Muse is one of my favorite bands of all time – and may be my most personally influential. They inspired me to create a YouTube channel where I explored their song writing and reacted to every new track drop. But not every single was created equally. So now, we’re going to rank every album single from Uno to Unravelling, starting with number 47. Also, a friendly reminder, please keep in mind, this is just for fun!
48. Will of the People – Will of the People (2022)
The entire Will of the People album has really soured on me with a couple of years of age. Well, I actually rarely find myself returning to it, so I suppose I don’t have too much of an opinion on it, which is the worst offense an album can commit. Indifference. This song is okay, I enjoy the production, but it’s extremely repetitive and too cheesy, even for Muse standards.
47. Revolt – Drones (2015)
Well… I’ve realized this is going to be a common theme for this part of the list. It’s comically cheesy. I hope that whatever album comes next drops this element of their more recent music.
46. Compliance – Will of the People (2022)
While this song isn’t offensive, it is just way too generic to be a great Muse song. Thankfully it has a solid bassline to carry it!
45. Something Human – Simulation Theory (2018)
Muse has plenty of pop songs in their repertoire that I can’t help but love. This one is just decent. I enjoy the synth section in the bridge, and it’s hard not to nod along to the rhythm and groove of it all, but I can’t say I’m not disappointed by it.
44. Dig Down – Simulation Theory (2018)
This, in retrospect, is one of the most disappointing muse releases of all time. It was the first single I was there to witness the drop of, and it is so similar to Madness that it almost feels like Madness 2.0. The bridge and choir elements are fun, and I like the acoustic version much more. Seeing it live brought a huge smile to my face, but I can’t help but feel like this was the moment that Muse lost a part of their spark.
43. Mercy – Drones (2015)
If Dig Down is Madness 2.0, Mercy is Starlight 2.0. At least this song has a lot stronger bass line and infectious energy, and even a classic muse feel. However, it does leave a bit lacking when it comes to fresh, creative elements.
42. You Make Me Feel Like It’s Halloween – Will of the People (2022)
The first time I heard this song, I absolutely loved it. The production and groove is infectious, and I just can’t help but love the ending and guitar and synth tones throughout. I just rarely ever go back to listen to it again, though… It just hasn’t stuck with me over time.
41. Thought Contagion – Simulation Theory (2018)
While it’s a fantastic bass line to be sure, and the bridge is a lot of fun, this song feels quite a bit like it’s missing something…It has a quite…”Imagine Dragons” chorus, as I’ve heard said before.
40. Aftermath – Drones (2015)
We’ve finally gotten to the part of the list where every song is pretty great! I really enjoy aftermath, particularly the moody and intricate vibe that’s set from the opening notes. If you haven’t seen, also check out the amazing video to go with it.
39. Time is Running Out – Absolution (2003)
I know this is likely sacrilegious to put this here, but as much fun as the song is, and how iconic the bass line is, this song is quite simple. It always leaves a bit to be desired, and every time Muse plays it live I can’t help but wish they replaced it with one of their lesser known songs. I still love it though.
38. Pressure – Simulation Theory (2018)
This song simply has infectious, fun energy. Just check out the music video for some of the most fun you’re going to have with Muse! It’s a bit simple, but not everything needs to be Space Dementia.
37. Undisclosed Desires – The Resistance (2009)
It’s so cool how the band was able to implement pizzicato strings and slap bass into a pop song in the 2000s. I can’t help but nod along every time this one comes on.
36. Panic Station – The 2nd Law (2012)
If you thought Pressure was fun, wait till you hear this slap bass and see this insane music video…
35. Psycho – Drones (2015)
I know that some people decry this song a bit silly, especially with the drill sergeant. I love it all. It’s one of the most fun songs to play on guitar, and I love every second of it, even if it’s a bit too long.
34. Survival – The 2nd Law (2012)
This song is so chaotic and over the top, in all of the best ways. I absolutely love the production here, as it makes the song feel absolutely massive, without leaning into the realm of “overproduced”. And I love the choir vocals and piano. It makes the whole thing so unique!
33. Follow Me – The 2nd Law (2012)
Yes, this song is basically a dubstep-inspired pop song. And I love every single element of it, from the haunting string intro to the explosive and magnetic choruses, I almost feel like putting this higher…but there’s a lot of tough competition!
32. Cave – Showbiz (1999)
Our first Showbiz entry is a really strong song with a fantastic bass line, strong chorus, and unforgettable outro. It’s hard to believe songs like this are so far away from the top of the list.
