Fugazi’s “Waiting Room” is a beloved post-hardore hit, maybe the post-hardcore hit. Its dirty, satisfying sound propped up by perfect timing and an irresistible bass line has made it the band’s — and my — golden boy.

“Waiting Room” in its most finished form was released as the first track of the band’s 1989 acclaimed album 13 Songs, but the song had appeared before in a stripped down state and with a vaguely conversational tone on Fugazi’s debut release, a live album recorded at their first show at the Wilson Center in Washington D.C. 13 Songs is a compilation album, serving as a best of from all of the group’s earliest work. “Waiting Room” kicks off the 13 song run bursting with energy and showing off an impressive control of time and dynamics. Singer Ian MacKaye, masters judgemental, punky, vowels, and crescendoing phrases. The bass is rolling and catchy, carrying the song and balancing harsher elements. The pauses are clean and alluring, and the drums punctuate the desperateness of the song’s need to move.

“Everybody’s moving, everybody’s moving /

Everybody’s moving, moving, moving, moving /

Please don’t leave me to remain /

In the waiting room”

The lyrics serve as a motivational speech, a call to action, a call to do something, anything but sit around and wait. The song was a perfect storm of inspiration and earworming listeners and would go on to be a huge success for the band. “Waiting Room” is a staple of punk and hardcore, named by NME as the 411th best song of all time, which may not sound that impressive but of all time is still pretty good. Fugazi’s legacy is further secured by my toothless cat, Lally, named after bassist Joe Lally. And it’s worth noting my brother’s name is Ian, so my parents may have named half the house after this band.

Consider this Jam of the Day my formal suggestion to add “Waiting Room” to either your gym playlist, your pregame playlist or both.