Top 10 Enter Shikari Songs

Our top 10 Enter Shikari songs list presents the music of an eclectic, award-winning English rock ensemble renowned for its experimental post-hardcore sound. The band was formed in 1999 as a three-piece outfit consisting of drummer Rob Rolfe, guitarist/vocalist Rou Reynolds, and bassist Chris Batten. During this time, the band went under the moniker Hybrid. However, its name evolved into Enter Shikari in 2003 after the band welcomed guitarist Rory Clewlow to its lineup.

Enter Shikari’s Career Beginnings and Breakthrough

Under the moniker Hybrid, the band issued its EP, Commit No Nuisance, in 2002. The EP featured five songs, some of the best including “Fake” and “Perfect Pygmalion.” The band later released three EPs in 2003 and 2004, now as Enter Shikari. Some of the songs from the three EPs were re-released on the band’s 2007 debut album, Take to the Skies.

The band received its breakthrough moment after releasing its first single, “Mothership,” in 2006. “Mothership” became the band’s first song to enter the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number one hundred and fifty-one. The song’s popularity saw it become the single of the week on the iTunes Stores in 2006.

Enter Shikari’s Album Releases over the Years

In 2007, Enter Shikari released its debut album, Take to the Skies. Take to the Skies blended post-hardcore, metalcore, trance, and electronicore sounds. The fifty-two-minute album was a success, rising to position four on the UK Albums Chart. Take to the Skies also managed to enter the Belgian, German, Irish, Japanese, and Scottish Albums chart.

The album featured some of the best Enter Shikari songs, including “Sorry You’re Not a Winner,” “Jonny Sniper,” “Anything Can Happen in the Next Half Hour…,” and “OK Time for Plan B.” Enter Shikari’s 2006 single “Mothership” was also featured on the album. Take to the Skies was Gold-certified in the UK.

The band returned in 2009 with its sophomore studio album, Common Dreads. Common Dreads saw the band go experimental while still maintaining its post-hardcore and alternative sound. However, this album fails to feature the metalcore sonic influences felt with Time to the Skies. Common Dreads was a success, peaking at number sixteen on the UK Albums Chart. “Juggernauts” and “No Sleep Tonight” are some of the musical gems featured on this album.

A Flash Flood of Colour, issued in 2012, marked the band’s third studio album. The album saw the band invest its efforts in enriching its sound, adding dubstep and some punk rock sonic influences. The gamble paid off, having the album rise to number four on the UK Albums chart. A Flash Flood of Colour also managed to reach success in the US, rising to position sixty-seven on the Billboard 200.

Like Common Dreads, A Flash Flood of Colour received Silver certification in the UK. “Sssnakepit,” “Gandhi Mate Gandhi,” “Arguing with Thermometers,” and “Warm Smiles Do Not Make You Welcome Here” are some of the best Enter Shikari songs from the album. Enter Shikari went on a world tour to promote the album, alongside other artists, including Young Guns, Your Demise, Cancer Bats, The James Cleaver Quintet, and Man With A Mansion as its supporting acts.

Enter Shikari went on to release one of its most successful EPs, Rat Race. Rat Race is home to some of the most popular songs by the band, including “Radiate,” “Rat Race,” and “The Paddington Frisk.” Later in 2015, the band issued its fourth studio album, The Mindsweep. The Mindsweep saw the band blend its usual post-hardcore sound with alternative rock and electronic rock influences.

Once more, Enter Shikari managed to enter the Billboard 200 chart, with The Mindsweep peaking at number one hundred and sixty-six. The album also rose to position six on the UK Albums chart. “Anaesthetist” and “The Last Garrison” are some of the best Enter Shikari songs from the album.

The Spark, issued in 2017, marked the band’s fifth studio album. Unlike the band’s previous albums, The Spark failed to feature the band’s signature post-hardcore sound. Its sound was an amalgam of alternative rock, electronic rock, dance-rock, electropop, and grime. Despite the album peaking at number five on the UK Albums chart, it failed commercially. “Live Outside,” “The Sights,” and “Rabble Rouser” are some of the most popular songs by Enter Shikari from the album.

In 2020, Enter Shikari released its sixth and most recent album, Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible. The album saw the band blend alternative rock sound with electronic and art-rock influences. “{The Dreamer’s Hotel},” “The Great Unknown,” and “T.I.N.A.” are some of the best Enter Shikari songs from the album.

Enter Shikari’s Accolades and Legacy

The band has won several accolades in the Kerrang! Awards, AIM Awards, and NME Awards ceremonies. Enter Shikari has been one of the most impactful British acts in the post-hardcore and alternative rock sound. The band also takes huge credit for popularizing the electronicore sound.

Other bands that have released electronicore-influenced songs include Attack Attack, Asking Alexandria, Escape the Day, Crossfaith, and Bring Me the Horizon. Here we present the ten best Enter Shikari songs of all time.

# 10 – {The Dreamer’s Hotel}

Ushering us to the top 10 Enter Shikari songs list is the ravishing hit “{The Dreamer’s Hotel}.” The song is featured on the band’s most recent album, Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible. Rou Reynolds revealed that the song alludes to wishful thinking about a place where one can get away from to give space on how they can improve the social order.

The singer calls “The Dreamer’s Hotel” a place of safety for the human race and a place of limitless possibilities. He also notes that life outside this imaginative place is bloody owing to the fury of the human race.

# 9 – Mothership

While the band might have released tons of magical hits, we cannot seem to get over the band’s hit “Mothership.” The song was released as a single in August 2006. “Mothership” was later featured on the band’s debut album, Take to the Skies. The song lyrics tell a story that enlightens humanity about the looming threats of climate change.

