Good Charlotte is one of the most experienced bands on the pop-punk/rock scene, having performed for two decades and produced countless radio hits during the 2000’s rock radio era.
Good Charlotte is still banging out some great music and has, in a sense, matured their music while keeping their major sound. The Madden brothers, Benji and Joel, are the heart and soul of this band. These twins continue to stamp their mark on the music industry with an anticipated 7th album on the way later this year. Good Charlotte consists of Joel Madden – vocals and keyboards; Benji Madden – guitars, vocals; Paul Thomas – bass; Billy Martin – guitars and keyboards and Dean Butterworth – drums.
Honourable Mentions: ‘Take Your Hands Off My Girl’, ‘The Anthem’, ‘The Young and the Hopeless’, ‘Predictable’, ‘Misery’ and ‘Let The Music Play’.
5. War
In the essence of going through the entire Good Charlotte discography for this countdown, I have decided to go with a newer track from their 2016 album, Life Changes. ‘War’ is not your average pop-punk songs and has a lot more depth and punch to it. The song starts off with an acoustic-driven opening verse that looks at how all the sad emotions can sometimes create a war within yourself. There is a positive element to this number while it takes a retrospective look at failed relationships. ‘We are always on the frontline at the worst time, we’ve got the best hearts, but we’ve got sick minds.’
Joel and Benji Madden’s dual vocals also work perfectly in the bridge where the song reaches a higher, harder level. It is a really great progression and showcases the sudden anger and desperation in this relationship war. The overall outcome is one of defiance in difficult times and the need to win the war. One of the band’s most underrated songs in my opinion. A hidden gem.
4. I Just Wanna Live
‘I need an alarm system in my house so I know when people are creeping about, these people are freaking me out,’ sings Joel Madden to open this iconic 2004 hit that got tremendous airtime on radio stations around the globe. The song looks at the pressure of being celebrities and how to handle the extra attention. In the end, the band members just want to live their lives and are not worried about their image or the opinion of others.
The main hook of the song is the simplistic guitar, catchy violin-like synth intro and insanely catchy chorus hook, where both brothers sing ‘I just wanna live’ at a really high pitch.
3. Hold On
This is one of the best Good Charlotte tracks, based on its overall message of never giving up, even in the hardest of times. The song looks at depression, anxiety and the hope arising from these circumstances. This is an anti-suicide song and looks at how people from different walks of life are affected and experience bad times. The song begins with a fantastic clean guitar riff from Martin before the potent lyrics kick in, ‘Hold on, if you feel like letting go, hold on, it gets better than you know. Don’t stop looking, you’re one step closer, don’t stop searching, it’s not over.’ This is truly one of the most inspirational tracks the band has ever written.
2. Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
This was the hit song that started it all for Good Charlotte. This is what a pop-punk song should sound like and the energetic opening drums really get the song off to a rip-roaring start.
The track is high paced throughout and focuses on the lifestyles of the rich and famous and how they live their lives by complaining and living without gratitude. This tongue-in-cheek song is one of the band’s most famous tracks and they still play it live, to the jubilation of their loyal fans. The chorus is one of the band’s best and its singalong quality really is outstanding – Good Charlotte really knows how to write a catchy hook.
1. The River
This might not be the band’s most famous song but, in its essence and quality, really ranks as the best. The lyrics, overall message and punk-rock feel truly showcase what the band is all about. The opening drum riff, coupled with the intro guitar riff and sick bass notes from Thomas in the verse gives the song a really dark, groovy feel. Martin uses some great melodies to lay the foundation in the chorus with Madden singing his heart out. The lyrics focus on a baptism and the turnaround that happens during this process. ‘Back down to the river, on my own, I want to be delivered,’ sings Madden.
A sweet solo then comes to the fore to cap the tremendous song off on the highest of notes.
