THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL BRITISH ROCK SONGS. 
This post: #160-151. 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.

*160

TEARS IN HEAVEN

Eric Clapton

The tragic death of Eric Clapton's son Conor in 1991 inspired the writing of "Tears In Heaven" by the grieving father and Will Jennings. In Britain, the single peaked at #5 the following year.

*159

GIMME SOME LOVIN'

Spencer Davis Group

Steve Winwood shines on this thrilling track by The Spencer Davis Group. He is featured on lead vocals and performing on the Hammond organ. Although it evokes the energy of American R&B, the outfit added a British flavour to the recording. In 1966, the single reached #2.

 

*158

KASHMIR

Led Zeppelin

East meets West on the monumental Led Zeppelin track "Kashmir". The 8½ minute song was featured on the group's 1975 album 'Physical Graffiti'. In the hands of a lesser group, the track may have sounded overblown, but Led Zep retain the listener's attention for its duration.

*157

LOVE IS ALL AROUND

The Troggs

In 1967, The Troggs released the timeless "Love Is All Around". Although the 1994 cover by Wet Wet Wet became the more successful version (remaining at #1 in the UK for a staggering 15 weeks), the original meshed rock sounds, strings with a tick tock effect and demonstrated another side of the band that was famous for "Wild Thing".

*156

ZOMBIE

The Cranberries

Penned  by lead vocalist Dolores O'Riordan, "Zombie" protests the troubles in Northern Ireland. The single was issued in 1994, lifted off the group's 'No Need To Argue' album.

*155

I CAN SEE FOR MILES

The Who

Legendary guitarist and Who member Pete Townshend took his songwriting to new heights on the group's "I Can See For Miles". Musically too, The Who up the ante on this 1967 single from its 'The Who Sell Out' album.

 

*154

FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND / 

LOVE LIES BLEEDING

Elton John

Elton John was thinking about what music he wanted played at his funeral and came up with the first part of this epic. "Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding" opens his classic 1973 album 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road'. The instrumental first piece blends rock and classical music. Bernie Taupin provided the lyrics for the second segment.

*153

HE AIN'T HEAVY HE'S MY BROTHER

The Hollies

In 1969, The Hollies unleashed one of the definitive ballads of the 1960s. "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" topped the UK chart. 

 

*152

BLACK NIGHT

Deep Purple

Although best known for the guitar anthem "Smoke On The Water", Deep Purple's highest UK chart hit remains "Black Night". The latter was unleashed in 1970 and climbed to #2. It served to bridge the hard rock / metal of Led Zeppelin and 1970s rock.

*151

LOVE SONG

Simple Minds

In 1981, Simple Minds broke through internationally with "Love Song". The single was included on the Scottish group's fourth studio album 'Sons And Fascination'. As well as becoming the band's first UK Top 50 chart entry, the track features elements of new wave, post-punk, indie and rhythm encircling Jim Kerr's vocal. 

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