Dance Gavin Dance - Every Tilian Song Ranked
before they add yet even MORE songs to their discography, here ya go. also if I refer to DGD as a whole, unless otherwise specified, I meant this era. |
| 54 |  | Dance Gavin Dance
Artificial Selection
Son of Robot - Alright, so why is Son of Robot the worst of the era? It just feels like the biggest waste of potential. Mess sounds static and the ending falls flat. It's not bad, Will's riffs are excellent but more could have been done, especially for a song part of the Robot With Human Hair saga. |
| 53 |  | Dance Gavin Dance
Artificial Selection (Instrumental)
Head Hunter - possibly worse than Son of Robot but not as disappointing. It exists. It's by the numbers DGD. umm #blessthismess |
| 52 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Artificial Selection
Story of My Bros - pop punk but it's a joke apparently. |
| 51 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Artificial Selection
Midnight Crusade - pop punk but it was actually so hype when it came out so here we are. |
| 50 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Artificial Selection
Suspended In This Disaster - I like this one, it just doesn't stand out to me. |
| 49 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Artificial Selection
Hair Song - that mid section is really interesting, I wish the song stuck to that change. |
| 48 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Artificial Selection
Care - The first part is kinda meh and Mess doesn't really fit and yes the 2nd part is about the most expected thing on Tilly album 4 but it's really fun. |
| 47 |  | Dance Gavin Dance
Instant Gratification
On The Run - I always thought the first part would be better if Matt did a simple pop punk 8th note pattern drum chorus. The 2nd part yet again steals the show here. Super big live. |
| 46 |  | Dance Gavin Dance
Acceptance Speech 2.0
Demo Team - this song goes in, I just don't come back to it much. |
| 45 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Artificial Selection
Slouch - A really strong track despite it's placing. Tilian doesn't abuse his higher register here and it still works so well. If anything, I believe it just lacks some personality. |
| 44 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Instant Gratification
The Cuddler - the definition of what IG is all about. short, sweet, to the point, and satsifying. |
| 43 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Acceptance Speech 2.0
Honey Revenge - ohhh the lyrics are so creeeeeeepy haha am i dgd fan now. This song is great. |
| 42 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Acceptance Speech 2.0
Strawberry Swisher Pt. 3 - the groove chorus is so smoothly integrated here without them making such a big deal about it and I think that's a huge strength. this song never fell off for me, they just got a bigger discography so it somehow finds itself in the lower section. |
| 41 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Artificial Selection (Instrumental)
Blood Wolf - I've been super digging this recently. The vibe is unique and it all builds to this wonderful outro |
| 40 |  | Dance Gavin Dance
Summertime Gladness / Pussy Vultures
Pussy Vultures - I've also been digging this despite not listening to it very much when it came out. It fits well with the Acceptance Speech era and I'm glad it exists. Love my DGD softies. |
| 39 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Instant Gratification
Legend - Yes I love my DGD softies but Mess doesn't always fit on them and this is one of those times. Not bad, he's just completely outshined by Tilian's stellar chorus. |
| 38 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Artificial Selection
Evaporate - overrated but still dope. The ending could have been better constructed, it kinda just feels like they are doing it to do it as opposed to celebrating their legacy. The first Mess section is fucking crazy, I wish that heaviness persisted. |
| 37 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Instant Gratification
Eagle vs. Crows - ughh I just LOVE when all 3 of em sing within seconds of each other. |
| 36 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Instant Gratification
Something New - I slept on this one for a while but that riff is so damn niceeeeeee |
| 35 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Artificial Selection
Flash - incredibly fun pop song that probably should have been a single over one of the ones that came before it. |
| 34 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Acceptance Speech 2.0
The Jiggler - I've never had much to say about this one but I've always appreciated how it's definitely one of the more epic tracks they've made. |
| 33 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Summertime Gladness / Pussy Vultures
Summertime Gladness - this is the most summer the band has ever sounded and I'm all for it. Bless that sax. |
| 32 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Acceptance Speech 2.0
Doom & Gloom - I used to really love this track and thank goodness for 2.0 for putting it back on my radar. I had no idea that outro went as hard as it did until this past year. |
| 31 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Artificial Selection
The Rattler - Jon absolutely destroys and these are some of the sickest riffs he's ever screamed over. The cleans, isolated, are incredible. However, I think they definitely kill the momentum for what this song is really going for. If you get past that, this is probably much higher than I'm giving it credit for. |
| 30 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Artificial Selection
Count Bassy - God, this blew me away on first listen. One of the darker songs these guys have done. The first part just feels a bit too long/repetitive after multiple listens despite still being good. That end section though??? Outstanding. I need to hear that live. |
| 29 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Acceptance Speech 2.0
Carve - 2.0 is why this song is as high as it is. Intense and every part meshes so well together. |
| 28 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Artificial Selection
