The Ultimate Badass Playlist
by Anne T. Donahue
April 7, 2010
We’ve all had those days where we’ve had enough of the ridiculousness of others, often throwing our headphones on in hopes to seek refuge in certain music that works solely to charge and empower. We’ve all invested in new albums, gravitated toward new bands or took to new articles of clothing so that our thirst for all things badass can be quenched – but few things seem to combat that feeling like failing to have a proper list of tracks to articulate the need for rebellion. That’s why we’ve assembled a list of badass essentials; songs guaranteed to help capture the need for controversy, determination and individuality while temporarily ending your days of aimless shuffling on your iPod.
It’s nearly impossible to deny the intense qualities of Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince, and if you have any doubts as to their badass credibility, listen to their albums and watch their videos immediately. Few women of rock ‘n roll still manage to carry on the original punk rock attitudes that helped shape the genre, but with Moshart’s raw vocals and cavalier demeanour, she encompasses all that is badass. Throw in Hince’s obvious musical capabilities and the band’s distinct stage presence, and U.R.A. Fever is the perfect starter to a list that demands pure attitude.
Sheena is a Parasite – The Horrors
The Horrors’ first single off their 2006 debut, Strange House helped propel the UK five-piece into the leagues of serious garage rock forces, generating major buzz with both their unapologetic sound and shockingly abrasive video (which was banned from MTV UK as a result of its striking strobe effects). In addition to its controversy, the song’s title is a play on The Ramone’s legendary Sheena is a Punk Rocker, and coupled with Faris Badwan’s intense vocals and the song’s dynamic rhythm, the track manages to give both the preverbal middle finger as well as a thorough lesson in the efforts of badass.
Date with the Night – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Karen O is one of the few artists who can convey both the gentle and the abrasive, and in this track off 2003’s release, Fever To Tell, she summons her inner banshee for a bold and empowering song that could undoubtedly scare away the meek and mild. Featuring near-whispers, louder than life instrumentals and her trademark screams, we dare you to try not to walk with confidant determination and a newfound swagger while listening to Karen give it all she’s got.
It may not include guitar riffs, screaming lead singers or in-your-face attitude, but Crystal Castles’ Air War is the equivalent of the suave and subdued kid at the edge of the field, smoking his cigarette and intimidating onlookers with his obvious sense of cool and nonchalance. Besides, to argue that the duo of Ethan Kath and Alice Glass fail to fit badass criteria is nearly impossible, especially as their music continues to evoke vocal reactions from whoever catches a listen.
Any self-respecting music fan, 80’s and 90’s enthusiast or genuine badass is well-versed in Pixies culture and their obvious influence on rock ‘n roll past and present. Therefore, to be lacking the presence of the Boston four-piece on this playlist would be simply sacrilegious, especially since Bone Machine so perfectly manages to demonstrate Black Francis’ distinct yelp and the volatile dynamic between him and Kim Deal. (Of course, some might argue that the ultimate badass playlist would consist of tracks solely by The Pixies, but then where would put Iggy Pop or M.I.A.?)
While it may not entirely strike you as your typical badass anthem, Bad Kids simply conveys the feelings of wannabe punks and rebels everywhere, articulating the camaraderie felt by anyone on the peripheries of society, school or anywhere else. Coupled with the fact that The Black Lips are one of the few current bands to maintain the spirit of classic garage rock as well as the attitudes of its founding fathers, you can successfully forgive the fact that this track appeared on the pop-friendly (yet still super awesome) (500) Days of Summer soundtrack.
Emily Haines’ porcelain-meets-poison musical demeanour has become crucial in defining Canada’s alt-rock landscape, with her forcefulness and energy balancing her haunting and seemingly innocent vocal stylings. Appealing to the badass in all of us, Monster Hospital has become an anthem for the determined, yet slightly defeated; the relentless, yet frustrated and out-of-control. Because after all, most badasses are born out of volatile circumstances – just look at anyone synonymous with “musical icon”.
Alongside the likes of Patti Smith, Blondie’s Debbie Harry worked to bring punk to the forefront, owning her femininity and sexuality while challenging the industry’s pre-conceived notions about women in rock. And while Rapture or Heart of Glass (among many others) are often the first to be associated with the New York-based ensemble, Union City Blue still holds its own in the ranks of all that is badass, with its jarring instrumentals that soon give way to Harry’s bold vocals and obvious “whatever – I do what I want” demeanour. Mainstream following aside, Blondie is badass, and at age 64, she still holds her own against the majority of today’s youth.
Rock & Roll – The Velvet Underground
Attempting to select only one Velvet Underground track to add to this type of list is quite the feat – especially since the New York-based premiere punk band defines “badass” as we know it. However, while there are undoubtedly songs that embrace the band’s harder and darker elements, Lou Reed’s genuine hipness (of the rare Miles Davis variety) seems to purely resonate within Rock & Roll, making badasses everywhere nod in agreement at the song’s effortless cool as the group’s unique nature rekindles the punk rock attitude often lacking in current rock outfits.
Buggin Out – A Tribe Called Quest
While modern-day hip-hop currently seems to be equated with gangster rap, “selling out” or the occasional relevant artist (despite the fact there’s much more to it), the genre was originally born out of the spirit of rebellion, as artists stood up and used their music to comment on pressing social and political matters. Such was the case with A Tribe Called Quest, the legendary Queens-based outfit that utilized the golden age of hip-hop to bring attention to issues few artists failed to address. While Buggin Out may not be as dramatic as some of their work, its presence on 91’s incredibly influential The Low End Theory solidifies it as badass gold, while its subdued beat and obvious cool round out the list’s abundance of punk rock.
Within one listen to any Peaches’ track, you become fully aware of the Canadian powerhouse’s obvious badass qualities. The Toronto-based electro-force oozes sexuality, shocking everyone with her controversial approach and her obvious detest for gimmicks and commercialization, yet this track not only embodies her in-your-face dynamic, but it seems to articulate everything we’ve all wanted to say at some point (she just has the courage to actually say it.) Not only that, but it appears as 30 Rock’s Liz Lemon’s ringtone – and though she’s reliant on donuts and lady blazers, Lemon herself is quite the badass.
Forgetting the Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning film endeavour, The Runaways’ Cherry Bomb was the anthem for badass girls everywhere as Cherie Currie, Joan Jett and company became one of the first female bands to match the pandemonium once known only by the likes of The Beatles and the Stones. Even the most jaded music snobs can’t deny the empowering quality of this 1976 track, with its timeless chorus and unapologetic boldness. (And if you still can’t get the mental picture of Dakota Fanning belting it out, simply think about Parker Posey’s legendary drunken scene during Dazed and Confused.)
Gimme Danger – Iggy and the Stooges
No badass playlist would be complete without the appearance of punk rock founding father Iggy Pop, who challenged conventions, ignored boundaries and created a legacy based on his personal reputation and groundbreaking musical aftermath he left in his wake. Like The Velvet Underground, to choose only one Iggy and the Stooges track is nearly impossible, but few songs can so clearly articulate the band’s lust for controversy as they defined a music movement still incredibly influential in modern rock. As the volume, tempo, aggression and drama increase throughout the song, Gimme Danger not only makes you feel badass, it makes you feel important.
Tags: Music, Featured, Crystal Castles, Pixies, The Black Lips, The Kills
