THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL BRITISH ROCK SONGS. 
This post: #170-161. 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.

*170

UP THE JUNCTION

Squeeze

Following on from The Kinks, Squeeze infused a British flavour into its songs. "Up The Junction" is the best example of the songwriting skills of group members Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook. The single was lifted off Squeeze's 1979 album 'Cool For Cats' and reached #2.

*169

BUS STOP

The Hollies

From the pen of Graham Gouldman, "Bus Stop" was an irresistible Top 5 hit in 1966 for The Hollies. Its composer was responsible for hits during the same decade by acts such as The Yardbirds, Herman's Hermits and Wayne Fontana.

*168

IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM?

Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson emerged with the debut disc "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" in 1978. Re-issued the following year, the song climbed to #13. Initially, he was slotted in the punk and new wave genres, but the singer/ songwriter has since proven his ability in a variety of genres that have included jump blues, jazz, reggae, film scores and classical music.

*167

WALKING ON THE MOON

The Police

The Police married reggae with new wave, as is evident on the 1979 single "Walking On The Moon". Sting's lyrics equate that feeling of no gravity to falling in love. The #1 song was lifted off the group's second studio LP 'Regatta de Blanc'.

 

*166

IN MY LIFE

The Beatles

The Fab Four attracted praise for innovative studio techniques, but "In My Life" is cherished for its simplicity. John Lennon's nostalgic reminisces were easily relatable. The melancholic track was included on The Beatles' 1965 album 'Rubber Soul'.

*165

YELLOW

Coldplay

Coldplay arrived with its debut album 'Parachutes' in 2000. "Yellow" was the group's first single to catch on with a wider audience, taking it to #4. The disc launched the band internationally.

*164

I ONLY WANT TO BE WITH YOU

Dusty Springfield

In 1964, Dusty Springfield achieved her first hit, "I Only Want To Be With You". The single peaked at #4. The singer paved the way for the likes of Annie Lennox, Amy Winehouse and Duffy.

*163

ARE 'FRIENDS' ELECTRIC?

Tubeway Army

Led by Gary Numan, Tubeway Army blended synth pop with new wave and alternative rock. In 1979, "Are 'Friends' Electric?" shot to the top.

 

 

*162

PAPER SUN

Traffic

In 1967, "Paper Sun" made the Top 5. It remains a key example of British psychedelic pop. At the time, Steve Winwood had left The Spencer Davis Group and was aged 18 when he joined Jim Capaldi, Dave Mason and Chris Wood to found the new group.

*161

THE JEAN GENIE

David Bowie

"The Jean Genie" was unleashed in 1972, as the lead single from David Bowie's 'Aladdin Sane' album. The song rushed to #2, further cementing the performer's reputation as a visionary and chameleon-like artist.

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