The Feelies are one of the most influential indie rock bands of all time, known for their innovative approach to songwriting and their ability to create music that is both catchy and thought-provoking. From their debut album “Crazy Rhythms” to their more recent work, the band has consistently pushed the boundaries of what indie rock can be, incorporating elements of post-punk, jangle pop, and experimental music into their sound.
In this list, we’ll be counting down the 10 best The Feelies songs of all time, showcasing the band’s most iconic and enduring tracks. From early classics like “Fa Cé-La” and “The Boy With the Perpetual Nervousness” to more recent favorites like “Doin’ It Again” and “In Between”, these songs represent the very best of The Feelies’ unique and influential sound.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the band’s music, these 10 tracks are a must-listen for anyone interested in indie rock or experimental music. So sit back, turn up the volume, and join us as we explore the very best of The Feelies’ discography.
1. The Boy With the Perpetual Nervousness
“The Boy With the Perpetual Nervousness” is a classic song by The Feelies, an influential indie rock band from New Jersey. The song is a jangly, upbeat track that captures the anxious energy of adolescence with its jittery guitar riffs and propulsive rhythm. The lyrics paint a picture of a young man who is constantly on edge, never quite able to relax or feel at ease in his own skin. Despite his nervousness, he longs for connection and intimacy, and the song’s catchy chorus captures this desire with the repeated refrain of “I wanna know you now.”
The Feelies were known for their distinctive sound, which blended elements of post-punk, folk-rock, and jangle-pop, and “The Boy With the Perpetual Nervousness” is a perfect example of their unique approach to songwriting and arrangement. The song’s insistent beat and swirling guitars create a sense of momentum and urgency, while the lyrics capture the emotional turmoil of adolescence with honesty and empathy. Whether you’re a fan of indie rock or just appreciate well-crafted pop songs, “The Boy With the Perpetual Nervousness” is a must-listen track that will stay with you long after the music has ended.
2. Loveless Love
“Loveless Love” is a haunting and atmospheric song by The Feelies, a legendary indie rock band from New Jersey. The track begins with a sparse, hypnotic guitar riff that gradually builds in intensity, creating a sense of tension and foreboding. The lyrics, delivered in a whispery, almost ghostly voice, describe a feeling of lovelessness and detachment, as the singer laments that “love has no meaning” and that “there’s no feeling inside.”
Despite its somber tone, “Loveless Love” is a deeply compelling and evocative song, showcasing The Feelies’ mastery of atmosphere and mood. The band’s signature interplay between guitars and percussion creates a sense of swirling, otherworldly energy, as if the music is conjuring up a dreamlike landscape. And yet, despite the song’s abstract and enigmatic qualities, the emotions it conveys are powerfully human and relatable.
If you’re a fan of experimental rock or music that explores the edges of consciousness, “Loveless Love” is a must-listen track. It’s a testament to the power of sound and mood to convey complex emotions and ideas, and a reminder of The Feelies’ enduring influence on the indie rock landscape.
3. Let’s Go
“Let’s Go” is a high-energy and infectious song by The Feelies, a seminal indie rock band from New Jersey. The track is propelled by a driving beat and insistent guitar riffs that give it an upbeat, danceable quality. The lyrics are simple and direct, urging the listener to let go of their inhibitions and embrace the moment: “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go where we want to be.”
Despite its relative simplicity, “Let’s Go” is a masterclass in indie rock songwriting, with its infectious melodies and sharp, catchy hooks. The Feelies’ signature interplay between guitars and percussion is on full display, creating a sense of frenetic energy that perfectly matches the song’s themes of freedom and release.
If you’re looking for a feel-good anthem that will get you moving and lift your spirits, “Let’s Go” is the perfect song. It’s a celebration of the joy of living in the moment and embracing the possibilities of life, and a testament to The Feelies’ enduring legacy as one of indie rock’s most influential and beloved bands.
4.Crazy Rhythms
“Crazy Rhythms” is a seminal song by The Feelies, a pioneering indie rock band from New Jersey. The track is characterized by its complex, layered rhythms and propulsive, driving beat, which give it an irresistible, danceable quality. The lyrics are abstract and impressionistic, describing a feeling of unease and dislocation in a world that seems to be constantly shifting and changing: “Time flies, things change, nothing remains the same.”
Despite its somewhat cryptic lyrics, “Crazy Rhythms” is a powerful and evocative song that captures the spirit of a particular moment in time. The Feelies’ unique approach to songwriting, which blended elements of post-punk, folk-rock, and experimental music, is on full display, with its intricate guitar patterns and unconventional rhythms. The song is both challenging and accessible, a testament to the band’s ability to push the boundaries of rock music while still creating songs that are memorable and engaging.
If you’re a fan of indie rock or experimental music, “Crazy Rhythms” is a must-listen track that will expand your horizons and challenge your expectations of what rock music can be. It’s a reminder of The Feelies’ enduring influence on the genre, and a testament to their status as one of the most innovative and exciting bands of their era.
5. Slipping (Into Something)
“Slipping (Into Something)” is a mesmerizing and atmospheric song by The Feelies, a legendary indie rock band from New Jersey. The track begins with a sparse, haunting guitar riff that sets the mood for the rest of the song. As the music builds in intensity, the lyrics describe a feeling of slipping away from reality, of losing oneself in a dreamlike state: “Slipping, slipping into something I don’t know.”
