Britpop Acts: Top 25

Britpop: Top 25 Acts

Britpop was a genre which emerged in the early ‘90s in the United Kingdom. It grew out of the British indie music scene and was characterized by its guitar-driven pop sound. This list was created by aggregating 17 best-of lists focused on Britpop. The top 10 is comprised of those acts appearing on 9 or more lists. After the top 10, any act appearing on 2 or more lists is ranked based on its overall status in Dave’s Music Database. See other lists of Acts/Music Makers by Genre. Oasis 1. Oasis 2. Blur 3. Suede 4. Pulp 5. Supergrass 6. Elastica 7. The Verve 8. Manic Street Preachers 9. The Charlatans 10. Kula Shaker 11. Radiohead 12. The Smiths 13. Coldplay 14. The Stone Roses 15. Muse 16. Noel Gallagher/High Flying Birds 17. Paul Weller 18. Snow Patrol 19. Stereophonics 20. Keane 21. James 22. Happy Mondays 23. Ash 24. Travis 25. Ocean Colour Scene Resources/Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: Lists of Acts/Music Makers by Genre Dave’s Music Database: Top 25 Britpop Albums Dave’s Music Database: Top 50 Britpop Songs First posted 6/29/2026.

Uncut: Album of the Year, 1950-2025

Uncut: Albums of the Year (1950-2025)

Uncut is a London-based magazine focused primarily on music. It was first published in May 1997. Each year they have published a “best albums of the year” list. The listings for albums 1997 to present are taken from those lists. Prior to 1997, the album of the year was determined by the highest-rated album that appeared in a Dave’s Music Database aggregate of 11 Uncut lists which have been published over the years. Check out other album of the year awards here. 2025: Pulp More 2024: Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds Wild God 2023: Lankum False Lankum 2022: The Smile A Light for Attracting Attention 2021: The Weather Station Ignorance 2020: Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways 2019: Weyes Blood Titanic Rising 2018: Low Double Negative 2017: LCD Soundsystem American Dream 2016: David Bowie Blackstar 2015: Julia Holter Have You in My Wilderness 2014: The War on Drugs Lost in the Dream 2013: My Bloody Valentine MBV 2012: Leonard Cohen Old Ideas 2011: PJ Harvey Let England Shake 2010: Joanna Newsom Have One on Me 2009: Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavilion 2008: Portishead Third 2007: LCD Soundsystem Sound of Silver 2006: Bob Dylan Modern Times 2005: Arcade Fire Funeral 2004: Brian Wilson Smile 2003: Warren Zevon The Wind 2002: The Flaming Lips Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots 2001: Ryan Adams Gold 2000: Lambchop Nixon 1999: The Flaming Lips The Soft Bulletin 1998: Mercury Rev Deserter’s Songs 1997: Bob Dylan Time Out of Mind 1996: Stereolab Emperor Tomato Ketchup 1995: GZA/Genius Liquid Swords 1994: Jeff Buckley Grace 1993: PJ Harvey Rid of Me 1992: Aphex Twin Selected Ambient Works 85-92 1991: My Bloody Valentine Loveless 1990: Cocteau Twins Heaven or Las Vegas 1989: The Stone Roses The Stone Roses 1988: Sonic Youth Daydream Nation 1987: Prince Sign ‘O’ the Times 1986: The Smiths The Queen Is Dead 1985: The Fall This Nation’s Saving Grace 1984: Prince & the Revolution Purple Rain soundtrack 1983: R.E.M. Murmur 1982: Donald Fagen The Nightfly 1981: The Human League Dare! 1980: AC/DC Back in Black 1979: The Clash London Calling 1978: Blondie Parallel Lines 1977: Television Marquee Moon 1976: Joni Mitchell Hejira 1975: Bob Dylan Blood on the Tracks 1974: Neil Young On the Beach 1973: Steely Dan Countdown to Ecstasy 1972: The Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street 1971: Marvin Gaye What’s Going On 1970: The Stooges Fun House 1969: Neil Young Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere 1968: Van Morrison Astral Weeks 1967: Love Forever Changes 1966: The Beach Boys Pet Sounds 1965: Bob Dylan Highway 61 Revisited 1964: The Beatles A Hard Day’s Night 1963: Bob Dylan The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan 1962: James Brown Live at the Apollo 1961: Jimmy Giuffre The Jimmy Giuffre Three 1960: Miles Davis & Gil Evans Sketches of Spain 1959: Miles Davis Kind of Blue 1958: Duke Ellington & Mahalia Jackson Black, Brown, and Beige 1957: Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps 1956: Frank Sinatra Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! 1955: Frank Sinatra In the Wee Small Hours 1954: Chet Baker Chet Baker Sings 1953: Maya Deren Voices of Haiti 1952: Hank Williams Moanin’ the Blues 1951: Thelonious Monk Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 1 1950: Juilliard Percussion Orchestra with the New York Wind Ensemble, Frederic Waldman, & Rene Le Roy Complete Works of Edgard Varese Volume 1 Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Other Year-End Album Awards” Dave’s Music Database: “Uncut’s Top 100 Albums of All Time” Uncut.co.uk (official website) First posted 8/22/2026.

