
Misfits came to punk rock as men on a particular mission – to horrify and to seduce. In the process of bringing their highly melodic, horror-obsessed, muscular punk to a small, dedicated fanbase, they also created a musical style.
The legend of the Misfits grows larger every year. Their catalogue includes a great number of iconic songs. I am going to focus on the best of the best and will take into consideration songs from all eras of the group.
These are the greatest, scarier creations from one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
The Greatest 10 Songs by Misfits

“Last Caress”
Misfits understood their brand immediately. They never strayed from it. The band members were obsessed with horror movies. Many other rock musicians were as well. But Misfits were determined to give fans a good scare every chance they could.
“Last Caress” is an almost romantic song. At least, it’s as much as Glenn Danzig and the band can afford to be sentimental anyway. It’s the story of an unresentful murderer looking for a last embrace from death itself. It’s incredibly catchy, of course. There’s no wonder bands like Metallica have loved to cover this.
“Helena”
Many were surprised by Misfits returning in the 1990s with a new singer, Michale Graves. Some were surprised by the sound, which now veered toward heavy metal. But the real shock was the quality of most of the material recorded with Graves.
“Helena” is one of the most beloved songs of that period. Spooky, shlocky and memorable, it celebrates one of the greatest, unlikeliest comebacks.

“Attitude”
Misfits didn’t just introduce horror to punk-rock. They introduced a new, confrontational way of playing punk. Certainly, this echoed the mischief-stirring days of Sex Pistols. But, since the music was performed by guys who looked like they wrestled as a part-time profession, the notion had more weight to it.
“Attitude” is a direct punk-rock song about kicking ass and taking names. Duff MacKagan sang it for Guns n’ Roses later. I think that it’s one of the best punk songs by Misfits.
“Some Kinda Hate”
Glenn Danzig loved 1950s music. And you can tell. While loud and ferociously performed, many of Misfits’ best songs are constructed on the bones of 50s-styled chord progressions.
“Some Kinda Hate” ends up sounding like some kind of demented 50s girl-group song given a ferocious whooping. It’s simple even by the standards of thee-chord-loving Misfits. But it has nothing missing from it.
“Dig Up Her Bones”
Jerry Only always understood the potential of Misfits. That’s why, perhaps, he fought so hard for the right to use the name after Glenn Danzig’s departure.
“Dig Up Her Bones” is a perfect rock single. It’s tense and dynamic and makes the listener want to shout the chorus loudly. No wonder it provided Misfits with a genuine hit. The song remains Michale Graves’ most famous performance, and for good reason.

“Green Hell”
How would Misfits have evolved had the original line-up, which included guitarist Doyle von Frankenstein and drummer Robo, had stayed together? Judging by the terrifying final testament of “Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood,” they would’ve gotten faster and even more aggressive.
The final Misfits recordings show Misfits moving toward the punishing tempos of hardcore punk. Frankly, the band sounds downright intimidating here.
“Die, Die My Darling”
Nobody ever called Glenn Danzig a feminist. Or, at least, nobody has ever had the guts to do it to his face.
In truth, much of Misfits’ aggressivity was pretend. But it was mighty convincing. “Die, Die My Darling” is nihilistic, spiteful and dangerously fun to hear. It proves, also, that few, if any, punk singers ever had Glenn Danzig’s vocal ability.

“Where Eagles Dare”
Consider Misfits the soundtrack to an adventure novel or movie, and things make much more sense. Named, presumably, after a Clint Eastwood flick and featuring the iconic phrase “I ain’t no goddamn son of a bitch,” this is one of Misfits’ catchiest songs.
In the hands of any other horror-punk band, this would’ve merely been b-side fodder, but Misfits work the hell out of this simple, pounding tune.
“Mommy, Can I Go Out & Kill Tonight?”
Because of their obsession with gore, Misfits were forced to constantly outdo themselves. “Mommy, Can I Go Out & Kill Tonight?” is one of the high water marks on the journey to sound both more brutal and more melodic than all other bands on the scene.
The song opens at mid-pace with a declaration by the main character of having been hard done by “the kids.” The song then abruptly stops. The character asks for permission from “Mommy” to go out on a murderous rampage.
The song then starts back up at hardcore-punk speed and intensity and recalls all the gruesome details of the murders.
Shocking, yes, but “Mommy, Can I Go Out & Kill Tonight?” is a masterpiece of theatrical rock. And it takes the band only two minutes to go through it all.

“Skulls”
Punk-rock was always supposed to be fun. Misfits understood this. That’s why the gore-filled lyrics were supposed to provide a cheap thrill. And, that’s why nearly all of the songs could be sung by an audience.
If singalongs are what you like, you will find it hard to resist shouting out the famous “I want your skulls” chorus. Murder is once again the obsession of Danzig and Misfits. But, if you can avoid taking that seriously for a minute, you’re in for some seriously good punk-rock music.