“Mothership” has maintained its position as a live favorite for all Enter Shikari concerts since its release. Its catchy story of abduction by aliens who apparently wish to pass the message of the need to protect the environment feels strange but quite alluring. The song went on to peak at number one hundred and fifty-one on the UK Singles Chart. “Mothership” was also the single of the week on the iTunes Store is one of the weeks of 2006.

# 8 – Radiate

Number eight on our top 10 Enter Shikari songs list is the boisterous hit “Radiate.” The song is featured on the band’s 2013 EP, Rat Race. “Radiate” blends electronicore and post-hardcore sonic influences to bring perfection to the band’s signature sound. Rou revealed that the song alludes to suppression of expression.

The singer continued to mention that the song was influenced by authoritarian regimes that thwarted the creation of diverse music. “Radiate” had some of its vocals recorded in winter. This move by the band was meant to bring extra susceptibility to the song’s lyrics and their delivery. The song peaked at number seventy-nine on the UK Singles Chart.

# 7 – Live Outside

“Live Outside” is one of the best Enter Shikari songs from the band’s fifth studio album, The Spark. The band revealed that “Live Outside” is a mental health anthem. Rou mentioned that the song is about wishing to move outside one’s mind. This is to help stay away from tiring contemplations that often allude to depressing times and anxiety.

The song was first played on Annie Mac’s Radio 1 Show, with Rou telling Annie that the song found Enter Shikari trying to embrace a new mindset. “Live Outside” peaked at number twenty-one on the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart.

# 6 – Anaesthetist

Number six on our top 10 Enter Shikari songs is the fantastic hit “Anaesthetist.” The song is featured on the band’s fourth studio album, The Mindsweep. It served as the second single on the album. “Anaesthetist” finds the band taking on a blend of grime, big beat, and hard rock sonic influences.

The song finds the band taking on what feels to them like the privatization of free health care by the government. Rou didn’t hold back his thoughts about the song citing the masses’ disgust at the capitalistic move, which in return punishes the citizens depriving them of their basic needs. “Anaesthetist” peaked at number nine on the UK Rock chart. The song also made it to number seventeen on the UK Indie Chart. In 2015, the song bagged the Kerrang! Award for Best Single.

# 5 – Sssnakepit

A Flash Flood for Colour is home to the fifth pick of our ten best Enter Shikari songs, “Sssnakepit.” Singer Rou revealed that the song alludes to bouncing back when you’re at your lowest, allowing yourself to maintain a sense of positivity. “Sssnakepit” is a little heavy compared to most of the songs from the album.

This anthemic hit showcases the band’s great musicianship in its performance. The song topped the UK Rock & Metal Singles chart, peaking at number sixty-two on the UK Singles Chart. “Sssnakepit” also managed to rise to number eleven on the UK Indie Chart.

#4 – Anything Can Happen in the Next Half Hour

Anything Can Happen in the Next Half Hour! This is more than just a monumental title but a factual and powerful phrase in itself. The song is among musical gems featured on the band’s Gold-certified debut album, Take to the Skies. Its original version has a snippet sampled from the 1960 sci-fi TV series, Stingray.

In this song, the band tells a narrative about two young souls who met at a rave. “Anything Can Happen in the Next Half Hour” topped both the UK Rock & Metal chart and UK Indie chart. It also reached a peak position of number twenty-seven on the UK Singles Chart.

# 3 – Juggernauts

The third pick of our top 10 Enter Shikari songs list is the outstanding hit “Juggernauts.” The song is featured on the band’s sophomore album, Common Dreads. “Juggernauts” finds the band talking about the theme of corporate authority. This is in regards to the visceral force they hold and the might they possess in doing almost everything they wish.

Rou calls “Juggernauts” an era-defining track having it A-listed on BBC Radio 1. This allowed the band receives quite some airplay like other artists, including Coldplay and Kate Nash. “Juggernauts” has since become one of the band’s concert staples. Credit to Andy Gray for his amazing production skills. Andy has worked with other artists, including U2, Korn, and Gary Numan. “Juggernauts” peaked at number twenty-eight on the UK Singles Chart.

# 2 – Destabilize

“Destabilize” is one of the best singles released by the English band Enter Shikari. The song was issued by the band in 2010, some while after the band released its sophomore compilation album, Tribalism. Eventually, “Destabilize” was included as a bonus track on the band’s third LP, A Flash Flood of Colour.

Rob Rolfe, the band’s drummer, revealed that “Destabilize” was a unification of several songs’ ideas. The song marked Enter Shikari’s first release since withdrawing its arrangement with Atlantic/Warner, returning to its independent label Ambush Reality. “Destabilize” topped the UK Rock & Metal Singles chart, peaking at number sixty-three on the UK Singles Chart.

# 1 – Sorry You’re Not a Winner

Number one of our top 10 Enter Shikari songs list is the exceptional hit “Sorry You’re Not a Winner.” The song marked the band’s first physical single, having it included on the band’s debut album, Take to the Skies. “Sorry You’re Not a Winner” blends electronicore, post-hardcore, trance, and metalcore sounds.

Its lyrics tell of the experience of a person who has zero belief and control over himself. These traits have the guy turn on to intimacy and gambling to feel worthy. “Sorry You’re Not a Winner” peaked at number one hundred and fourteen on the UK Singles Chart. The song was nominated for the Kerrang! Award for Best Single in 2007. However, it lost to “The Kill” by Thirty Seconds to Mars.