Last updated on December 31, 2025, updated every month.
Punk rock is raw, minimalist, and often provocative, while post-punk aims to be more complex, incorporating elements of funk, reggae, dub, and more, all while retaining the energy and rebellious spirit.
The list below ranks 20 vintage POST-PUNK songs in descending order of engagement over the last six months.
1 . Talking Heads - This Must Be the Place [Naive Melody]
Talking Heads’ “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” closes their 1983 album “Speaking in Tongues,” the band’s first commercially successful record, later certified Platinum in the U.S.
The title reflects the song’s repetitive musical structure, a stark contrast to their usual complexity.
David Byrne frames it as a rare love song, yet its lyrics retain his abstract ambiguity.
Written collaboratively, it features Jerry Harrison’s keyboards, Tina Weymouth on bass, and Chris Frantz on drums, anchored by an instrumental loop.
Peaking at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100, the track is complemented by a Byrne-directed video as eccentric as the song itself.
A live rendition appears in the 1984 concert film “Stop Making Sense,” immortalizing Byrne’s whimsical dance with a standing lamp.
It also notably features in the 2003 film “Lars and the Real Girl,” highlighting its enduring presence in pop culture.
The music video is directed by David Byrne.
Writer(s) : Christopher Frantz, David Byrne, Jerry Harrison, Martina Weymouth Publisher(s) : Index Music Inc, Wc Music Corp
Genres : post_punk
Genres : Rock,alternative rock, art punk, dance rock, funk rock, new wave, permanent wave, post-punk, rock, zolo
Featured on the album 1983,Speaking in Tongues
21.95% / -0.25%
2 . The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
Released in 1986, “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” by The Smiths evokes the desire for romantic escapism and the yearning for transcendent love. The song has become an anthem for fans, especially for its poignant lyrics and melancholic melody. “And if a double-decker bus crashes into us, to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die”—a line unlikely appreciated by public transit authorities. The producer, John Porter, has also worked with artists like Billy Bragg and The Alarm.
The music video is directed by Derek Jarman.
Writer(s) : Steven Patrick Morrissey, Johnny Marr Publisher(s) : Artemis Muziekuitgeverij B V, Marr Songs Ltd (Gb)
Genres : Rock,madchester, new wave, permanent wave, rock, uk post-punk
Genres : Rock,madchester, new wave, permanent wave, rock, uk post-punk
The music video is directed by Derek Jarman
Featured on the album 1986,The Queen Is Dead
19.47% / 0.10%
3 . XTC - Mayor Of Simpleton
British rock band XTC’s “The Mayor of Simpleton,” penned by Andy Partridge and helmed by producer Paul Fox, debuts as the vibrant lead single from their 1989 album “Oranges & Lemons.”
Initially molded as a slower, reggae-tinged track, it morphs into an effervescent pop anthem, anchored by Colin Moulding’s deliberately orchestrated bass lines, intricate guitar layers, and vocal harmonies.
Reaching No. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100 and claiming the peak of the US Alternative Songs chart, it unfolds as a clever ode to emotional intelligence, playfully juxtaposing the narrator’s academic gaps with an endearing capacity for love.
XTC, formed in 1972 and rebranded in 1976, sidestepped live audiences post-1982 due to Partridge’s stage fright but secured cult reverence with “Black Sea” and “English Settlement.”
“The Mayor of Simpleton” punctuates a three-year hiatus following 1986’s “Skylarking.”
The music video is directed by Jim Blashfield.
Writer(s) : Andrew John Partridge Publisher(s) : Bmg Vm Music Limited
Genres : post_punk
Genres : Rock, Folk/Acoustic, Pop,alternative rock, art punk, art rock, beatlesque, new romantic, new wave, new wave pop, post-punk, power pop, uk post-punk, zolo
Featured on the album 1989,Oranges & Lemons
17.69% / 0.30%
4 . The Go_Betweens - Streets Of Your Town
One of the most popular songs by the Australian band, “Streets of Your Town” is a 1988 single by The Go-Betweens. Known for its gentle melody, vocal harmonies, and a flamenco guitar solo played by bassist John Willsteed, the track was produced by Mark Wallis, who has also worked with The Smiths. The lyrics evoke nostalgia and the beauty of everyday life in an Australian town, with the exact inspiration debated between Brisbane and Sydney.
The music video is directed by Paul Goldman.
