Top 10 LCD Soundsystem Songs

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Our Top 10 LCD Soundsystem Songs introduces us to an award-winning American rock band known for its eclectic musical style, which blends dance-rock, post-punk, dance-punk, alternative rock, and indie rock. Founded in 2002, LCD Soundsystem released their initial recordings under DFA Records, co-founded by frontman James Murphy. The band first caught the attention of music fans with the hit “Losing My Edge.” Since their debut, many of their tracks have become dance-floor favorites. The band received critical acclaim following the release of their self-titled debut album in 2005, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Electronic/Dance Album. The single “Daft Punk is Playing at My House” was also nominated for Best Dance Recording. The subsequent albums continued to garner a string of awards for the band.

After the release of This Is Happening, Murphy announced that it surpassed their previous works and stated the band would go on hiatus, suggesting it would be their last album. Nonetheless, LCD Soundsystem later headlined a series of high-profile music festivals in the UK and USA. In December 2015, the band reunited with the Christmas-themed hit “Christmas Will Break Your Heart,” a song Murphy described as depressingly personal. Thanks to Murphy’s sublime vocals and the band’s impressive instrumentals, LCD Soundsystem has significantly influenced the rock scene. Here are the top 10 LCD Soundsystem songs, showcasing the best from the band’s four studio albums.

# 10 – I Can Change

Leading our list of the top 10 LCD Soundsystem songs is “I Can Change” from their 2010 album This Is Happening. In this track, Murphy employs an acid beat to convey the turmoil of his marriage breakup. He reveals that he poured his heart into the song, even attempting to elevate it with a Jimmy Somerville-inspired falsetto. “I Can Change” is a poignant anthem of desperation, underscoring the idea that everyone harbors a full range of emotions, barring sociopathy.

# 9 – Losing My Edge

“Losing My Edge” stands out as one of the key tracks on LCD Soundsystem’s debut album, marking its significance as the band’s debut single. This song holds a special place not only in the hearts of LCD Soundsystem’s fans but also among the band members themselves. “Losing My Edge” serves as an anthem to aging and the realization that musical styles evolve over time and across generations. Its poignant message and reflective tone have earned it widespread critical acclaim.

# 8 – American Dream

LCD Soundsystem reclaimed their place in the hearts of rock fans by releasing the compelling album American Dream. The title track from this 2017 album, released just over a year after their reunion, stands out as one of the band’s great songs. “American Dream” is a moody synth-pop ballad that captures Murphy reflecting on the remnants of a one-night stand, piecing together the events of the night before.

# 7 – Dance Yrself Clean

When you open an album with a nine-minute track, it needs to be nothing short of awe-inspiring. “Dance Yrself Clean” serves as the perfect introduction to LCD Soundsystem’s third studio album, This Is Happening. The song masterfully blends dynamic instrumentals with transcendent vocals across a sprawling two-part structure. The dramatic shift from the subdued first part to the explosive second is particularly compelling. In the second half, James Murphy reaches for high notes that he admits were challenging, suggesting he might not attempt such a feat again. The track also gained additional recognition when it was featured in an episode of the series Transparent in December 2015.

#6 – Call the Police

Number six on our top 10 LCD Soundsystem songs list is “Call the Police” from the album American Dream. This track draws notable comparisons to the works of David Bowie, particularly with Murphy’s vocals reminiscent of Bowie and guitar riffs similar to those in Bowie’s “Heroes.” “Call the Police” peaked at number twenty-six on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart and was recognized for its post-punk elements by critics.

# 5 – All My Friends

Featured on the band’s album Sound of Silver, “All My Friends” is a captivating piano-led ballad infused with a disco groove. The song is tinged with melancholy as the band’s frontman, James Murphy, reflects on his wild youth filled with excitement and, inevitably, poor decisions. As the song progresses, it explores a shift in priorities and the evolution of friendships into middle age, with Murphy pondering the whereabouts of his former friends during this new chapter of his life.

#4 – Tonite

Number four on our top 10 LCD Soundsystem songs list is the award-winning “Tonite” from the band’s 2017 album American Dream. This acid house-infused hit features James Murphy critiquing the existential emptiness he perceives in the contemporary hits emanating from the radio. The song delves into the melancholy realization of one’s mortality, making it a poignant reflection on life’s fleeting nature. “Tonite” won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2018.

# 3 – Someone Great

Featured on the band’s album Sound of Silver, “Someone Great” is a poignant ballad that deserves a spot on the top 10 LCD Soundsystem songs list. The song reflects on the death of a loved one, exploring the complex emotions of love and frustration that mark our closest relationships. It delves into how petty disagreements and annoying habits suddenly become endearing memories when that person is gone. There is a rumor that the song was inspired by the death of Dr. George Kamen, Murphy’s therapist, adding a layer of personal significance to the lyrics.

#2 – Oh Baby

“Oh Baby” is a standout track by LCD Soundsystem, notable for its compelling lyrics and robust instrumentation. This synth-driven ballad, featured on the album American Dream, masterfully captures the theme of a breakup, enhancing the album’s emotional depth. In “Oh Baby,” Murphy poignantly comes to terms with the end of a relationship. The song beautifully conjures the aesthetic and emotional landscape of the 1980s, enriching its nostalgic appeal.

#1 – Daft Punk is Playing at My House

Featured on the eponymous album, “Daft Punk is Playing at My House” stands as a highlight of LCD Soundsystem’s career. The song sprang from Murphy’s imaginative concept of enlisting the French music duo Daft Punk for a house party scene in a movie. It earned a nomination for the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. Additionally, “Daft Punk is Playing at My House” has been featured in numerous films, including Project X and The Limits of Control.