Teenage Kicks

The Undertones

About Teenage Kicks

"Teenage Kicks" is the debut single by Northern Irish punk rock band The Undertones. Written in the summer of 1977 by the band's principal songwriter, John O'Neill, the song was recorded on 15 June 1978 and initially released that September on independent Belfast record label Good Vibrations, before the band—at the time unobligated to any record label—signed to Sire Records on 2 October 1978. Sire Records subsequently obtained all copyrights to the material released upon the Teenage Kicks EP and the song was re-released as a standard vinyl single on Sire's own label on 14 October that year, reaching number 31 in the UK Singles Chart two weeks after its releaseThe single was not included upon the original May 1979 release of the band's debut album The Undertones; however, the October 1979 re-release of this debut album included both "Teenage Kicks" and the Undertones' second single, "Get Over You". Influential BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel is known to have repeatedly stated "Teenage Kicks" to be his all-time favourite song from 1978 until his death in 2004. When he first played the song on his show on 25 September, he played the song twice (something he had never previously done). Peel also specifically requested the opening line of the song be engraved upon his tombstone. The song has also been ranked as the second best indie song of all time in a 2016 poll conducted by an alternative music radio station. In 2008, the song served as the theme song to the ITV sitcom of the same name. 


Year:
1994
2:28
#1

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Are teenage dreams so hard to beat?
Everytime she walks down the street
Another girl in the neighbourhood
Wish she was mine, she looks so good

I wanna hold her, wanna hold her tight
Get teenage kicks right through the night

I'm gonna call her on the telephone
Have her over 'cause I'm all alone
I need excitement, oh, I need it bad
And it's the best I've ever had

I wanna hold her, wanna hold her tight
Get teenage kicks right through the night, all right

Are teenage dreams so hard to beat?
Everytime she walks down the street
Another girl in the neighbourhood
Wish she was mine, she looks so good

I wanna hold her, wanna hold her tight
Get teenage kicks right through the night, all right

I'm gonna call her on the telephone
Have her over 'cause I'm all alone
I need excitement, oh, I need it bad
And it's the best I've ever had

I wanna hold her, wanna hold her tight
Get teenage kicks right through the night, all right

I wanna hold her, wanna hold her tight
Get teenage kicks right through the night, all right

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The Undertones

The Undertones are a punk rock/New Wave band formed in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1975. From the period of 1975 to 1983, the Undertones consisted of Feargal Sharkey (vocals), John O'Neill (rhythm guitar, vocals), Damian O'Neill (lead guitar, vocals), Michael Bradley (bass, vocals) and Billy Doherty (drums). Although much of the earlier Undertones material drew influence from punk rock and new wave, the Undertones also incorporated elements of rock, glam rock and post-punk into material released after 1979, before citing soul and Motown as the influence for the material released upon their final album. The Undertones released thirteen singles and four studio albums between 1978 and 1983 before Sharkey announced his intention to leave the band in May 1983, cit… more »

1 fan

Written by: John Joseph O'Neill

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Release
"Teenage Kicks" is a song by Northern Irish punk rock band The Undertones. It was first released as a single in September 1978.
Inspiration
The lead singer and songwriter, John O’Neill, wrote "Teenage Kicks" as a direct reflection of his teenage years and the desire for a romance he had yet to experience.
Popular Acclaim
BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel famously declared "Teenage Kicks" as his all-time favorite song, even citing it as the epitaph on his headstone, which reads, "Teenage dreams, so hard to beat."
Chart Performance
Despite its cult following and significant impact on the punk rock scene, "Teenage Kicks" only peaked at number 31 on the UK charts in 1978.
Music Video
"Teenage Kicks' music video featured the band performing at a local venue. The low budget, black and white style contributes to the song's punk aesthetic.
Cover Versions
Various notable artists, including KT Tunstall, Snow Patrol, Busted, Green Day and One Direction, have covered "Teenage Kicks" in the years since it was released.
Album Placement
"Teenage Kicks" was included on the band's self-titled debut album, which was released in 1979, a year after the single's original release.
Critical Recognition
In 2001, VH1 rated "Teenage Kicks" as number 51 in their list of the "100 Greatest Pop Songs."
Cultural Impact
The song has remained popular within popular culture, featuring in movies, documentaries, and ads. It was a particular favorite anthems of the punk era.
Repetition of the Single
Due to its popularity, "Teenage Kicks" was the first of three singles to be released from The Undertones' debut album.
Band's Favourite
Despite releasing numerous other hits, the band considers "Teenage Kicks" to be their favorite song.

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