The Strokes Song Rankings
An exhaustive ranking of the complete studio discography of The Strokes. This directory traces the band's trajectory from the raw, garage-rock revivalism of Is This It that defined early 2000s New York, through their polished mid-career experimentation, up to the Grammy-winning, synthesizer-laced comeback of The New Abnormal. Every officially released studio track is mapped to its parent album to fetch the correct artwork.
MusicAll Studio Songs
🌍 World Ranking
▲ Top 5
#1
Hard to Explain (2001)
A masterpiece of compression and production, utilizing a drum machine-like acoustic beat and brilliant, overlapping dual guitar lines.
+5
#2
Ode to the Mets (2020)
A sprawling, majestic, incredibly sad closing track that slowly builds from a simple synth line into a massive, cinematic crescendo.
+4
#3
Reptilia (2003)
A furious, precise, and incredibly technical track featuring one of the most iconic, driving basslines of the 2000s.
+3
#4
Someday (2001)
A highly nostalgic, deceptively upbeat indie-pop masterpiece driven by Fab Moretti's bouncing Motown-style drumbeat.
+2
#5
Machu Picchu (2011)
A slinky, reggae-and-synth-pop infused opener signaling a radical departure from their guitar-heavy past.
+1
▼ Bottom 5
#1
Lonely in the Future (2026)
A more atmospheric cut from the new record.
-5
#2
On the Other Side (2006)
A cynical, world-weary track featuring Casablancas adopting a highly exaggerated, drunken vocal delivery.
-4
#3
Falling out of Love (2026)
The second single released ahead of the album.
-3
#4
Call It Fate, Call It Karma (2013)
A bizarre, lo-fi closer styled like a 1930s jazz record, featuring muffled vocals and a warbling, degraded tape sound.
-2
#5
Going Shopping (2026)
The lead single from the album, originally mailed to fans on limited cassette tapes.
-1
You should check out
Is This It by The Strokes
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The New Abnormal by The Strokes
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Meet Me in the Bathroom: Rebirth and Rock and Roll in New York City 2001-2011 by Lizzy Goodman
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All Items (73)
Hard to Explain (2001) — A masterpiece of compression and production, utilizing a drum machine-like acoustic beat and brilliant, overlapping dual guitar lines.+5
Ode to the Mets (2020) — A sprawling, majestic, incredibly sad closing track that slowly builds from a simple synth line into a massive, cinematic crescendo.+4
Reptilia (2003) — A furious, precise, and incredibly technical track featuring one of the most iconic, driving basslines of the 2000s.+3
Someday (2001) — A highly nostalgic, deceptively upbeat indie-pop masterpiece driven by Fab Moretti's bouncing Motown-style drumbeat.+2
Machu Picchu (2011) — A slinky, reggae-and-synth-pop infused opener signaling a radical departure from their guitar-heavy past.+1
Is This It (2001) — A slow, woozy, heavily compressed opener that perfectly establishes the detached, melancholic cool of their debut.—
The Modern Age (2001) — The track that sparked a massive major-label bidding war, featuring a jagged, relentless rhythm and a squealing, chaotic guitar solo.—
Soma (2001) — A tense, building track named after the fictional drug in Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World', reflecting on artificial happiness.—
Barely Legal (2001) — A fast-paced, melodic track with controversial lyrics exploring youth and the anxiety of reaching adulthood in New York City.—
Alone, Together (2001) — A heavily distorted, driving rock track featuring a complex, intertwining guitar duel between Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr.—
Last Nite (2001) — The massive, inescapable breakout hit that borrowed its iconic opening riff from Tom Petty's 'American Girl'.—
New York City Cops (2001) — A cynical, swaggering track famously removed from the US version of the album following the September 11 attacks.—
