Seven Taking Back Sunday Singles - Ranked

Taking Back Sunday released their latest album, ‘Tidal Wave,’ on Friday. This is the second album the band has released together since reuniting the classic ‘Tell All Your Friends’ line-up six years ago.

For the most part, ‘Tidal Wave’ is a low-key album, not necessarily something you expect from the pop-punk/”emo” band. The most impressive thing about the album on (my) first listen is the dynamics between the songs. It has its soft, intimate moments, then turns around and emotes in a controlled manor.

In honor of the album’s release, here is a ranking of Taking Back Sunday’s best singles.

1.       “Cute Without the ‘E’”: ‘Tell All Your Friends’ is a very iconic album and this song is one of the reasons why. “Cute Without the ‘E’” epitomized TBS in the early 2000s and has one of the catchiest choruses imaginable. The lyrics are dramatic and biting. It’s brilliant.

2.       “You’re So Last Summer”: The other very memorable single (and video) from ‘Tell All Your Friends,’ “You’re So Last Summer” is, again, very dramatic. It’s a break-up song and a love song, and has some of the most quotable lyrics in 2000s pop-rock/ “emo.” And they got Flava Flav to be in the video!

3.       “MakeDamnSure”: “MakeDamnSure” is more aggressive than the band’s previous singles. It was a new era for the band, one where the band would became more popular than ever. Part of it was Fred Mascherino’s influence, but it was also where the genre was heading and TBS were again at the forefront.

4.       “A Decade Under the Influence”: The tune is memorable, as are the words. It builds up to this incredible scream by the end, just all this emotion finally being released. Amazing.

5.       “Faith”: This is the first single after the band returned to their classic ‘TAYF’ line-up, and what a way to come back. This is classic Taking Back Sunday, except more grown up and less “whiney.”  

6.       “Liar”: This song is memorable for its melody and its video. It’s as self-deprecating as any of their other songs. When it gets to the chorus, the song takes off. Also, putting themselves in a lie detector machine for the video is a cute idea.

7.        “Flicker, Fade”: The first single from the band 2014’s ‘Happiness Is,’ this song continues the band’s forward momentum. It’s aggressive and contemplative at the same time. It’s the best of where they came from and where they are going.

‘Tidal Wave’ is out now.  Taking Back Sunday is currently on a small club tour with You Blew It!, which will hit Irving Plaza on September 29 and 30, and Long Island on October 4 at Revolution.

You can pick up the band’s back catalog of albums at VinylBay 777 right now!