Top 10 Minutemen Songs

Minutemen Songs

Our top ten Minutemen songs list looks at the catalog of an American band revered for its punk rock influences. The band was formed in 1980 by bassist Mike Watt and guitarist D. Boon (who succumbed to a car accident). Watt and Boon had quite some chemistry from earlier musical pursuits in a short-lived punk rock band known as The Reactionaries. Drummer George Hurley, who the duo had spent quite some time with at The Reactionaries, joined Minutemen a while later forming the band’s classic lineup.

However, George was the band’s second drummer having him replace Frank Toche who was Minutemen’s original drummer. While Minutemen disbanded in the mid- ‘80s, its impact on the music scene remains a subject of conversation amongst punk rock aficionados. During its short stint, Minutemen issued a number of extended plays and four studio albums. The band remains a significant pillar in the development of punk rock despite its failure to achieve mainstream success.

Minutemen’s Career Beginnings

After the disbandment of The Reactionaries, Watt and Boon were quick to form a new punk rock band under the moniker Minutemen. Joining the duo on the drums was Frank Tonche with whom the band featured in a number of gigs. Frank’s stay at Minutemen was short-lived with his departure coming a few months after the band’s formation. Despite his short stint at Minutemen, Frank recorded a few songs which would later be issued as the Georgeless extended play in 1993.

Minutemen’s Releases Over the Years

In 1980, Minutemen issued their first record (debut extended play) Paranoid Time. The extended play was issued through SST Records, a record label established by Greg Ginn of the punk rock band Black Flag. Paranoid Time was SST Records’ sophomore record only preceded by Black Flag’s 1979 debut extended play Nervous Breakdown. Other artists/bands (once) affiliated with SST Records include Husker Du, Overkill L.A., Saccharine Trust, Meat Puppets, and Sonic Youth. The Greg Ginn-produced EP is home to notable musical gems including “Joe McCarthy’s Ghost,” “Fascist,” and “Paranoid Chant.”

Minutemen returned in 1981 with their sophomore extended play, Joy. The extended play was issued through Boon and Watt’s independent record label New Alliance Records. Joy, a three-track extended play, was produced by Mike Patton, a former member of the punk rock band Middle Class. The extended play preceded Minutemen’s debut studio album The Punch Line, a record issued through SST Records.

Issued in 1981, The Punch Line gives us a taste of Minutemen’s hardcore punk. The production work of this fifteen-minute album was handled by the now-late Spot. Spot was a renowned record engineer/producer who worked with other artists/bands including Black Flag, Saint Vitus, Meat Puppets, and Husker Du. “Search” and “Tension” are some of the best Minutemen songs from The Punch Line.

Bean-Spill, issued in 1982, marked the band’s third extended play. The five-track extended play was produced by Spot in conjunction with the band members. Bean-Spill’s issue was motivated by the delayed release of the band’s sophomore studio album. The extended play is home to songs such as “If Reagan Played Disco” and “Afternoons.”

Minutemen would eventually have their sophomore studio album What Makes a Man Start Fires? issued in January 1983. The album featured a blend of hardcore punk and punk-funk sound influences. What Makes a Man Start Fires? was a success featuring some of the most popular Minutemen songs including “The Anchor,” “Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs,” “Colors,” and “Life as a Rehearsal.”

In November 1983, Minutemen issued their fourth extended play Buzz or Howl Under the Influence of Heat. The extended play was quite a momentous record featuring eight lovable songs including “Cut,” “Little Man with a Gun in His Hand,” “Self-Referenced,” and “I Felt Like a Gringo.” Joining Spot in the production of this extended play was Ethan James, a record producer known for his audacious work with The Bangles, Dos, Black Flag, and Rain Parade to name a few.

Minutemen’s next momentous release was Double Nickels on the Dime, the band’s third studio album. The record was a double album consisting of forty-five tracks. Double Nickels on the Dime saw the band venture into a blend of hardcore punk, post-hardcore, and post-punk influences. Ethan James was tasked with the production of this album. The best Minutemen songs from the album include “This Ain’t No Picnic,” “The Glory of Man,” “History Lesson – Part II,” “#1 Hit Song,” “Political Song for Michael Jackson to Sing,” and “Corona” to name a few.

