Top 10 Sick Puppies Songs

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Our top ten Sick Puppies songs spotlight a powerhouse rock band that has racked up multiple awards across their career. Sick Puppies began in 1997 in a high school music room, where vocalist and guitarist Shimon Moore and bassist Emma Anzai initially argued over who would get to use the room after accidentally double-booking it. Despite their dispute, they bonded over their mutual love for bands like Silverchair, Green Day, and Rage Against the Machine, and soon found themselves playing covers together. Their chemistry grew, and they recruited drummer Chris Mileski to round out their lineup.

Lacking the resources to record on their own, they entered the Triple J Unearthed competition in 2000. Their hard work paid off, as their demo “Nothing Really Matters” earned them a co-win in the Sydney region. They secured a management deal with Paul Stepanek Management, leading to the release of Welcome to the Real World and the Fly EP.

After Chris Mileski’s departure and their record label’s dissolution, Sick Puppies boldly relocated to Los Angeles, where they recruited drummer Mark Goodwin through a Craigslist ad. In 2007, they released their debut album Dressed Up as Life, catapulting them to success. Shimon Moore eventually left the band after a failed attempt to dissolve it, and Bryan Scott, formerly of Glass Intrepid and Dev Electric, stepped in as lead vocalist.

Our top ten Sick Puppies songs list showcases their most compelling work across four studio albums, capturing the band’s journey from high school rockers to award-winning stars.

# 10 – Stick to Your Guns

Kicking off our top ten Sick Puppies songs is “Stick to Your Guns,” a track with a title inspired by a familiar idiom. The phrase “stick to your guns” signifies refusing to change or compromise despite criticism. Sick Puppies chose this phrase as the title for the lead single from their fifth album, Fury. They crafted it to empower their fanbase, embodying a resolute spirit. The lyrics portray the story of a soldier holding their ground under enemy fire, a powerful metaphor for resilience. As the first song to feature new vocalist and guitarist Bryan Scott, “Stick to Your Guns” made an impactful debut, reaching number thirteen on the US Mainstream Rock chart.

# 9 – Gunfight

Released as the second single from the Connect album, “Gunfight” was written by Emma Anzai, Shimon Moore, and Rock Mafia (Tim James and Antonina Armato). With its high-energy vibe and distinctive guitar riffs, the track recounts the protests at Tiananmen Square, where Chinese citizens defied their government, facing off against tanks. The song drives home the metaphor that fighting a battle with inadequate tools, like bringing a knife to a gunfight, is a losing proposition. This infectious anthem climbed to number 15 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

# 8 – Street Fighter (War)

If you’ve played Street Fighter IV, you’ve likely heard “Street Fighter (War),” a standout track from Tri-Polar used to advertise the game. Its pounding rhythm and aggressive energy made it a perfect fit, leading WWE to seek out “You’re Going Down” for one of their events as well. This exposure helped Sick Puppies expand their audience and solidify their place in the gaming and sports worlds.

# 7 – Odd One

From the Tri-Polar album, “Odd One” resonates deeply with anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider. Its message encourages listeners to embrace their individuality, noting that society’s judgments shouldn’t dictate who we are. The song’s powerful lyrics and moving melody convey that uniqueness should be celebrated, not hidden away.

# 6 – My World

Ranked sixth on our list is “My World,” a collaboration between Emma Anzai, Shimon Moore, and Rock Mafia from their Dressed Up as Life album. This electrifying track infuses post-grunge vibes with hard rock elements, embodying the sound that defined the band’s rise. Peaking at number 20 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, “My World” exemplifies Sick Puppies’ fierce spirit.

# 5 – There’s No Going Back

With Rock Mafia, Emma Anzai, Shimon Moore, and Desmond Child teaming up for “There’s No Going Back,” this post-grunge anthem from Connect features uplifting instrumentals and vocals that helped it soar to number two on the US Mainstream Rock chart. Its powerful message of resilience in the face of change makes it one of the band’s most compelling songs.

#4 – Riptide

While “Odd One” became the second single from Tri-Polar, “Riptide” captured listeners’ hearts with its carefree vibe and empowering lyrics. It conveyed the message that you shouldn’t justify yourself to critics, a relatable sentiment that resonated widely. The song reached number three on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

# 3 – All the Same

Featured on Dressed Up as Life, “All the Same” became Sick Puppies’ breakthrough hit. Its poignant lyrics portray a relationship falling apart and were included in the Free Hugs Campaign, which highlighted kindness through random hugs. It reached number eight on the Alternative Songs chart, becoming the band’s second-highest charting single.

# 2 – You’re Going Down

“You’re Going Down,” a nu-metal track from Tri-Polar, became a WWE anthem, representing the 2009 Extreme Rules. With its aggressive riffs and intense energy, the song shot to number eight on the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart and also found success on the Canadian charts.

# 1 – Maybe

The number one Sick Puppies song is “Maybe,” an anthemic post-grunge track from Tri-Polar. Released in June 2010, this song exudes a hopeful message, encouraging listeners to embrace change despite the risks. It reached number 56 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains the band’s first single to achieve such chart success, a testament to their bold move to Los Angeles that launched their inspiring journey.