Trying Your Luck (2001) — A surprisingly emotional, moody ballad that slows the frantic pace of the album to explore a failing relationship.—
Take It or Leave It (2001) — A fiercely aggressive, screeching closer featuring Casablancas straining his vocals to the absolute breaking point.—
What Ever Happened? (2003) — A confident, slick opener addressing the massive weight of expectations following their legendary debut.—
Automatic Stop (2003) — A reggae-influenced, heavily rhythmic track featuring a prominent synthesizer-like guitar effect during the chorus.—
12:51 (2003) — A short, catchy synth-pop influenced track featuring a guitar tone designed to mimic the sound of a vintage Roland synthesizer.—
You Talk Way Too Much (2003) — A swaggering, straightforward garage rock track heavily reminiscent of the raw energy of their first album.—
Between Love & Hate (2003) — A bouncing, rhythmic track showcasing the band's deepening mastery of complex, interlocking guitar parts.—
Meet Me in the Bathroom (2003) — A nostalgic, melodic track reflecting on a specific era of New York nightlife and a rumored encounter with Courtney Love.—
Under Control (2003) — A gorgeous, soulful ballad heavily influenced by 1960s Motown, marking a significant evolution in Casablancas' songwriting.—
The Way It Is (2003) — A frantic, exceptionally fast-paced rocker that serves as a blistering two-minute burst of energy.—
The End Has No End (2003) — A highly melodic, intricately layered track featuring a massive, soaring chorus and a deeply infectious guitar hook.—
I Can't Win (2003) — A fast, cynical closer originally written during the Is This It sessions but held back for their sophomore release.—
You Only Live Once (2006) — An incredibly polished, perfect indie-pop anthem that serves as the shining centerpiece of their complex third album.—
Juicebox (2006) — A surprisingly heavy, almost metal-leaning track driven by a frantic, buzzing bassline inspired by the 'Peter Gunn Theme'.—
Heart in a Cage (2006) — A dark, dramatic track featuring aggressive down-picking and a bleak, cinematic lyrical tone.—
Razorblade (2006) — A sweet, romantic track built around a beautiful, twinkling guitar riff that heavily interpolates Barry Manilow's 'Mandy'.—
Vision of Division (2006) — A furious, aggressive track featuring an incredibly difficult, shredding guitar solo from Nick Valensi.—
Ask Me Anything (2006) — A stark, strange ballad featuring only Casablancas' vocals accompanied by a Mellotron, with no guitars or drums.—
Electricityscape (2006) — A dramatic, soaring rock track reflecting the massive, arena-ready production style of the entire record.—
Killing Lies (2006) — A mid-tempo, highly structured track showcasing the band's willingness to experiment with more conventional, complex pop structures.—
Fear of Sleep (2006) — A repetitive, heavy track that slowly builds tension before exploding into a screaming vocal climax.—
15 Minutes (2006) — A bizarre, waltz-time track that suddenly shifts gears halfway through into a frantic, chaotic punk rock breakdown.—
Ize of the World (2006) — A highly technical, brilliant critique of modern consumerism that intentionally cuts off mid-sentence at the very end.—
Evening Sun (2006) — A gentle, melodic track offering a moment of quiet reflection near the end of a very heavy, dense album.—
Red Light (2006) — A bright, intricately woven closer heavily featuring a prominent, bouncing bassline and overlapping, staccato guitar parts.—
Under Cover of Darkness (2011) — A brilliant, nostalgic return to their classic dueling-guitar sound, featuring a stunning, harmonic guitar solo.—
Two Kinds of Happiness (2011) — A track heavily inspired by 1980s new wave, blending soaring choruses with tight, muted guitar verses.—
You're So Right (2011) — A dark, tense, and highly experimental track featuring a repetitive, almost industrial rhythm.—
Taken for a Fool (2011) — A bouncy, infectious track featuring a classic Strokes guitar hook that was largely written by bassist Nikolai Fraiture.—
