The Hollies - The Air That I Breathe
The Hollies arrived in the wake of the Mersey Beat but unlike the majority of short-lived British bands of that era they managed to sustain success. Indeed, with the exception of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, they were one of Britain's top acts of the sixties and into the seventies. This is a sumptuous, laid-back love song.
10CC - I'm Not In Love
Clever lyrics and beautiful melodies were the signature of 10CC. This is an atypical love song, with the simple declaration of the title being undermined by the lyrics.
The Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen In Love?
One of the top bands of the punk era, The Buzzcocks had all the aggression and attack you would expect combined with a good ear for a melody. This is not only their signature tune but one of the best songs produced by a punk band.
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
A hugely influential band of the post-punk era, Joy Division were set to have a very short time in the sun. The suicide of Ian Curtis in 1980 brought a halt to a very promising career. Listen to modern bands like The Editors and Interpol and you will hear that his legacy lives on. This track is simply a classic.
The Smiths - How Soon Is Now
The combination of the brilliant guitar work of Johnny Marr with the lyrics and weird personality of Morrissey produced a sound that was uniquely British. Almost every UK indie band has been influenced by the Smiths ever since. This song is a work of art, showcasing the talents of both men to full effect.
New Order - True Faith
From the ashes of Joy Division came New Order. Peter Hook's distinctive bass sound and Bernard Sumner's vulnerable vocals made New Order a massive act on their own merit. The original video was one of my favourites of all time. Here is a live version from Glasgow of this fantastic song.
The Stone Roses - I Am The Resurrection
The Stones Roses first album promised something extraordinary. It was a revolutionary fusion of dance beats with the same indie sensibilities that had defined The Smiths. The songs were amazing and everyone waited for a follow up but it would be five years before it arrived. The band were tied up in a series of disputes between their manager and almost everyone else. The momentum was lost and the second release was a pale imitation of the first. This is one of a collection of incredible tracks on that first album.
Oasis - Champagne Supernova
Noel Gallagher was once a roadie for The Stone Roses but when he joined his brother's band, they became all that the Roses could have been. Oasis defined British music in the nineties. The Gallagher's have never hidden their love of The Beatles and the influences are everywhere in their work. This is just a glorious soundscape with Lennonesque lyrics.
The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony
The Verve rode the Britpop wave in the wake of Oasis and in Urban Hymns produced one of the best albums of that period. This song cost them a fortune as it sampled a Rolling Stones song without permission. The Stones and their former manager Andrew Loog Oldham probably made more out of the song than the Verve did.
Elbow - One Day Like This
Elbow is a rare thing in music, a band that keeps getting better. They are now in their twelfth year as recording artists and every album has seen them refine their sound and produce better music. This song is a outstandingly uplifting affirmation of all that is good about life.
David Gray - Please Forgive Me
When this song was released in 1999, David Gray was the darling of radio and TV. He was everywhere, and people soon became sick of him but 'White Ladder' is a fine collection of carefully crafted songs. This is probably the best.
Anis, I hope I have done justice to your home town in the way you did justice to the music of my small nation. I also hope that everyone else is entertained by this collection of artists and their music.
