Greatest Indie Anthems Ever Top Ten (according to NME & XFM)

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

So here's Greatest Indie Anthems Ever Top Ten according to NME and XFM:

1. Oasis - 'Live Forever'
2. Nirvana - 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'
3. Pulp - 'Common People'
4. The Smiths - 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out'
5. The Libertines - 'Don't Look Back Into The Sun'
6. The Libertines - 'Time For Heroes'
7. The Smiths - 'How Soon Is Now?'
8. The Stone Roses - 'I Am The Resurrection'
9 The Strokes - 'Last Nite'
10 Arctic Monkeys - 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor'


What does everybody think?

I'd agree with the top TWO, in that order. Nice to see no Blur at all, but no way would 'Common people' make my top three - 'Sorted for E's & Wizz' at a pinch, but not 'Common People'. I'd also have 'Girl from Mars' (Ash) in there, and no Strokes & no Libertines. Oh, and 'I Bet You Look good On The Dancefloor' about number three or four. And 'Hand In Glove' as the only Smiths entry. And chuck in st. Etienne 'Hes On The Phone' and Garbage 'Im Only Happy when It Rains' and we're almost there.

Golden age of indie pop classics, has to be said.

 

[GNF on Tour]

Where's "Shine On" by the House of Love?

 

[dougdeep]

I've never really understood the definition of Indie, could someone enlighten me?

 

[BUTTERBALL]

I've added my comments to these:

1. Oasis - 'Live Forever' - can see that
2. Nirvana - 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' - should be number one
3. Pulp - 'Common People' - one of their worst records
4. The Smiths - 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out' - not the best Smiths track
5. The Libertines - 'Don't Look Back Into The Sun' - what is this doing in here?
6. The Libertines - 'Time For Heroes' - and this?
7. The Smiths - 'How Soon Is Now?' - again, there are better tracks
8. The Stone Roses - 'I Am The Resurrection' - ok
9 The Strokes - 'Last Nite' - absolutely
10 Arctic Monkeys - 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor' - passable

What about Radiohead with Creep or Paranoid Android, where does Garbage, Snow Patrol, Echo & The Bunnymen, Fratellis, Razorlight, The Jam etc etc feature?

 

[BUTTERBALL]

Where's "Shine On" by the House of Love?

 

[Grendel]

Inspiral Carpets - "This Is How It Feels" is a glaring omission, but then most of that list is dross.

Saying that, I don't take much notice of the NME and XFM these days. They ceased to be relevant years ago and their only purpose seems to be to massage the egos of their journalists and DJs.

 

[medicine man]

Loaded?
Wrote For Luck?
Love Will Tear Us Apart?
Just Like Honey?
Freak Scene?
I could go on!

 

[coventrygull]

"Never let me down again" Depeche Mode

 

[bathseagull]

I've never really understood the definition of Indie, could someone enlighten me?

It started years back when up and coming guitar bands were signed to small independant (indie) labels.

For example The Smiths were signed to Rough Trade, The Stone Roses to Silvertone(?) Oasis to Creation etc...

I think........?

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Love Will Tear Us Apart?

Released in June 1980

 

[Crawley Cobbler]

Wrote For Luck - agreed, sir. Also on the Mary Chain, but might prefer Head On.

And I'll raise you these:

Kennedy - Wedding Present

Info Freako - Jesus Jones

She Sells Sanctuary - The Cult (borderline goth, I know...)

Touch Me I'm Sick - Mudhoney

Kill Your Television - Neds Atomic Dustbin

Don't Let Me Down Gently - Wonderstuff

Def Con One - Pop Will Eat Itself

The Only One I Know - The Charlatans

Leave Them All Behind - Ride

Something by Carter USM - probably The Only Living Boy In New Cross is most anthemic.

 

[medicine man]

Released in June 1980

Was that not ever?

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Something by Carter USM - probably The Only Living Boy In New Cross is most anthemic.

'Sheriff Fatman' surely?

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Was that not ever?

Me no understand. Is that SCRABBLE talk?

 

[medicine man]

Very good selection Cobbler,

although prefer Its yer money i'm after by Wonderstuff
PWEI were probably the band I saw most
during the early nineties- fun times indeed.

Pixies should be in there also, Monkey Gone To Heaven?

and, making a bit of a come back- James Come Home

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Pixies should be in there also, Monkey Gone To Heaven?

and, making a bit if a come back- James Come Home

'Its that time again
when I lose my friends
go walkabout
I've got the bends from pressure.....'

Great song, though sadly 'Sit Down' would be seen as the 'bigger anthem' no?

 

[Buzzer]

and any list that does not include New Order/Joy Division, The Fall, The The, Talk Talk, The Sugarcubes is not gonna get my vote.

 

[medicine man]

Me no understand. Is that SCRABBLE talk?

Yeah, see what you mean!

I meant it's about the biggest indie anthems ever- so didn't think June 1980 would be a problem- especially on INDIE label Factory records.

btw Pulp were signed to Island.
(I know it's not YOUR list)

 

[Crawley Cobbler]

Yeah.

We need a top 20 really.

James was a terrible omission on my part...

Going to the Carter reunion gig at Brixton in November. Cannot wait.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

and any list that does not include New Order/Joy Division, The Fall, The The, Talk Talk, The Sugarcubes is not gonna get my vote.

Any list that doesn't include 'Blue Monday' specifically, is missing something.

Top anthems, my arse.