Fan Poll: 5 greatest pop-punk bands of all time
For the past 40 years, pop-punk has gone through many evolutions. From the Ramones and Bad Religion to blink-182, the genre has garnered fans for its sticky choruses and guitar-centric melodies. The underlying allure of pop-punk lies in the thematic elements of the songs which also include romance, lust, heartbreak, and rebellion — and so many bands have truly made them their own, pushing the boundaries of the genre in their wake.
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With so many bands to choose from, we asked our readers to choose the greatest pop-punk bands of all time. The top five fan picks are ranked accordingly below.
5. Paramore
For more than two decades, Paramore has dominated pop-punk, with songs centering on the nostalgia of teendom, frustration, and heartache. Angsty anthems like “Misery Business” and “Pressure” have solidified bandleader Hayley Williams as one of the best pop-punk vocalists of all time, too.
4. New Found Glory
From singing about suburban drama to ex-girlfriends, New Found Glory‘s infectious choruses and raw emotion has cemented the group as one of the most impactful pop-punk bands of all time. Even now it’s impossible not to get “My Friends Over You” and “Head On Collision” stuck in your head on repeat.
3. Good Charlotte
For over 25 years, Good Charlotte‘s vulnerable, pop-punk anthems have made them one of the most influential bands in the scene. From critiques on wealth (“Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous”) to ruminating on being an outcast (“Little Things”), the group’s songwriting aptly embodies societal pressures with a ton of catchy choruses.
2. Green Day
While Green Day began as an underground punk band, they helped put pop-punk as a genre on the map in the ’90s. From the gritty guitar riffs of “Basket Case” to the wistful vocals of “Waiting,” the East Bay rockers have solidified their place as heroes of the genre.
1. blink-182
With their fast-paced, punk-rock melodies and irreverent humor, blink-182 is at the core of the genre. Between Mark Hoppus, Travis Barker, and Tom DeLonge, the band has endured breakups, reunions ,and reaching the mainstream. And along the way, they’ve left fans with a ton of anthems — from “What’s My Age Again?” to “Feeling This” — that encapsulate growing up.
