I grew up in the suburbs… a suburb of Mississauga. A few weeks ago I started this list of songs inspired by the suburbs that included Arcade Fire, Weezer, The National, Smashing Pumpkins, and of course, Hayden. Below you’ll find the second part in the series.

Do you know of any other songs written about the suburbs? Let us know in the comments!

Ben Folds – Rockin the Suburbs: A song about white angst in middle class America. Accompanied by a video that takes place in a suburban neighbourhood with Ben doing suburban things like jumping in pools and flipping burgers. A slice of the good life…

Pet Shop Boys – Suburbia: Showing the darker side of Suburbia. When you’re faced with the boredom of the suburbs it doesn’t have to take much for disaffected youth get into trouble! The song and video shows violence in a Los Angeles suburb.

Madness – Our House: I used to stand in the middle of my suburban street and yell the lyrics to this song really loud. There was nothing better to do! Describing the typical working-class family lifestyle with the lyrics and showing it in the video… playing squash, hot tubbing, preparing for work and school.

The Clash – Lost in the Supermarket: The song starts by recounting memories about Strummer’s parents house in suburban Warlingham . Growing up in the suburbs can lead you to feel lost, lumped in with everyone else, and goes on to describe feelings of suburban alienation.

Pulp – Joyriders: When I couldn’t find anything else to do, I would jump in my car (a 1990 Chrysler Dynasty) and drive around, trying to get lost. Even when I thought I may be lost, one right turn and I was right back to a recognizable intersection. This song reminds me of that.