Yeah, I know. I don’t exactly seem like the archtypical punk fan. And I’m probably not. But although I don’t look like a punk, and probably don’t think like a punk either, I can’t help but like the music, as well as what I see as the quintessential message of punk: Don’t care what anyone else think, just do your own thing. So, here are my 11 favourite punk songs at the moment:

1. Buzzcocks - Fallen In Love: “Ever fallen in love with someone you shouldn’t have fallen in love with?” Not only is this song both bloody fast and simple, it also has a catchy melody. It’s also got lyrics that combine teenage frustrations with some light critique of the Establishment. Most likely the first real poppunk song, although a contender to this title may be found a little farther down the list.

2. Sex Pistols - Holidays In The Sun: Both God Save The Queen and Anarchy In The UK are probably more familiar, and could just as well have taken this spot. But Holidays In The Sun beats them, because of Steve Jones’ tight and strong guitar play. He just keeps on going, even when Johnny Rotten starts up his most frantic babbling. As with most Pistols lyrics, the lyrics are practically bollocks. :P

3. The Undertones - Teenage Kicks: This song has some of the same atmosphere as does Fallen In Love, but it’s not as perfect. It’s both fast and tightly played, and has OK lyrics. It takes the third place because of the extreme energy with which it is played, as well as the lyrics’, which basically says that they don’t have anything to focus this energy on.

4. Stiff Little Fingers - Alternative Ulster: Descriptions of the daily lives of Northern Irish youth. Angry, political, apathetic, and so on.

5. The Damned - Smash It Up: A little slacker than the prior songs, but the lyrics’ message — that they want to smash everything up — is so punkish in attitude that all else is forgiven.

6. The Ramones - Too Tough To Die: The Ramones’ the-devil-may-care attitude is always present. Their songs are all equally tight and fast. This one takes the spot because of its title and message: When you’re young, you’re invincible, invulnerable, and immortal. Banal? Sure.

7. Dead Kennedys - California Über Alles (The Reagan version): Another typical punk song, at least when it comes to lyrics. Simple, exaggerated and somewhat childish rant about how much they dislike som politician. I prefer the Reagen version over the Jerry Brown version, as it’s easier for me to grasp the Reagan references.

8. The Offspring - Cool To Hate: Arrogant and posing. A wannabe “we hate them all” attitude. Not very believable or advanced, but what the hey.

9. The Clash - Career Opportunities: The Clash’s pure punk songs aren’t among their best, and most of them are quite dull, but they represented a revolution when it came to lyrics. No more of the nonsense of the Sex Pistols or The Damned; from now on it’s all about everyday situations and frustrations. This one’s about the labour marked.

10. Green Day - Basket Case: Fast, tight and aggressive music. Angst ridden and frustrated lyrics. Also, this song as about the same historical importance as Smells Like Teen Spirit.

11. Nofx - Murder The Government: Thirty four seconds of angry anarchism, played hard and fast. When this song was recorded, Nofx weren’t the most typical punk band, as its members were well over thirty. But at least they aren’t “chickenshit conformists like their parents”, to quote the Dead Kennedys’ view on those bands who compromised with the punk lifestyle.