Rock ‘n’ roll — and, to some extent, popular music as a whole — has always been about youth and subversion of authority. So it’s no surprise that some of the greatest songs of the past 50 years have been anthems of teenage rebellion. But recently, we had kind of a scary thought: Where have they all gone?
Our retrospective starts in 1958 and includes songs about everything from Romeo and Juliet-style love tragedies to revolutions both political and sexual to, well, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince’s “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” But when we reached the 21st century, we could only come up with indie songs and a few modern-rock hits that we just don’t think pack the same punch as, say, “Kick Out the Jams” or “If the Kids Are United.” Is the teenage rebellion anthem on its way out, or are we simply getting old? Read through our video playlist and let us know what you think.
Eddie Cochran — “Summertime Blues” (1958)
“Well, I called my congressman and he said, quote/ ‘I’d like to help you son but you’re too young to vote’”
Sonny Curtis and the Crickets — “I Fought the Law” (1959)
“Robbin’ people with a zipgun/ I fought the law, and the law won”
The Shangri-Las — “Leader of the Pack” (1964)
“They told me he was bad/ But I knew he was sad”
The Who — “My Generation” (1965)
“I hope I die before I get old”
Phil Ochs — “I Ain’t Marchin’ Anymore” (1969)
“It’s always the old who lead us to the wars/ It’s always the young who fall”
Comments (10)
How about the penultimate teenage rebellion anthem: The Who’s “Baba O’Reilly”. Also, “Subdivisions” by Rush.
“Baba O’Reilly” is great, but since we didn’t include more than one song by any given artist, “My Generation” had to take precedence.
Dude, where is NOFX “The Decline”? the 18 minute long punk anthem not only tackles the apathy of our current generation but single-handedly sums up the slow spiral that is the American empire. epic. one of NOFX’s most technically complicated and intense pieces of music.
Fun list, but it feels strange that “All the Young Dudes” comes immediately after “Changes” with no mention that they’re both written by Bowie. Obviously, it’s not a Bowie retrospective…
@PepperSF
You could probably compile a pretty decent list of teenage rebellion anthems totally confined to David Bowie: “Oh! You Pretty Things,” and “heroes” would also qualify
It’s not pop, but what about We are Golden by MIKA (2009)?
“Teenage dreams in a teenage circus…Who gives a damn about the family you come from/No giving up when you’re young and you want some”
That seems like pretty legit teenage anthem.
No Slack Motherf*cker?
Fail.
Yeah, I think we’re getting old. Rebellion is dead, at least in these upcoming generations. The drugged-up, rocked-out way of the 90s is long gone. We’ve bred an odd new youth that idolizes yes, sex, but not “badassery,” if you will. Liberalism, Nihilism, Whateverism is becoming a fashion statement not an opinion.
Great list….
I would add the following:
The Ramones – ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll High School’
The Jam – ‘The Modern World’ or ‘Town Called Malice’
Iggy Pop – ‘Kill City’
Flamin’ Groovies – ‘Teenage Head’
they got BRANDs,
no need to form BANDs.
they got iphones to TEXT around,
no guitar WOLFing anymore.
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