Writer(s) : Robert Derwent Forster, William Mclennan Grant Publisher(s) : Domino Publishing Company Limited
Genres : australian alternative rock, australian rock, c86, dunedin sound, tape club, uk post-punk,australian alternative rock, australian rock, c86, dunedin sound, tape club, uk post-punk
Genres : australian alternative rock, australian rock, c86, dunedin sound, tape club, uk post-punk,australian alternative rock, australian rock, c86, dunedin sound, tape club, uk post-punk
The music video is directed by Paul Goldman
Featured on the album 1988,16 Lovers Lane
15.82% / -0.14%
5 . XTC - Generals And Majors
“Generals and Majors” by XTC skewers war-time clichés with a sardonic nod to “oh, what a lovely war.”
Colin Moulding delivers vocals and basslines laced in irony, while Andy Partridge’s jagged guitar riffs and vocals add pointed contrast.
Produced by Steve Lillywhite, the track marches to Terry Chambers’ clipped drumming.
The video features Richard Branson—then-owner of Virgin Records—wandering through the absurdity.
Writer(s) : Colin Ivor Moulding Publisher(s) : Bmg Vm Music Limited
Genres : vintage_power_pop
Genres : Rock, Folk/Acoustic, Pop,alternative rock, art punk, art rock, beatlesque, new romantic, new wave, new wave pop, post-punk, power pop, uk post-punk, zolo
The music video is directed by Marcus Adams
Featured on the album 1980,Black Sea
15.72% / 0.41%
6 . The Jesus - Far Gone And Out
Released in March 1992 by Blanco y Negro Records, “Far Gone and Out” appears as the second single from The Jesus and Mary Chain’s fourth album, “Honey’s Dead.”
By this point, the Scottish outfit—formed in East Kilbride back in 1983—pulls back from early feedback excess to something sharper, or at least more radio-cooperative.
The song also gets the obligatory music video, dimly lit and smoke-drenched, with the band doing their best not to look too bothered while playing.
The single sees the light in several formats—7-inch, 12-inch, and CD—each with its own set of B-sides, just in case one version wasn’t enough.
Writer(s) : James Mcleish Reid, William Adam Reid Publisher(s) : Domino Publishing Company Limited
Genres : post_punk
Genres : Rock, Pop, Folk/Acoustic,alternative rock, new wave, noise pop, post-punk, scottish indie, shoegaze, singer-songwriter, uk post-punk
Featured on the album 1992,Honey’s Dead
13.14% / -0.42%
7 . Echo - Nothing Lasts Forever
Revitalizing the band’s career after a hiatus and lineup changes, “Nothing Lasts Forever,” released in 1997, is a single by Echo & The Bunnymen. The song reflects themes of impermanence and the passage of time, with a melancholic yet upbeat melody.
The music video is directed by Norman Watson.
Writer(s) : Ian Stephen Mcculloch, William Sergeant, Leslie Thomas Pattinson Publisher(s) : Warner Chappell Music Ltd
Genres : Rock,alternative rock, new romantic, new wave, permanent wave, uk post-punk
Genres : Rock,alternative rock, new romantic, new wave, permanent wave, uk post-punk
The music video is directed by Norman Watson
Featured on the album 1997,Evergreen
12.50% / -0.50%
8 . New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle
Evoking confused and intense feelings related to a complex romantic relationship, “Bizarre Love Triangle” by New Order, released in 1986, is a classic synth-pop track. Known for its innovative use of the Fairlight synthesizer, a cutting-edge instrument at the time, the song stands out for its catchy refrain. The iconic music video features images of people falling and has boosted the song’s popularity, being featured in several films, including “Pretty in Pink” by John Hughes.
The music video is directed by Gretchen Bender, Robert Longo.
Writer(s) : Peter Hook, Bernard Dickin, Gillian Lesley Gilbert, Stephen Paul David Morris Publisher(s) : Vitalturn Co Ltd
Genres : Rock, Pop,alternative rock, dance rock, madchester, new romantic, new wave, permanent wave, post-punk, synthpop, uk post-punk
Genres : Rock, Pop,alternative rock, dance rock, madchester, new romantic, new wave, permanent wave, post-punk, synthpop, uk post-punk
The music video is directed by Gretchen Bender, Robert Longo
Featured on the album 1986,Brotherhood
11.23% / -0.09%
9 . The Mission Uk - Butterfly On A Wheel
The Mission UK’s “Butterfly on a Wheel,” a gothic-rock ballad from their 1990 album *Carved in Sand,* takes its title from the old idiom implying overkill, and its impact certainly lies within its restraint.
