Our top 10 Four Year Strong songs list presents ten of the best songs released by an iconic ensemble renowned for its pop-punk sound. While the band’s inception happened in 2001, Four Year Strong didn’t make any major release until 2005. However, the band self-released four EPs before bagging a recording contract with Open Your Eyes Records. Under the label, Four Year Strong released a studio album, It’s Our Time, issued in 2005.
The LP failed to create much attention to the band’s music. Eventually, Four Year Strong signed a recording contract with I Surrender Records. Under the label, the band released the Rise or Die Trying LP in 2007. Despite not charting on the Billboard 200, Rise or Die Trying led the band to fame thanks to reputable hits such as “Bada Bing! Wit’ a Pipe!” and “Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die.” Rise or Die Trying peaked at number thirty-one on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.
Four Year Strong signed a recording deal with Decaydance Records in 2008. The following year, the band released Explains It All. Explains It All is a cover LP that finds the band paying tribute to other great ensembles. The album features covers to songs by Everclear, Third Eye Blind, Alanis Morissette, Nine Days, Reach the Sky, Sugar Ray, Nirvana, Tal Bachman, Del Amitri, Pantera, No Doubt, and The Smashing Pumpkins. Explains It All catapulted the band to national popularity, peaking at number one hundred and fifteen.
The band has later released four more LPs, all of which have charted on the Billboard 200. Enemy of the World, issued in 2010, is the band’s highest-charting album, peaking at number forty-seven. Brain Pain, issued in 2020, is the Four Year Strong’s most recent LP, having it released under Pure Noise Records.
Four Year Strong has gone on hiatus only once between 2011 and 2013. Nevertheless, the band managed to come together and continued its musical pursuits in 2014. Four Year Strong’s success is credited to its constant lineup, with only keyboardist Josh Lyford being the only member to have left the band. While the band is primarily renowned for its pop-punk sound, Four Year Strong features some hardcore punk, easycore, and melodic hardcore elements in some of its songs. Here we deliver the list of the ten best Four Year Strong songs of all time.
#10 – Stolen Credit Card!
Ushering us to the top 10 Four Year Strong songs is the angst-filled hit “Stolen Credit Card!” “Stolen Credit Card!” is featured on the 2015 Four Year Strong’s eponymous LP. The song’s title references a line by Tim Curry in the 1992 comedy movie Home Alone 2: Lost in the New York. The song finds the singer alluding to redeeming life from dust to glory by making bold decisions. Some of the band’s fans have lauded the song for its diversity, simplicity, the artistic spin of its video.
#9 – Learn to Love the Lie
“Learn to Love the Lie” is a pulsating hit from Four Year Strong’s most recent LP, Brain Pain. Vocalist and guitarist Dan O’Connor revealed that the song alludes to being trapped in a reciprocally wretched relationship. While both parties in the relationship understand that it is not working between them, none is bold enough to let it go. “Learn to Love the Lie” finds the singer telling how the two “lovers” need to embrace the lie to maintain their wretched companionship.
#8 – Just Drive
The eighth spot of our top 10 Four Year Strong goes to the anthemic track “Just Drive.” “Just Drive” is one of the musical gems from the band’s 2011 LP In Some Way, Shape, or Form. The song’s success is credited to the inspirational instrumentation that gives “Just Drive” its natural and authentic feel.
“Just Drive” finds the singer bringing on a carefree attitude towards accomplishing certain goals without worry of inhibitions. Dan O’Connor delivers some awe-inspiring vocals that compliment the irresistible, energetic instrumentation by the other band members. Erin Kinsey and Alistair Griffin have also released a song under the same title (but different lyrics).
#7 – We All Float Down Here
“We All Float Down Here” is one of the best Four Year Strong songs that features some melodic hardcore sounds. The song is featured on Four Year Strong’s 2015 eponymous sixth LP. Like vocalist and guitarist Dan O’Connor mentioned about the LP, “We All Float Down Here” is one of the band’s most raw releases. The song features some groovy guitar riffs that distinguish it from other LP releases.
#6 – Bada Bing! Wit’ a Pipe
Number six on our top 10 Four Year Strong songs list is the dazzling hit “Bada Bing! Wit’ a Pipe.” The song is featured on Four Year Strong’s sophomore LP Rise or Die Trying. This song penned by vocalists Alan Day and Dan O’Connor was also featured on the 2008 mixtape Welcome to the New Administration by the pop-punk band Fall Out Boy. “Bada Bing! Wit’ a Pipe” was among the songs that catapulted Four Year Strong to national success.
The song also helped Rise or Die Trying to rise to the thirty-first position on the Billboard Heatseekers Album chart. “Bada Bing! Wit’ a Pipe” has been lauded by critics for its conversational chorus. Dan O’Connor’s vocals on the song have been cited as reminiscent of Panic! at the Disco’s singer Brendon Urie.
#5 – Talking Myself in Circles
Brain Pain, issued in 2020, is home to our fifth track on our top 10 Four Year Strong songs, “Talking Myself in Circles.” The song is heavily lauded for showcasing the band’s heavier hardcore sound of the band. However, Four Year Strong still goes melodic with the song. The song also features an infectious bass line while bringing the best of Dan and Alan’s vocals. “Talking Myself in Circles” finds the singers crooning about their unsuccessful attempts to take themselves back in line.
#4 – It Must Really Suck to Be Four Year Strong Right Now
Our number four-track, “It Must Really Suck to Be Four Year Strong Right Now,” is one of the up-tempo musical gems on our best Four Year Strong songs. The song is featured on the Four Year Strong’s 2010 LP Enemy of the World. Its lyrics allude to soldiering on past all obstacles in your path. The song features great synth riffs from former Four Year Strong member Josh Lyford. This was among his last recordings with the band.
#3 – Go Down in History
On the third spot of our top 10 Four Year, Strong songs list is the remarkable hit “Go Down in History.” The song was first released on Four Year Strong’s 2014 EP Go Down in History. Later, it was released on the band’s eponymous LP, issued in 2015. “Go Down in History” was produced by Machine (Gene Freeman). Machine is also renowned for his successful work on Earth Rocker by Clutch, Sacrament and Ashes of the Wake by Lamb of God, and Supersexy Swingin’ Sounds by White Zombie.
#2 – Tonight We Feel Alive (On a Saturday)
“Tonight We Feel Alive (On a Saturday)” is an exquisite track from the band’s LP Enemy of the World. The song’s accompanying video is one of the most aesthetic clips by the band. Once more, Dan and Alan showcase their vocal prowess in a call-and-response style, especially on the chorus. The song also brings the best of Josh Lyford’s unclean vocals on the pre-chorus.
#1 – Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die
Number one on our top 10 Four Year Strong songs list is the electrifying hit “Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die.” The song was among the breakthrough tracks by the band. “Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die” is featured on the band’s 2007 LP Rise or Die Trying. The song’s lyrics were penned by the vocalists Dan and Alan, who also give their all in the vocal delivery. “Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die” also features some of the best guitar riffs that showcase the best of the band’s punk rock sounds.
Feature Photo: IllaZilla, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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