Top 10 Flogging Molly Songs

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Our top 10 Flogging Molly songs list presents ten of the best songs released by a band revered for its blend of Celtic punk and folk punk soundscapes. The band was formed in 1994 by former Fastway lead vocalist Dave King in conjunction with guitarist Ted Hutt, drummer Paul Crowder, and bassist Jeff Peters. Flogging Molly started playing at local pubs in Los Angeles only to achieve success after signing a recording deal with SideOneDummy Records.

The Los Angeles-formed band earned critical acclaim thanks to its hard-hitting (yet melodic) folk/Celtic-tinged punk rock. Over the years, Flogging Molly has issued seven studio albums, three live albums, and one extended play. Notably, six of the band’s studio albums and two live albums graced the Billboard 200 Chart. Flogging Molly had its musical direction and pursuits influenced by some of the most successful artists of the ‘80s and ‘90s including Johnny Cash, The Dubliners, The Clash, and The Pogues.

A Quick Review of Flogging Molly’s Albums

In 1997, Flogging Molly issued a live album going by the title Alive Behind the Green Door. The live album was quite an immense release for the band thanks to the quality of its punk rock and Celtic rock-tinged tracks. Alive Behind the Green Door is home to some of the earliest releases by Flogging Molly including “Black Friday Rule,” “Selfish Man,” and “Never Met a Girl Like You Before.”

Flogging Molly went ahead to release their debut studio album Swagger in 2000. The album was issued through SideOneDummy Records, a label (once) home to Anti-Flag, The Suicide Machines, The Gaslight Anthem, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Swagger ushered Flogging Molly into mainstream success climbing to position one hundred and twenty-eight.

The thirteen-track album featured some of the songs from the band’s live album All Behind the Green Door. Swagger is home to some of the best Flogging Molly songs including “Devil’s Dance Floor,” “The Worst Day Since Yesterday,” “Salty Dog,” and “The Worst Day Since Yesterday.”

Drunken Lullabies, issued in 2002, marked the band’s sophomore studio album. The album was issued through SideOneDummy Records with the production contribution of Ted Hutt. Other artists who have worked with Ted Hutt include Street Dogs, The Gaslight Anthem, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Lucero, The Horrible Crowes, and Dropkick Murphys. Drunken Lullabies ranked eighth on the Billboard Independent Albums.

The album also graced the Billboard 200 Chart peaking at number one hundred and four. Drunken Lullabies climbed to the forty-eighth spot on the Dutch Albums Chart. The album was a commercial success earning a gold certification in the US. “Drunken Lullabies,” “What’s Left of the Flag,” “The Kilburn High Road,” “Rebels of the Sacred Heart,” and “If I Ever Leave This World Alive” are some of the popular songs by Flogging Molly from the album. Drunken Lullabies also featured the band’s cover of the song “The Rare Ould Times” by the Dublin City Ramblers.

In 2004, Flogging Molly returned with their third studio album Within a Mile of Home. The album was also issued through SideOneDummy Records under the production of Ted Hutt. Within a Mile of Home climbed atop the Billboard Independent Albums Chart. The album also graced the Billboard 200 Chart peaking at position twenty.

Within a Mile of Home was Flogging Molly’s dedication to legendary artists Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer of The Clash. The album featured the contributions of additional musicians such as Lucinda Williams, Novi Novog, Stephanie Fire, Noel O’Donovan, Craig Jackman, and Lee Thornburg. “The Seven Deadly Sins,” “Within a Mile of Home,” “Tobacco Island,” “Whistles of the Wind,” and “Factory Girls” are some of the best Flogging Molly songs from the album Within a Mile of Home.

Float, issued in 2008, marked the band’s fourth studio album. The album rose atop the Billboard Independent Albums Chart, climbing to position two on the Billboard Top Rock Albums Chart. Float also graced the Billboard 200 Chart, peaking at position four. “Float,” “Requiem for a Dying Soul,” “Man with No Country,” and “Punch Drunk Grinning Soul” are some of the musical gems by Flogging Molly featured on the album Float.

