Time is a valuable thing, and the musicians who can make a quick point in a short amount of time deserve their props. We’ve put together a quick list of ten excellent songs from indie’s past (and from a few associated genres), all of which end in 120 seconds or less. These tracks throw their shit on the table right away, drive their points home as fast as possible, and end quickly enough that they’re still rattling around in your head long after the next track has already started. The best part: You can listen to the whole playlist in less than 20 minutes.
Wire – “Three Girl Rhumba”:
Minor Threat – “I Don’t Wanna Hear It”:
The Smiths – “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want”:
Primal Scream – “Velocity Girl”:
Bikini Kill – “New Radio”:
Guided By Voices – “Game Of Pricks”:
DJ Shadow – “Organ Donor”:
Neutral Milk Hotel – “King Of Carrot Flowers, Pt. 1″:
The Mountain Goats – “Dance Music”:
Joanna Newsom – “On A Good Day”:
Plenty of other great songs could’ve made this list: The White Stripes’ “Fell In Love With A Girl,” the Misfits’ “Braineaters,” Spoon’s “You Gotta Feel It,” Sleater-Kinney’s “Little Mouth,” the Vaselines’ “Molly’s Lips,” Madvillain’s “Accordion,” the list goes on. In the comments section, name some of your favorites.
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I’m surprised “Cold War” by The Morning Benders didn’t make it on here. And is DJ Shadow really “indie rock”?
Going with a big blanket definition type of thing there, but Endtroducing is as much a part of the ’90s indie canon as any other record on here.
Yes. This.
That’s a REALLY big blanket you guys have, there.
Seems like if Pitchfork has ever endorsed it, it can be classified “Indie Rock” retroactively.
I wonder what DJ Shadow c 1996 would have to say about being lumped with the Mountain Goats AND Minor Threat in the same genre!
You’re surprised that A Morning Benders song didn’t make it onto a list of the “Greatest” Indie rock songs of all time? Weird.
I guess it wouldn’t be fun to load the list up with lots of songs by one band.. But Guided By Voices- A Good Flying Bird is a monster of song.
Also:
Animal Collective- Sweet Road
Arthur Russell- You Can Make Me Feel Bad
Vivian Girls- No
Orange Juice- Intuition Told Me Part 1
love “no” by vivian girls! i feel like they really get me on that one.
if they are allowing DJ Shadow, then you have to allow MF Doom Special Herbs and Spices….. “Jasmine Blossoms” .. just sayin.
Pavement’s “I Love Perth” is missing from this list. Sadface.
More glaringly, I think, is the omission of “Zurich is Stained.” THE FUCK? I mean, that’s a no brainer. This list should just be Zurich Is Stained 10 times and then call it a day.
.-.
hmmm no white stripes
read the full article. (e.g. the paragraph under the list)
sorry I saw the official list and immediately commented.
I’m afraid I prematurely shot my wad
Cloud Nothing’s “Rock”
The Minutemen!!
I was about to say that myself. you have a whole catalog there of songs that are almost all under 2 minutes. I would probably throw an entire side of Double Nickels on the Dime on here. gotta be one of my favorite albums.
You missed
Fell in love with a girl – white stripes
Highly evolved – vines
Wreckin’ bar – vaccines
1977 – the clash
Been a son – nirvana
And Fitter Happier
Just caught the white stripes shout out at the bottom there… well either way
Also the Magnetic Fields. Both bands give you lots of choices.
Serpentine Path
Serpentine Pad?
Cut Copy’s “Saturdays (Reprise)”
“The Clap” by The Unicorns
agreed. Amazing song
I’m quite partial to “Nørgaard” by The Vaccines.
yeah yeah yeahs-pin
every GBV song pre-1996
Telekinesis – Palm of your hand
Neon Indian – Laughing gas
Jay Reatard – It’s so easy
Olivia Tremor Control – Jumping Fences
Pixies – Something against you / Allison
jay reatard has a lot of under 2 min hits- love blood visions
definitely!! it was difficult for me to pick just one.. same with the Pixies
It’s been said, but you could make a pretty good entire album of GBV songs under two minutes.
Some other favorites not on the list
Spoon: Utilitarian & Car Radio
Brian Jonestown Massacre: This is Why You Love Me
Super Furry Animals: Do or Die & God! Show Me Magic
The Thermals: Our Trip & Overgrown, Overblown
“It’s been said, but you could make a pretty good entire album of GBV songs under two minutes.”
More like, “It’s been done” (allllmost!):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_Lanes#Track_listing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_Thousand#Track_listing
Was hoping this list would just consist of every track from New Brigade
btw, Ween-You Fucked Up
I think most of those songs are just slightly over 2 minutes
I was about to say I could think of about a bunch of black flag songs that should replace the minor threat song but a quick check on itunes shoed they were all slightly longer than 2 minutes. Also Nirvana’s version of Molly’s lips kills the original any day of the week. At least in my opinion
I don’t wanna hear it. Naaahhhhyr full of shit.