31. Starlight – Black Holes and Revelations (2006)
There are few songs that can get an entire audience to light up, even people who aren’t huge fans of rock music as a whole. Just don’t look into the morse code that’s communicated with the clapping pattern…
30. Resistance – The Resistance (2009)
One of the best bass lines of all time in the pre-chorus. It’s so melodramatic throughout, with sprinkles of queen and classic Muse-isms. What a fantastic era for the band!
29. Uprising – The Resistance (2009)
I think Resistance may be an objectively better song, but I have a very soft spot for uprising as being a huge gateway song for Muse, and one that I even played and sang live many times myself! Plus, I love the way they incorporate the old and new sounds of Muse in this one.
28. Map of the Problematique – Black Holes and Revelations (2006)
A fan favorite for good reason. There’s a hypnotic quality to the repetitive guitar sequencing, and this one might be Muse’s best lyrically. It just doesn’t reach the highs of those above for me personally.
27. In Your World – Hullabaloo Soundtrack (2002)
Jumping from the rest of the list to this is shocking! It’s so underproduced in comparison to the others we’ve just seen, but that’s what gives it such a charming quality. Plus that chorus is just too good to deny.
26. The Dark Side – Simulation Theory (2018)
The Dark Side is another great example of the old Muse flair combined with a new Muse direction. The chord progressions, solo and everything in between are great, but it is so densely produced compared to their rawer origins that it’s hard to love it quite as much as the best of the best they have to offer.
25. Won’t Stand Down – Will of the People (2022)
This one hyped the HELL out of me for Will of the People. And it clearly provided a bit of a template for what was to come with Unravelling. I love the heavy direction. More of this please!
24. Invincible – Black Holes and Revelations (2006)
Invincible is an odd pick for a single, if you ask me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s up here at 24 for a reason – I love it. It’s so emotional, dramatic, and the solo may be their best of all time. But I think it’s not a song that I would pick as a single, definitely not off of Black Holes.
23. Supremacy – The 2nd Law (2012)
I love the moody, James Bond-esque flair that this one brings to the table, and the unhinged, gigantic chorus. I’m unsure if the James Bond theme rumor is totally true, but many claim this was originally intended to be the theme for Skyfall. It’s hard to imagine that, as Adele’s Skyfall fits the vibe of that film much better, but this definitely feels like a song that was meant to be in a bond film. Just listen to those strings…
22. Dead Inside – Drones (2015)
There’s a literal edit of Hitler reacting to the release of this song. Muse fans were not happy. Let’s just say I’m not in that camp. I love the build-up of the first half, including the solo. But the entire second half includes some of my favorite moments from Muse ever.
21. Kill or Be Killed – Will of the People (2022)
This song, despite some lackluster production, will go down as a Muse classic, for sure. I’ll never forget the first time I heard Matt growl in that live performance. I still get chills today! It was so emotional to hear such a classic Muse sound after all of that time.
Just see my reaction to hearing it for the first time below…
20. Feeling Good – Origin of Symmetry (2001)
It took this long for us to get to our first Origin of Symmetry song. It was voted the best cover of all time by NME, and I still think it’s underrated! I only have it down here, because, well – it’s still a cover. My favorite Muse is when they’re pushing boundaries, but this is still an all-time great.
19. Madness – The 2nd Law (2012)
One of the best radio pop songs of all time, without a doubt. This one kind of follows that template that I mentioned for Dead inside, where it’s a more radio-friendly song with a multiple minute build-up to eventual release. I think this one handles the climax ever so slightly better than Dead Inside, giving it that slight edge. I still think seeing this live was my favorite moment of the concert, which is saying something.
18. Unravelling – Album TBC
The newest Muse song sits amongst the greats. The chorus evokes the highs of Absolution, with Fury and the other best of the best. Joined by the likes of Bring Me the Horizon’s keyboardist, you can see that he’s had a huge impact on their sound so far. But it remains to be seen if this is a moment of greatness, or a sign that their best is yet to come.
17. Unintended – Showbiz (1999)
As a huge defender of Muse ballads, this one is right there with the best of them. It’s impossible to not fall into a trance listening to the beautiful vocals and gorgeous chord progression. One of the early examples of Muse being surprisingly adept at a variety of different genres.
16. Hyper Music – Origin of Symmetry (2001)
Hyper Music is Muse at it’s most Rage Against the Machine. This entire song is the definition of unhinged, while somehow still managing to pull in one of the coolest, most melodic bass lines of their career. I hope to see this one live one day…
15. Sing for Absolution – Absolution (2003)
The crazy thing is that this is one of my least favorite songs from all of Absolution. And it’s still a 10.
