Classic post-punk hits from Western music: a roundup of popular tracks you should listen to first
Post-punk, which emerged from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, is a major movement in Western music that inherited the spirit of punk rock while pursuing experimental and innovative sounds.
Characterized by a dark, melancholic atmosphere, highly artistic musicianship, and lyrics with sharp social insight, the genre has continued to exert a strong influence on contemporary bands across generations.
The word “punk” alone might surprise some listeners, but in this article we introduce classic post-punk anthems—beloved by passionate fans in Japan as well—and highlight the revival boom that has occurred since the 2000s.
Beginners are welcome to dive in!
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Classic post-punk hits in Western music. A roundup of popular tracks you should listen to first (1–10)
This Is EntertainmentCabaret Voltaire
Cabaret Voltaire is a British band formed in 1973, and the band’s name comes from a cabaret in Zurich, Switzerland.
“This Is Entertainment” is a track included on the 1980 album The Voice of America.
How Many Years Too SoonCHROME
Chrome is an American band formed in 1976, centered around Damon Edge.
“How Many Years Too Soon” is included on their debut album, “The Visitation,” released in 1977.
Whip ItDevo
“Whip It,” the smash hit by the American band Devo.
Its unforgettable synth riff and mechanical beat feel like a pep song from the future! On the surface, it’s a positive anthem that cheers you on with a “You can do it” vibe, but once you learn about their biting concept that “humanity is de-evolving,” the impression changes completely.
The lyrics’ repeated calls to face your problems might have been a satire of the era’s optimistic American culture.
When you grasp the song’s true meaning, you realize it’s far more than a simple pop tune.
Many listeners will find themselves impressed by the clever humor hidden beneath its catchy sound.
Classic post-punk masterpieces from Western music: a roundup of popular tracks you should listen to first (11–20)
Public ImagePublic Image Ltd
This is the debut single that put Public Image Ltd—the British band formed by John Lydon after leaving the Sex Pistols—on the map.
Its spacious sound, completely different from punk, must have drawn a lot of attention for its originality when it was released in 1978.
Jah Wobble’s rolling bass and Keith Levene’s razor-sharp guitar create a unique tension.
The lyrics, which declare a break from media-fabricated illusions, lodge in your memory for years and still resonate powerfully today.
I’m sure there are people who found the courage to stay true to themselves after hearing this song!
SpellboundSiouxsie And The Banshees
Spellbound, the masterpiece released in 1981 by the British band Siouxsie and the Banshees.
Many listeners were surely captivated from the very first moments by John McGeoch’s kaleidoscopically shimmering guitar riff that rings out in the intro.
The rapidly shifting arpeggios feel like an irresistible magic spell.
Layered with powerful, tribal drums and Siouxsie Sioux’s one-of-a-kind, commanding voice, you’re pulled in an instant into a dark, dreamlike world.
That curious exhilaration born within taut tension may be a sensation that’s uniquely theirs.
Totally WiredThe Fall
This is a signature track released in 1980 by The Fall, a post-punk band from England.
The biting vocals of Mark E.
Smith, the group’s sole original member, radiate a fierce individuality.
The sound woven from the repetitive guitar riff and the muscular bassline is pure, nerve-tingling tension.
The lyric shouting “Totally wired” feels like a cry of the heart, brimming with rebellion against society and an inescapable sense of restlessness.
The story of BBC DJ John Peel’s fervent support also hints at the song’s irresistible appeal.
It’s a cult favorite you’ll want to play when you need to unleash the impulse you’ve kept inside.
The Killing MoonEcho & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen, a British band whose introspective vocals evoke Jim Morrison, are strikingly memorable.
Released in 1984, The Killing Moon is an eternal classic that the band proudly hails as their masterpiece.
Many will remember it playing during an iconic scene in the film Donnie Darko.
Its neo-psychedelic sound—ornate strings that transcend post-punk and guitar lines that evoke a touch of Eastern Europe—unfolds like a feature film.
The profound lyrics about inescapable fate, carried by Ian McCulloch’s rich, resonant voice, seep gently into the listener’s heart.