonant dark manic progressive rhythmic
3k Ratings 31 Reviews 4.17 Average
The Cure - Lullaby / Babble, Cover art
Lullaby / Babble
The Cure
4.19 2k 1,508 5 5
4 April 1989 Single
Gothic Rock Alternative Rock Art Rock
Dream Pop Chamber Pop Neo-Psychedelia
fantasy anxious surreal sombre lush nocturnal melodic ominous
2k Ratings 5 Reviews 4.19 Average
The Walkmen - The Rat, Cover art
The Rat
The Walkmen
4.19 1k 1,100 17 17
19 April 2004 Single
Post-Punk Revival
Garage Rock Revival
energetic passionate angry breakup raw lonely anxious aggressive
1k Ratings 17 Reviews 4.19 Average
New Order - Temptation / Hurt, Cover art
Temptation / Hurt
New Order
4.18 2k 1,722 31 31
April 1982 Single
Alternative Dance New Wave Post-Punk
Synthpop Post-Punk Jangle Pop
melancholic love rhythmic passionate melodic uplifting cold lonely
2k Ratings 31 Reviews 4.18 Average
The Clash - London Calling / Armagideon Time, Cover art
London Calling / Armagideon Time
The Clash
4.16 2k 1,663 20 20
7 December 1979 Single
Punk Rock Post-Punk
Reggae Dub Reggae Rock
apocalyptic rebellious protest conscious war energetic anthemic political
2k Ratings 20 Reviews 4.16 Average
Wire - Outdoor Miner / Practice Makes Perfect, Cover art
Outdoor Miner / Practice Makes Perfect
Wire
4.17 1k 1,059 12 12
20 January 1979 Single
Post-Punk Indie Pop Indie Rock
Art Punk New Wave Jangle Pop
ethereal lush cryptic bittersweet melodic nature existential soft
1k Ratings 12 Reviews 4.17 Average
Interpol - NYC, Cover art
NYC
Interpol
4.18 792 792 4 4
20 September 2002 Single
Post-Punk Revival Indie Rock Space Rock Revival
Dream Pop Post-Rock Shoegaze Slowcore
urban melancholic nocturnal atmospheric bittersweet lonely ethereal introspective
792 Ratings 4 Reviews 4.18 Average
Talking Heads - Psycho Killer, Cover art
Psycho Killer
Talking Heads
4.15 2k 2,114 10 10
January 1978 Single
New Wave Post-Punk
Funk Rock Art Punk Dance-Punk
anxious crime rhythmic quirky energetic introspective playful manic
2k Ratings 10 Reviews 4.15 Average
Eno - Third Uncle / The Fat Lady of Limbourg, Cover art
Third Uncle / The Fat Lady of Limbourg
Eno
4.19 380 380 3 3
1974 Single
Post-Punk Experimental Rock Art Rock
Krautrock Glam Rock Art Punk New Wave Dance-Punk
energetic avant-garde noisy repetitive deadpan cryptic dissonant manic
380 Ratings 3 Reviews 4.19 Average
Gang of Four - Damaged Goods / Love Like Anthrax / Armalite Rifle, Cover art
Damaged Goods / Love Like Anthrax / Armalite Rifle
Gang of Four
4.17 1k 1,095 14 14
12 October 1978 Single
Post-Punk Dance-Punk Art Punk
sexual energetic political anxious rhythmic alienation rebellious raw
1k Ratings 14 Reviews 4.17 Average
Interpol - PDA / Specialist, Cover art
PDA / Specialist
Interpol
4.16 1k 1,038 11 11
22 August 2002 Single
Post-Punk Revival
anxious rhythmic urban atmospheric love melodic nocturnal breakup
1k Ratings 11 Reviews 4.16 Average
The Chameleons - Swamp Thing / John, I'm Only Dancing, Cover art
Swamp Thing / John, I'm Only Dancing
The Chameleons
4.17 661 661 5 5
September 1986 Single
Post-Punk Gothic Rock
Neo-Psychedelia Gothic Rock Big Music
passionate atmospheric melancholic existential dark depressive rain epic
661 Ratings 5 Reviews 4.17 Average
The Strokes - The Modern Age / Last Nite, Cover art
The Modern Age / Last Nite
The Strokes
4.16 581 581 1 1
22 May 2001 Single
Garage Rock Revival Post-Punk Revival
anxious urban sentimental energetic noisy introspective rhythmic raw
581 Ratings 1 Reviews 4.16 Average
Siouxsie and The Banshees - Spellbound / Follow the Sun, Cover art
Spellbound / Follow the Sun
Siouxsie and The Banshees
4.16 830 830 12 12
22 May 1981 Single
Gothic Rock Post-Punk
Art Punk
energetic occult rhythmic psychedelic mysterious ominous tribal Halloween
830 Ratings 12 Reviews 4.16 Average
Women - Eyesore, Cover art
Eyesore
Women
4.15 653 653 6 6
20 September 2010 Single
Post-Punk Indie Rock
Jangle Pop Psychedelic Pop Brill Building Neo-Psychedelia
lo-fi bittersweet romantic hypnotic cryptic Wall of Sound love urban
653 Ratings 6 Reviews 4.15 Average
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps, Cover art
Maps
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4.13 2k 1,666 22 22
22 September 2003 Single
Indie Rock Post-Punk Revival
Garage Rock Revival Post-Punk Revival Art Rock
love melancholic breakup lonely longing melodic anthemic passionate
2k Ratings 22 Reviews 4.13 Average
Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi's Dead / Boys, Cover art
Bela Lugosi's Dead / Boys
Bauhaus
4.11 4k 3,768 49 49
6 August 1979 Single
Gothic Rock Post-Punk
Dub Krautrock
dark atmospheric death suspenseful ominous mysterious paranormal nocturnal
4k Ratings 49 Reviews 4.11 Average
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Soundtracks