Released as the album’s lead single, it climbed to No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart, a rare high point for the band in commercial terms.
Built on wistful chords and a haunting, spiraling melody, the song carries a sense of devotional anguish, teetering between melancholy and hope.
Wayne Hussey’s delivery is understated yet aching, as if he’s holding something in or walking on emotional eggshells, a move that matches the mood but also suggests hidden tensions.
Some interpret it as a reflection on personal fractures within the band’s world, though that’s pure speculation; the lyrics are vague enough to feel universal yet personal.
The production by Tim Palmer injects just enough polish to shine without sanding off edges—a balancing act befitting the genre.
Still, it’s interesting that for all its enduring resonance, the track didn’t make the cut for their 1994 *Sum and Substance* compilation, as if to say the band wasn’t as attached to it as listeners proved to be.
Accompanied by a visually dramatic yet suitably ambiguous music video, “Butterfly on a Wheel” straddles the line between a gothic anthem and a bittersweet paradox, embodying a distinct moment in late ‘80s/early ‘90s rock when pathos didn’t have to plead for attention—it just seeped in uninvited.
Subtle yet deliberate, it has earned its place not as a cry for help but as a reluctant, beautifully weathered sigh.
Genres : ,gothic rock, post-punk
Featured on the album 1990,Carved in Sand
12.53% / -0.20%
10 . Talking Heads - Love for Sale
Produced by David Byrne, “Love for Sale” by Talking Heads critiques the commercialization of love in a consumer society, echoing the importance of media in modern culture. Notable for its parody of popular advertising tropes, the satirical message is reinforced by the music video, featured in the film “True Stories,” starring Swoosie Kurtz.
The music video is directed by David Byrne & Melvin Sokolsky.
Writer(s) : David Byrne Publisher(s) : Index Music Inc
Genres : Rock,alternative rock, art punk, dance rock, funk rock, new wave, permanent wave, post-punk, rock, zolo
Genres : Rock,alternative rock, art punk, dance rock, funk rock, new wave, permanent wave, post-punk, rock, zolo
The music video is directed by David Byrne & Melvin Sokolsky
Featured on the album 1986,True Stories
10.75% / -0.14%
11 . The Only Ones - Another Girl Another Planet
“Another Girl, Another Planet” by The Only Ones emerges as a cornerstone of the 1978 new wave era, written by Peter Perrett and nestled on their self-titled debut album.
Defined by its arresting guitar riff and Perrett’s languid vocals, it flirts with themes of addiction while allegedly nodding to a Yugoslavian muse.
Though uncharted at first, it reached No. 44 in New Zealand in 1981, No. 57 in the UK (1992), and ranked No. 18 in John Peel’s Festive Fifty millennium list.
Writer(s) : Peter Albert Neil Perrett Publisher(s) : Complete Music Ltd
Genres : post_punk
Genres : Rock,mod revival, protopunk, uk post-punk
Featured on the album 1978,The Only Ones
10.45% / 0.12%
12 . Talking Heads - And She Was
Talking Heads’ 1985 track “And She Was,” penned by David Byrne for their album “Little Creatures,” chronicles a whimsical tale of a girl tripping on LSD near a Yoo-Hoo drink factory, inspired by a real acquaintance of Byrne’s.
While lyrically surreal, with lines like “She was drifting through the backyard,” the song gained traction, hitting #54 on the Billboard 100, #17 in the UK, and top 20 positions in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.
As part of an album that peaked at #20 on the Billboard Album Charts, it marked a pivotal point in Talking Heads’ eclectic discography, showcasing Byrne’s knack for quirky storytelling.
The song later received live interpretations, including a memorable 2014 rendition where Byrne collaborated with Jherek Bischoff at St. Ann’s Warehouse, reaffirming its oddball charm.
The music video is directed by Jim Blashfield.
