As long as there have been humans, there has been revenge; the act of punishing another for a real or perceived slight. Humans are not the only animals known to exact vengeance, but we have certainly honed it to an art form

Speaking of art forms, the concept of revenge is such a common instinct that almost all forms of art include at least one example. From oral histories to Shakespeare to novels; from tapestries to paintings to Japanese woodblock prints; from plays to movies to TV; revenge is one of the most universal themes in existence and music is no exception to this trend. Whether you are in the mood for a classic opera, a popular Broadway musical, or the latest pop song, it is almost guaranteed that you will find more than one themed around revenge.

Without further ado, I present to you my personal top ten list of songs featuring an act of revenge, ordered from ten to one:

Number 10

Coward of the County by Kenny Rogers

Number 9

A Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash

Number 8

Mordred’s Lullaby by Heather Dale

Number 7

Stitch in Time by Maddy Prior & The Girls

Number 6

The Mechanical Girl by Voltaire

Number 5

Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood

Number 4

Goodbye Earl by the Dixie Chicks

Number 3

Smile by Lily Allen

Number 2

A Mariner’s Revenge Song by The Decemberists

Number 1

The Watchmaker’s Apprentice by The Clockwork Quartet

Categories: Top Tens

Tags: A Boy Named Sue, A Mariner's Revenge, Before He Cheats, Carrie Underwood, Coward of the County, Dixie Chicks, Goodbye Earl, Heather Dale, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Lily Allen, Maddy Prior, Mordred's Lullaby, music, revenge, revenge songs, Smile, Stitch in Time, The Clockwork Quartet, The Decemberists, The Mechanical Girl, The Watchmaker's Apprentice, Top Ten, Top Ten Tuesday, Voltaire