These Go To 11: Songs Best Heard Extra-Loud

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Clockwise from top left: The Smiths, Led Zeppelin, OutKast, Kelly Clarkson, Spinal Tap's secret weapon. Courtesy of the artists / Getty Images hide caption

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Courtesy of the artists / Getty Images

Clockwise from top left: The Smiths, Led Zeppelin, OutKast, Kelly Clarkson, Spinal Tap's secret weapon.

Courtesy of the artists / Getty Images

All Songs Blog

What Songs Do You Crank To 11?

There's no denying certain songs are best experienced when played as loud as possible. Since this Friday, 11/11/11, is Nigel Tufnel Day — the unofficial holiday honoring the fictional Spinal Tap guitarist, who cranked his amplifiers past 10 — this week's episode is all about the songs that instantly make you want to turn the volume up.

Such songs can be simple and anthemic, like The Modern Lovers' garage-punk or Kelly Clarkson's roller-coaster pop. Or they can be densely layered, like LCD Soundsystem's studio wizardry or OutKast's all-out aural assaults. But in each case, the message is the same: Let the music, whatever it might be, overwhelm you.

What songs do you prefer to hear as loud as possible? Leave your suggestions here.