29. Kula Shaker “Tattva”
In Sanskrit, the word “tattva” can be translated as “reality” or “truth,” and is central to many tenets of the ancient Indian religion of Hinduism. But the truth is, this song was written by a white guy who went backpacking in India, and he’s damn lucky this piece of modern psychedelic hard rock is good enough for us to ignore the cultural appropriation for a moment.
28. The Auteurs “Show Girl”
Oh, look, it’s that guy who talks all the shit again. “Show Girl” is the kind of song that leaves you guilty and wondering if it’s misogynistic or if it’s male self-loathing, but it also has a hell of a melody and an achingly reverbed closing guitar solo.
27. Manic Street Preachers “Kevin Carter”
Unlike a lot of bands associated with Britpop, James Dean Bradfield is happy to be part of the pack. But where most of his peers sang about getting drunk and being a rock star, Manic Street Preachers sang about the Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Kevin Carter, who died of guilt-ridden suicide in 1994. They’re a little different than the others.
26. The Stone Roses “Love Spreads”
Unlike the first, self-titled album, The Second Coming was written almost entirely by virtuoso guitarist John Squire, because Ian Brown was checked out and stoned (allegedly). While that was a mixed bag at best, it did leave Squire to compose the best Led Zeppelin song about a female Jesus Christ that’s ever been recorded.
25. Gene “Fighting Fit”
Have you ever felt disgusting, worn-out, like you’ve wasted every opportunity you’ve ever had, but maybe you can still rise to the occasion? That’s what “Fighting Fit” feels like, so make sure to put it on your hangover playlist.
24. Primal Scream “Movin’ on Up”
Much like Saint Etienne, Primal Scream is both of Britpop and beyond it. “Movin’ on Up” captures that moment when Bobby Gillespie’s band fully transcended its post-punk roots and became a fusion of club music, American soul, and teenage kicks. As they say, it’s got a good beat and you can dance to it.
23. Lush “Ladykillers”
Like most good songs, Lush’s “Ladykiller” is about how shitty the dudes in Weezer and Red Hot Chili Peppers are. More than that, it’s a ridiculously catchy tune about all the men who try to weaponize feminism as a way to get laid, and sounds awesome as it does so.
22. The Divine Comedy “Something for the Weekend”
“Something for the Weekend” is such a joyous, breezy piece of lighthearted chamber pop that you might not know it’s about a horny dude who tries to get with a girl, only for her to trick him into going into the woods, where her friends beat the shit out of him and steal his money and his car. Now you do.
21. Oasis “Supersonic”
Did you think it would take this long for the all-conquering Oasis to enter the chat? Well, their first single was written in a fucking half-hour, and while the lyrics certainly prove it, the barbarically heavy, idiotically simple guitars and Liam Gallagher’s snotty voice immediately told the world something big was about to happen.