I don’t wanna hear it. Naaahhhhyr full of shit.
Nice and fun list. “On A Good Day” and “King of Carrot Flowers” immediately came to mind, so I was glad to see you concur! Maybe the list should be Top 20, so as to include more GBV and White Stripes.
What about Napalm Death’s “You Suffer”???
Seriously though, it’s a fun playlist but truthfully the top ten indie rock songs under two minutes are ALL by Guided By Voices.
Some wildcards/faves:
Bad Religion – “Suffer” / “Walk Away”
Idaho – “Crawling Out”
Jawbreaker – “Boxcar”
Minutemen – “Political Song for Michael Jackson to Sing”
Pixies – “Tame” / “There Goes My Gun”
Sense Field – “Outlive the Man”
TMBG – “Particle Man”
I think it was on a major, but one of my favorite sub-2:00 songs is Suicide Machines’ “No Face”.
Also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt4qYviFjxo
If only Intro by The XX was 8 seconds shorter…
The Magnetic Fields: Reno Dakota
I’m not trying to qualify these as the “best” “indie” “songs” or anything, but here’s a few of my favorite songs under 2 minutes:
Yes, You’re Busted :::: by Kind of Like Spitting
My Year In Lists :::: by Los Campesinos!
One of Each :::: by Molly Rankin
It’s Love :::: by The Softies
YR Broom :::: by Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
We Put a Pearl in the Ground :::: by St. Vincent (Mike Garson)
and let’s not forget every single Tokyo Police Club song ever written…
“Centennial” for sure
“At Last” by Neko Case immediately springs to mind…one of my fave short songs…
misfits-HybridMoments
Side By Side-You’re Only Young Once
The Hated-I don’t Like YOu
No Bunny- Gone For Good
Oblivians -SOmething for Nothing
White Stripes – Slicker Drips,,dun-dun— Nobody to Love dun–dun, . Dun….
BTW– I Don’t want to hear it is not an Indie song-Now if you picked Salad Days (minus the 120 second rquirement)
My favorite all-time: “Under a Hollow Tree” by Royal City
Others:
“Fall of the Star High School Running Back” – the Mountain Goats
“Deianara Crush” – the Mountain Goats
“Rush Apart” – the Rural Alberta Advantage
“The Hoofs” – WHY?
And if we allowed five more seconds:
“Trees Are A Swayin’” – say hi
“Country Caravan” – Blitzen Trapper
“We Don’t Say Shut Up” – Danielson
(not indie, I know) “I Can’t Explain” – the Who
Hey check out this Deianara Crush remix I just found on YouTube…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSNiG06tAD4
The fact this list doesn’t have any Pavement songs makes me very sad indeed. How long is Trigger Cut?
Sebadoh – “Good Things”
Nirvana- “Very Ape”
The Lemonheads have a bunch of classics (to me at least)
Being Around
Rockin Stroll
Bit Part
Alison’s Starting To Happen
Ceiling Fan In My Spoon
Frank Mills
Though I’m not surprised it isn’t on here, Los Campesinos!’ “My Year In Lists” definitely deserves a shout-out.
King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1 is 121 seconds. Fuck you.
But my favorite Wire song is listed first so I’ll let it slide, but only slightly.
woah woah woah… Particle man
pull out –dfa 1979
Los Campesinos! – My Year in Lists
oh, and just about every mclusky song, ever.
Sleigh Bells – Straight A’s’
Oh I think I read the title wrong, I thought it meant we could play all of those songs under two minutes so I just played them all at the same time. That didn’t work : P
Thanks Stereogum, I like the fact that I can listen to all these songs in under 20 minutes. I don’t know if this has been mentioned yet but it could be interesting to do a list on the opposite end of the spectrum such as indie rock songs over 6 minutes
I thought same thing. Except i was thinking over 20 minutes would be rad.
Bend Down the branches – Tom waits
is this it (original demo) – the strokes
gigi leung is dead- my little airport
kitchen tile – typhoon
benaki – hermit thrushes
honeybee – mountain man
abandoning – parenthetical girls
the easter parade, pt. 2 – emmy the great
yomigaeru – pastels/tenniscoats
tim i wish you were born a girl – of montreal
Ævagömul Orkuflula – ólöf arnalds
giraffe – miniature tigers
adventure.exe- final fantasy (is just two seconds too long!)
those are a few that I enjoy.