Despite its somewhat melancholy tone, “Slipping (Into Something)” is a deeply compelling and hypnotic song that draws the listener in with its hypnotic rhythms and evocative imagery. The Feelies’ mastery of atmosphere and mood is on full display, with the interplay between guitars and percussion creating a sense of otherworldly energy that perfectly matches the song’s themes of escape and transformation.
If you’re a fan of experimental rock or music that explores the edges of consciousness, “Slipping (Into Something)” is a must-listen track. It’s a testament to the power of sound and mood to convey complex emotions and ideas, and a reminder of The Feelies’ enduring influence on the indie rock landscape.
6. The High Road
“The High Road” is a driving and propulsive song by The Feelies, a pioneering indie rock band from New Jersey. The track is characterized by its insistent guitar riffs and driving beat, which give it an upbeat, almost frenzied quality. The lyrics are abstract and impressionistic, describing a feeling of being lost in the world and searching for a way forward: “All the time you feel so small, looking for the high road.”
Despite its somewhat cryptic lyrics, “The High Road” is a powerful and engaging song that captures the spirit of The Feelies’ unique approach to songwriting. The band’s interplay between guitars and percussion is on full display, with the music building to a frenzied crescendo that perfectly matches the song’s themes of searching and striving.
If you’re a fan of indie rock or experimental music, “The High Road” is a must-listen track that showcases The Feelies’ innovative and boundary-pushing style. It’s a reminder of the band’s enduring influence on the genre, and a testament to their status as one of the most exciting and influential bands of their era.
7. Fa Cé‐La
“Fa Cé-La” is a classic song by The Feelies, a seminal indie rock band from New Jersey. The track is characterized by its driving beat and catchy guitar riffs, which give it an upbeat, danceable quality. The lyrics are simple and direct, with the repeated refrain of “fa cé-la” creating a sense of joy and celebration: “Fa cé-la, it’s a good thing.”
Despite its relative simplicity, “Fa Cé-La” is a masterclass in indie rock songwriting, with its infectious melodies and sharp, catchy hooks. The Feelies’ signature interplay between guitars and percussion is on full display, creating a sense of frenetic energy that perfectly matches the song’s themes of freedom and release.
If you’re looking for a feel-good anthem that will get you moving and lift your spirits, “Fa Cé-La” is the perfect song. It’s a celebration of the joy of living in the moment and embracing the possibilities of life, and a testament to The Feelies’ enduring legacy as one of indie rock’s most influential and beloved bands.
8. When Company Comes
“When Company Comes” is a dynamic and evocative song by The Feelies, a pioneering indie rock band from New Jersey. The track is characterized by its propulsive beat and intricate guitar work, which creates a sense of energy and urgency. The lyrics are enigmatic and impressionistic, describing a feeling of anticipation and uncertainty: “When company comes, you never know.”
Despite its somewhat cryptic lyrics, “When Company Comes” is a powerful and engaging song that captures The Feelies’ unique approach to songwriting. The band’s interplay between guitars and percussion is on full display, with the music building to a frenzied climax that perfectly matches the song’s themes of anticipation and anxiety.
If you’re a fan of indie rock or experimental music, “When Company Comes” is a must-listen track that showcases The Feelies’ innovative and boundary-pushing style. It’s a reminder of the band’s enduring influence on the genre, and a testament to their status as one of the most exciting and influential bands of their era.
9. Original Love
“Original Love” is a haunting and introspective song by The Feelies, a legendary indie rock band from New Jersey. The track is characterized by its delicate guitar work and gentle percussion, which create a sense of intimacy and vulnerability. The lyrics are introspective and poetic, describing a feeling of loss and longing: “Original love is not enough, no matter how you try.”
Despite its somewhat melancholy tone, “Original Love” is a deeply moving and evocative song that showcases The Feelies’ mastery of mood and atmosphere. The interplay between guitars and percussion is subtle and understated, with the music creating a sense of space and reflection that perfectly matches the song’s themes of introspection and regret.
If you’re a fan of indie rock or music that explores complex emotions and ideas, “Original Love” is a must-listen track. It’s a reminder of The Feelies’ enduring influence on the genre, and a testament to their ability to create music that is both introspective and universally relatable.
10. Raised Eyebrows
“Raised Eyebrows” is a dynamic and infectious song by The Feelies, a pioneering indie rock band from New Jersey. The track is characterized by its driving beat and jangly guitar riffs, which create a sense of energy and excitement. The lyrics are playful and irreverent, describing a feeling of rebellion and nonconformity: “Raised eyebrows, you know what I mean.”
Despite its somewhat lighthearted tone, “Raised Eyebrows” is a masterclass in indie rock songwriting, with its catchy melodies and sharp, angular hooks. The Feelies’ interplay between guitars and percussion is on full display, creating a sense of frenetic energy that perfectly matches the song’s themes of subversion and nonconformity.
If you’re looking for a feel-good anthem that celebrates the power of individuality and nonconformity, “Raised Eyebrows” is the perfect song. It’s a testament to The Feelies’ enduring legacy as one of indie rock’s most influential and beloved bands, and a reminder of their ability to create music that is both fun and thought-provoking.