A ranking of Bastille’s best songs

In honor of Bastille Day (and lead singer Dan Smith’s birthday), I have compiled a list of Bastille’s 14 best songs. I honestly believe that Bastille is heavily underrated, despite the fact that they’re pretty well-known throughout the world. I just don’t think y’all realize the versatility of their discography. So here is your guide to the best of Bastille! 

14. “Way Beyond” — Wild World 

“Way Beyond” is one of Bastille’s more lyrically explicit songs, which fits well with the overall IDGAF attitude of the song. It’s a little bit edgier than the rest of their songs, but it still has a good beat and the classic Bastille synth that you would expect from them. 

13. “Weight of Living, Pt. II” — Bad Blood

With a hook like, “Do you like the person you’ve become?” it’s really no wonder that this song triggers an existential crisis. But it’s just so catchy that you can’t help but dance your way through it. 

12. “Those Nights” — Doom Days 

It took me a few listens to really appreciate the vibe of “Those Nights.” But once I understood it, the song hit me hard. The lines “‘Cause aren’t we all just / looking for a little bit of hope these days?” sung in such an emphatic tone are just so true to the current climate of the world that I can’t help but relate. 

11. “Flaws” — Bad Blood

I consider “Flaws” to be a classic Bastille song. It’s true to their sound, and its lyrical honesty is some of their best work. It’s like the indie rock version of Hannah Montana’s “Nobody’s Perfect,” which I sincerely mean as a compliment. 

10. “The Currents” — Wild World 

One a very political album, “The Currents” stands apart as one of the more lyrically intelligent political attacks against the absolute insanity and bigotry that happened in 2016. “How can you think you’re serious? / Do you even know what year it is?” basically sums up international politics of the last few years. 

9. “Million Pieces” — Doom Days

This song is the soundtrack to an apocalyptic dance party if I’ve ever heard one. It perfectly describes the constant struggle of trying to balance the need of acknowledging all the problems of the world with the desire to just take a break and have fun for a minute. If you ever wanna dance your way through an anxiety attack about the current state of your life, this is the song for you! 

8. “Snakes” — Wild World

I’ve had a deep appreciation for “Snakes” ever since I heard it. It resonates with me because I, too, prefer to avoid my problems and “pray for the ground to swallow me whole” than deal with them like a rational adult. 

7. “Laura Palmer” — Bad Blood 

“Laura Palmer” is in reference to the show Twin Peaks, which is really cool to me since I’m a fan of the show. The thumping drum beat throughout the song that simulates the beating heart Dan Smith sings about is absolutely brilliant. Plus it features beautiful string arrangements, which just elevate the song even further. 

6. “Lethargy” — Wild World 

There’s just something about the entirety of “Lethargy” that I relate to. From the first verse with the lines “Got these itchy feet for a change of scene / Do anything to escape it,” this song represents the desperation for something more, something better, and it’s all wrapped up in an upbeat and catchy anthem. 

5. “Quarter Past Midnight” — Doom Days

When Bastille released the first single from their third album, I was so relieved that it was so good. It’s catchy and meant to be performed in front of a crowd. I so badly need to see Bastille live to experience the moment when Dan Smith sings, “This is my favorite part,” because that truly will be my favorite part of the concert. On Bastille’s YouTube channel, they uploaded a live video of this song from Royal Albert Hall, and I honestly cannot fathom the amount of talent demonstrated in under four minutes. 

4. “Icarus” — Bad Blood

If you, like me, grew up obsessed with Greek mythology (thanks Percy Jackson!), then you will also have an appreciation for this song.This is a highlight of Bastille’s discography not only for their elaborate instrumentation and intelligent lyricism, but also for the fact that no one else writes songs like this. Please show me another artist who crafts a Greek myth into this musical masterpiece because Bastille is alone in that category right now. 

3. “Send Them Off!” — Wild World 

“Send Them Off!” heavily highlights brass instrumentals throughout its entirety, and for that reason alone I love it. Dan Smith described the song on Twitter as “Othello meets The Exorcist,” which might be the best description of anything ever. I’m also a fan of random punctuation (see my obsession with Panic! at the Disco and fun.), so this gets extra points for the song title. 

2. “4AM” — Doom Days

This song only came into my life last month, but it immediately skyrocketed to the top of my favorite Bastille songs. It perfectly encapsulates the feeling of nostalgia for me for some reason. When so much of Bastille’s songs are lyrically and musically complex, this song is just toned down and wholesome and exactly what I need.

1. “Pompeii (Live)” — Bad Blood

I know that “Pompeii” is Bastille’s big single and it was absolutely played to death on mainstream radio and practically no one wants to hear that song ever again. BUT the live version is so beautiful that it’s like an entirely different song. It’s available on the Target deluxe edition of All This Bad Blood or on the Oblivion EP on Spotify. It’s just this beautiful orchestral arrangement of the song paired with Dan Smith’s flawless vocals, and no other song compares. If you think you know “Pompeii” because you heard it on the radio, think again because you don’t know it like this.