Bad Brains was a force of nature, well-skilled musicians who turned their hand at punk-rock music and altered its trajectory completely. No other band meant more to the American hardcore scene of the early 1980s, and Bad Brains is certainly one of the greatest punk-rock bands of all time.

However, the group’s always had more up its collective sleeve than just speed and aggression. Blending reggae elements and messages of positivity, the story of Bad Brains is a fascinating one. Here it is told through 10 best songs.

Greatest 10 Songs by Bad Brains

10. “At the Movies”

Bad Brains’ sophomore album, “Rock for Light”, was produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars. Consequently, the record contains a tighter, more balanced sound. However, for the most part of the album, H.R. and the band steamroll through fast, aggressive sounds.

The band’s positive message is, however, maintained throughout the album. “At the Movies” is a song advising those trying to live outside of reality to cut off the useless distractions.

9. “Soul Craft”

What you need to remember is that the members of Bad Brains were serious musicians who just so happened to be curious about fast punk-rock and reggae. Naturally, Dr. Know and the rest of the band also showed an interest in the rise of funk-metal during the late 1980s.

“Soul Craft” is another spiritual-rock song, but this time played slower and with drummer Earl Hudson adding a different kind of weight than, say, on the “Rock for Light” album.

8. “Big Takeover”

John Frusciante covered this one, and you can immediately understand why. Bad Brains’ members had been, previously, jazz musicians. While songs like “Big Takeover” contain a whalloping rock sound, they’re also well-structured and cleverly written. This earned the group plenty of unexpected fans, such as Frusciante and, even, Jeff Buckley.

7. “How Low Can a Punk Get?”

Bad Brains are one of the most beloved punk-rock bands. But this has never sat all that well with the group. For one thing, H.R. and his band members have never been on board with the original movement’s more nihilistic ideas. “How Low Can a Punk Get?” is a song about making the scene, and not liking what you find there.

6. “I and I Survive”

The punks who made up the largest share of the band’s live audience didn’t know what to think of the reggae songs at first. Many of them, in time, warmed to the idea.

But, indeed, the Rastafarianism influence is as much a part of the Bad Brains story as the group’s obsession with fast punk-rock. “I and I Survive” is something of a reggae spiritual that was to be delivered to young punks.

5. “Pay to Cum”

This was, technically, the band’s debut, albeit a delayed one. And it was also proof of concept. Short, tight, and fittingly sounding like a jazz combo who’d had methamphetamine poured into their coffee, “Pay to Cum” showed a tight, young, hungry rock band.

4. “I Against I”

For the most part, the famous hardcore bands have been comfortable playing the sound for which they’re famous and coasting on their reputation.

This was not entirely true of Bad Brains. By 1986, the group had expanded its sound and delivered a balanced and, at times, almost accessible album, “I Against I.” The title track is the record’s anthemic call to arms, a song about unity and positive attitude against life’s difficulties.

3. “Attitude”

Bad Brains’ punk songs routinely made audiences want to stage dive or pogo. It must’ve all sounded incredibly aggressive to most people in front of the stage. But the ones who listened carefully found a band determined to propagate the message of “Positive Mental Attitude.” In time, Bad Brains’ music has become something of a spiritual movement in itself.

2. “Banned in D.C.”

Bad Brains, no doubt, had a great influence on punk-rock’s history. But they likely would’ve been superstars, had the musicians had the opportunity to release their intense, technical punk style closer to the genre’s 1977 payday.

Instead, the group was practically banned from playing club shows in the local Washington, D.C. area. H.R. may have intended to bring positive messages through his lyrics. Did not, however, did not discourage rowdy audiences. “Banned in D.C.” tells the story of, effectively, the group’s censorship in their home town.

1. “Sailin’ On”

The first time I heard “Sailin’ On”, I could hardly believe that it was four human beings able to create that sound. It’s a whirlwind of controlled noise, and I still have to wonder where that kind of intensity and technique came from.

That was also what the other punk-rock bands must’ve wondered? Much like thrash metal in the 1980s, punk-rock bands duelled among themselves for who could play fastest and most aggressively. Once Bad Brains came on the scene, there was simply no debate; simply nobody else who could keep up.

“Sailin’ On” is the shining moment of Bad Brains, one of the greatest bands of all time, great musicians, and true representatives of a positive mental attitude.