Top Ween Songs: Ranked

Ween is a band that everyone has heard of, but not many truly know. The general consensus seems to be that Ween is a ‘joke rock’ group. Some people will recall them from Beavis & Butthead, while others will mistakenly confuse them with They Might Be Giants. Both groups will likely label them a jam band. But that barely scratches the surface of who Ween really are.

Let’s change that narrative. Earlier this month, Ween marked the 30th anniversary of Chocolate And Cheese, one of the top alt-rock albums of the ’90s, by releasing a special edition. It’s an excellent starting point for diving into this band’s dense discography. However, there’s so much more to explore beyond just the entry-level. And you should want to dig deeper, trust me on this.

My objective here is to enlighten and clear up any misconceptions about Ween. As someone who absolutely loves this band, I want you to see beyond the surface. Welcome to a journey through bananas, blow, mutilated lips, and pork roll egg and cheese sandwiches.

Now, let’s introduce you to the brownest music of Ween’s career, exemplifying their deep, eccentric, and often unappreciated artistry. The performance captured on January 31, 1995, in Columbia, Missouri, features “Poop Ship Destroyer,” a song described by Dean Ween in the liner notes of Paintin’ The Town Brown: Ween Live – 1990-’98 as “our anthem.” Dean calls this particular rendition “the definitive version of the song,” and he’s absolutely right. It’s Ween’s anthem, their “Darker Star” to The Dead’s “Dark Star,” their “Extremely Dazed And Confused” to Zeppelin’s “Dazed And Confused.”

Dean once wrote, “If we get the money someday, we want to get two big cannons that spray diarrhea on the crowd when we play this.” Although they never quite achieved that level of funding, this statement perfectly encapsulates the sense of humor and boundary-pushing ethos of Ween.

Ween is not a joke band. Nor are they particularly funny in the “ha ha” sense. Their humor is intense and abstract, like a kid burning ants with a magnifying glass. So, what exactly is Ween? Composed of Gene Ween (vocals and occasionally guitar) and Dean Ween (primarily guitar and sometimes vocals), they expand into a five-piece band for live performances. But even as a full band, they remain distinctly, irreverently, Ween.

Ween’s irreverence shines in ways that are more unsettling than amusing. Their music often disregards decorum and good taste, creating a special kind of catharsis. Take, for example, their show three days after 9/11 where they opted to open with “You Fucked Up”, a song littered with extreme insults but delivered with such musical verve that it works perfectly, especially within the context of a Ween show.

Gene and Dean first met in the eighth grade and created their band name by combining the words “wuss” and “penis.” This was perhaps among the smartest things done by any pair of eighth-grade boys. Their meeting can only be described as an accident of divine providence. It’s almost improbable that in a small American town, two kids would find each other, both passionate about punk rock and avant-garde music.

Their partnership follows the Lennon/McCartney model: one brash and loves to rock (Dean), the other more sensitive and romantic (Gene). Over time, they crafted a remarkable array of songs. Take “Don’t Laugh (I Love You),” for example, one of their romantic ballads that reflects their youthful innocence.

In discussing Ween, it’s essential to understand the “brown” sound — a mix of filth, scuzziness, and downright evil that defines much of their work. Even their straightest love song, “Stay Forever,” reveals their capacity to toggle between “brown” and non-brown music, showcasing their broad songwriting and musical talents.

Ween continually defies conventional categorization and industry expectations. When they recorded 12 Golden Country Greats in Nashville with top session musicians, some saw it as a parody. But Ween insists they don’t parody; they make sincere, albeit unconventional, music.

Their consistency and ability to balance absurdity with musical genius have earned them a devoted following. Songs like “Bananas And Blow” and “Mutilated Lips” illustrate their unique mix of humor, musicality, and brownness to the max.

In essence, Ween embodies an irreverent, boundary-pushing spirit while remaining deeply committed to their craft. Whether you are an old fan or new to their music, there is always more to discover. Ween’s exploration of different genres and their ability to create compelling, enduring music make them a standout in the alt-rock world.

So go ahead, dive into Ween. I promise you won’t regret it.

Source: Particle News, Getty Images