The Most Popular Indie Song, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the song you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 30, 2024 06:40
Indie music often flies under the radar of mainstream attention, making it a challenge for enthusiasts to track down the best new tracks and artists. With so many emerging talents and unique songs, a central hub for voting can highlight what truly resonates with fans. This kind of engagement helps surface lesser-known gems and provides a community-driven guide to what's currently capturing hearts.
By participating in the ranking, users get the chance to influence which songs gain prominence and assist in curating a list that reflects the true taste of indie music lovers. Voting not only empowers listeners to have their voices heard but also enables a dynamic exchange of musical discoveries. This interactive environment ensures that the rankings remain fresh and relevant, offering up-to-date insights into the indie scene.
What Is the Most Popular Indie Song?
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125votes
"Ho Hey" by The Lumineers
The LumineersThis song became a massive hit in 2012 and helped propel The Lumineers to stardom. Its catchy, upbeat melody and sing-along chorus made it a crowd favorite at indie music festivals.Ho Hey by The Lumineers is a popular indie folk song that was released in 2012. It became a breakthrough hit for the band and reached the top 10 on various music charts worldwide. The song features a catchy and energetic acoustic guitar-driven melody with heartfelt vocals. It showcases a raw and sincere expression of emotions, coupled with simple yet relatable lyrics about love and relationships. The Lumineers' folk-inspired sound combined with the infectious and anthemic nature of the song contributed to its widespread appeal and popularity among indie music enthusiasts and mainstream audiences alike.- Release Date: 2012
- Genre: Indie folk
- Chart Performance: Top 10 on various charts
- Instrumentation: Acoustic guitar
- Vocals: Heartfelt and emotional
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225votes
"Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye ft. Kimbra
Gotye ft. KimbraThis breakout hit from Australian musician Gotye was a massive success in 2011, earning him multiple awards and topping charts worldwide. Its unique sound and emotional lyrics made it a standout in the indie music scene.Somebody That I Used to Know is a popular indie song by Gotye featuring Kimbra. It was released in 2011 and quickly gained international recognition. The song combines elements of alternative rock, indie pop, and folk music, showcasing a unique and catchy sound. With its introspective lyrics and haunting melodies, it explores themes of love, loss, and moving on from past relationships. The vocals of Gotye and Kimbra complement each other, creating a captivating and emotionally-charged duet. The track's distinctive production and use of unconventional instrumentation, including the xylophone, contribute to its distinct sound. Somebody That I Used to Know became a massive hit worldwide, topping charts in numerous countries and winning several awards. It has been recognized for its innovative music video, which features unique body art and has amassed billions of views on YouTube.- Release date: July 5, 2011
- Genres: {"Alternative rock","Indie pop","Folk"}
- Lyric themes: {"Love","Loss","Moving on"}
- Vocalists: {"Gotye","Kimbra"}
- Instruments: {"Xylophone","Guitar","Bass","Drums","Percussion"}
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312votes
"Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People
Foster the PeopleThis song became a cultural phenomenon in 2011, with its infectious melody and dark lyrics about school shootings. It helped propel Foster the People to mainstream success and remains a popular indie anthem."Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People is a popular Fortnite song that gained significant attention due to its catchy and upbeat nature. The song was released in 2010 as part of the band's debut album, 'Torches', and quickly became a sensation.- Song duration: 3 minutes and 59 seconds
- Genre: Indie pop, alternative rock, synth-pop
- Lyrics theme: Dark lyrics juxtaposed with an infectious melody
- Chart performance: Reached top 5 in charts across several countries
- Meaning: Explores the topic of gun violence and mental health
"Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular Fortnite song
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417votes
"Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand
Franz FerdinandThis song was a massive hit in 2004, with its catchy guitar riffs and energetic vocals. It helped define the indie rock genre and remains a popular party anthem to this day.Take Me Out is a popular Indie song performed by the Scottish rock band Franz Ferdinand. Released in 2004 as the lead single from their self-titled debut album, the song became a massive hit worldwide, propelling the band to international fame. It is characterized by its catchy guitar riffs, energetic rhythm, and anthemic chorus.- Release Date: 2004
- Album: Franz Ferdinand
- Genre: Indie rock
- Length: 3 minutes and 57 seconds
- Writer(s): Franz Ferdinand
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523votesThis 2004 hit from Modest Mouse features a catchy melody and optimistic lyrics about overcoming life's challenges. It became an instant classic in the indie music scene and remains a fan favorite.
