The Fratellis started their career as guitar pop hitmakers, nearly fell apart because of overindulgence on the group’s most pop-friendly hooks, and ended up as survivors and masters of their craft. I may get a few angry comments for this, but I am certain that The Fratellis is one of the greatest indie-rock bands.

In my attempt to prove my theory and also shake off some of the gloom, here are a bunch of fun, well-written tunes, the 10 best songs by The Fratellis.

Greatest 10 Songs by The Fratellis

10. “Six Days in June”

The Fratellis seemed like the least likely indie-rock band to carve out a long career for themselves. But by 2021, the group had fully accepted who they were – a rock group throwing sugary hooks at the audience. And while “Six Days in June” finds the familiar sound given the soft pop, it doesn’t feel misguided at all.

9. “Baby Doll”

Most of the critics opted to launch something of a smear campaign against the second Fratellis album. And while the promotion and choice of the first single may have encouraged the hatred, it failed to mention that perfect guitar pop songs like “Baby Doll” were included on the underrated “Here We Stand” record.

8. “Medusa in Chains”

What do you expect from The Fratellis? Guitar pop songs, surely. And while the band’s delivered plenty of those, many of them have hidden a sophisticated, jazzy precision behind the chanting. “Medusa in Chains” brings some of that, along with Jon Fratelli’s aching singing to create one of the band’s best songs.

7. “Whistle for the Choir”

Maybe it all came too easily and too quickly. Their retro sound and fashion style made The Fratellis be courted instantly by companies looking to put their songs in ads and by pop fans looking to embrace them as their favourite guitar band. And while “Whistle for the Choir” is copletely saccharine and was one of the band’s biggest hits, it’s still very cleverly designed.

6. “Tell Me a Lie”

Maybe the trio from Glasgow simply listened to too much advice. But the truth is that the group’s sophomore “Here We Stand” was a little too polished, and hid its best moments a little too well. That’s also the case with “Tell Me a Lie.” But if you get over the annoying chanted intro, you’ll get to a manic country-glam stomp that makes it all worthwhile.

5. “Stand Up Tragedy”

By 2010, the group was done doubting itself or trying to appear cooler than they were. The critics never liked them anyway and compared them to the likes of Slade or Mud. Well, this is exactly what they deliver with “Stand Up Tragedy,” a straightforward pop ditty. Frankly, it sounds better than most pop songs of the period. And, rightfully so, it earned back some of the band’s fans.

4. “Flathead”

In the world of the mid-2000s British indie-rock (The Fratellis are Scottish, by the way), it was catchy singles that separated the chaff. “Costello Music,” the debut album by The Fratellis, came packed with memorable, glam-rock hooks. “Flathead” was one of the undeniable best tracks. Its use in a now-famous Apple advertisement immediately raised the band’s profile.

3. “Acid Jazz Singer”

The Fratellis didn’t just stumble over some potential hit singles. From the outset, the band had Jon Fratelli to rely on for great, catchy songwriting. All of these songs were easy to whistle along with, but weren’t cool or experimental. This meant that the goofy, but fantastic “Acid Jazz Singer” was mostly ignored upon its release. No matter! It’s a great song!

2. “She’s Not Gone Yet, but She’s Leaving”

The Fratellis made the comeback that nobody was expecting and, to be fair, few desired. However, the fantastically-sounding “She’s Not Gone Yet, but She’s Leaving” proved to those who’d enjoyed the first two albums that little of the attention that they received was an accident.

1. “Chelsea Dagger”

“Chelsea Dagger” is one of the most bizarre songs to be embraced by the football terraces. But its brilliance stands, particularly, in the way that it blends rowdy chanting with stories of a bohemian life spent among burlesque performers. It’s silly, really! And it’s a work of genius as well. “Chelsea Dagger” is the greatest song by The Fratellis.