 

Britpop: Top 25 Albums

Britpop: The Top 25 Albums

Britpop was a genre which emerged in the early ‘90s in the United Kingdom. It grew out of the British indie music scene and was characterized by its guitar-driven pop sound. This list was compiled by aggregating the results of 22 sources. Those albums which made at least 3 lists were ranked by overall Dave’s Music Database points and then the top 25 were ranked based on the aggregate of Britpop albums. Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here. 1. Oasis (What’s the Story) Morning Glory (1995) 2. Pulp Different Class (1995) 3. The Verve Urban Hymns (1997) 4. Blur Parklife (1994) 5. Oasis Definitely Maybe (1994) 6. Suede (aka “London Suede”) Suede (1993) 7. The Stone Roses The Stone Roses (1989) 8. Blur The Great Escape (1995) 9. Blur Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993) 10. Radiohead The Bends (1995) 11. Radiohead OK Computer (1997) 12. Suede (aka “London Suede”) Dog Man Star (1994) 13. Manic Street Preachers Everything Must Go (1996) 14. The La’s The La’s (1990) 15. Oasis Be Here Now (1997) 16. The Verve A Northern Soul (1995) 17. Manic Street Preachers The Holy Bible (1994) 18. Coldplay A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) 19. David Bowie The Man Who Sold the World (1970) 20. Teenage Fanclub Bandwagonesque (1991) 21. Coldplay Parachutes (2000) 22. Blur Blur (1997) 23. Keane Hopes and Fears (2004) 24. Kaiser Chiefs Employment (2005) 25. The Libertines Up the Bracket (2002) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Britpop: Top 50 Songs” Dave’s Music Database: other best-of-genre lists First posted 9/2/2024.

Glam: Top 25 Albums

Glam: The Top 25 Albums

Glam rock was a genre which emerged in the early 1970s that was characterized as much by fashion as the music itself. Performers wore flamboyant costumes (which often included glitter and platform shoes), makeup, and hairstyles. The look often flirted with andryogyny and fluid gender roles and a camp style. Musically, the genre drew largely from rock and roll, but incorporated cabaret, bubblegum pop, and throwaway pop culture. The movement was largely British. David Bowie, T-Rex, Mott the Hoople, Sweet, and Slade were among the genre’s most popular artists. Some American artists such as Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, and the New York Dolls also incorporated glam into their music in the 1970s. There were also British artists such as Elton John and Queen who adopted some elements of glam in their ‘70s music. The genre influenced punk rock, goth, new wave, and hair bands. This list was created by aggregating 14 lists focused on the best glam rock albums of all time. Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here. 1. David Bowie The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972) 2. Lou Reed Transformer (1972) 3. New York Dolls New York Dolls (1973) 4. Roxy Music For Your Pleasure (1973) 5. T-Rex Electric Warrior (1971) 6. Roxy Music Roxy Music (1972) 7. David Bowie Aladdin Sane (1973) 8. Mott the Hoople Mott (1973) 9. David Bowie Hunky Dory (1971) 10. Brian Eno Here Come the Warm Jets (1974) 11. Roxy Music Country Music (1974) 12. Sparks Kimono My House (1974) 13. Queen Sheer Heart Attack (1974) 14. Roxy Music Stranded (1973) 15. Alice Cooper Billion Dollar Babies (1973) 16. Roxy Music Siren (1975) 17. Suede (aka “London Suede”) Dog Man Star (1994) 18. T-Rex The Slider (1972) 19. Alice Cooper Love It to Death (1971) 20. David Bowie The Man Who Sold the World (1970) 21. David Bowie Diamond Dogs (1974) 22. Slade Slayed? (1973) 23. Mott the Hoople All the Young Dudes (1972) 24. Pulp Different Class (1995) 25. Queen A Night at the Opera (1975) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Glam Rock: Top 50 Songs” Dave’s Music Database: other best-of-genre lists First posted 9/2/2024.

