THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL BRITISH ROCK SONGS. 
This post: #180-171. 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.

*180

SOME MIGHT SAY

Oasis

Debut album 'Definitely Maybe' launched Oasis, but the group was elevated to loftier heights with its 2nd studio album '(What's The Story) Morning Glory' in 1995. "Some Might Say" was its lead single and shot straight to #1.

*179

HOLE IN MY SHOE

Traffic

Before going solo, Steve Winwood was a member of various groups such as Traffic. In 1967, the band released the psychedelic rock track "Hole In My Shoe" which climbed to #2 in Britain.

 

*178

IMMIGRANT SONG

Led Zeppelin

Bridging hard rock and heavy metal, Led Zeppelin included "Immigrant Song" on its 1970 album 'Led Zeppelin III'. The track channels the Vikings and its sound evokes the thunder of an impending invasion.

 

*177

ITCHYCOO PARK

The Small Faces

One of the best moments of British psychedelic pop, "Itchycoo Park" was written and produced by Steve Marriott and Ronnie Laine, both members of The Small Faces. The disc charted in 1967.

*176

START ME UP

Rolling Stones

With "Start Me Up", The Rolling Stones proved the band could still deliver a fan favourite, three decades on. The opening riff is instantly recognizable. In 1981, the single climbed to #7 and preceded parent album 'Tattoo You'.

 

*175

WILD WORLD

Cat Stevens

The early 1970s was a lucrative period for singer / songwriters. One of Britain's leading figures was Cat Stevens. He released a string of timeless nuggets including "Father And Son", "Peace Train" and "Wild World". The latter was released in 1970 and lifted off his 'Tea For The Tillerman' album.

*174

REHAB

Amy Winehouse

In 2006, Amy Winehouse dropped her defiant R&B -tinged "Rehab". It rapidly became her signature song. The beauty of Winehouse's vocal is that it manages to bridge the old skool soul of the 1960s with today's production courtesy of producer Mark Ronson. The track collected 3 Grammy Awards, including Record and Song of the Year as well as an Ivor Novello.

*173

EVERY LITTLE THING SHE DOES IS MAGIC

The Police

On "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic", The Police shifted musical direction. Its reggae roots are still present, but now meshed with a greater reliance on piano and synthesizer. In 1981, the single topped the UK chart.

*172

MYSTERIOUS WAYS

U2

U2 re-invented itself for 'Achtung Baby' in 1991. Tracks such as "Mysterious Ways" returned the group's musical direction towards Britain and Europe. After paying homage to America on recent albums, U2 drew inspiration from David Bowie and the thriving Madchester rave and club scenes that had refreshed British indie / pop music.

*171

TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS

The Beatles

In 1966, The Beatles' 'Revolver' album hit record stores. It has remained critically lauded ever since. "Tomorrow Never Knows" from the LP is a watershed track. Obscure to some, its influence on recording techniques cannot be underestimated. Mostly penned by John Lennon, the avant-garde song draws from psychedelia and looks to the future. Much of the credit is owed to producer George Martin.

 

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