20 essential songs for your Blink-182 playlist

By the time Blink released 2001's humorously titled Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, it was trying to sustain its place among the most popular pop-punk bands of the time and build off its breakout third album, Enema of the State, while sounding a little heavier within the confines of that particular mainstream genre. "Every Time I Look for You," with its tale of trying to revisit a seemingly uninterested girl, can be found on Jacket, but is more reminiscent of something from Enema. It's also the opening track on the American Pie 2 soundtrack.

We just touched on Enema of the State , the 1999 release that turned Blink-182 into mainstream pop-punk superstars, right up there with the likes of Green Day. With Travis Barker having replaced Scott Raynor on drums, Blink put out a craftier, tighter record that was built perfectly for the time. Complete with those trademark vulgar, obscene, and straight-up juvenile lyrics that we love about the band ( like hanging with extraterrestrials on this particular track), Enema sold more than 15 million records worldwide and cracked the top 10 on Billboard's Hot 100.

Another song from Jacket, but one that certainly could fit on Enema of the State, "Reckless Abandon," with its sophomoric lyrics, is a typical Blink tune of the time, However, it's also a personal one for guitarist/singer Tom DeLonge, who writes about his carefree summers growing up, skateboarding, goofing around, being vulgar, and even getting into trouble. One reason for Blink's resonance with fans young and old is that more often than not the members never take themselves too seriously. 

"Mutt" is an early song written when Scott Raynor was still in the band. However, it was later re-recorded with Travis Barker and included on Enema of the State. A song about a passionately "active" couple, "Mutt" was not released as a single, but appeared in the hilarious 1999 coming-of-age comedy American Pie, in which the band appeared during the scenes where the song played. In this case, the cameo came when film protagonist Jim (Jason Biggs) was trying to livestream himself getting busy with sexy foreign exchange student Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth).

One of two singles released from the band's untitled fifth release from 2003, simply known as blink-182. Like the rest of the experimentally sounding record, "I Miss You" was something of a departure from the pop-punk fury and catchiness of Enema of the State and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. Highly innovative from the band, "I Miss You" featured the cello, piano, electric bass and brushstroke drum loops. Some critics went as far as dubbing the song "emo." 

Sticking with the blink-182 record, "Down" might have an interesting double meaning, as noted by Rolling Stone, where it is observed that the song was reportedly written about one of Tom DeLonge's failing romantic relationships. However, it also could fit the narrative of troubles within the band, which would essentially implode soon down the road. Still, it's a very raw track, featuring little in the way of bombast. The listener can almost feel the tension that was surrounding the group at the time.

The opener from Enema of the State. From that moment, it just felt that Blink was set for a true breakout, and the massive mainstream success associated with that level of success. "Dumpweed," clocking in at roughly two-and-a-half minutes, was not a hit for the band, but it proved just how far the group had come in its maturation as musicians from the first two records. Catchy, yet complex in its arrangements and chord progression, "Dumpweed" opened the door for the pop-punk greatness that would follow on the rest of the album.

Call it emo, progressive, whatever — this highly underappreciated track from the untitled record touches on topics of paranoia and remains one of the group's most creative and intriguing songs. For those true pop-punk diehards, maybe "Stockholm Syndrome" was a little too abrasive for their collective ears. However, it's an example that as band matured in age, it also was doing the same with its music — something that should always be celebrated. 

There's an obvious new wave vibe with "Always," which can be found on the untitled fifth album. We're thinking maybe a faster Flock of Seagulls tint? Though far from a major hit for the band, this 1980s-influenced track is certainly among the highlights of what could be considered a quasi-second coming of the band. Meaning the more in-depth, perhaps even progressive, and creative approach to the music that showed just how talented the trio had become — or been all along.

Maybe it just seemed this way, but a host of pop-punk bands from the late 1990s and into the 2000s had an "Anthem." Blink's seeming encapsulation of their career ('good things come to those who wait') on its "Anthem" is a blistering number about rebellion and defying authority figures that closes Enema of the State. Then the sequel, "Anthem Part Two" picks up where we left off to open Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. Meanwhile, the third and arguably heaviest of the "Anthem" installments can be found on 2023's One More Time, and features Barker at his absolute best behind the kit. 