Writer(s) : Bernard Dickin, Stephen Paul David Morris, Gillian Lesley Gilbert, Peter Hook Publisher(s) : Vitalturn Co Ltd
Genres : post_punk
Genres : Rock,alternative rock, art punk, dance rock, funk rock, new wave, permanent wave, post-punk, rock, zolo
Featured on the album 1985,Little Creatures
10.61% / -0.17%
13 . The House Of Love - Shine On
Shine On, penned by Guy Chadwick, marks the debut single of British alternative rock ensemble The House of Love. Initially unleashed via Creation Records in 1987, it floundered on the charts. Reimagined with Tim Palmer’s production for the “Butterfly” album in 1990, it ascended to No. 20 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 24 in Ireland, with a modest No. 171 in Australia. Infused with shimmering guitars and reverb, it echoes pre-shoegaze ethos. Andrea Heukamp’s harmonies haunt the 1987 version, preceding her exit. Hailed as a “dark glamour” classic, it sits at No. 66 in PopMatters’ top 1980s alternative singles. Featured on Trigger Happy TV and Corey Duffel’s “Feed the Need,” its seven-format re-release bolstered its success.
Writer(s) : Bengt Magnus Alexander Bard, Anders Erik Hansson Publisher(s) : Universal Music Publ International Mgb Ltd, Universal Mca Music Scand Ab, Universal Music Publishing International Ltd, Eclectic Music
Genres : post_punk
Genres : Pop, Rock,britpop, c86, dream pop, uk post-punk
Featured on the album 1990,The House of Love
10.05% / -0.14%
14 . Siouxsie - Dazzle
With poetic and surreal lyrics addressing themes of beauty and disillusionment, “Dazzle,” released in 1984, is an orchestral track by Siouxsie & The Banshees, produced by Mike Hedges and the band. The song incorporates string arrangements by Martin McCarrick, adding an epic dimension to the group’s characteristic post-punk sound.
The music video is directed by Tim Pope.
Writer(s) : Peter Edward Clarke, Robert James Smith, Siouxsie, Steven Severin Publisher(s) : Domino Publishing Company Limited, Fiction Songs Ltd, Dreamhouse Music (Gb)
Genres : Rock, Pop,alternative rock, dream pop, new romantic, new wave, post-punk, punk, uk post-punk
Genres : Rock, Pop,alternative rock, dream pop, new romantic, new wave, post-punk, uk post-punk
The music video is directed by Tim Pope
Featured on the album 1984,Hyaena
9.70% / -0.06%
15 . Talking Heads - The Lady Don't Mind
Exploring themes of emotional detachment and disillusionment, “The Lady Don’t Mind” is a 1985 song by Talking Heads. This pop-rock track features an infectious melody and enigmatic lyrics by David Byrne.
The music video is directed by Jim Jarmusch.
Writer(s) : David Byrne, Christopher Frantz, Martina Weymouth, Jerry Harrison Publisher(s) : Bleu Disque Music Co Inc
Genres : Rock,alternative rock, art punk, dance rock, funk rock, new wave, permanent wave, post-punk, rock, zolo
Genres : Rock,alternative rock, art punk, dance rock, funk rock, new wave, permanent wave, post-punk, rock, zolo
The music video is directed by Jim Jarmusch
Featured on the album 1985,Little Creatures
9.04% / -0.11%
16 . XTC - Dear God
“Dear God” by XTC, released in 1986 and produced by Todd Rundgren, questions the existence of God and the problem of evil. Initially a B-side, it gained popularity on US college radio, prompting Geffen Records to reissue it. The song, presented as a letter to God questioning His existence and benevolence, sparked controversy, including bomb threats in Florida and sales refusals in some UK stores.
The music video is directed by Nick Brandt.
Writer(s) : Andy Partridge Publisher(s) : Emi Virgin Music Ltd
Genres : Rock, Folk/Acoustic, Pop,alternative rock, art punk, art rock, beatlesque, new romantic, new wave, new wave pop, post-punk, power pop, uk post-punk, zolo
Genres : Rock, Folk/Acoustic, Pop,alternative rock, art punk, art rock, beatlesque, new romantic, new wave, new wave pop, post-punk, power pop, uk post-punk, zolo
The music video is directed by Nick Brandt
8.96% / 0.53%
17 . The Smiths - The Boy With The Thorn In His Side
Released in September 1985, “The Boy with the Thorn in His Side” arrives as a single co-written by Morrissey and Johnny Marr.
A remixed version—this time dressed in synthesised strings—later appears on the band’s third studio album, *The Queen Is Dead*, in June 1986.
