The Damned Songs Ranked

The Damned are an English rock band formed in London, England in 1976 by lead vocalist Dave Vanian, guitarist Brian James, bassist (and later guitarist) Captain Sensible, and drummer Rat Scabies. They were the first punk rock band from the United Kingdom to release a single, “New Rose” (1976), released an album, Damned Damned Damned (1977), and tour the United States. They have nine singles that charted on the UK Singles ChartTop 40. As one of the first gothic rock bands, The Damned was a major influence on the goth subculture with lead singer Vanian’s vampire-themed costume, baritone singing voice, and dark lyrics being major influences. Here are all of The Damned songs ranked.

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10. Plan 9 Channel 7 (Machine Gun Etiquette, 1979)

“This song is Dave Vanian’s ode to the fabled love affair between 50’s horror starlet Vampira and pop-culture icon James Dean. In my opinion it’s one of the best off Machine Gun Etiquette.”

9. Love Song (Machine Gun Etiquette, 1979)

“I love the chorus. None of that melodramatic rubbish you normally hear in love songs. It’s the anti-love song love song. Really is brilliant classic damned very light hearted lyrics but very very good.”

8. Machine Gun Etiquette (Machine Gun Etiquette, 1979)

“A really fun pop punk album. The production is raw but clear enough for the catchy melodies to pass through, and these are really something. The hooks are really catchy and fun to listen to, the songs are about teenage revolution, anti christianity and mostly just messing around.”

7. New Rose (Damned Damned Damned, 1977)

“Two minutes and forty five seconds of shitty singing surrounded by balls-out drumming and a guitar riff that’ll give you hair where there wasn’t hair before. Extra half a star for that Shangri-La’s-inspired intro. Fantastic stuff.”

See more: The Damned Albums Ranked

6. Alone Again Or (Anything, 1986)

“Classic 80’s for the “new wave” crowd. Something you would have heard on KROQ back in the day or will now hear on a flashback lunch radio show.”

5. Neat Neat Neat (Damned Damned Damned, 1977)

“Starts with a nod to the punkiest of all girl groups, the Shangri-Las then tears into its 101 mph glory. The nihilistic lyric is all over the place but the song knows where it’s going. Brilliant follow-up to “New Rose”.”

4. Anti-Pope (Machine Gun Etiquette, 1979)

“Obviously against the religious mind set specifically Christianity and even more specifically Catholicism. Its good to note that the song clearly explains its not against the followers, but the actual priests and hierarchy of religion or the people making money off other peoples suffering.”

3. Bad Time for Bonzo (Strawberries, 1982)

“This song is definitely in reference to the jelly bean munching republican swine. I’m surprised how many people have never heard of the Damned, they were highly influential in the early days of punk, and also contributed to the Goth/Darkwave scene.”

2. Smash It Up, Pt. 1 & 2 (The Black Album, 1980)

“Great single. The guitar riff is highly addictive, and the singing is pretty spot on. The song is simply a blast to listen to, really fun and enjoyable. I must say however that i prefer the Offspring cover of this song, but maybe that’s simply because i only heard the original version recently.”

1. Life Goes On (Strawberries, 1982)

“I think this was almost a pick-me-up song to the reaction of Ian Curtis/Malcolm Owen Deaths in the music world in 80/81. As far as I know the Damned had good relations with both of the singer’s bands. Then again I’m just guessing here, I’m not sure when this song was written.”