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613votes
"1901" by Phoenix
PhoenixThis French indie pop band broke through with this hit in 2009, featuring catchy synths and a danceable beat. Its upbeat energy made it a popular choice for commercials and TV shows."1901" by Phoenix is a popular indie song known for its catchy melody and energetic sound. The song was released in 2009 as the lead single from the band's fourth studio album, "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix." It gained widespread attention and became one of Phoenix's most recognizable tracks. The song's lyrics convey a nostalgic longing for the past and the desire to escape from the present. With its vibrant instrumentals and infectious chorus, "1901" encapsulates the band's unique blend of indie rock and synth-pop elements. The track received critical acclaim for its driving rhythm and engaging hooks, solidifying Phoenix's status as one of the prominent indie acts of the late 2000s.- Release Year: 2009
- Album: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
- Genre: Indie rock, Synth-pop
- Length: 3 minutes 12 seconds
- Label: V2 Cooperative Music, Glassnote
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79votes
"Oxford Comma" by Vampire Weekend
Vampire WeekendThis 2008 hit from Vampire Weekend features intelligent lyrics and a catchy melody that helped define the indie pop genre. Its clever wordplay and upbeat energy made it a standout on their debut album.The song 'Oxford Comma' by Vampire Weekend is a popular indie rock track released in 2008. It is known for its catchy melodies, witty lyrics, and lively instrumentation. The song explores themes of grammar, punctuation, and social class in a satirical manner. 'Oxford Comma' showcases Vampire Weekend's signature blend of indie rock, pop, and world music influences.- Release Date: 2008
- Genre: Indie rock
- Length: 3 minutes and 15 seconds
- Album: Vampire Weekend
- Lyricist: Ezra Koenig
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84votesThis hit from Phoenix features a catchy melody and upbeat energy that helped define the French indie pop scene. Its infectious energy made it a popular choice for commercials and TV shows.
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912votesThis Icelandic band broke through with this hit in 2011, featuring a catchy melody and unique instrumentation. Its soaring chorus and emotional lyrics made it a standout in the indie folk scene.
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103votes
"Do You Realize??" by The Flaming Lips
The Flaming LipsThis 2002 hit from The Flaming Lips features dreamy melodies and poetic lyrics that helped define the indie rock genre. Its emotional resonance has made it a fan favorite for over 20 years.Do You Realize? is a popular indie song by The Flaming Lips. It was released as a single in 2002 and is considered one of the band's signature tracks. The song is known for its dreamy, psychedelic sound and introspective lyrics.- Release Date: 2002
- Genre: Indie
- Length: 3:33
- Album: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
- Writer(s): Wayne Coyne, Steven Drozd, Michael Ivins
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Ranking factors for popular song
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Streaming numbersAnalyze the number of plays or streams on major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube to determine the popularity of the song.
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Chart performanceObserve the song's position on Indie-specific and general music charts, such as the Billboard Alternative, Triple A, or Indie charts.
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Radio playsExplore the number of plays a song receives on Indie or Alternative radio stations, as well as the number and reach of stations airing the track.
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Social media engagementConsider the number of likes, shares, comments, and views a song receives on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok as a gauge of popularity.
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Online buzzResearch mentions of the song in popular blogs, websites, reviews, and forums to gauge public opinion and interest.
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Awards and nominationsAssess if the song has received any accolades, such as winning Indie Music Awards or nominations at mainstream award shows.
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Live performancesDetermine the frequency and size of live performances featuring the song, including festivals, tours, and television appearances.
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Download numbers and salesLook at the number of digital downloads and physical sales for the song, which can contribute to its overall popularity.
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Collaborations and remixesConsider if the song has been remixed or covered by other artists, or features collaborations with well-known musicians, as this can increase exposure and boost popularity.
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LongevityAcknowledge the continued popularity of the song over time, as many Indie songs can grow in popularity after their initial release.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Indie song. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or song is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1529 views
- 141 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each song once every 24 hours. The rank of each song is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular indie song
Indie music has been gaining popularity in recent years, with many artists creating unique and captivating sounds that resonate with audiences across the world. Indie songs are often characterized by their alternative and experimental nature, with artists exploring different genres and styles to create something truly original.
When it comes to the most popular Indie song, there are countless options to choose from. From classic tracks that helped establish the genre, to newer hits that are taking the world by storm, there's no shortage of amazing Indie music out there.
At StrawPoll, we've been collecting data from our users to find out which Indie songs are the most beloved. With thousands of polls and rankings on various topics, we have a wealth of information to draw from when it comes to determining which tracks are truly the cream of the crop.
So if you're a fan of Indie music and want to know which songs are the most popular, look no further than StrawPoll. Our community of music lovers has spoken, and we're here to share the results with you.
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