Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)

"Teen angst" redirects here. For the emotion, see angst.

"Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" is a song by the rock band Cracker. Released in 1992, it was the first single from their debut album Cracker, and went to #1 on the US Modern Rock chart.^[2]

"Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)"
Single by Cracker
from the album Cracker
Released	1992
Recorded	Summer 1991 at Hollywood
Genre	Alternative rock[1]
Length	4:11
Label	Virgin Records
Songwriter(s)	David Lowery
Producer(s)	Don Smith
Cracker singles chronology
"Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" (1992) "Happy Birthday to Me" (1992)

The song was later released on the compilation albums, Garage D'Or and Get On with It: The Best of Cracker. Re-recordings of the song appear on the album Greatest Hits Redux and — accompanied by bluegrass band Leftover Salmon — O' Cracker Where Art Thou?.^[3]

Track listings

1. "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" - 4:11
2. "Can I Take My Gun to Heaven?" - 3:50
3. "China" - 3:09^[4]

Chart positions

Chart (1992)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[5]	148
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[6]	65
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)|1|access-date=May 31, 2025

See also

• List of Billboard Modern Rock Tracks number ones of the 1990s

In popular culture

The song was made available for download on June 5, 2012 to play in Rock Band 3 Basic and PRO mode utilizing real guitar / bass guitar, and MIDI compatible electronic drum kits.^[7]