On My Playlist: Top 5 The Offspring Songs

The Offspring is one of the most famous bands in punk rock and rock history and they are still going at it after almost 30 years in the music industry. Their longevity and popularity make it hard to pick only five songs, but these five are always on my The Offspring playlist.
1. Self Esteem
Self Esteem is the ultimate The Offspring song. It starts with a well-known riff, an iconic bass line in the verses and Dexter Holland’s sharp and truthful vocals on being in a relationship with no self-esteem. The song tells a story about the problems of having a shallow, one- sided relationship and is essential for any rock fan to know.
Memorable lyric: “I may be dumb, but I’m not a dweeb, I’m just a sucker with no self-esteem.”
2. The Kids Aren’t Alright
When this song premiered in 1998, it was loved by many, and still is, as it is a song that anyone can relate to – even more so in modern times. The song deals with the progression from childhood to adulthood and the challenges in a dog-eat-dog world. In this song, the singer asks rhetorical questions based on his childhood friends from his neighborhood and how their paths have unraveled.
Memorable lyric: “Fragile lives, shattered dreams.”
3. Come Out and Play (Keep ‘em Separated)
This is an interesting song that uses a number of different musical influences to create one song. It starts with a drum beat and a recognisable riff with middle eastern influences. Vocalist, Dexter Holland’s sarcastic lyrics and tone of voice also add to the story-like lyrics of the song. The song depicts juvenile angst and violence amongst other American themes that surfaced in the mid- 90s.
Memorable lyric: “You’re under 18, you won’t be doing any time. Come out and play.”
4. The Meaning of Life
This upbeat single from the 1997 album, “Ixnay on the Hombre” is a fast-paced rock song that ushers all the best qualities of The Offspring. Dexter Holland’s lyrics, Noodles’ guitar playing and Ron Welty’s lightning- speed drums. The main theme is about enjoying life to the full.
Memorable lyric: “I gotta go by my own way and learn from my own mistakes.”
5. Gone Away
This is one of The Offspring’s deeper and more emotionally involved songs and hits the listener right in the heart. The opening drumbeat grabs the attention and leads into the main riff of the songs.
It has a tortoise pace when compared to other The Offspring tracks, but this is where it gets its uniqueness and lasting appeal. You get a sense that the guys really put a lot of effort into this memorable song. The main idea behind the song is the loss of a loved one and the heartache that those have who are left behind.
Memorable lyric: “Leaving flowers on your grave to show that I still care, black roses and hail mary’s can’t bring back what’s taken from me. I reach to the sky and call out your name and, if I could trade, I would.”