As a 30-something millennial, it is my right to like what might be considered bad music. If you grew up in the heyday of Emo and Myspace, you, too, might have questionable taste in musicians. Thus, It should come as no surprise that I am a music listener for the lyrics. Music is fine, but lyrics are what make me enjoy a song. The logical outcome is Folk Punk.
Thus, here is my non-exhaustive list of Folk Punk bands and their ranking, with little explanation.
As you can see, I only included my favorites, so it only goes to a C. Call it grade inflation.
The songs and bands may include not-cool-for-school words or themes. This is not a list of songs aligned with Winchester Thurston in any way, and this is just an opinion piece of music I dig.
I leave you with the words of Patrick Schneeweis (singer of Pat the Bunny, Ramshackle Glory, Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains, and Wingnut Dishwasher’s Union): a punk rock song won’t ever change the world, but I can tell you about a couple that changed me.
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Band |
Lyrical Evidence | |
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Against Me! |
Baby, what’s that confused look in your eyes? |
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AJJ |
Cause I see Satan’s face when I look in the mirror. I see God inside of all of the people I meet. |
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Apes of the State |
Cause they’re from a generation where you could be what you wanted to be But baby, I’m a 90’s kid, only 90’s kids will understand thi |
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Days n’ Daze |
We’ll dance in the street with mud on our knees And show the world we’re everything they wish to be |
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Defiance, Ohio |
Oh, Susquehanna! |
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Endless Mike and the Beagle Club |
Mainstreet Johnstown Is a one-way That leads out And only out But I guess everything does |
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The Homeless Gospel Choir |
I found my escape In that Green Day tape When the songs would end we’d just rewind them Kids with purple hair We’re all out there somewhere |
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Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains |
Tonight I bake my madness a birthday cake Because even the insomniacs aren’t awake |
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Local News Legend |
Kisses are a better fate, lady I swear by all flowers That I find it really hard To stop thinking about you |
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Mischief Brew |
Wake me when Steel City’s Roadwork signs shine in my face (whoo!) Now I’m safe |
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Kimya Dawson |
Now I’m home for less than twenty-four hours That’s hardly time to take a shower |
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Pat the Bunny |
And If I have to tell you that we are beautiful Maybe you’re in the right place And If I ever forget that we are beautiful I hope you’re here to remind me If I have to tell you that we are beautiful I hope you’ll stick around until you can see it |
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Ramshackle Glory |
We burned the calendars for warmth, and the alarm clocks just for fun |
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Rent Strike! |
So there’s a movie theater behind my eyes And the people in the audience, they talk all the time And maybe when I’m older, I’ll understand why The film keeps rolling, rolling on by |
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Violent Femmes |
I hope you know that this will go down on your permanent record Oh, yeah? Well, don’t get so distressed Did I happen to mention that I’m impressed? |
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Wingnut Dishwasher’s Union |
A punk rock song won’t ever change the world But I can tell you about a couple that changed me |
I’m always excited to hear about music from students – share what you are listening to!!!