Project Mersh, issued in 1985, marked the band’s final extended play to feature guitarist D. Boon. This six-track punk rock record was produced by Joe Carducci. Carducci is best known for his work with Saint Vitus, Saccharine Trust, Meat Puppets, and Black FlagProject Mersh went ahead to impress on the UK Indie Chart where it peaked at number twenty-one. “King of the Hill,” “Take Our Test,” and Tour-Spiel” are the top musical gems from the extended play Project Mersh.

In late 1985, Minutemen issued their fourth and last studio album 3-Way Tie (For Last). The album came in shortly before the demise of guitarist D. Boob who succumbed to a road accident. 3-Way Tie (For Last) included original hits by the band and a few covers of songs by various artists. The album made it to the seventh spot on the UK Indie Chart. Unfortunately, Minutemen disbanded following the death of guitarist D. Boon.

Minutemen Legacy

Minutemen is among the notable bands that pioneered the ‘80s punk rock scene. Inspired by bands like The Urinals, Wire, The Pop Group, and Gang of Four, Minutemen explored punk rock often delivering short quickfire punk-inflecting hits. Despite never making it big in the mainstream, Minutemen has been cited as one of the seminal acts in the punk rock scene by many including Joe Strummer of The Clash.

After the disbandment of Minutemen, Mike Watt has explored diverse musical pursuits in a number of bands including Firehose, Dos, and The Stooges to name a few. The band has also covered a number of classic rock hits from artists such as Steely Dan, Steppenwolf, Blue Oyster Cult, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Van Halen among others. Here we present the all-time best Minutemen songs.

#10 – Search

Ushering us to the ten best Minutemen songs of all time is the splendid hit “Search.” The song serves as the opening track to Minutemen’s debut studio album The Punch Line. “Search” welcomes us to the band’s impressive amalgam of punk and funk sound influences. Mike Watt penned this hit in conjunction with drummer George Hurley. Watt also delivers fascinating lead vocals on this song which make it quite a powerful album starter.

#9- I Felt Like a Gringo

We can’t seem to get enough of funk influences in Minutemen’s punk rock songs as showcased by our ninth pick “I Felt Like a Gringo.” The song was penned by Minutemen’s primary songwriter and bassist Mike Watt—Its lyrics point towards its autobiographical nature. “I Felt Like a Gringo” tells of Watt’s day trip to Mexico with his fellow bandmates back in 1982 on the Fourth of July.

The subject day also marked Mexico’s election day with the songwriter feeling overwhelmed by gullibility when discussing Mexico’s political situation with the country’s residents. It is this same trip that led to the lyrics of Minutemen’s signature hit “Corona” by the late guitarist D. Boon. The song contains samples of the 1958 track “Tequila” by The Champs.

#8- Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs

The eighth spot on our ten best Minutemen songs is the impressive hit “Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Sons.” “Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs” serves as the album-opening track to the band’s sophomore studio album What Makes a Man Start Fires? The song was penned by Mike Watt as a tribute to Bob Dylan, one of his childhood heroes thanks to his impressive songwriting skills.

“Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs” emerged from Watt’s growing concern that his music was inflecting more on the political side. Eventually, the songwriter concluded that he would “get away with it” by penning political-tinged songs like his hero Bob Dylan. The song is among the bass-centered tracks off Minutemen’s sophomore studio album. “Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs” was covered by the band Brutal Truth.

#7- Political Song for Michael Jackson to Sing

In 1984, Minutemen issued their most sought-after record Double Nickels on the Dime. The album is home to some of the most momentous hits by the band including “Political Song for Michael Jackson to Sing.” “Political Song for Michael Jackson Song” finds Mike Watt name-dropping the legendary Michael Jackson, a move which critics have cited to have been his strategy to get this hit noticed by radio stations.

Either intentional or not, the move worked with this song making it to a number of college radio stations. Watt would eventually reveal that he wished Michael Jackson sang this hit—The singer also sent the legend a copy of this hit on a cassette tape. Unfortunately, Michael Jackson never responded as revealed by Watt.

