The First Official Punk Song

Speaking of The Who, I've always thought "Substitute" for numerous reasons was the first punk song. It has the punk ethos lyrically and the riff structure, when sped up slightly, is a punk song.

 

The Stooges' first three albums are more punk than anything that came along in '77 or after

 

Interesting to see this old thread revived. I still stand by my original observations in post #89.

L.

 

I agree with your observations. Well said.

Your line of reasoning is actually what makes the question interesting - not to mention bands that should qualify for this genre, but are not acknowledged as part of the movement.

 

Yes. And another overlooked Aussie - Angus Young - fully deserves punk progenitor credit, given his playing style and onstage attitude. He was doing his thing back in 1973.

 

Yeah. I think that the way the different answers spread out whenever this question gets asked is a pretty good indication that it was a complex process that brought things about in the late '70s and not some easy to pin-point revolutionary or originary moment.

L.

 

Surely the first Punk was actually the real Henry VIII, so that would make the first Punk song 'Greensleeves'......

 

That's the correct answer. The first punk song needs to still actually sound like a punk song, not just have an element or two found in punk. Henry the VIII, Louie Louie, The Stones, The Beatles, The Who? That's not punk. ANY basic unrefined rock by perturbed young men is punk when you reduce it that much.

I think I probably see White Light/White Heat as the first punk album, but if not, then it was The Stooges. Otherwise, it's something I have yet to hear.

 

Gotta go with "Kick Out The Jams ,Motherf#ckers" as the first punk lyric.

 

"1969" by the Stooges? That's as punk as it gets.

 

It's one of the greatest singles of all time.

 

The first nuggets box set...and the debut album from the Stones.

 

'Official' and 'punk' don't really go together. I'm enjoying the love for the Sonics in this thread and I agree with Moose that when the first Nuggets set arrived it highlighted a sound out of touch with what was happening at that time, with a different set of values and approach. Subversive and timeless, as good a place as any to see a renaissance of a sound that hasn't gone away since.

 

"Surfin' Bird"

 

The Missing Links: Wild About You (1965)

 

The Missing Links: You're Driving Me Insane (1965)