Shelf Life - I mean this is Tilian's list but omg we love you too Kurt. A lot! |
| 27 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Artificial Selection
Gospel Burnout - One of the lost gems on ArSe. That middle section clean section is one of Tilly's most compelling. |
| 26 |  | Dance Gavin Dance
Mothership
Chocolate Jackalope - The FIRST of Mothership ooo boy. The first part is fiiine but that 2nd part is just everything I never knew I needed from this band. It's so different, Drake's there, and those gang vocals omg. This song is special. "you and I, we can linger under starlit skies. help me survive." |
| 25 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Mothership
Betrayed By The Game - Another song that I don't think Mess fits on perfectly but I can overlook that cuz we got a perfect DGD pop song right here. |
| 24 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Instant Gratification
We Own The Night - yes, this song is their most popular and I see why. I never expected a song with such a teen girl pop anthem title to be as good as it is. And it kinda is DGD's teen girl pop anthem but I love it. I remember this alleviating my fear of IG as the 2nd single after the questionable On The Run. |
| 23 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Artificial Selection
Bloodsucker - The only song on ArSe I have absolutely no complaints with. This is DGD firing on all cylinders (except Will, i don't think he's on this one...) and it's astounding. A really great track to showcase the band. |
| 22 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Mothership
Petting Zoo Justice - heaviest DGD song maybe??? I DONT EVEN FUCKING FEEL NOBODY. BLAST BEATS. VACAAAAAAAAAATION. the perfect track after the poppy Betrayed By The Game to remind you that these guys kick ass. |
| 21 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Instant Gratification
Stroke God, Millionaire - Took me a while to warm up to this one but it's catchy af. The groove before the last chorus is one of Tilly's best sections. |
| 20 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Mothership
Chucky vs The Giant Tortoise - top god damn 20 starts with an earthshatterer. This song introduced us to the beast that is Mothership as the first single. The vocal synergy here is the best it's been. One of the best single releases of the 2010's. |
| 19 |  | Dance Gavin Dance
Acceptance Speech
Death of the Robot with Human Hair - This actually used to be my favorite DGD song woah, so in a sense it's fallen but it's still an epic/fun masterpiece, albeit gimicky. When I'm in the mood, god damn, is this a good one. |
| 18 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Mothership
Young Robot - Oh my god, the flute, the smooth intro, the I8764, it's all great but when that groove hits?!?! ohhhh boy, it HITS. |
| 17 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Instant Gratification
Lost - One of Will's best riffs. period. A perfect closer. |
| 16 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Instant Gratification
Awkward - Tilian correctly proclaims that he's got style which is what this first half is about and then Mess comes in and wrecks the world. One of his best entrances that is further emphasized by him not coming in until halfway through the song. |
| 15 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Instant Gratification
Death of a Strawberry - a song with the term "sugar daddy" should not make me emotional but here we are. I don't think I realized how much I loved this song until I made this list. It starts the top 15 and that's pretty big. I'd say it ends the SS saga wonderfully but looks like we're getting another one of those...Also probably the best Mess has been incorporated on a softer song. |
| 14 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Mothership
Flossie Dickey Bounce - okay this might be the important song by this band. I'm dead serious. The first part is fucking stupid. But...I love it anyway. Cocaine chirstmas? cringefest? Whatever, it's dumb but it's fun. it's so god damn fun. It's DGD doing everything they do best in their non-serious fashion. And then all of a sudden it's flipped on it's axis. Tilian's balladlike 2nd half reminds you that you're listening to a real band that writes real songs and it's impact is immense. This brilliant combination of the styles in a neat barely 3 minute package is such an accomplishment. Don't undercredit this one guys, it's a gem. Make your move tonight. |
| 13 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Acceptance Speech 2.0
Jesus H. Macy - The best DGD intro track. It has such a unique sound to it. The intro instrumental creates this smooth, floaty atmosphere that Jon somehow fits perfectly into and then we get, what very well may be, our first taste of Tilian and it's beautiful. The outro has this big celebratory feel to it. Congrats Tilian, you're gonna be here for the long haul. |
| 12 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Instant Gratification
Variation - IG's penultimate gem. I think this track as a whole may have grown off me a bit but that dual Tilian/Mess part will forever be held in high acclaim and that's what I'll always remember this one for. Also idk why, as far as I know, they never close with this into Lost. |
| 11 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Instant Gratification
Shark Dad - Secret Band X DGD? oh hell yeah it is. Jon's entrance is insane, the fury in the heavy parts here is absolutely ridiculous. The soft part actually compliments this very well but thankfully it doesn't last too long because I just need that main riff forever. |
| 10 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Mothership
Deception - at one point my least or 2nd least favorite on Mothership and now it opens my top 10? Idk when or how but one day this track just clicked with me. It's not only them at their A-game but it has such a distinct feel. Besides that softer section, the momentum rages on with this one and it keeps everything so exhilarating. |
| 9 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Mothership
