3 Classic Punk Rock Songs from the 1980s

While punk rock was born in years prior, it was the 1980s when it came of age. The era solidified the sounds and the genre as mainstream and hear to stay. With its one-part rage and one-part subversive smirk, the music has lasted ever since.

Here below, we wanted to explore three reasons why. A trio of tracks that helped punk rock music not only live but thrive. Three songs that exemplify its power, prowess, and necessity. Indeed, these are three classic punk rock songs from the 1980s.

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“Goo Goo Muck” by The Cramps from Psychedelic Jungle (1981)

A classic punk rock song of horror from the 1980s, audiences got reintroduced to this recently thanks to the Netflix show Wednesday, about Wednesday Adams. Actress Jenna Ortega danced her way into the hearts of millions while this song played into the night. Driven by strummed electric guitars, this song is a bit slower-paced than some might expect, but in that way it also looms and portends as much as it punches. Like a cold shadow creeping in, the song overtakes you. And on it, lead vocalist Paul McKenna sings,

When the sun goes down and the moon comes up

I turn into a teenage goo goo muck
Yeah, I cruise through the city and I roam the streets
Looking for something that is nice to eat, hm

You better duck when I show up
The goo goo muck

“Big Take Over” by Bad Brains from Bad Brains (1982)

The genre of punk rock owes much to the Washington, D.C.-born band Bad Brains. The group took the music into a more hardcore direction where each lyric seemed to tear off lead singer H.R.’s tongue and each dance move seemed to nearly rip the audience and band members apart limb from limb. This song from the band’s debut LP was a torrential downpour of sounds. Like a gash in the space-time continuum, it breaks open minds and spirits. And on it, H.R. sings,

No one dared to show for that shower
When nobody turned out to be clean
Was not even touched by the water
Just another Nazi scheme

The Big Takeover, yeah
The big takeover, yeah

So understand me when I say
There’s no hope for this U.S.A.
Your world is doomed with a jew segregation
Just another Nazi threat

“Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash from Combat Rock (1982)

One of those songs that just jumps to your lips as soon as you hear even the title, this track from the British-born band The Clash is all about whether there will be a love connection. But the singer poses the question with urgency, as all punk rock songs do. Is it yes, is it no? Should he stay or should he go? Indeed, lead vocalist Mick Jones sings,

Darlin’ you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
If you say that you are mine
I’ll be here ’til the end of time
So you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

It’s always tease tease tease
You’re happy when I’m on my knees
One day is fine and next is black
So if you want me off your back
Well come on and let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

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Photo by Keith Bernstein/Redferns