Our top 10 Fitz and the Tantrums songs list presents the music of an American ensemble renowned for its blend of indie pop and neo-soul sounds. Since its formation in 2008, Fitz and the Tantrums has constantly released exceptional hits that continue to amuse pop/soul fans. The infectious and soulful songs by the band draw inspiration from classic tracks issued by Motown and Stax Records. Fitz and the Tantrums’ impactful songs have seen the band rise to become a multi-platinum act.
Fitz and the Tantrums’ Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
The band’s formation idea was conceived by Michael Fitzpatrick who invited his mates Noelle Scaggs, James King, and John Wicks to start this indie pop/neo soul ensemble. The foursome would eventually add keyboardist Jeremy Ruzumna and bassist Ethan Phillips to its lineup. Michael Fitzpatrick and Noelle Scaggs have been the Fitz and the Tantrums’ vocalists since the band’s inception. Despite being a co-lead vocalist at the band, Noelle has had a beautiful career collaborating with outstanding artists including Damian Marley, The Black Eyed Peas, Mayer Hawthorne, and Dilated Peoples.
Fitz and the Tantrums’ first-ever release was the five-track EP, Songs for a Breakup, Vol. 1 in August 2009. The EP featured the band’s debut hit “Breakin’ the Chains of Love.” All the other tracks were co-written by Michael Fitzpatrick and Chris Seefried. Chris is best known as the lead vocalist of the outfits Gods Child, Low Stars, and Joe 90.
About one year after issuing the EP Songs for a Breakup, Vol. 1, Fitz and the Tantrums issued its debut studio album, Pickin’ Up the Pieces. The album recycles three songs from the band’s debut EP, Songs for a Breakup, Vol. 1. Pickin’ Up the Pieces was a mainstream success, topping the Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart. The album also made it to position one hundred and forty on the Billboard 200. “Winds of Change,” “L.O.V.,” “MoneyGrabber,” and “Don’t Gotta Work It Out” are the best Fitz and the Tantrums songs from the album. Pickin’ Up the Pieces was produced by Chris Seefried with impactful mastering by Bernie Grundman. Bernie is known for his fruitful work with Prince, Michael Jackson, Steve Vai, John Frusciante, OutKast, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Other Albums by Fitz and the Tantrums
After a successful debut studio album, Fitz and the Tantrums returned with its sophomore EP, Santa Stole My Lady in November 2010. The band would later come back with a much stronger sophomore studio album, More Than Just a Dream. More Than Just a Dream was issued through Electra Records and produced by Tony Hoffer. Tony has produced prodigious albums for other reputable artists including Beck, The Thrills, Depeche Mode, Turin Brakes, and Belle and Sebastian.
More Than Just a Dream was a mainstream success, peaking at number twenty-six on the Billboard 200. “Out of My League,” “Fools Gold,” and “The Walker” are some of the most popular songs by Fitz and the Tantrums from the album. The band saw this album’s lead single “Out of My League” featured on the soundtrack of FIFA 13.
The band returned in 2016 with its eponymous third studio album. Fitz and the Tantrums was the band’s first album to achieve certification by RIAA. The album earned a Gold certification. Fitz and the Tantrums is the band’s highest-charting album, peaking at the seventeenth spot on the Billboard 200. The album also made it to number forty-three on the Canadian Albums Chart. “HandClap,” “Roll Up,” and “Fool” are the best Fitz and the Tantrums songs from this album.
All the Feels, issued in 2019, marked the band’s fourth studio album. The album is Fitz and the Tantrums’ longest LP containing a total of seventeen songs. Unfortunately, All the Feels failed to rise to the Billboard 200. However, the album made it to the Billboard Alternative Albums Chart, peaking at number nineteen. All the Feels also made it to the Billboard Top Rock Albums Chart, rising to a peak position of number forty-four. “123456,” “I Just Wanna Shine,” “Don’t Ever Let ‘Em,” and “I Need Help!” are the top songs by Fitz and the Tantrums from the album. Fitz and the Tantrums are currently working on a new album entitled Let Yourself Free set to be released in November 2022.
Fitz and the Tantrums’ Accolades and Legacy
Since its inauguration, Fitz and the Tantrums has built its legacy as one of the most revered indie pop/neo soul outfits. Other artists who have made a stab at success in the indie pop scene include Bastille, Lorde, Chvrches, Belle and Sebastian, Florence and the Machine, and Passenger. The band’s impactful music career has seen it open for other artists including Maroon 5 and The Specials. Here we present the ten best Fitz and the Tantrums songs of all time.
#10 – Breakin’ the Chains of Love
Opening our top 10 Fitz and the Tantrums songs list is the glorious hit “Breakin’ the Chains of Love.” The song is featured on the band’s debut studio album, Pickin’ Up the Pieces. “Breakin’ the Chains of Love” had earlier been issued on the band’s debut EP, Songs for a Breakup, Vol. 1. The song is among the top musical gems to bring the best of Noelle Scaggs’ vocals.
While Michael takes the lead vocals, it is Noelle who brings the extra magical glitter to this song’s vocal delivery. “Breakin’ the Chains of Love” receives strong competition from other songs on the album including “Winds of Change,” “Don’t Gotta Work It Out,” and the commercially successful single “MoneyGrabber.”
#9 – Fool
It is the desire of everyone to be surrounded by people with pure intentions! “Fool” speaks louder about this fact when the singer reveals that he wasn’t raised a fool and can see that his relationship with the subject lady is only material-based. The song is among the best Fitz and the Tantrums songs from the band’s eponymous third studio album.