Philosopher King - A song made to start a pit. Those verses downright command your attention. It makes me wanna just break shit yano? And the chorus is amazing, keeping with the powerful trend Mothership has started. |
| 8 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Acceptance Speech 2.0
The Robot with Human Hair Pt. 4 - okay here it is. The first track most of us heard with DGD's third singer. There is admittedly some strong sentimentality for this one but I don't think that's why it's still in my top 8 nearly 7 years after releasing. Somehow, Tilian's showcase track just worked perfectly. His memorable entrance, his catchy chorus, his HUUUGE bridge? No wonder this was the first single. Also shoutouts to Jon because after listening to DBM2 the other day, it just makes me appreciate how he sounds here on even moreso. |
| 7 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Acceptance Speech 2.0
Turn Off The Lights. I'm Watching Back To The Future Part 2 - Longest DGD song of the era and yes it's a big one, towering over it's predeccesors. There's just something so enjoyable about the two just going back and forth with each other. The track even takes some chaotic/unexpected turns even if only for a brief period of time. That soft section at the end is one of the most beautiful things in their discog and then Mess rips on you one last time to close this incredible album. Not my favorite DGD closer, as you'll soon find out, but I don't think any of their album's last minutes tops this one. |
| 6 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Acceptance Speech 2.0
Acceptance Speech - Ahh, good ol Acceptance Speech. This song is DGD's call to arms. It's a shame they don't play it live anymore because it seems written specifically for that setting. For only the 2nd single of the era, these 2 vocalists do everything in their power to captivate listeners here. Each section is balanced and the track keeps building to that immense layered outro "so what, I'll die alone, alright" and I swear, these guys have never felt bigger. Oh and of course there is also THAT outro making this song even more iconic despite how objectively dumb it is. |
| 5 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Mothership
Exposed - and here we are. only Mothership left. I don't think there's any other band I know with over 2 LP's I hold in high acclaim where my top 5 consists of only 1 album. But here we are.
Exposed is the only track here that removes Jon from the equation and it is so much better for it. This is Tilian's SSpt2 and it's gorgeous. Will's somewhat wonky sounding riff definitely reminds you that this is still a DGD song but it's also just a ballad fronted by one of the best vocalists in the genre. And the energy here is still relatively high surprisingly. On a personal note, this one has gotten me through or at the very least accompanied me during some tough times so I can never imagine it being outside of the top 10. One of my favorite songs. |
| 4 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Mothership
Frozen One - My insane Mothership expectations could never have been more justified once this jam entered my ears. When listening to this album for the first time, this was the first non-single that came on. And it was better than every single other DGD track (non-Tilly era included) I had ever heard. Frozen One showcases a confident DGD, now 3 albums in without a change of vocalist, as well as a calculated DGD, making sure this track could highlight the best elements of the group in such a concise fashion. Will is on the god damn top of the world with these riffs and that break section cements this as one of the best songs in Post-Hardcore. |
| 3 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Mothership
Man of the Year - Man of the Year is a god damn behemoth and one of the most emotionally charged tracks they have. Lyrically, this resonated me a lot upon hearing it for the first time and Tilian is able to use them to take charge more than he ever has before. The band/scream entrance almost feels like an accompanying response to that anguish and it comes together perfectly. The song also features one of Jon's best lows, and that has to always be pointed out. Man of the Year is perhaps the best song Dance Gavin Dance has ever written and it is certainly their strongest closer. |
| 2 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Mothership
Inspire The Liars - Inspire The Liars was the first real indication of Mothership being more than just another DGD album. even the incredible 5 songs that came before it wouldn't have made me think otherwise. This song was epic and it came relatively early in the album making it almost completely unexpected. I could go on and on about what this track does that makes it stand out but this is what tends to be my favorite description for it: when Tilian sings "Let's start a religion" i'm right behind him for no other reason than the fact that he sounds so convincing here. Let's do it. a new religion. right now. And that part right there leads into possibly the strongest and most memorable outros they'll ever write. |
| 1 | | Dance Gavin Dance
Mothership
Here Comes The Winner - Inspire The Liars may have set the epic tone for the album to come but Here Comes The Winner was the proof that it was a theme. It's 2020 and this is my favorite Dance Gavin Dance song. It doesn't carry the same emotional weight as Man of the Year and it's ending, although stunning, still sits behind Inspire the Liars. So why is this number one?
I'm honestly not entirely positive but I think it has something to do with its consistent epic feel. Once it hits, it never lets up. The intro sections sets up perfectly for the iconic dual part "It's here it's right there". Hearing Tilian's exceptional scream right there, is perhaps the most epic DGD moment of them all. The hooks after that may not surpass it but they most definitely follow suit. Each vocal melody Tilian introduces is breathtaking: "I'll pretend I'm better than these clowns...", "Moments together sell them well", they're both worth specifying. If you sum up the parts, this is DGD's best song. |
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