On the 6th Day God Created. Manchester

In this post, I’m going to give you a run through of what I think the best 25 songs from this great city are. This list is in no particular order, the numbers do bare any significance really. Expect some classics, some shoe ins, but also some hidden gems.

Also for the purpose of this list. Stockport is Greater Manchester. Not Cheshire!

Expect some of The Smiths…

Of course Oasis make the list.

Let’s face it the Gallagher brothers would never be far away.

And of course The Roses and The Mondays make it too!

1. The Smiths- How Soon is Now. This 1984 B-Side, yes B-Side! Was always going to make this list, it’s such a unique piece of music by such a unique band. A hypnotic masterpiece centre by Johnny Marr’s brilliant guitar work. The song itself still sounds like it’s from the future, or a mad dystopian universe. How they wrote it and recorded it, still baffles us all. A band at its very peak. 
2. The Stone Roses- Waterfall. The third track from the now legendary self titled debut album, Waterfall is a psychedelic indie classic. It was also the song that got be into The Stone Roses, and led me down a musical corridor, that I’ve not quite finished exploring yet. 
3. Oasis- Slide Away. A love song done by the brothers Gallagher, was never going to be a soppy affair was it! Slide Away is anything but. That doesn’t make it any less meaningful, it covers all emotions and stages of being in love with someone. It’s beautiful, it’s their best. Anyone who disagrees I am not quite sure what to say. It had to make this list. 
4. Joy Division- Transmission- This song arguably kick started a revolution in Manchester. It gave birth to Factory Records, gave us Madchester, which in turn would give us Oasis and those that followed. Transmission is a brilliant song, a sprawling fast paced affair, that commands the listener to dance. And dance we did! 
5. The Chameleons- Swamp Thing- Here’s one of the first curveballs. A song I don’t expect too many of you to have heard of. That however doesn’t make it any less important. Swamp Thing is unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. It’s so unique, the instrumentation sounds industrial like in parts, and the vocal sounds has a haunting like feel especially in the verses. The song has that anthemic quality that many of the songs have, many Manchester bands were greatly influenced by The Chameleons and they deserve a lot more credit. 
6. New Order- Blue Monday. The song that kickstarted a dance music revolution and the biggest selling twelve inch single ever. Of course it makes a list about the best songs from Manchester. Blue Monday is still modern, it sounds as if it could have been recorded tomorrow! The whole story about the song is spectacular and what it did for New Order is staggering. Go and give it a listen. 
7. 808 State- Pacific State- Whilst were talking about dance music it seems fitting to talk about Pacific State, a song that brought Acid House to the masses, it took the sound of the Hacienda and subsequently Ibiza and propelled them up the U.K. singles charts. The song would hit Number 10 in 1989. 
8. Happy Mondays- Kinky Afro- A witty, catchy song that would propel the Monday’s from loveable rouges to pop stars. A mix of indie, folk and dance that would help unite the clans, and put Manchester on the map, and turn the city albeit briefly into Madchester. 
9. Buzzcocks- Ever Fallen in Love With Someone- Buzzcocks would help invent a new genre with song. Post punk. Whilst there London counterparts were getting over political (The Clash) or causing absolute carnage (Sex Pistols) Buzzcocks would write a relatable pop song with punk elements. NME would award the song, song of the year in 1978. 
10. James- Sit Down- Arguably Manchesters most underrated band, would give us the sing along anthem in 1991. A catchy chorus that would be chanted across the nation for years to come. James were always going to make this list! 
11. Blossoms- Charlemagne. A recent addition to the catalogue of Manchester classics, and a song that has a special place in my heart, from an album I absolutely adore. I understand it won’t make everyone’s list but it’s made mine! 
12. Joy Division- Love Will Tear Us Apart- Manchester’s unofficial anthem, when I think of Manchester I think of this song, for so many reasons. I remember it being a song the city rallied around after the terrorist attack. It’s used so poignantly as the credits of 24 Hour Party People. The song sounds like Manchester and it’s sung by one of its most famous sons. Ian Curtis who is a huge part of the story of popular culture in not just Manchester but the U.K. 
13. Oasis- Don’t Look Back in Anger- A Number One single, a cities hymn, a countries show of defiance. Written in Paris in 1995 by Noel Gallagher, this song has gone on to become something that supersede even his expectations. It’s become ingrained into peoples consciousness. It may be the most important song on this list. 
14. The Stone Roses- I Am the Resurrection. Now I’m a little biased with this one, this song has been a constant part of the soundtrack of my life. At the big moments this song seems to have been playing. It’s an 8 minute long epic that lets each member of The Roses, showcase just what they are about. Creating an indie staple and a Dancefloor filler. 
15. The Verve- Bittersweet Symphony. Now after a quick Google, I found out Wigan is in Greater Manchester. So it would be sacrilege to not include The Verve on this list. Bittersweet Symphony is The Verve at their very best, a colossal string filled epic, that makes the listener feel invincible. Yet with some of the saddest lyrics the band ever wrote. It’s quite the juxtaposition. 
16. Elbow- One Day Like This- An inspiring, uplifting tune by Guy Garvey and the lads. Another of the cities underrated bands, with one of the cities best songs. It’s one of those songs that makes you feel good every time it comes on. The chorus is more than just a chorus though it has become a chant! Not only one of Manchesters best songs, but one of the best songs of the 00’s. 
17. New Order- Ceremony. The song that birthed one of Britains most important bands, and saw Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner, rise from the ashes of Joy Division. 
18. The Smiths- There is A Light That Never Goes Out. A beautiful piece of melancholic pop from Britains most important band, the crowing jewel in a brilliant discography. 
19. Courteeners- Not Nineteen Forever. A teenage anthem about not wanting to grow up, and another song that has soundtracked some of the most important moments of my life. It’s made the list.
20.  Insprial Carpets- This is How it Feels- A synth pop classic about the trials and tribulations of daily life. A song that makes the mundane beautiful. Another band with a huge part to play in the Manchester story. 
21. Happy Mondays- 24 Hour Party People- A song that summarised the city, especially around the time it was written. Manchester was the centre of the party. It’s also the name of the best music film ever! 
22. The Smiths- This Charming Man- The song that gave birth to indie culture in the U.K. with a riff that is instantly recognisable. Another jewel in The Smiths discography 
23. Oasis- Live Forever- The big break for Oasis, this song made them into what they became, it gave them a seat at the table with the very best. Still today it’s one of the best songs ever written.     
24. The Chemical Brothers- Setting Sun- Two Manchester legends collaborating on one of the best songs of the 90s and a psychedelic classic.
25. The Stone Roses- She Bangs the Drums. An anthem of youth, that has soundtracked multiple generations. From one of the most important albums ever.

So that rounds the list out. My Top 25 songs from Manchester, there are a couple of honourable mentions for you though. First one of the best one hit wonders ever. The Mock Turtles with ‘Can you Dig It’ complete with a catchy chorus and one of the most underrated guitar solos ever. Manchester isn’t all about guitars though. My next honourable mention is a dance tune. A Guy Called Gerald and ‘Voodoo Ray’ a Hacienda classic, and one of Manchesters first house tracks. It would also feature on a certain Noel Gallagher’s Desert Island Discs. Ending my list of honourable mentions is Electronic with the 1989 single ‘Getting Away With It’ which saw New Order front man Bernard Sumner, team up with former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr to create a supergroup, and this song would be the first thing they would release.

What did you think? Would any of these songs make your Top 25? 

What have I missed out? Is there anything that shouldn’t be on the list. 

Thank you for reading x