Ty Segall — Pretty Baby (You’re So Ugly)
The Exploited — Punk’s Not Dead
The Dismemberment Plan — Soon to be Ex-Quaker
King Missile — Martin Scorcese
My Bloody Valentine — Touched
And most importantly, The Ramones — Judy is a Punk. The prototype for all 2 minute long songs!!!!
oops, I done spelled Marty’s name wrong!!!
modest mouse – might
why? – the hoofs
the microphones – i felt your shape
pavement – zurich is stained
A lot of GBV could be on this list, personally i was rooting for Always Crush Me.
YES! i was just thinking that the microphones should be on this list!
I’ve always thought Low’s “Sea” was both economical and yet totally affecting in all the best ways.
“Fat” by Archers of Loaf, which is also (one of) the best breakup song(s).
Joanna Newsom may be independent, but rock she does not.
90% of the songs from Deerhoof’s “Reveille”
White Denim – El Hard Attack DCWYW
also Spoon’s “Car Radio” is pretty great
Definately one of the best list ideas I have seen in a long time. SUCK IT NME!!!
here are some that i don’t think have been mentioned:
frog eyes – “the fence feels its post” and its chaser, “the akhian press,” “ship destroyer,” or
“time reveals its plan at poisoned falls”
deerhoof – “kidz are so small”
neutral milk hotel – “communist daughter,” “the fool,” or “a baby for pree” (all actually under two minutes)
phosphorescent – “at death, a proclamation”
pixies – “oh my golly!”
the unicorns – “ready to die”
one that isn’t indie rock, but oh well:
vashti bunyan – “diamond day”
…and i also heartily second:
the microphones – “i felt your shape,” which i couldn’t believe didn’t make the list.
Hot Freaks!
Titus Andronicus Forever!!
You’re Blessed by Iceage!
Where is “True Love Will Find You In The Held” ??
+
Daniel Johnston – Held The Hand
The Libertines – Mayday
Belle & Sebastian – Scooby Driver
No Age – Brain Burner
Best Coast – Crazy For You
Sebadoh – Temptation Tide
The Magnetic Fields – Absolutely Cuckoo (<– This one is ESSENTIAL)
The Microphones – I Felt Your Shape
Then I'lll go for something by Cap'n Jazz
oooh! i felt your shape – yes!
Thingy – Nod
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMfEkDExloE
Built To Spill-Twin Falls
Iron and Wine-Radio War
Modest Mouse-Space Travel is Boring, Wild Pack of Family Dogs
Los Campesinos-My Year in Lists
Death Cab for Cutie-Steadier Footing
The Unicorns-Ready to Die
+1 for Steadier Footing.
Thanks for these suggestions, I’ve discovered some gems I’d missed. I’ve put together a 58 track Spotify playlist of most of the songs here. Sorry if I missed your favourite.
http://open.spotify.com/user/njbrunnock/playlist/0fnDWeJMCsrSFzMF8Rli78
+At The Drive-In – Star Slight
The only worthy tracks on this list are from GBV, Bikini Kill and Joanna Newsom. The rest are so fucking lame.
Very happy Minor Threat made it. I always keep it in my playlist
Elastica’s “Vaseline” would have to make my personal list, as would the Fall’s “Industrial Estate.”
Upon checking my library to confirm song running times, I can add:
Don’t Go To Liverpool – Times New Viking
Life Stinks – Pere Ubu
I Live For That Look – Dinosaur Jr
Tame – Pixies
Tony’s Theme – Pixies
Fags and Failure – Graham Coxon
Favours in the Beetroot Fields – British Sea Power
Far Out – Blur
Pigs on the Wing, Pt. 1 – Pink Floyd
Living for the Depression – Flipper
Cigarettes – Leningrad Sandwich
Oh Shit – Buzzcocks
Just the One – the Levellers
The Drawback – Joy Division
Happy – Best Coast
Limehouse – the Breeders
Cassetto – Neu!
Hypnotize – the White Stripes
Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues – Mcclusky
Summer Hits or J+J Don’t Like – Mazes
Xxzxcuzx Me – Crystal Castles
Messenger – Wipers
White Riot – the Clash
Surf Bat – 45 Grave
Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want – Muse’s cover version
“Johnsburg, Illinois” by Tom Waits is one of my all time favorite songs, would definitely fit on this list.
“Clap Your Hands!” by CYHSY would be way more of a stretch, but I’ve always had a soft spot for it. It would go on my personal list.
“Wild Pack of Family Dogs” by Modest Mouse got mentioned already, but yeah that one too.
Also this might raise the genre issues, but pretty much anything off of J Dilla’s “Donuts” would work here for me also.
Great idea for a list. This was fun.
Pretty sure ‘The King Of Carrot Flowers, Pt. 1′ is not under 2mins.
