These are the best Skid Row songs, who gave us some of the biggest songs of the glam metal era. They had huge power ballads, loud guitar riffs, and songs that still make you want to grab a microphone and scream along.

If you’re new to Skid Row, these are the songs you need to hear. If you want to learn more about the history behind the band, check out Who is Skid Row?

1. “18 and Life”

This is one of Skid Row’s most famous songs—and for good reason.

“18 and Life” tells the story of a young man whose life falls apart after a violent mistake. It’s darker than a lot of the party-rock songs coming out at the time, and Sebastian Bach’s vocals make it hit even harder.

It’s a must-listen for any Skid Row fan.

2. “I Remember You”

If you want to hear Sebastian Bach really show off his voice, start here.

“I Remember You” is Skid Row’s classic power ballad. It’s emotional, dramatic, and absolutely built for singing at the top of your lungs.

It’s also one of those songs that instantly takes you back to the late ’80s.

3. “Youth Gone Wild”

This might be the ultimate Skid Row anthem.

“Youth Gone Wild” is loud, rebellious, and ridiculously catchy. It’s about being young, breaking the rules, and refusing to fit into someone else’s idea of who you should be.

Basically, it’s Skid Row saying, “We’re going to do whatever the hell we want.”

And honestly? We love that.

4. “Monkey Business”

“Monkey Business” shows off the heavier side of Skid Row.

The guitars are aggressive, the vocals are wild, and the whole song has a much darker feel than their biggest ballads.

If you think Skid Row was just a hair metal band that made power ballads, this is one of the songs you need to hear.

5. “Slave to the Grind”

This song is HEAVY.

“Slave to the Grind” is fast, angry, and packed with huge guitar riffs. It comes from the band’s second album, Slave to the Grind, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

It’s a great example of how Skid Row pushed beyond the typical glam metal sound.

6. “Wasted Time”

“Wasted Time” is one of the more emotional songs on Slave to the Grind.

It’s powerful without being a traditional power ballad, and Bach’s vocals give the song a lot of feeling.

If you like the emotional side of Skid Row, don’t skip this one.

7. “Quicksand Jesus”

“Quicksand Jesus” has a darker, moodier sound than many of Skid Row’s biggest hits.

It’s slower and more dramatic, with a huge chorus that gives Bach plenty of room to show off his voice.

It’s also a great reminder that Skid Row could do much more than straight-up party rock.

8. “Piece of Me”

“Piece of Me” is pure attitude.

It’s loud, aggressive, and full of the kind of swagger that made early Skid Row so much fun.

If you’re looking for the band’s wild side, put this one on.

9. “Big Guns”

“Big Guns” comes from Skid Row’s debut album and gives you everything you’d expect from late-’80s metal: big guitars, big vocals, and a whole lot of attitude.

It’s not their biggest hit, but it’s a fun one for anyone who wants to dig a little deeper into their first album.

10. “18 and Life” — Acoustic/Live Versions

Okay, we’re cheating a little.

But Skid Row songs are worth hearing live, especially when Sebastian Bach is behind the microphone. Their live performances helped build their reputation as one of the most exciting bands of the glam metal era.

So once you’ve heard the studio versions, check out some live performances, too.

Where Should You Start?

If you’ve never listened to Skid Row before, start with these five:

“Youth Gone Wild” — for the attitude
“18 and Life” — for the storytelling
“I Remember You” — for the power ballad
“Monkey Business” — for the heavier side
“Slave to the Grind” — for the full-on metal

Then go listen to the albums.

Trust us. There’s a LOT more Skid Row waiting for you.