U.K. Subs Songs Ranked
The U.K. Subs are an English punk band, among the earliest in the first wave of British punk. Formed in 1976, the mainstay of the band has been vocalist, Charlie Harper, originally a singer in the Britain’sR&B scene. They were also one of the first street punk bands. Here are all of the U.K. Subs songs ranked.
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14. Shake Up the City (Shake Up the City, 1982)
“Back to the more aggressive punk rock the band did earlier in their career. In fact more angry vocals than ever, straight forward hard riffing with tight beats, and some good basslines, although not the most groovy of them. At the same time also a rather clean production supporting the once again rawer sound of the band.”
13. She’s Not There (She’s Not There, 1979)
“Essential!! Even more so than their first single. All the songs feel really really fast and heavy even though they aren’t downtuned to oblivion or laden with blast beats. Just thick powerful raw guitar, short fun songs and great vocals. Paul Slack filling in for Charlie Harper on “She’s not There” (a Zombies cover) brings a nice touch with smoother vocals.
12. Keep on Running (Till You Burn) (Recorded 1979–1981, 1982)
“Keep on running was a more “group singalong” thing, it’s got a punky edge, but I’m not a fan of that. Instead, “Perfect Girl” is more to my taste. Somewhat punky vocals, with some good poppy punk rocky riffing to go with it, and a good level of energy. There are a bit of some bassline to the latter, but nothing remotely close from the more punky days of the band”
11. Party in Paris (Diminished Responsibility, 1981)
“Very punky vocals, and strummed riffing. Yet this album screams out quite much “mainstream pop punk” in my ears. Those groovy basslines are more or less gone and replaced by more straight forward bass playing in “total support” of the guitar riffs. Apart from the vocals, this album is quite much what I would call soulless music.”
10. Party Animal (Huntington Beach, 1986)
“When I first heard this song and saw this list I thought that this shouldn’t be at number one. Then I kept listening to it and now I totally agree.”
9. C.I.D (Another Kind of Blues , 1978)
“Awesome song! The astounding musicianship is most certainly on show in this song, kick-ass riffs mind-blowing solos, and ridiculous drums are just some of the reasons which make this magnificent song the best in a catalog of magnificent songs.
8. You Don’t Belong (Diminished Responsibility, 1981)
“You Don’t Belong is the best song ever. The whole song is just great and the lyrics are so awesome, its really, really awesome! Complex and genius. Includes several interludes and acoustic guitar. Incredible song”
See more: U.K. Subs Albums Ranked
7. Rock n Roll Savage (Huntington Beach, 1986)
“I honestly cannot get over how awesome this song is. Much different from past releases, but this is a total headbanger and of course will get stuck in your head in a great way.”
6. Emotional Blackmail (Brand New Age, 1980)
“Epic sound simply, everything simply sounds amazing in this song, love this song! It is extremely catchy and has a very groove oriented melody! This is the song that got me interested in this band!”
5. Stranglehold (Live at the roxy, 1977)
“Material wise this keeps going in the same shoes as the “C.I.D.” single did, but at the same time, the riffing has gotten a slightly harder edge to it, making the music a bit more angry than before. This one apart from good songwriting also has a good production to it, which really supports the band’s sound. Actually, this one also has a bit more straightforward riffing to go with it.”
See more: The Germs Albums Ranked
4. Japan Inc. (Japan Today, 1987)
“Although certainly with a fair share of good tunes, this still pretty much is the worst U.K. Subs album I have ever heard. A more modern-day 80’s production meets elements of everything from rap to more humorous kind of songs they all thought us American’s wanted to hear. Even keyboard and violins – back on the shelf you go.”
3. Tomorrow’s Girls (Another Kind of Blues, 1979)
“For this single, the guitar has gotten a quite rock’n’roll twist for it’s sound, the basslines are groovy (and especially check out the basslines in Scum of the Earth, the bass is not loud, but oh dear what a groove!). As for the title track the band does flirt a bit with the ska kind of thinking. Rather basic riffing as such, but still with a great sound, that gives the band a good punch in the sound. Very solid single!”
2. Teenage (Brand New Age, 1980)
“Teenage is arguably the most “radio-friendly” tune the band ever issued as a single, and it made it to #32 in the UK charts in May 1980. A month after it was issued, bassist Paul Slack and drummer Pete Davies left the band. Charlie Harper and Nicky Garrett quickly replaced the departed rhythm section with Alvin Gibbs and Steve Roberts. That line-up scored the Subs’ final British Top 40 entry with Party In Paris.”
1. Warhead (Brand New Age, 1980)
“After a bunch of very good singles, this one comes in feeling “rather standard” for the band. It’s still got the groovy basslines, but otherwise it leaves a bit on the mediocre side of things, although “The Harper” was quite unexpected “music wise”. Still far from being bad!”