THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL BRITISH ROCK SONGS. 
This post: #190-181. Continues next weekend.

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.

*190

SEX & DRUGS & ROCK ‘N’ ROLL

Ian Dury

An early variation of punk rock / new wave attitude, Ian Dury served a song that became an anthem for British rock. "Sex & Drugs & Rock 'N' Roll" was issued in 1977.

*189

GLAD ALL OVER

Dave Clark Five

Unleashed in 1963, "Glad All Over" became the first major hit for The Dave Clark Five, The single topped the UK chart and helped lead the charge with The Beatles as the British Invasion gathered momentum all over the globe.

*188

THE DRUGS DON'T WORK

The Verve

The Verve broke through internationally with third album 'Urban Hymns' in 1997. Written by lead vocalist Richard Ashcroft, it remains one of the decade's best examples of British rock.

*187

WITH A GIRL LIKE YOU

The Troggs

It may be surprising to discover that "With A Girl Like You", the follow-up to "Wild Thing" became the first #1 for The Troggs. Its predecessor peaked at #2 earlier in 1966.  The chart-topping song was penned by the group's lead singer Reg Presley.

*186

GIRLS ON FILM

Duran Duran

Duran Duran broke through in 1981 with "Planet Earth". By third single "Girls On Film", the band had began to mine the sound that would result in a string of hits. Its controversial music video did not hurt sales, helping the disc climb to #5.

*185

CHASING CARS

Snow Patrol

Snow Patrol found a niché that occupied the middle ground between Radiohead and Coldplay. "Chasing Cars" reached #6 in Britain and #5 in America.

*184

GAMES WITHOUT FRONTIERS

Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel guided British rock into new terrains. "Games Without Frontiers" was one of his best post-Genesis solo releases. In 1980, this track conveyed a sense of innocence amid a foreboding context. The single rose to #4.

*183

SULTANS OF SWING

Dire Straits

By the 1980s, Dire Straits had evolved into one of the biggest groups on the planet. "Sultans Of Swing" was the group's debut hit in 1978, introducing us to its pub rock style. Lead singer and guitarist Mark Knopfler wrote the Top 10 hit.

*182

D'YER MAK'ER

Led Zeppelin

"D'yer Mak'er" was included on Led Zeppelin's 1973 album 'Houses Of The Holy'. The track provides each individual member of the legendary group to shine as a combo. Never issued as a single in Britain, it was a Top 20 chart hit in the U.S.

*181

LOVE IS A LOSING GAME

Amy Winehouse

Blue-eyed soul never sounded as fragile as Amy Winehouse's spellbinding vocal on "Love Is A Losing Game". Penned by the singer and produced by Mark Ronson, the sweet ballad evoked memories of the likes of Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield and Billie Holiday. It was a standout on her 2006 album 'Back In Black'.

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