We all know that the band built its name around its indie pop/neo-soul sound. However, with songs like “Fool,” we get to hear bits of pop rock sounds by the band. This doesn’t make the song less impactful anyway! The song features some catchy piano riff that makes “Fool” feel like an ‘80s pop ballad. “Fool” was a mainstream success making it to number thirty-four on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs Chart.
#8 – 123456
Coming in at number eight on our top 10 Fitz and the Tantrums songs list is the tremendous hit “123456.” The song is among the musical gems featured on the band’s fourth studio album, All the Feels. “123456” finds the band giving us a taste of its funk influences thanks to its ‘hyped’ and cheery vibe. Lead vocalist Fitzpatrick revealed that writing “123456” was a turning point of All the Feels for the band.
He cited the song to have managed to seize moments of hope and optimism after a tough time trying to pen new songs for the band. Writer’s block has not plagued Fitzpatrick if we are being honest here since the band’s songs feel rich in lyrical content with each release. “123456” managed to rise to number thirty-three on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs Chart.
#7 – Don’t Gotta Work It Out
“Don’t Gotta Work It Out” is yet another magical hit that brings out the best of Fitzpatrick and Chris Seefried’s songwriting skills. The song was first issued on the band’s debut EP, Songs for a Breakup, Vol. 1. This indie pop/neo soul ballad would later be featured on the band’s debut studio album, Pickin’ Up the Pieces. “Don’t Gotta Work It Out” made it to Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay Chart, peaking at number twenty-three. The song was sampled in the hit “Song for an Actress” by Hoodie Allen.
#6 – Fools Gold
Number six on our ten best Fitz and the Tantrums songs list is the outstanding hit “Fools Gold.” The song is among the top tracks featured on the band’s sophomore studio album, More Than Just a Dream. “Fools Gold” shows how Michael perceives a relationship. In his thoughts, Michael feels not good enough for the lady. However, he is fully aware of the fact that he tried his best to keep the relationship alive. “Fools Gold” features alluring background vocals by Noelle Scaggs. The song made it to number twenty-six on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs Chart.
#5 – I Just Wanna Shine
All the Feels, the band’s fourth studio album, is home to the fifth pick of our top ten best Fitz and the Tantrums songs, “I Just Wanna Smile.” The song was penned by all the band members in conjunction with Nick Long. “I Just Wanna Shine” has its lyrics alluding to seizing a day! This jaunty hit soundtracked Walmart store’s 2019 back-to-school commercial, Go Back Big. “I Just Wanna Shine” rose to a peak position of number four on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs Chart. The song also made it to the Billboard Adult Top 40, peaking at number ten.
#4 – MoneyGrabber
If there’s a song that helped define Fitz and the Tantrums’ musical path is the hit “MoneyGrabber.” The song is the brightest release on the band’s debut studio album, Pickin’ Up the Pieces. “MoneyGrabber” is a neo soul ballad penned by Michael Fitzpatrick and his songwriting collaborator Chris Seefried.
The song went on to become the band’s first commercially successful record, earning Gold certification by RIAA. “MoneyGrabber” rose to the second spot on the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs Chart. The song also made it to the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs Chart, peaking at number thirty-three. Fitz and the Tantrums performed the song at Live From Daryl’s House in 2010, a music series organized by Daryl Hall of the pop rock duo Hall & Oates.
#3 – The Walker
The third pick on our ten best Fitz and the Tantrums songs list is the hit “The Walker.” This indie pop/neo soul ballad was featured on the band’s sophomore studio album, More Than Just a Dream. “The Walker” is an anthemic ode to individuality, celebrating walking to the sounds of your drum.
“The Walker” is the band’s first song to make it to the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number sixty-seven. The song also it to number eleven on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs Chart. This anthem to individuality was a commercial success earning Platinum certification both in the US and Canada.
#2 – Out of My League
Despite not making it to the Billboard Hot 100, “Out of My League” is by far an emblematic hit of the band’s indie pop influences on the album, More Than Just a Dream. “Out of My League” is a love ballad that alludes to a man who is infatuated with a lady out of his league. The song made history by becoming Fitz and the Tantrums’ first track to top the Billboard Alternative Songs Chart. More to the record was the song’s slow climb to the top of the chart, taking thirty-three weeks to reach this feat.
This saw Fitz and the Tantrums surpass Neon Trees’ record of thirty-two weeks to climb to the top of the Billboard Alternative Songs Chart with the hit “Animal.” Meg Myers would eventually crash this record with her rendition of “Running That Hill (A Deal With God) by Kate Bush. Her cover took forty-two weeks to top the Billboard Alternative Songs Chart. “Out of My League” missed entry to the Billboard Hot 100 by a single spot. The song was Platinum-certified by RIAA three times.
#1 – HandClap
Number one on our top 10 Fitz and the Tantrums songs list is the phenomenal hit “HandClap.” The song served as the lead single off the band’s eponymous third studio album. “HandClap” was penned by the band members in collaboration with Sam Hollander. Sam Hollander has also penned songs for distinguished artists including One Direction, Daughtry, Carole King, Billy Idol, and Panic! at the Disco.
“HandClap” has its lyrics alluding to a tale of love and lust desires. The song showcases the vocal deftness of lead singer Michael in its opening line, which is a tongue twister. “HandClap” is the band’s highest-charting single, rising to number fifty-three on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is also the band’s best-selling single earning Platinum certification four times both in the USA and Canada.
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