Underworld is one of the most influential electronic music acts of all time, with a career spanning over three decades. Formed in the late 1980s, the band’s unique blend of techno, house, and trance music has made them a favorite of both dance music aficionados and mainstream music fans alike. Over the course of their career, Underworld has released a vast catalog of music, ranging from epic, transcendent anthems to intimate, introspective ballads. In this article, we will be exploring the top 10 best Underworld songs of all time. From their early rave classics to their more recent forays into experimental electronica, these tracks showcase the band’s unique ability to create music that is both highly danceable and deeply emotional. So join us as we delve into the world of Underworld and discover some of their most enduring and beloved tracks.
1. “Juanita:Kiteless:To Dream Of Love” (from Second Toughest In The Infants, 1996)
“Juanita:Kiteless:To Dream Of Love” is a sprawling, epic track that showcases the experimental and electronic sound of the British techno group Underworld. The song is taken from their 1996 album “Second Toughest in the Infants,” which is widely considered to be one of the greatest techno albums of all time. “Juanita:Kiteless:To Dream Of Love” is a perfect example of the band’s ability to create hypnotic, trance-like music that is both highly emotive and highly danceable. The song builds slowly over its nearly 16-minute runtime, incorporating elements of ambient, techno, and house music to create a sound that is truly unique. The use of synths, drum machines, and samples is masterful, and the result is a track that is both immersive and exhilarating.
2. “Jumbo” (from Beaucoup Fish, 1999)
“Jumbo” is a standout track from Underworld’s 1999 album “Beaucoup Fish.” The song has a driving beat and a highly infectious melody that is built around a sample from the film “Rear Window.” The use of samples is a hallmark of Underworld’s sound, and on “Jumbo” they are used to great effect, creating a sound that is both retro and futuristic at the same time. The song has a highly energetic and danceable quality that is perfect for the club or the festival stage. The lyrics are enigmatic and surreal, adding to the overall mystique of the song. “Jumbo” is a perfect example of Underworld’s ability to create music that is both highly intelligent and highly accessible, and it remains one of their most beloved tracks to this day.
3. “Born Slippy .NUXX” (from the “Born Slippy” single, 1995)
“Born Slippy .NUXX” is one of Underworld’s most iconic tracks, and it remains a staple of dance floors and festivals around the world. Originally released as a single in 1995, the song gained worldwide fame when it was featured in the hit movie “Trainspotting.” The track is built around a pulsing, hypnotic beat and a soaring, anthemic melody that is instantly recognizable. The lyrics are enigmatic and poetic, adding to the overall mystique of the song. “Born Slippy .NUXX” is a perfect example of Underworld’s ability to create music that is both highly danceable and highly emotive, and it remains one of their greatest achievements.
4. “Dirty Epic” (from Dubnobasswithmyheadman, 1994)
“Dirty Epic” is a standout track from Underworld’s 1994 album “Dubnobasswithmyheadman.” The song is a slow-building, atmospheric piece that incorporates elements of ambient, techno, and house music to create a sound that is truly unique. The track is built around a simple, hypnotic melody that is gradually augmented by layers of synths, drum machines, and samples. The result is a track that is both highly emotive and highly danceable. The lyrics are cryptic and surreal, adding to the overall mystery of the song. “Dirty Epic” is a perfect example of Underworld’s ability to create music that is both highly intelligent and highly accessible, and it remains one of their most beloved tracks to this day.
5. “Pearl’s Girl” (from Second Toughest In The Infants, 1996)
“Pearl’s Girl” is a highly energetic and danceable track that showcases the techno side of Underworld’s sound. The song is taken from their 1996 album “Second Toughest in the Infants,” and it features a driving beat, swirling synths, and a highly infectious melody. The use of samples is masterful, and the result is a track that is both highly immersive and highly energizing. The lyrics are enigmatic and poetic, adding to the overall mystique of the song. “Pearl’s Girl” is a perfect example of Underworld’s ability to create music that is both highly intelligent and highly accessible, and it remains a fan favorite to this day.
6. “Small Conker And A Twix/You Do Scribble” (from Live In Tokyo 25th November 2005)
“Small Conker And A Twix/You Do Scribble” is a live track recorded by Underworld during their performance in Tokyo in 2005. The track is a medley of two songs, “Small Conker and a Twix” and “You Do Scribble,” and it showcases the band’s unique ability to create music that is both highly improvised and highly structured. The track is built around a pulsing beat and a series of intricate melodies that build and recede throughout the performance. The use of live instrumentation adds to the overall energy of the track, and the result is a highly immersive and dynamic piece of music.
7. “Beautiful Burnout” (from Oblivion With Bells, 2007)
“Beautiful Burnout” is a track taken from Underworld’s 2007 album “Oblivion With Bells.” The song is a highly atmospheric and emotive piece that showcases the band’s ability to create music that is both highly danceable and highly introspective. The track is built around a pulsing, hypnotic beat and a series of swirling synths that gradually build in intensity throughout the song. The lyrics are enigmatic and poetic, adding to the overall mystique of the track. “Beautiful Burnout” is a perfect example of Underworld’s ability to create music that is both highly intelligent and highly accessible, and it remains one of their most beloved tracks to this day.
8. “Low Burn” (from Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future, 2016)
“Low Burn” is a track taken from Underworld’s 2016 album “Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future.” The song is a highly atmospheric and introspective piece that showcases the band’s ability to create music that is both highly emotional and highly danceable. The track is built around a pulsing beat and a series of intricate melodies that gradually build in intensity throughout the song. The lyrics are cryptic and poetic, adding to the overall mystery of the track. “Low Burn” is a perfect example of Underworld’s ability to create music that is both highly intelligent and highly accessible, and it stands as a testament to the band’s enduring creativity and vision.
9. “Always Loved A Film” (from Barking, 2010)
“Always Loved a Film” is a track taken from Underworld’s 2010 album “Barking.” The song is a highly energetic and propulsive piece that showcases the band’s ability to create music that is both highly danceable and highly emotive. The track is built around a pulsing beat and a series of catchy synth hooks that gradually build in intensity throughout the song. The lyrics are enigmatic and poetic, adding to the overall mystery and allure of the track. “Always Loved a Film” is a perfect example of Underworld’s ability to create music that is both highly intelligent and highly accessible, and it remains a fan favorite to this day.
10. “Two Months Off” (from A Hundred Days Off, 2002)
“Two Months Off” is a track taken from Underworld’s 2002 album “A Hundred Days Off.” The song is a highly atmospheric and introspective piece that showcases the band’s ability to create music that is both highly emotional and highly danceable. The track is built around a pulsing, hypnotic beat and a series of intricate melodies that gradually build in intensity throughout the song. The lyrics are enigmatic and poetic, adding to the overall mystery and depth of the track. “Two Months Off” is a perfect example of Underworld’s ability to create music that is both highly intelligent and highly accessible, and it stands as one of their most enduring and beloved tracks.
Samuel Moore is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
