Top 10 Best Songs by Franz Ferdinand

The blueprint for the entire British post-punk revival of the 2000s. What starts as a fast, angular indie rock track abruptly slows after a minute into a heavy, hypnotic dance groove that got millions of people moving worldwide. That sudden tempo change was a daring choice that went down in history. Timeless, brilliantly built and a guaranteed festival explosion.

The cheerful, flamboyant opener of their second album You Could Have It So Much Better. Full of self-mockery, Kapranos sings about decadent art-world parties and elite circles, framed by pumping glam-rock guitars and a wildly singalong chorus full of falsetto. A pure shot of adrenaline full of humor and danceable energy.

Driven by a swampy, swaying bassline and tight disco drums, No You Girls explores the awkward cat-and-mouse game between the sexes in nightlife. The clever production is full of playful percussion details and guitar licks that alternate at lightning speed. One of their most refined danceable singles.

A nostalgic, melodic classic in which Kapranos fantasizes about being interviewed by legendary BBC presenter Terry Wogan once he's old and famous. The bouncing guitar lines and melancholy chorus contrast perfectly with the sharp, literary lyrics. Pure Scottish pop intelligence.

A rousing, apocalyptic rocker in which the band uses the metaphor of a raging city fire for untamable passion. On stage, Franz Ferdinand always builds the track into a wild climax where the whole audience crouches down and then jumps into the air en masse on the command 'This fire is out of control!'

Daring, steamy and razor-sharp. With grimy guitar riffs and a pumping bassline, Kapranos sketches a charged encounter between two men on a nightclub dance floor. The wild guitar solo and unashamed tension make this one of the boldest and most energetic tracks from their debut era.

For their third album Tonight, the band dove deeper into the night with modular synthesizers and dub influences. Ulysses opens with a rumbling, mechanical bass riff that sounds like it escaped from a Berlin techno temple. An intoxicating track about chasing a high when boredom strikes.

A dramatic, acoustic-leaning ballad full of wistfulness and spaghetti western romance. The acoustic guitars and echoing mandolins give the song a timeless European character, while Kapranos sings about the bitter realization that a relationship is irrevocably over.

From Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action. A festive stomper in which a blaring brass section reinforces the guitar riffs. The vintage organs and swinging tempo prove that even after ten years, the band were still masters at writing irresistible party anthems.

The debut single where it all began in 2003. Angular punk-rock guitars, cheeky lyrics and that legendary German-language outro: 'Ich heiße Super-Fantastisch!' Within three minutes, Franz Ferdinand put themselves on the map as the most exciting new rock act in the UK.