#6- The Glory of Man

Number six on our best Minutemen songs list is the striking hit “The Glory of Man.” The song welcomes us yet again to the band’s musicianship on the third studio album Double Nickel on the Dime. “The Glory of Man” is a true masterpiece having it features some of the most impressive basslines. The song melody oozes a luscious blend of funk and punk influences.

“The Glory of Man” was penned by Mike Watt who went ahead to reveal that the song was inspired by Jim Joyce, an Irish author, and Ulysses, his 1922 novel. The song’s lyrics allude to the songwriter’s willingness to travel back in time. “The Glory of Man” was one of Minutemen’s concert staples with Watt performing the song to date with his side projects.

#5- Little Man with a Gun in His Hand

While we might have been conditioned to short impressive hits by Minutemen, our fifth pick suggests otherwise. “Little Man with a Gun in His Hand” finds Minutemen exploring what it would feel like to release a longer track! The result was a three minutes song worth listing as one of the best Minutemen songs. Chuck Dukowski, the original bassist to Black Flag, contributed some lyrics to this song.

There’s a split of ideas as to what really inspired this song. Mike Watt went on to reveal that the song may have been inspired by Steve Corbin, a live sound engineer for the band Black Flag. However, Dukowski cited “Little Man with a Gun in His Hand” to have been inspired by existentialist thoughts they had at the time of the song’s composition.

#4- History Lesson – Part II

Spanning slightly over two minutes, “History Lesson – Part II” is one of the most impressive hits of all time. The song is among the musical gems issued on the band’s third studio album Double Nickels on the Dime. “History Lesson – Part II” was penned by Mike Watt about his relationship with the late guitarist D. Boon which contributed to their solid musicianship. Bob Dylan was also name-checked in this song.

“History Lesson – Part II” is a sequel to Minutemen’s hit “History Lesson,” which had earlier been issued in the band’s debut studio album The Punch Line. Watt went on to reveal that unlike “History Lesson – Part II,” “History Lesson” was a scary song whose lyrics were centered around humans going rogue over money and power.

#3- King of The Hill

The third pick on our ten best Minutemen songs list is the superb hit “King of The Hill.” “King of The Hill” is the most sought-after song by Minutemen from the extended play Project Mersh. Like most of the songs on Project Mersh, “King of The Hill” suns for over three minutes. Incredible instrumentation is what sets this song apart from most releases by the band. “King of The Hill” receives some competition from Minutemen’s cover of “Hey Lawdy Mama” by Steppenwolf.

#2- This Ain’t No Picnic

“This Ain’t No Picnic” is yet another impressive hit off the band’s most successful record Double Nickels on the Dime. Spanning slightly over two minutes, “This Ain’t No Picnic” spawned the band’s first-ever music video. The song’s lyrics are targeted at a racist manager who D. Boon worked with earlier. Boon got disgusted about the manager’s comment upon declining to tune the radio to a funk station.

The manager regarded the funk station in a racist manner tantamount to an insult to his love for funk. This almost had Boon quit his work but chose to stay just for the paycheck. “This Ain’t No Picnic” received some airplay on MTV.

#1- Corona

Number one on our ten best Minutemen songs list is the alluring hit “Corona.” The song is Minutemen’s signature hit off the band’s third studio album Double Nickels on the Dime. “Corona” was penned by Minutemen’s late guitarist D. Boon. The lyrics were inspired by a trip Boon took to Mexico on July 4, 1982, with his fellow bandmate. Boon revealed that the band members fell asleep on the beach where upon waking up, they saw a lady collecting their empty beer cans.

The move by the lady was inspired by the small rewards she would get by returning the bottles to the vendor. This was just a show of how poverty continued to strike Mexico at a time the nation was headed for elections. The song’s title was inspired by a Mexican beer known as “Corona.” “Corona” had its instrumental version featured as the theme song to the early 2000s reality comedy TV series Jackass.

Feature Photo: UCLA Library Special Collections, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

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