THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL BRITISH ROCK SONGS. 
This post: #130-121. 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.

*130

ALL THE YOUNG DUDES

Mott The Hoople

Mott The Hoople was about to pull the plug when David Bowie offered the group  a makeover. The band embraced glam and recorded "All The Young Dudes", a song written and produced by him. It zoomed to #3 and became the group's first hit.

 

*129

SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW

Keane

"Somewhere Only We Know" was the breakthrough single for Keane in 2004. The piano-led track was a natural progression from the sound of Coldplay. It reached #3.

 

*128

CROCODILE ROCK

Elton John

"Crocodile Rock" is one of Elton John's signature songs. It possesses a nostalgic charm while incorporating 1970s glam. In 1972, the single was lifted from John's 'Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player' album. Along with going Top 5 in Britain, the track became his first American chart-topping song.

*127

FERRY CROSS THE MERSEY

Gerry & The Pacemakers

The British Invasion was led by Merseybeat groups out of Liverpool, including The Beatles and Gerry & The Pacemakers. The latter released "Ferry Cross The Mersey" about the English city's river in 1964. Lead singer Gerry Marsden wrote the song and it was produced by the legendary George Martin. The disc made the Top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic.

*126

ROCK AND ROLL (PARTS 1 & 2)

Gary Glitter

Lifted off Gary Glitter's 1971 album 'Glitter', the premier act of glam rock shot to #2 with "Rock And Roll (Parts 1 & 2)" the following year. Despite his fall from grace over child pornography allegations, there is no denying Glitter has had a profound impact on British rock.

*125

STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU

Stealer's Wheel

Produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, "Stuck In The Middle With You" was a track written by Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty. The latter handled lead vocal duties. In 1973, it reached the Top 10. Drawing inspiration from Bob Dylan, the song has become a staple due to its inclusion in Quentin Tarantino's 1992 film 'Reservoir Dogs'.

*124

WRITING TO REACH YOU

Travis

Scottish group Travis had already begun making the charts in 1996. Three years later,  the album 'The Man Who' saw them consistently placing singles in the upper rungs of the UK Top 40. The release marked a shift in musical direction for the band. "Writing To Reach You" climbed to #14. 

*123

BROWN SUGAR

Rolling Stones

Rock and roll may have originated in America, but The Rolling Stones have secured a special place as a leading exponent of the genre. Despite the odds, the nucleus of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards continues to deliver, decade after decade. "Brown Sugar" was recorded in 1969 but finally surfaced 2 years later on 'Sticky Fingers'. The UK #2 hit boasting another unforgettable guitar riff, also topped the American chart.

*122

SETTING SUN

The Chemical Brothers

Noel Gallagher joined forces with The Chemical Forces on "Setting Sun". Drawing inspiration from The Beatles' cataclysmic track "Tomorrow Never Knows", in 1996, the track incorporates big beat, funk, trip hop, dance and acid house. It reached #1.

*121

CAN'T STAND LOSING YOU

The Police

Sting sharpened his songwriting powers to create a well crafted single that shot to #2. The Police wrap a hybrid of reggae and punk / new wave around the lead singer's lyrics. It was lifted off the 1978 album 'Outlandos D'Amour'.

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