THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL BRITISH ROCK SONGS. 
This post: #50-41. 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.

*50

I DON’T LIKE MONDAYS

Boomtown Rats

A tragic school shooting inspired Bob Geldof to pen "I Don't Like Mondays". This unlikely source gave his group The Boomtown Rats a UK #1 in 1979. Geldof would spearhead Band Aid and Live Aid in the mid-80s.

*49

LUCY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS

The Beatles

No British group has ever matched the rich creative heights of The Beatles. "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" remains a sonic watershed. The group embraced psychedelia on this track credited to John Lennon. George Martin as producer steps up in his role as the unofficial fifth Beatle. The track was included on the band's 1967 historic 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' album.

 

*48

WITH OR WITHOUT YOU

U2

The release of "With Or Without You" as the lead single from the group's 1987 album 'The Joshua Tree' ushered in a new direction in lyrical themes for U2. Delicately produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, the single made the Top 5 and was a massive hit internationally.

*47

WILD THING

The Troggs

Basic it may be, but "Wild Thing" has retained its power. Oozing sexual energy, The Troggs' version was a #2 smash in 1966 and is still one of the best examples of garage rock.

*46

HOW SOON IS NOW?

The Smiths

Morrissey and Johnny Marr proved a lucrative songwriting partnership that delivered for their group The Smiths. The band developed its own sound with the former's downbeat lyrics and Marr's guitar work. First heard on the 1984 album 'Hatfull Of Hollow', "How Soojn Is Now?" charted twice - in 1985 and 1992.

*45

PAINT IT, BLACK

The Rolling Stones

During the 1960s, some of Britain's top groups were trying to outdo each other. Best of all was the creative rivalry between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. "Paint It, Black" remains one of the latter band's most daring and innovative singles. It reached #1 in 1966 on both sides of the Atlantic.

*44

WONDERWALL

Oasis

Oasis had already shaken up Britpop by 1995. With "Wonderwall", the group dropped its defining song. Lifted off second album '(What's The Story) Morning Glory?', the track climbed to #2.

*43

A HARD DAY'S NIGHT

The Beatles

The Beatles summed up the frenzy in the life of a rock star in "A Hard Day's Night". Unleashed in 1964 as the title song from one of The Fab Four's movies, it skyrocketed to #1 around the planet.

*42

ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL (Part 2)

Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' remains one of the most memorable concept albums. "Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)" fast became an anthem and will be remembered far into the future. The single topped the charts on both sides of the pond.

*41

WHITE ROOM

Cream

Supergroup Cream released "White Room" as part of its 1968 double album 'Wheels Of Fire'. Eric Clapton shines on guitar, making this track a timeless epic.

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