Games (2011) — A completely synthesizer-driven track that fully embraces the 80s aesthetic, devoid of the band's signature raw guitars.—
Call Me Back (2011) — A sparse, lonely acoustic track featuring Casablancas singing over minimal instrumentation before a surprising electronic beat drops in.—
Gratisfaction (2011) — A joyful, harmony-heavy track heavily indebted to the classic rock sounds of Thin Lizzy and Steely Dan.—
Metabolism (2011) — A heavy, brooding, Muse-esque track featuring dark synthesizers and dramatic, operatic vocal shifts.—
Life Is Simple in the Moonlight (2011) — A gorgeously produced, melancholic closer featuring intricate acoustic guitars and a soaring, emotional synth-string section.—
Tap Out (2013) — A smooth, deeply groovy track steeped in 1980s R&B and funk influences, featuring incredibly slick guitar work.—
All the Time (2013) — A deliberate, straightforward return to the classic 'Is This It' guitar sound, acting as the only conventional rocker on the album.—
One Way Trigger (2013) — A wildly polarizing, hyper-energetic synth-pop track featuring Casablancas singing entirely in a strained falsetto over an A-ha style keyboard riff.—
Welcome to Japan (2013) — A slick, incredibly catchy funk-rock hybrid featuring a deeply infectious bassline and a massive, arena-ready chorus.—
80's Comedown Machine (2013) — A slow, deeply melancholic ambient track dominated by a vintage Mellotron and hushed, whispered vocals.—
50/50 (2013) — A short, explosive burst of pure punk rock energy, serving as a chaotic contrast to the surrounding electronic tracks.—
Slow Animals (2013) — A breezy, mid-tempo track featuring lush production, gentle acoustic guitars, and a deeply nostalgic vocal delivery.—
Partners in Crime (2013) — A frantic, bouncy track driven by a relentless drum machine beat and heavily processed, distorted vocals.—
Chances (2013) — A gorgeous, atmospheric synth-ballad featuring some of Casablancas' most emotional and vulnerable vocal work.—
Happy Ending (2013) — A fast-paced, highly melodic indie-pop track that seamlessly blends their classic guitar sound with their modern electronic influences.—
The Adults Are Talking (2020) — A brilliant, energetic comeback track driven by a relentless drum machine and a classic, instantly memorable dueling guitar riff.—
Selfless (2020) — A lush, psychedelic ballad featuring a beautiful, soaring vocal performance and a stunning, emotional guitar solo.—
Brooklyn Bridge to Chorus (2020) — A joyous, massively catchy synth-pop anthem detailing the band's complex relationship with their own past and former friends.—
Bad Decisions (2020) — A deeply nostalgic, classic rock track that heavily interpolates the main melody from Billy Idol's 'Dancing With Myself'.—
Why Are Sundays So Depressing (2020) — A laid-back, groovy track reflecting on aging and isolation, featuring a beautifully ragged, distorted guitar bridge.—
Not the Same Anymore (2020) — A dark, slow-burning confessional track addressing past mistakes, anchored by a deep, bluesy guitar progression.—
Psycho Shit (2026) — The opening track from the Costa Rica sessions with Rick Rubin.—
Dine N'Dash (2026) — A driving, energetic track.—
Going to Babble On (2026) — A mid-album track showcasing their looser, newer style.—
Liar's Remorse (2026) — A heavier, introspective track.—
The Fruits of Conquest (2026) — A complex, layered composition.—
Tyrants of the Mellow Moon (2026) — The closing track of their seventh studio album.—
Going Shopping (2026) — The lead single from the album, originally mailed to fans on limited cassette tapes.-1
Call It Fate, Call It Karma (2013) — A bizarre, lo-fi closer styled like a 1930s jazz record, featuring muffled vocals and a warbling, degraded tape sound.-2
Falling out of Love (2026) — The second single released ahead of the album.-3
On the Other Side (2006) — A cynical, world-weary track featuring Casablancas adopting a highly exaggerated, drunken vocal delivery.-4
Lonely in the Future (2026) — A more atmospheric cut from the new record.-5