THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL BRITISH ROCK SONGS. 
This post: #30-21. Continues tomorrow.

Caffé Latté celebrates…

THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL

BRITISH

ROCK SONGS

Rock and roll’s roots may have been American, but the Brits have been putting their own stamp on its sound and attitude since the 1950s. Some significant rock legends hail from the United Kingdom, including The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Clash, Sex Pistols, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Elton John and David Bowie. This countdown focuses on 200 British tracks that have made the greatest impact on rock music.

*30

YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE

Gerry & The Pacemakers

The song's origins may have been American, but Gerry & The Pacemakers delivered a version in 1963 that has forever etched "You'll Never Walk Alone" into the British psyche. As well as topping the UK chart that year, it was swiftly adopted by the Liverpool Football Club.

*29

LAYLA

Derek & The Dominos

By 1970, Eric Clapton had moved on to Derek & the Dominos. He co-wrote "Layla" with bandmate Jim Gordon. The epic rock track remains a classic thanks to Clapton's miraculous guitar skill and the coda played on the piano. The latter was performed by Gordon. Clapton quit the group the following year.

*28

REVOLUTION

The Beatles

The single version of "Revolution" begins with a blast of guitar. The song was penned by John Lennon, although credited also to Paul McCartney as per the 2 songwriters' agreement. It remains one of the fiercest British rock tracks.

*27

LOLA

The Kinks

Ray Davies tackled what was -in 1970- a taboo subject, a romantic encounter with a transgender woman.  Despite the controversy and even airplay bans, the single shot to #2 in Britain.

*26

LOVE WILL TEAR US APART

Joy Division

Cut only a few months prior to the suicide of Joy Division's lead singer Ian Curtis, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" remains a defining musical point in British pop. The single was issued in 1980 and became the group's only major hit. Fortunately, from the ashes of Joy Division came New Order.

*25

MOVE IT

Cliff Richard & The Drifters

When "Move It" was unleashed, Cliff Richard's backing band was known as The Drifters. As The Shadows, the band would achieve hits in its own right. Richard, in the meantime, began his chart dominance in 1958 with "Move It". The disc peaked at #2 and launched British rock 'n roll. 

*24

UNDER PRESSURE

Queen & David Bowie

In 1981, 2 titans of British rock: Queen and David Bowie, teamed up on one of the finest collaborations in rock history. The competitive nature of the 2 vocalists Bowie and Freddie Mercury drew the best from both. John Deacon's bassline proved to be irresistible, no doubt contributing to its #1 status.

*23

A DAY IN THE LIFE

The Beatles

British rock's magnum opus was 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'. The 1967 Beatles album was revolutionary in countless ways, most notably the sound and packaging. Of all its tracks, the climactic closing track "A Day In The Life" still thrills to this day.

*22

EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE

The Police

Sting's clever lyrics unravel a sinister edge to what many misinterpret as a love song. Everything about the trio's musicianship is precise and tight. Little wonder that the single topped the British and US charts in 1983.

*21

WISH YOU WERE HERE

Pink Floyd

The title track from Pink Floyd's 1975 album 'Wish You Were Here' is a heartfelt song. Band members Roger Waters and David Gilmour wrote the lyrics and music.  The song has inspired many other musicians since its release.

Check out the playlist on spotify with new songs added for each update of the countdown.

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