  • Joy Division - She's Lost Control / Dead Souls, Cover art
    She's Lost Control / Dead Souls
    2007 Single
    448 Ratings 4.27 Average
    4.27 448 448
  • Metric & Brie Larson - Black Sheep (Brie Larson Vocal Version), Cover art
    Black Sheep (Brie Larson Vocal Version)
    2021 Single
    409 Ratings 4.14 Average
    4.14 409 409
  • LCD Soundsystem - New Body Rhumba, Cover art
    New Body Rhumba
    2022 Single
    690 Ratings 5 Reviews 4.02 Average
    4.02 690 690 5 5
  • David Bowie / Giorgio Moroder - Cat People (Putting Out Fire) / Paul's Theme (Jogging Chase), Cover art
    Cat People (Putting Out Fire) / Paul's Theme (Jogging Chase)
    1982 Single
    463 Ratings 10 Reviews 3.74 Average
    3.74 463 463 10 10
  • Xiu Xiu & Mitski - Between the Breaths, Cover art
    Between the Breaths
    2018 Single
    272 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.63 Average
    3.63 272 272 3 3
    • See all 22 Include in main chart

    Live

  • Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime / This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody), Cover art
    Once in a Lifetime / This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)
    1984 Single
    457 Ratings 3 Reviews 4.41 Average
    4.41 457 457 3 3
  • Savages - Fuckers / Dream Baby Dream, Cover art
    Fuckers / Dream Baby Dream
    2014 Single
    160 Ratings 3.62 Average
    3.62 160 160
  • Talking Heads - Cities (Live), Cover art
    Cities (Live)
    2023 Single
    61 Ratings 4.25 Average
    4.25 61 61
  • Swans - I Am the Sun / My Buried Child, Cover art
    I Am the Sun / My Buried Child
    1997 Single
    136 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.45 Average
    3.45 136 136 1 1
  • Talking Heads - I Zimbra / Life During Wartime / Cities (Live Versions), Cover art
    I Zimbra / Life During Wartime / Cities (Live Versions)
    1982 Single
    75 Ratings 3.82 Average
    3.82 75 75
    • See all 67 Include in main chart

    Archival

  • Joy Division / New Order - Ceremony / In a Lonely Place, Cover art
    Ceremony / In a Lonely Place
    2011 Single
    385 Ratings 5 Reviews 4.17 Average
    4.17 385 385 5 5
  • The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead / Oscillate Wildly / Money Changes Everything / The Draize Train, Cover art
    The Queen Is Dead / Oscillate Wildly / Money Changes Everything / The Draize Train
    2017 Single
    244 Ratings 4.11 Average
    4.11 244 244
  • This Heat - Health and Efficiency, Cover art
    Health and Efficiency
    2020 Single
    132 Ratings 4.53 Average
    4.53 132 132
    • See all 75 Include in main chart
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