In 2011, Flogging Molly returned with their fifth studio album Speed of Darkness. The album was issued through Borstal Beat Records, the band’s record label. Flogging Molly members worked with record producer Ryan Hewitt in the production of the album Speed of Darkness. Other artists who worked with Ryan Hewitt include ZZ Top, The Lumineers, Noah Kahan, The Avett Brothers, and Fitz and the Tantrums.

Speed of Darkness rose to position three on the Billboard Independent Albums Chart. The album also graced the Billboard 200 Chart peaking at number nine. Speed of Darkness is home to some of the best Flogging Molly songs including “Revolution,” “A Prayer for Me in Silence,” “Saint & Sinners,” and “Don’t Shut ‘Em Down.”

Flogging Molly issued their sixth studio album Life Is Good. The album was produced by Ross Hogarth (Def Leppard, Belinda Carlisle, and Jonas Brothers) and Joe Chiccarelli (who worked with U2, The Shins, Alanis Morissette, and Etta James). Life Is Good graced the Billboard 200 Chart peaking at number sixty-nine. “The Days We’ve Yet to Meet,” “Life Is Good,” “Reptiles (We Woke Up),” and “The Hand of John L. Sullivan” are the most popular songs by Flogging Molly.

In 2022, Flogging Molly issued their seventh studio album Anthem. The album was issued through Rise Records under the production of Steve Albini. Other artists who worked with Steve Albini include PJ Harvey, Nirvana, The Breeders, and Pixies. Anthem is the only album by Flogging Molly not to have graced the Billboard 200. The album however climbed to position twenty-three on the UK Independent Albums Chart. “This Road of Mine,” “A Song of Liberty,” and “The Croppy Boy ‘98” are some of the best Flogging Molly songs from the album Anthem.

Flogging Molly’s Legacy

The band Flogging Molly remains one of the household names in the Celtic punk scene. While Celtic punk remains the band’s signature sound, Flogging Molly has tinged its music with folk influences. Flogging Molly’s musical pursuits have seen the band compared to other acts such as Dropkick Murphys, The Pogues, The Tossers, and The Mahones, to name a few. Here we present our all-time top 10 Flogging Molly songs.

#10- A Song of Liberty

Ushering us to the top 10 Flogging Molly songs list is the outstanding hit “A Song of Liberty.” The song is the brightest musical gem from the band’s most recent 2022 album Anthem. “A Song of Liberty” has been cited by the band’s vocalist Dave King as a song of freedom. Dave continued to quote that “A Song of Liberty” is a track inspired by reminiscences of the dark period of Irish history.

As a result, the song features themes of injustice and the relentless fight against it. Dave went ahead to detail that this song was created for their Ukrainian friends who had lost freedom due to the war. The singer also mentioned the band’s intention to inspire hope in everyone who listens to this track.

#9- Within a Mile of Home

“Within a Mile of Home” is by far one of the songs that have endured popularity to date. The song was issued as the album title track of the band’s 2004 third studio album. “Within a Mile of Home” finds the band going a tad bit more into folk-inspired sounds while still retaining its standard punk explorations. The result is an infectious groove that makes the song stand out. “Within a Mile of Home,” like most of the songs on our list, serves as a testament to Dave King’s impressive songwriting skills.

#8- Don’t Shut ‘Em Down

Ranking eighth on our top 10 Flogging Molly songs is the impressive hit “Don’t Shut ‘Em Down.” The song is featured on the band’s fifth studio album Speed of Darkness. “Don’t Shut ‘Em Down” is one of the fast-paced releases from Speed of Darkness. The song has been cited to be an aggressive commentary on the economic recession.

Singer Dave King went ahead to mention in an interview that “Don’t Shut ‘Em Down” is specifically a song about the economic state of Ireland and Detroit. The singer expresses angst in this song both through the lyrics and his vocal delivery which feels a tad bit more aggressive than usual. “Don’t Shut ‘Em Down” climbed to the thirty-ninth spot on the Billboard Alternative Airplay Chart.

