Blink-182 just had a UK number one album. Think about that for a second.
Is it too early to hail the return of pop punk? Yes, far too early. It’s not even a return, more of a cheeky little peak in the pop punk wavelength. The thing is, pop punk doesn’t need to return, because it never really went away.
The charts may be occupied by Drake and… well, mainly Drake right now, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t legions of people up and down the country sneakily loading up Enema of the State on Spotify. Who cares what the public thinks: pop punk is still cool.
If you haven’t got your own pop punk nostalgia playlist, well shit, here’s one for you right here.
1. ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous’ by Good Charlotte
Yeah! Rich people suck! “But doesn’t Benji Madden have loads of mone-” Shut up!
2. ‘In Too Deep’ by Sum 41
Best music video of all time? This might be the best music video of all time.
3. ‘Gives You Hell’ by The All-American Rejects
When you see your ex after a couple of years and discover how crappy their life is without you, this song automatically starts playing.
4. ‘The Rock Show’ by blink-182
It ain’t pop punk without blink-182. Is it blink-182 without Tom DeLonge, though?
5. ‘My Own Worst Enemy’ by Lit
This track is – wait for it, wait for it – lit. Seriously though, it’s great.
6. ‘The Middle’ by Jimmy Eat World
“Guys… has anyone else noticed everyone here is just in their pants?”
“Look, we’re getting £20 and a brisket for this, just keep playing.”
7. ‘Want You Bad’ by The Offspring
Back when you really thought you wanted someone all tattooed. Now you just want someone who cleans up after themselves and doesn’t have any CCJs.
8. ‘The Boys of Summer’ by The Ataris
Don Henley never sounded better. What are the odds Don Henley has actually heard this version?
9. ‘Flavor of the Weak’ by American Hi-Fi
They might have spelt flavour wrong, and ‘weak’ is a terrible pun, but this song still kicks ass.
10. ‘Stacy’s Mom’ by Fountains Of Wayne
This probably leans a bit too far into the ‘pop’ side of pop punk, but you love this song and don’t even try to pretend that you don’t.
11. ‘1985’ by Bowling For Soup
‘Girl All The Bad Guys Want’ is good and everything, but ‘1985’ really showcases the true depth and artistry of Bowling For Soup. That’s not a joke. Stop laughing, it’s not a joke.
12. ‘My Friends Over You’ by New Found Glory
Feelings. Feelings are important. This song is about feelings.
13. ‘Time Bomb’ by Rancid
Who are The Clash? I’ve never heard of The Clash.
14. ‘That’s What You Get’ by Paramore
There’s more to Paramore than ‘Misery Business’, you know. Not much more, but statistically speaking, there is more.
15. ‘Shut Up!’ by Simple Plan
Angst is a dish best served adolescent.
16. ‘Dumb Reminders’ by No Use For A Name
The archetypical pop punk band. Textbook stuff. That’s not a criticism, it’s just a fact.
17. ‘Dear Maria, Count Me In’ by All Time Low
All Time Low are pretty much the only pop punk band that are actually getting bigger, which is a good thing?
18. ‘My Girlfriend’s Dead’ by The Vandals
If you liked The Vandals, you were more than a regular pop punker; you were a true pop punker. From the old days, y’know?
19. ‘MakeDamnSure’ by Taking Back Sunday
The lines between emo and pop punk blurred from time to time, and this was one of those occasions. It was screamier and more pain-ridden than your average pop punk track, but you could still jump about to it, and that’s all that really mattered.
20. ‘Stupid Kid’ by Alkaline Trio
Alkaline Trio were dark, man. Dark. Someone offered the singer a high five and he left them hanging. I’m telling you, they’re on another level.
21. ‘Waiting’ by Green Day
From one of Green Day’s most underrated albums, Warning, ‘Waiting’ is a classic Green Day anthem, and marks the end of the pre-American Idiot era. Then they got a bit full of themselves and put out three albums in one year. Can’t have it all, lads.
