THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL BRITISH ROCK SONGS. 
This post: #120-111. Continues next week.

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.

*120

EVERY YOU EVERY ME

Placebo

Lifted off Placebo's 1998 sophomore album 'Without You I'm Nothing', the single "Every You Every Me" peaked at #11 on the UK chart the following year. The alternative / indie band adopted a retro feel that evoked 1970s punk and glam. 

*119

PARANOID

Black Sabbath

The title track from Black Sabbath's second album remains a seminal heavy metal staple. "Paranoid" features Ozzy Osbourne on vocals. The single reached #4 in 1970 and had a second turn on the British charts a decade later, climbing to #14.

 

*118

MAD WORLD

Tears For Fears

Tears For Fears finally broke through with the duo's 3rd single "Mad World" in 1982. It remains one of the decade's highlights of British new wave synth pop. The single reached #3. The powerful lyrics came to the fore when a stripped back remake emerged in 2003 by Americans Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules.

*117

HONG KONG GARDEN

Siouxsie & The Banshees

In 1978, we were introduced to Siouxsie & The Banshees via the debut hit "Hong Kong Garden". The single flew to #7 and remains one of the first examples of British punk.

 

*116

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

Gerry & The Pacemakers

By the time Gerry & The Pacemakers recorded "How Do You Do It?", the song had been rejected by other groups. Even The Beatles insisted that its earlier version not be used as an A-side. The group's producer George Martin then offered it to Gerry & The Pacemakers. This version enjoyed 3 weeks at #1 in 1963. Its success kicked off Merseybeat's popularity and the British Invasion, reaching the top before The Beatles.

*115

DOWN DOWN

Status Quo

It took 8 albums for Status Quo to record its first (and only) #1 single. "Down Down" was released in 1974 and laid out the formula for the group's string of hits.

*114

DON'T YOU WANT ME

Human League

Taking the marriage of new wave and synth pop to a commercial high, The Human League topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic with "Don't You Want Me" in 1981. The single was lifted off the influential album 'Dare'.

*113

CHANGES

David Bowie

The aptly named "Changes" sums up David Bowie's ever-evolving series of musical personas. The song appeared on his 1971 album 'Hunky Dory'.

*112

ONE

U2

Lifted as a single from 1991's 'Achtung Baby', "One" is a majestic ballad with heartfelt lyrics written by Bono. The single made the UK Top 10 and raised funds for A.I.D.S. research.

*111

WHO ARE YOU

The Who

In many ways, "Who Are You" became Pete Townshend's response to punk and new wave. By 1978, The Who had become the old guard. New groups such as The Sex Pistols, The Jam and The Clash had taken over. Townshend's composition reminded us where the new music's roots lay. The single made the Top 20 and was followed by an album with the same name.

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

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