Goth Music Top 10 Songs of All Time

Goth music is the soundtrack of darkness. Soul paintings made with guitars, synthesizers, bass, drums and vocals. This list of songs is of course my very own personal opinion, but maybe you will find a track or two that you have not heard before. A lot of great artists contributed to what could be defined as “goth”, with a wide range of sound. Compare David Bowie with The Sisters of Mercy and you’ll get what I am talking about. Lyrically though, darkness is on the same page, just painted with different words.

These are some of my personal favourite songs within the realm of goth and goth music that inspired me to do this kind of music myself. This list probably changes every week, so take it for what it is. A little guide for those of you who have not encounted this kind of music before. And for the rest of you, let’s enjoy these favorites again! Play it loud!

The staple of every goth club dancefloor. If this song is not played during a night out in shady clubs located in dark areas on the outskirts of society there is something wrong with the DJ in charge and you should have him or her replaced. The song is a goth music staple, no more, no less.

Official website of The Sisters of Mercy

Yes, the Sisters are both on gold and silver place on this list. The version of Temple of Love featuring the excellent Ofra Haza could be nr. 1 on this list, it’s actually a daily battle between these two songs.

And yes, it’s difficult not to add more songs from The Sisters of Mercy to this list of goth music… 

Official website of The Sisters of Mercy

“For her light”, from the excellent “Elizium” album is a haunting, dark composition showing the absolute best moments of the goth music that Fields Of The Nephilim were able to create. The track is a perfect opening to the album after the introduction that is built up by “Dead But Dreaming”.

Official website of Fields of The Nephilim

Bauhaus could be defined as one of the “originals” when it comes to goth music and the goth scene. The band formed already in 1978 and included glam rock, psychedelia and other kinds of styles in their goth music landscape. They first formed as Bauhaus 1919 as a reference to the first operating year of the German art school with the same name. I’ve chosen “She’s in parties” for this list but their debut single “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” is another staple as well.

Read more about Bauhaus

A song that is a bit more up-tempo and not that “gloomy” like the others mentioned so far. But The Cult deserves to be on a list of this, a band that both in music and style contributed to the goth music scene in their own special way.

A cool thing is that The Cult are still touring, if you have the chance to catch them, make sure to do so!

Official website of The Cult

Another of the originators of the genre. Soundwise far away from the “heavier” sounds created by some of the artists above but one can hear the influential importance of Joy Division that has surrounded the genré. I personally think Joy Division had a bigger impact on the indie rock and pop bands that on the actual goth music genré. The dissonant guitar style is found in many indie bands from the 90’s.

Read more about Joy Division

Yes, we need a modern song on this list. Depeche Mode could be argued about, are they synth? darkwave? goth? Their music is big, dark and emotional – that can’t be ignored, can it? I think Depeche Mode fits perfectly into what could be described as goth music. And now when you have listened to their newer stuff, go and find all their other gems.

Official website for Depeche Mode

“Gothic Girl” by the finnish giants The 69 Eyes are one of those late “genre-defining” songs. An instant “hit” fitting perfectly into the music-library of any goth music fan. The 69 Eyes are still very much alive, so if you get the chance to see them live, get yourself a ticket to a show!

Official website of The 69 Eyes

Yes, I know VNV Nation does not use guitars, yes I know they are a synth band, yes I know they define themselves as synth-pop, EBM or whatever you want to call it. I don’t care. I think they lyrically and emotionally are as goth as it can be. Listen to the song Illusion and make up your own mind.

Official website of VNV Nation

Another Tiamat song won’t kill us, right? Swedens masters of dark goth music. Starting out in the late 80´s playing primitive black metal Tiamat quickly evolved into a beautiful, dark, twisted musical entity that over the course of many years delivered album after album with high-class goth material.

Read more about the goth music of Tiamat

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Are you looking for more goth music after digging through this list of amazing dark songs? Check out our new album “Wine For a Tormented Soul”. If you prefer physical copies instead of streaming you can order the album on CD or LP through The Circle Music.

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