# The 20 Greatest Indie Rock Songs of All Time

> 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.

*By YPB Team · Published July 1, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-20-greatest-indie-rock-songs-of-all-time*

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## Current results (0 votes)

1. **Mr. Brightside**
   The Killers' 2004 breakout single, an enduring indie-rock anthem of jealousy.
2. **Last Nite**
   The Strokes' garage-revival cornerstone from their 2001 debut Is This It.
3. **Take Me Out**
   Franz Ferdinand's 2004 art-rock hit built around a shifting, angular riff.
4. **Where Is My Mind?**
   Pixies' quiet-loud 1988 classic from Surfer Rosa.
5. **Love Will Tear Us Apart**
   Joy Division's 1980 post-punk masterpiece, one of the genre's defining singles.
6. **There Is a Light That Never Goes Out**
   The Smiths' beloved 1986 track from The Queen Is Dead.
7. **Maps**
   Yeah Yeah Yeahs' tender 2003 breakout, a highlight of Fever to Tell.
8. **Float On**
   Modest Mouse's optimistic 2004 crossover hit from Good News for People Who Love Bad News.
9. **New Slang**
   The Shins' hushed 2001 gem from Oh, Inverted World.
10. **Wake Up**
   Arcade Fire's soaring 2004 anthem from Funeral.
11. **Do I Wanna Know?**
   Arctic Monkeys' slow-burning 2013 hit from AM.
12. **Time to Pretend**
   MGMT's psychedelic 2007 anthem from Oracular Spectacular.
13. **A-Punk**
   Vampire Weekend's bright, breezy 2008 debut single.
14. **Skinny Love**
   Bon Iver's aching 2007 indie-folk standout from For Emma, Forever Ago.
15. **1901**
   Phoenix's shimmering 2009 hit from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.
16. **Two Weeks**
   Grizzly Bear's lush, harmony-rich 2009 single from Veckatimest.
17. **The Rat**
   The Walkmen's frantic, cathartic 2004 highlight from Bows + Arrows.
18. **Young Folks**
   Peter Bjorn and John's whistled 2006 indie-pop hit.
19. **My Girls**
   Animal Collective's euphoric 2009 single from Merriweather Post Pavilion.
20. **I Will Follow You into the Dark**
   Death Cab for Cutie's stark 2005 acoustic ballad.

Tags: music, rock, indie rock