The sexually-charged "Feeling This" was the first single from the band's untitled fifth LP. It's a prime example of the experimental approach and sound the band took with that record. "Feeling This" seemed like a breath of fresh air for critics, with some pleased that Blink was willing to take some chances with its music and not make another relatively straightforward pop-punk album. The track has also long been a concert staple for the band. 

The lead single from Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, "Rock Show" helped keep the band in prominence on the heels of Enema of the State. There was not a real departure with this single from what fans were expecting of the band. However, there was a hint this record would be a little more mature and lyrically intriguing. This Hoppus-penned tale is about meeting a girl at a concert, apparently back in the band's punk days while touring around the San Diego area. 

Perhaps the most "pop" song from Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. Of course, it's another relatable tune and illustrative of why the band has been so successful with teens and young adults. After all, just about anybody can relate to the potential awkwardness that is associated with a first date. We hope for the best, but must also prepare for a complete trainwreck. In Blink's case, there is a more optimistic tone that this will be the start of something special. Plus, the tune is catchy as hell.

We go back to Blink's 1995 studio debut Cheshire Cat. "Carousel" is the opening track and still some of the heaviest, fastest work the band has ever recorded. Obviously, Blink-182's sound and production has become more polished over the years, but it's fun to go back to "Carousel," which continues to have a place during the band's live sets. Born out of an early jam session between Hoppus and DeLonge, "Carousel" stands up extremely well within this particular music landscape, and offers a healthy dose of pure punk credibility, to boot. 

It can be argued that "Going Away to College" is Blink's most underrated song from Enema of the State. Sure, to hardcore fans and professional critics it was well-received, but it never became a mainstream hit for the band. It's a tune that conjures up memories of the end of high school and moving on — possibly without one's significant other alongside. Another highly relatable Blink track that should have received more mainstream love back in the day.

The third and final single from Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, "Stay Together for the Kids" is one of the most critically praised collaborations between DeLonge and Hoppus. However, the lyrics were inspired by the experience the former endured amid his own parents' divorce. It was another example of the band's potential to tackle serious subjects with its writing while still maintaining a pop-punk vibe that wouldn't alienate any new fans flocking in this direction. A true gem that should have received more praise at the time.

Blink-182's made-for-radio and MTV hit. The second single from Enema of the State, "All the Small Things" catapulted the band into international superstardom. It did well with most mainstream punk audiences and was accepted by the pop crowd. An ode to one of Tom DeLonge's girlfriends, "All the Small Things" can be considered Blink's signature tune, reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and its boy band-parodied music video was in heavy rotation on MTV. It was not uncommon to hear the song played at wedding receptions in the early 2000s as well.

If critics and skeptical fans of pop punk needed a reason to take Blink-182 seriously, "Adam's Song" was the moment. Perhaps the most impressive moment from Enema of the State, the Hoppus-composed track was Blink's most serious song to date. Touching on topics such as loneliness, depression and suıcide, "Adam's Song" proved the band could address more intense topics amid all the goofy antics of its career prior to and during Enema. The music video was another MTV favorite, and Barker once again proved why he was one of the great drummers of the genre — and perhaps beyond.

Known for its arpeggiated guitar intro, "What's My Age Again?" was the first single from Enema of the State and has long been considered a pop-punk classic. Featuring a memorable music video, it was the hit that proved Blink was ready and capable of breaking through into the mainstream. It's a song about a young adult not ready to grow up, believing there is plenty of time to do so, and attitude that pretty much encapsulated Blink-182's collective attitude at the time — and pretty much even today, no matter how much older and seemingly wiser the trio might be. 

The song that essentially introduced Blink-182 to the masses. From its second album Dude Ranch (1997), the fast-paced, high-octane "Dammit" describes that always painful experience of watching a former love tool around with another flame. However, that's life. And, at the time, life was getting good for Blink-182, which gained more popularity while playing on the Warped Tour and seemed poised for even bigger success down the road — which is exactly what happened. And, despite plenty of ups and downs, Blink-182 still is out there playing to a dedicated collective fan base that probably doesn't want to take itself too seriously.