+1 for Pavement – Zurich is Stained
Slits–”Shoplifting”
Raincoats–”No Side to Fall in”
1/2 Japanese–”Calling all Girls”
Young Marble Giants–”Final Day”
Mekons–”Never Been in a Riot”
Mag Fields–”Asleep and Dreaming”
Hold Steady–”Crucifixion Cruise”
Statuesque–”Dutch”
and Vic Chesnutt–”Steve Willougby” (OK, this last one is 2:11, but I really love it. So.)
The White Stripes – Fell in Love with a Girl, You’re Pretty Good Looking (For a Girl), Hypnotize
Cat Power – Islands, I Found a Reason (2:00 exactly)
Death Cab for Cutie – Steadier Footing
Bon Iver – Team
Crystal Antlers – Tentacles
Ben Kweller – How It Should Be
Of Montreal – Sink the Seine
The Suburbs – Chemistry Set
Mando Diao – Good Morning,herr Horst
Okkervil River – Black Sheep Boy
Maher Shalal Hash Baz – “Kidneys”
Bad Brains – “Pay to Cum”
Wedding Present – “Getting Nowhere Fast” (not their song, I know, but the best version)
Scratch Acid – “Monsters”
Butthole Surfers – “Hay”
Brainiac – “Indian Poker (part 3)”
The La’s – Clean Prophet
destroys anything named thus far
Guided by voices – teenage FBI
Was going to add “my year in lists” and “I felt your shape” but they’re already on here.
One more:
The house that guilt built – the wrens
If we’re using a “broad” definition of indie rock, since DJ Shadow was included and is neither rock nor “independent,” then I’d include
Andrew WK – It’s Time to Party
Big Black – The Power of Independent Trucking
Blur – Bank Holiday
Boris – Electric
Broadcast – Oh How I Miss You
Buzzcocks – Oh Shit!
Clinic – Hippie Death Suite
DJ/Rupture – Too Much
Elvis Costello – Love For Tender
FlyLo – Nose Art
Frank Black – Whatever Happened to Pong (though Thalassocracy was close)
Fugazi – Back To Base
Ghostface – Kunta Fly Shit
Husker Du – Beyond the Threshold
J Dilla – Thunder
Jay Reatard – My Family, Blood Visions, wishing My Shadow was under 2 minutes.
Madvillain – Sickfit
McLusky – Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues and Dethink to Survive
Just going to skip Minutemen and Minor Threat because that’s too hard to choose.
Mission of Burma – This is Not a Photograph
Nicolaas Jaar – Spectres of the Future
Nirvana – Downer
Pixies – Broken Face
Public Enemy – Show ‘Em Whatcha Got
White Stripes – Hypnotise
Woods – Any Other Day
Women – Cameras
Click “Time” tab at top of iTunes library
Pick things that are totes original
Post to Stereogum
No, make “smart playlist” with running time between 0:00-2:00, and pick the songs that I like the most (usually the ones with the most play counts).
I was actually only replying directly to Brosef, who was trolling my above post (and I genuinely did make a “smart playlist” with songs having a running time between 0:00-2:00 and then picked my favorites). Is that not okay?
V. happy so many people dig “I Felt Your Shape.” Mix tape staple.
Women – Group Transport Hall
GBV – Awful Bliss, A Good Flying Bird, As We Go Up We Go Down, To Remake The Young Flyer
Operation Ivy – Knowledge
Mclusky – Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues
Frank Black – Bad, Wicked World
Get that Mountain Goats song off the list and it’s OK. Probably the track that made me decide to stop listening to them.
love Group Transport Hall!
this is a really cool list idea, kudos. i love short songs.
also, you know what’s really cool? try playing all 10 songs at once.
How about “Nanny In Manhattan” -Lilys?
This is some silly business. Neat, though.
WHY? “28″
Seriously.
i just don’t understand the point of lists like this.
To end our dependence on foreign oil. Of course.
the dead kennedys – Short songs
Of course, the one classic song that’s conspicuous by its absence is “Mervyn & Isaac Find A CD” by Ace Bushy Striptease. Cmon ‘Gum. I expect you not to miss the obvious.
Also “Song Two” is really 1:59. So that counts. Also “Wreckin’ Bar” — Vaccines. And about 10 great songs by Los Campesinos! And “Fuuuuuun” by Be Your Own Pet.
So I’m aware this article has been around for a while now, but I just realized “New Clothes for the New World” by Disco Inferno – like, seriously. That is an amazing song. They got a little attention a few months ago from Pitchfork because they got a reissue of their EPs, but damn, “D.I. Go Pop” is pretty much an unbeatable album. Legit. Hopefully someone sees this…one day…
“Return To Hot Chicken” & “Superstar Watcher” -Yo La Tengo
“Agitation” -Erykah Badu
“Who Is It?” -Talking Heads (from The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads)
“Breaking Glass” -Bowie
“Oil Birtan” -Bjork
“Calvary Scars” -Deerhunter
“Doe Dear” -Crystal Castles