“Work sucks! I know.” That is just one of many iconic lyrics from Blink-182, a pop-punk band whose career spans over three decades.
The band began in 1992 in Poway, California, with Tom DeLonge at the helm. He met Mark Hoppus through a friend of a friend, and then Travis Barker solidified the trio years later after their previous drummer, Scott Raynor, quit. Over the years, their core sound remained steady while they developed more complex songwriting with meaningful themes. Here are the top 10 songs that best highlight their growth as a top-selling pop-punk band with more than 50 million albums sold worldwide.
1. “Dammit” (1997): The Early Pop-Punk Anthem
Although Cheshire Cat preceded Dude Ranch, Blink-182’s sophomore album was what propelled the band toward commercial success. Their breakthrough hit “Dammit” received heavy radio play, earning them a spot on the Vans Warped Tour that summer.
“Dammit” encapsulated the band’s emerging sound with fast-paced rhythms and memorable guitar riffs. Its relatable lyrics about teenage breakups and the key phrase, “Well, I guess this is growing up,” resonated with listeners.
2. “What’s My Age Again?” (1999): Perfecting the Pop-Punk Formula
Blink-182 gained mainstream popularity with the release of their third studio album, Enema of the State. The band captured the pop-punk sound in “What’s My Age Again?” with energetic drums and an infectious melody. This song was extremely popular, but the music video was truly spectacular.
“What’s My Age Again?” was released during the peak of the MTV music video era. Blink-182’s music video attracted a lot of attention, showcasing the band running naked through the streets of Los Angeles. The video enhanced the song’s lyrics by capturing the essence of youthful immaturity with the thought that “nobody likes you when you’re 23.”
3. “Adam’s Song” (2000): Exploring Deeper Themes
Another Enema of the State hit single was “Adam’s Song,” where the band displayed their ability to tackle more serious subjects, such as depression and suicide. It allowed fans to emotionally connect with Blink-182’s music.
“Adam’s Song” has a slow tempo and melancholic guitar riffs. The openness of the song’s structure let Barker be creative with his drumming. The lyrical content highlighted the band’s growth and maturity as songwriters. Despite the lyrics’ heavy weight, the song builds to a positive ending with the line, “Tomorrow holds such better days.”
4. “Stay Together for the Kids” (2002): Maturing Themes and Sounds
Blink-182’s highly-anticipated fourth studio album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, was the first punk record to debut at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200. The song “Stay Together for the Kids” discussed the impact of divorce on children and included dynamic vocal shifts.
Hoppus tackled singing quiet verses while DeLonge expanded on the loud choruses, emulating a marriage gone wrong. In an interview, DeLonge expressed, “We get emails — just kid after kid after kid — saying, ‘I know exactly what you’re talking about! That song is about my life!’”
5. “I Miss You” (2004): Experimenting With New Sounds
The trio reached a new level of songwriting maturity with their self-titled album released in 2003. The second single, “I Miss You,” deviated from the typical Blink-182 sound by using acoustic instrumentation and atmospheric production. Barker ditched the sticks for brushstrokes, and the band introduced what DeLonge noted as “50 tracks of instruments going on the record” in an interview.
While this song generated a meme lovingly based on DeLonge’s vocal delivery in recent years, it’s arguably one of the most memorable Blink-182 songs. It’s a hit that struck a chord with die-hard fans and welcomed newcomers discovering the band for the first time after a decade of performances.
6. “Not Now” (2005): Pushing Musical Boundaries
“Not Now” was another single from Blink-182’s self-titled album that continued to push their songwriting skills. This song showcased the band’s complexity with DeLonge’s experimental vocal delivery while Hoppus and Barker laid down the signature Blink-182 rhythm. Fans regard it as a beautiful song with haunting lyrics exploring the concept of death, such as “God has a master plan, and I guess I am His demand.”
7. “Up All Night” (2011): Reuniting With Music
In 2005, Blink-182 went on an indefinite hiatus. But after many years apart, they reunited for a performance in 2009 and rekindled their music-making spark.
Blink-182 released their sixth studio album, Neighborhoods, in 2011, debuting “Up All Night” as their comeback single. The song held its ground amongst die-hard fans. It stayed true to Blink’s trademark sound, but it also infused sonic instrumentals and vocal harmonies, noting a shift toward the future.
8. “Bored to Death” (2016): Embracing Nostalgia
The band’s seventh album, California, faced many delays with DeLonge’s second departure, allowing Alkaline Trio’s vocalist and guitarist, Matt Skiba, to step in. Despite the lineup change, this album received rave reviews. California debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, proving the band’s resilience and ever-growing talent.
The lead single, “Bored to Death,” featured sounds reminiscent of the band’s classic style, cultivating nostalgia for long-time fans while also ushering in a new era of Blink-182 fans. It’s a catchy pop-punk tune with heavy drums and lyrics discussing that “life is too short to last long.”
9. “Darkside” (2019): Incorporating New Elements
Blink-182’s album, Nine, marked the final studio creation with Matt Skiba and introduced hip-hop programming and electronics into the mix. The fourth single, “Darkside,” represented the band’s willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of punk rock. Featuring dark pop elements, it attracted new listeners accustomed to contemporary pop and electronic music. While the track may not have been well received, it remains a poignant moment in Blink-182’s music evolution.
10. “Quarantine” (2020): Addressing Current Events
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 halted the band’s marketing push for Nine, leading to low album sales and reception. To make the most of current events, Hoppus and Barker decided to write something new, and “Quarantine” was born.
Matt Skiba could not contribute due to recording conflicts, making this single the first ever to feature only Barker and Hoppus. “Quarantine” brought back the signature pop-punk energy that Blink-182 fans knew and loved. The duo included pandemic-related sarcasm and frustration in the lyrics, giving fans a balance of humor and seriousness for a glimpse of hope for better days ahead.
No matter the era you became a Blink-182 fan, there’s no denying their songwriting talent. There’s a chance we’ll get to experience the pop-punk thrill again with a new album on the horizon.
The post Top 10 Blink-182 Songs: Tracing the Band’s Evolution Through Their Best Tracks appeared first on 93.3 WMMR.