14. Hysteria – Absolution (2003)
Holy god that bass line.
13. Muscle Museum – Showbiz (1999)
My favorite Muse is when they include different genres in the song, especially anything with a latin or classical flair. This one does so while keeping a grungy, dirty rock sound and It’s right up my EXACT alley.
12. Knights of Cydonia – Black Holes and Revelations (2006)
This one might quite literally be THE fan favorite, and it is so easy to see why. Go to a single live show, and it WILL be closed out with Knights of Cydonia. And the entire buildup leads to one of the best moments you’ll ever have at a live show. I know I can convert anybody into a Muse fan by having them witness that moment. And beyond that, the blending of classic genres makes this one impossible to not love. It’s just that it has to face up against the best of the best…
I’m such a superfan that I simply had to make a cover with Otamatones. Yeah. I’m a bit of a fanboy.
11. Supermassive Black Hole – Black Holes and Revelations (2006)
I know this one is just a pop song, but try learning this on guitar and playing along with the live version from Wembley and tell me you didn’t fall in love. I dare you. Something can be mainstream, and awesome. And in Twilight. This song proved it.
10. Plug in Baby – Origin of Symmetry (2001)
As mentioned before, the juxtaposition of classical and rock is something that I find so compelling, so when Muse took a Bach inspired riff and took it to one of the most infectious songs of all time, they had me hooked. And the rest of the world was hooked too, I suppose, as this was the song that saw them start to enter the mainstream.
9. Exogenesis Symphony – The Resistance (2009)
It’s almost cheating for this all to be a single, but hey, that’s what Wikipedia said! If this was just the third part, this would rank even HIGHER, but with all 3 it’s still an all time great Muse song. I think part 3 is the most emotional I’ve ever gotten listening to music, and I will never forget walking around my neighborhood at 2 am listening to it. In fact, that’s where I got the name, Nightwalk, from…
8. Reapers – Drones (2015)
For anybody who hates the Drones era of Muse, I have to wonder, what are your thoughts on Reapers? I find it hard to believe that this isn’t considered a top 10 single by any Muse fan. Tapping, massive choruses, a great bass line and brutally heavy outro. What isn’t to love?
7. New Born – Origin of Symmetry (2001)
This is the song that turned me into a muse fan. I was muddling around with Reapers and the Handler and Psycho, and they were all amazing, but all in the realm of music I had heard before. This one shattered what I thought was possible with music, and inspires me in my own writing every single day. It’s a testament to creativity itself with its different movements and dynamic shifts.
6. Butterflies and Hurricanes – Absolution (2003)
When we get to this stage of the list, it genuinely becomes arbitrary. All are all-time great songs, and putting one above another is just placing one 10 above another 10. But this one…man…If the live version from Wembley was the studio version, we would probably be talking top 2 here. It’s too bad that section isn’t in the studio version, but even without, just WOW!
5. Apocalypse Please – Absolution (2003)
I was so indifferent to this song when I first heard it. I now want to go back and slap myself because this song has since become one of my favorites. What seals the deal for me every time is just the pure power of the piano hits in that gargantuan outro.
4. Uno – Showbiz (1999)
If you love a raw, uncut Muse sound, then look no further than Uno. This is that exact perfect example of a hybrid between a flamenco or Latin flair mixed with the exact heaviness that I adore. I wish they would play this one live again sometime…
3. Sunburn – Showbiz (1999)
While this was the first song on the first Muse album, it showed absolutely no signs of immaturity. Literally from the first piano note they had struck gold, and that continues onto the iconic bass line in the chorus. This song has only gotten better with time, and it was already iconic.
2. Dead Star – Hullabaloo Soundtrack (2002)
While Unravelling, Won’t Stand Down, and Kill or Be Killed are technically heavier in terms of breakdowns and whatnot, the raw production and brutality of Dead Star still hits me in a more visceral way in comparison to the newer tracks. Obviously, rock has moved away from this type of production, but it’s hard not to miss an era where things sounded this unedited and powerful.
1. Stockholm Syndrome – Absolution (2003)
This song is so good that it turned the heads of the metal community. Dream Theater and more look at this song and album as inspiration, and when you have other amazing creatives turning you, you know you’ve struck gold. I hope that one day Muse can match this perfect song, but I doubt it as this feels like a once in a generation type of experience.
Nightwalk 
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