The track sees The Smiths step into the video age, with Ken O’Neill’s promo featuring the full quartet: Morrissey, Marr, Rourke, and Joyce, looking suitably uninterested.
They also perform the song on *Top of the Pops*, giving the thorn room to breathe in prime time.
Morrissey has claimed the “thorn” represents the charming disbelief the music industry has in both him and his bandmates.
The music video is directed by Ken O’Neill.
Writer(s) : Johnny Marr, Steven Patrick Morrissey Publisher(s) : Marr Songs Ltd (Gb), Artemis Muziekuitgeverij B V
Genres : post_punk
Genres : Rock,madchester, new wave, permanent wave, rock, uk post-punk
Featured on the album 1985,The Queen Is Dead
8.80% / 0.04%
18 . XTC - Senses Working Overtime
XTC’s “Senses Working Overtime,” the lead single from their 1982 album *English Settlement*, sees frontman Andy Partridge blend medieval-inspired motifs with modern production flair, led by a striking 12-string acoustic guitar riff.
Reaching No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 14 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, the track dives into sensory overload, with Partridge citing a fascination with human perception as inspiration.
Airing on BBC’s *Top of the Pops* in February 1982 and paired with a surreal music video on YouTube, the song merges chart success with unconventional pop elements, its time signature shifts studied extensively today.
The music video is directed by Brian Grant.
Writer(s) : Martina Weymouth, Jerry Harrison, Christopher Frantz, David Byrne Publisher(s) : Wb Music Corp., Index Music Inc
Genres : post_punk
Genres : Rock, Folk/Acoustic, Pop,alternative rock, art punk, art rock, beatlesque, new romantic, new wave, new wave pop, post-punk, power pop, uk post-punk, zolo
Featured on the album 1982,English Settlement
8.47% / 0.32%
19 . New Order - Blue Monday '88
New Order’s “Blue Monday ’88” refashions their 1983 single under Quincy Jones’s production and John Potoker’s mix, fusing sharper effects with the original’s skeletal energy.
Debuting in 1988, it graces “Substance 1987” and peaks at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart, number 4 in Australia, and reigns atop the U.S. Billboard Dance Chart.
William Wegman’s quirky video merges the band with his costumed Weimaraners, while its cultural echoes resound in “Atomic Blonde” and “Ready Player One.”
The music video is directed by Robert Breer.
Writer(s) : Andrew John Partridge Publisher(s) : Bmg Vm Music Limited
Genres : post_punk
Genres : Rock, Pop,alternative rock, dance rock, madchester, new romantic, new wave, permanent wave, post-punk, synthpop, uk post-punk
8.46% / 0.14%
20 . The Smiths - This Charming Man
Released on 31 October 1983 by Rough Trade, “This Charming Man” marks the second single from The Smiths, written by Morrissey and Johnny Marr.
It trades in sexual ambiguity and restless desire, wrapped in a jangle-pop riff catchy enough to cause whiplash.
The band first records it at Matrix Studios with John Porter, then heads to Strawberry Studios for the version that ends up on the single—though the earlier take sneaks onto a 12-inch as “London.”
A separate version recorded for BBC Radio 1’s John Peel session on 14 September 1983, produced by Roger Pusey, is aired one week later and later shows up on Hatful of Hollow (1984).
The song climbs to number 25 on the UK Singles Chart in 1983, only to return in 1992 and peak at number 8, presumably without changing its trousers.
Writer(s) : Steven Patrick Morrissey, Johnny Marr Publisher(s) : Artemis Muziekuitgeverij B V, Universal Music Publishing Limited (Gb)
Genres : post_punk
Genres : Rock,madchester, new wave, permanent wave, rock, uk post-punk
Featured on the album 1999,The Smiths
7.77% / -0.40%
Talking Heads’ “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” stays first, followed by The Smiths’ “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out.” XTC’s “Mayor of Simpleton” and “Generals and Majors” hold third and fifth, while The Go-Betweens’ “Streets of Your Town” remains fourth. The Mission UK’s “Butterfly on a Wheel” debuts at ninth.
The Post-Punk chart ends 2025 steady with one new entry, sustaining its balance between familiar depth and quiet reinvention.
Modest disclaimer: We don’t claim to be exhaustive. It’s possible you won’t find a title you expected to see on this list. Sorry about that — these things happen.