#7- The Worst Day Since Yesterday

“The Worst Day Since Yesterday” remains one of the songs that perfectly captures the band’s Irish influences, especially on the instrumentation. A melancholic track, “The Worst Day Since Yesterday” finds the band exploring themes of despair as the singer reflects on his failure and struggles. Despite the self-deprecating themes in the song, the singer still wishes that someone would come his way to ease the pain in his life. “The Worst Day Since Yesterday” remains a fan-favorite thanks to its relatable lyrical approach.

#6- Float

Ranking sixth on our top 10 Flogging Molly songs list is the impressive hit “Float.” The song is the album title track of the band’s 2008 fourth studio album. Singer Dave King revealed in an interview that “Float” is a song whose lyrics are centered around feelings and struggles of getting older. “Float” is among the most successful songs by Flogging Molly in the mainstream.

The song rose to the fortieth spot on the Billboard Alternative Airplay Chart. “Requiem for a Dying Soul,” another song from the album Float also made it to the Billboard Alternative Airplay Chart peaking at number thirty-five. However, “Float” remains a better emblem of Flogging Molly’s musicianship on this 2008 album. Karni Arieli and Saul Freed (both of who directed the song “Blue Jeans and Bloody Tears” by Sweaty Machine) were tasked with directing the music video for this song.

#5- What’s Left of the Flag

A list of the top 10 Flogging Molly songs would definitely not be complete without the energetic hit “What’s Left on the Flag.” The song is among the standout tracks from the band’s commercially successful album Drunken Lullabies. Flogging Molly’s lead vocalist Dave King revealed that the song “What’s Left of the Flag” is about freedom. The singer also quoted the song to be about his late father who happened to die quite some while ago.

#4- The Seven Deadly Sins

“The Seven Deadly Sins” is among the boisterous Celtic punk tracks by the band Flogging Molly. The song is by far the best release off the band’s third studio album Within a Mile of Home. Delivered on an uptempo Celtic-tinged beat, “The Seven Deadly Sins” is a fun track whose lyrics allude to seven pirates who embrace the seven deadly sins.

The song pays homage to Johnny Cash, one of the band’s biggest influences. Flogging Molly vocalist Dave King sings that despite losing some crewmen from their ship, they continue to grapple with their demons while living a reckless lifestyle. “The Seven Deadly Sins” is a must-have track in the top 10 Flogging Molly playlist.

#3- If I Ever Leave This World Alive

Ranking third on our top 10 Flogging Molly songs list is the amazing hit “If I Ever Leave This World Alive.” The song was initially featured on the band’s 1997 live album Alive Behind the Green Door. “If I Ever Leave This World Alive” would later be featured on the band’s sophomore studio album Drunken Lullabies. The song is among the top picks that showcase the band’s refined instrumentation and magical Dave King’s vocal range.

#2- Devil’s Dance Floor

“Devil’s Dance Floor” is by far one of the earliest tracks by Flogging Molly whose popularity has endured to date. The song is featured on the band’s debut studio album Swagger. Thanks to the quality of songs like “Devil’s Dance Floor,” Flogging Molly earned comparison to bands like The Pogues and Dropkick Murphys. The song “Devil’s Dance Floor” is the highest-ranking song from the album Swagger. This implies that our list is without fan-favorite picks such as “Salty Dog” and “Black Friday Rule.”

#1- Drunken Lullabies

Number one on our top 10 Flogging Molly songs list is the alluring hit “Drunken Lullabies.” The song serves as the album title track to the band’s sophomore studio album. “Drunken Lullabies” has its lyrics alluding to an endless cycle of conflicts/battles. The song was inspired by the fights in Northern Ireland.

“Drunken Lullabies” failed to make it to the mainstream charts. However, the song remains one of the most sought-after tracks by Flogging Molly of all time. The song was featured in the soundtrack of the skateboarding game Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4.