From basement-show cult favorites to the anthems that spilled onto festival main stages, these are the songs that define indie rock — all jangle, swagger, and heartbreak from guitar music's most beloved corner. Vote for the track that means the most to you and see where the crowd lands.
1Mr. BrightsideThe Killers' 2004 breakout single, an enduring indie-rock anthem of jealousy.
2Last NiteThe Strokes' garage-revival cornerstone from their 2001 debut Is This It.
3Take Me OutFranz Ferdinand's 2004 art-rock hit built around a shifting, angular riff.
4Where Is My Mind?Pixies' quiet-loud 1988 classic from Surfer Rosa.
5Love Will Tear Us ApartJoy Division's 1980 post-punk masterpiece, one of the genre's defining singles.
6There Is a Light That Never Goes OutThe Smiths' beloved 1986 track from The Queen Is Dead.
7MapsYeah Yeah Yeahs' tender 2003 breakout, a highlight of Fever to Tell.
8Float OnModest Mouse's optimistic 2004 crossover hit from Good News for People Who Love Bad News.
9New SlangThe Shins' hushed 2001 gem from Oh, Inverted World.
10Wake UpArcade Fire's soaring 2004 anthem from Funeral.
11Do I Wanna Know?Arctic Monkeys' slow-burning 2013 hit from AM.
12Time to PretendMGMT's psychedelic 2007 anthem from Oracular Spectacular.
13A-PunkVampire Weekend's bright, breezy 2008 debut single.
14Skinny LoveBon Iver's aching 2007 indie-folk standout from For Emma, Forever Ago.
151901Phoenix's shimmering 2009 hit from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.
16Two WeeksGrizzly Bear's lush, harmony-rich 2009 single from Veckatimest.
17The RatThe Walkmen's frantic, cathartic 2004 highlight from Bows + Arrows.
18Young FolksPeter Bjorn and John's whistled 2006 indie-pop hit.
19My GirlsAnimal Collective's euphoric 2009 single from Merriweather Post Pavilion.
20I Will Follow You into the DarkDeath Cab for Cutie's stark 2005 acoustic ballad.
