There is no future in England's dreaming, a wise man once said—okay, Johnny Rotten once said—and while certain of the monarchy's archaic customs leave us Americans scratching our heads, we beg to differ. Our erstwhile oppressors have been living in a musical goldmine for the past fifty years or so (hey, that whole Revolutionary War thing's water under the bridge, right?). It's difficult to conceive what the status of popular culture would be today without some good, old-fashioned trans-Atlantic cross-pollination given the long history of sound exchange between the U.S. and the UK. While all eyes are on the queen, we honor our top 50 favorite British musicians, creating a sort of rock 'n roll royal family. They originate from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and some are recent while others are older. However, they have all succeeded in making their imprint on both sides of the Atlantic.
Enjoy Your Mondays
Why: In the 1990s, these pillars of the "Madchester" scene taught us all how to rave. Man, you're bending my melon! Residence: Manchester Track essential: "Step On".
Mumford & Sons
Why they: Despite the British tradition of appropriating American sounds, these banjo-wielding guys managed to create one of our favorite albums in a while after releasing just one album. The song "Little Lion Man" is crucial.
Pulp
Why: Jarvis Cocker can stick it to the aristocracy with the best of them. He is one of the few frontmen who can properly speak to the class divisions that exist inside the UK. The song "Common People" is essential.
Richard Thompson (Fairport Convention)
Why: Thompson, one of the greatest acoustic guitarists ever, was a pioneer in fusing English folk music with electric elements in Fairport Convention. " 1952 Vincent Black Lightning" is a crucial track.
Gomez
Why? The band has been fusing experimental sounds with approachable tunes ever since its 1998 first album, Bring It On, which earned a Mercury Prize. The song "Airstream Driver" is essential.
The Faces/Small Faces
Why: We can't decide which iteration of this mod group we like most. After a talent like Steve Marriott left, most bands would shrivel up and die, but the Faces added Rod Stewart and Ron Wood and carried on. Track essential: "Lazy Sunday."
Gruff Rhys and the Super Furry Animals. Famous British musicians
Why: This avant-garde band, the pride of Wales, has remained contemporary for almost two decades. They are occasionally soulful, occasionally trippy, and always fantastic. The song "Juxtapozed With U" is essential.
The Waterboys
Why? Mike Scott's Waterboys were filling venues all around the world before Polyphonic Spree and I'm From Barcelona. Since the Scottish group started fusing rock 'n' roll with Celtic music 28 years ago, no fewer than 56 people have been able to claim membership in it. The song "Fisherman's Blues" is crucial. Rock band genesis is developing quickly.
The Buzzcocks
Why? Because they invented pop-punk and added some polish to the early anti-establishment scene. The song "Orgasm Addict" is essential.
Amy Winehouse
Why: The hard-living ways of the disturbed neo-soul singer are evident in all of her tracks. Since she first appeared, there have been dozens of imitators, but none have managed to match our beehived heroine. Track essential: "Rehab"
Echo & The Bunnymen
Why: Icons of post-punk that appeal to the rebellious kid in all of us. The best starting line you'll ever hear is "Fate, up against your will." Important song: "The Killing Moon"
Nick Drake
Why: A renowned singer-songwriter who, in his all-too-short career, managed to pen some genuinely remarkable songs before ultimately giving in to his own troubles. Important song: "Day is Done"
M. I. A.
Why: Mathangi Arulpragasam, also known as Maya, is a Sri Lankan Tamil singer who was born in London. She is as much a symbol of multiculturalism as anyone else, having developed a distinct voice and presence. The song "Paper Planes" is crucial.
Gang of Four
Why: This group will have you thinking and dancing at the same time since they are always political but never annoying. The song "Damaged Goods" is crucial.
New Order
Why: Everyone thought Joy Division was over after Ian Curtis' sad suicide, yet the surviving members regrouped to become an equally outstanding group. The "Blue Monday" tune is essential.
PJ Harvey
Hence: Polly Jean has never been one to take it easy. She has continuously changed her sound, including new instruments and styles as she goes. "Dress" is a crucial track.
Damon Albarn of the Gorillaz and Blur
Why? Damon Albarn lead the influential Britpop band Blur long before he became the brains behind the world's finest cartoon band. We present to you, ladies and gentlemen, Cool Britannia. The song "Girls and Boys" is essential.
Fleetwood Mac
Why: Okay, so they're not entirely British, or else they'd be higher on this list, but Lindsay Buckingham and company sprang from the London blues scene before enjoying the California sun. In addition, it must be British if someone spells it "Rumours," right? The song "Go Your Own Way" is essential.
The Specials
Why: These TwoTone legends pioneered the ska genre by fusing punk and reggae music, making them one of the first significant multiracial performers in England. The song "A Message to You Rudy" is essential.
Kate Bush
Why: This lovely oddball became the most popular British female artist of all time thanks to her distinctive voice. Important song: "Wuthering Heights".
Roxy Music
Why: There are moments when we have to pinch ourselves to make sure that legends like Brian Eno and Bryan Ferry were really in the same band. The song "Love is the Drug" is essential.
Belle & Sebastian
Why: These Scottish musicians are nothing like the "old sad bastard music" you may have heard on High Fidelity. The Blues Are Still Blue is a crucial song.
Arctic Monkeys
Why: Sheffield's best have been ringing in our ears ever since their brand of garage-fueled indie rock burst onto the scene in 2006 with the fastest-selling debut album in UK history. "I Bet That You Look Good on the Dancefloor" is a crucial song.
The Stone Roses
Why: Ian Brown, John Squire, Mani, and Reni mastered the alt-rock output of their era by fusing the trippiness of some of their Manchester peers with a pop sensibility. The "I Am the Resurrection" tune is essential.
The Libertines
Why? Despite only putting out two albums before breaking up, both of them managed to be considered among the best of the last ten years. We believed them when they performed in front of a backdrop proclaiming themselves the "future of rock & roll." Now, whenever we hear Pete Doherty's scream, we can only speculate as to what may have happened had he been able to maintain his composure. "Don't Look Back Into the Sun" is a crucial song.
Oasis
Why: Dig Out Your Soul was undoubtedly a failure. The fact that the Gallagher brothers created two of the most significant albums of the 1990s is unaffected by this. The "Wonderwall" track is essential.
Elton John
Why: A man and a piano are sometimes all that's required for magic to occur. Oh, and the largest collection of sunglasses in existence. Track essential: "Your Song"
The Cure
Why? Because goth legends Robert Smith and company made yearning for a special someone who is unaware of your existence while sitting in your room sound like the nicest thing ever. The song "Just Like Heaven" is essential.
Joy Division
Why: A band that sounds both commercial and pastoral. That Ian Curtis never arrived in the United States is one of the greatest tragedies in popular culture. The song "Love Will Tear Us Apart" is essential.
British rock band
When the people listens rock and roll then rock and roll hall goes wild. British rock band, punk rock band formed in several previous years are becoming more and more popular. The music industry and its tastes are changing greatly. English rock band formed by somebody may eventually become a successful solo career for somebody. But an English alternative rock band may be created if someday still wants to preserve the band. A lot of musicians got MTV europe music awards.
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