Britpop: Top 50 Songs

Britpop: Top 50 Songs

Britpop was a genre which emerged in the early ‘90s in the United Kingdom. It grew out of the British indie music scene and was characterized by its guitar-driven pop sound. This list was compiled by aggregating 29 lists (sources at the bottom of the page). Those songs which made 3 or more lists were then ranked based on their overall status in Dave’s Music Database. Click here to see other genre-specific song lists. 1. Oasis “Wonderwall” (1995) 2. The Verve “Bitter Sweet Symphony” (1997) 3. Oasis “Live Forever” (1994) 4. Pulp “Common People” (1995) 5. Blur “Song 2” (1997) 6. Oasis “Don’t Look Back in Anger” (1995) 7. The La’s “There She Goes” (1988) 8. Oasis “Champagne Supernova” (1996) 9. Blur “Girls and Boys” (1994) 10. Underworld “Born Slippy” (1995) 11. Manic Street Preachers “A Design for Life” (1996) 12. The Verve “The Drugs Don’t Work” (1997) 13. Elastica “Connection” (1994) 14. Blur “Parklife” (1994) 15. Cornershop “Brimful of Asha” (1997) 16. Edwyn Collins “A Girl Like You” (1995) 17. Coldplay “Trouble” (2000) 18. Stone Roses “I Am the Resurrection” (1989) 19. Oasis “Supersonic” (1994) 20. Oasis “Whatever” (1994) 21. Manic Street Preachers “If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next” (1998) 22. Oasis “D’You Know What I Mean?” (1997) 23. Oasis “Cigarettes and Alcohol” (1994) 24. Stone Roses “Love Spreads” (1994) 25. Blur “There’s No Other Way” (1991) 26. Supergrass “Alright” (1995) 27. The Verve “Lucky Man” (1997) 28. Oasis “Some Might Say” (1995) 29. Blur “Country House” (1995) 30. Radiohead “Just” (1995) 31. Blur “This Is a Low” (1995) 32. Blur “Beetlebum” (1997) 33. Suede “Animal Nitrate” (1993) 34. The Verve “Sonnet” (1998) 35. James “Laid” (1993) 36. Oasis “Roll with It” (1995) 37. Placebo “Nancy Boy” (1997) 38. Suede “The Drowners” (1992) 39. Lush “Ladykillers” (1996) 40. Ocean Colour Scene “The Riverboat Song” (1996) 41. The Verve “History” (1995) 42. Mansun “Wide Open Space” (1996) 43. Ocean Colour Scene “The Day We Caught the Train” (1996) 44. Blur “The Universal” (1995) 45. Oasis “Shakermaker” (1994) 46. Pulp “Babies” (1992) 47. The Lightning Seeds “The Life of Riley” (1992) 48. Space “Female of the Species” (1996) 49. The Bluetones “Slight Return” (1996) 50. Blur “Chemical World” (1993) Resources/Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Other Genre/Category Song Lists” Dave’s Music Database (8/26/2011). “Blur beats Oasis in the battle of Britpop: August 26, 1995” AllMusic.com Amazon playlist: 100 Greatest Britpop Songs Bangers ‘n’ Mash’s Blog Best Things on Earth Blog Bigfuzz Blog Boston Phoenix BritPopNews.com Buzzjack.com Discogs.com The Guardian Kids Attack Blog Live Forever: The Best of Britpop (album) Live Music Management NME.com NME.com (voter picks) OldWizard.net Paste RateYourMusic.com – Spirit of Eden RateYourMusic.com – Topper Supersonic RateYourMusic.com – William of Baskerville Rawsktar.net – Bob Rawsktar.net – Graeme Rawsktar.net – Rall ReadyToGo.net TheRockCzar.com Rolling Stone ShareMyPlaylists.com SputnikMusic.com Squidoo.com First posted 4/10/2013; last updated 7/26/2023.

Pulp released “Common People”

Common People Pulp

Writer(s): Jarvis Cocker, Russell Senior, Steve Mackey, Nick Banks, Candida Doyle (see lyrics here) Released: May 22, 1995 First Charted: June 3, 1995 Peak: 2 UK, 65 AU, 6 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 0.6 UK Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 62.0 video, 189.70 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: “Common People” was the lead single from Pulp’s fifth album, Different Class. It not only became the band’s signature song but a defining Britpop track. WK In 2007, NME magazine ranked it as the third greatest indie anthem ever. WK The song was ranked the greatest song of the Britpop movement by Paste magazine in 2014 and a Rolling Stone readers’ poll in 2015. WK DJ Steve Lamacq said it “seemed to embrace the essence of the time so perfectly.” WK Musically, the song was based a chord sequence singer Jarvis Cocker wrote on a second-hand Casio keyboard he bought after trading in a bunch of albums at the Record and Tape Exchange in Notting Hill. SF Bassist Steve Mackey said it sounded like Emerson Lake & Palmer’s version of “Fanfare for the Common Man.” SF Music & Media described it as “playing with electro and indie guitar pop like Blur on ‘Girls & Boys.’” WK That title reminded Cocker of an experience from 1988 when he was enrolled in a film studies class at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. He was attracted to a Greek art student, but got turned off by her proclamation that she “wanted to move to Hackney and live like ‘the common people.’” WK The song became a critique of slumming in which people of means ascribed glamour to poverty. The song was written in June 1994. After the band performed the song live, “it became clear to me it was a significant song.” SF Pulp hadn’t finished the rest of the songs for the subsequent album, but pushed to release “Common People.” Cocker said,” the other eight songs were done while ‘Common People’ was in the Top 10.” SF Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Pulp SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 10/13/2021; last updated 8/24/2023.