Best of British Music: Who tops YOUR list?

Hey folks, in a new series for a new month, we’re exploring the BEST OF BRITISH in an ultimate face-off regarding the Best in British Music.

Whether it be the crafty workings of stage presence or the sheer scale of anthems and hits they’ve written, what makes the music better than all the others? We’ll be scaling up each comment, and thoughts and see if they’ll top the list. So, join the discussion and get involved.

Would we see the Bohemian-dwellers of the mighty Queen grace our list? They had the lot in terms of bravado, iconic soundtracks and sheer fame and fortune with the one, Freddy Mercury.

Or would we see the Mancunian duo of Oasis? Rampant, chaotic and not giving a damn, they stood for everything British, and took the world by storm with their iconic Britpop. Will they litter the queue, too?

This week, we start with number ten – give me your artist picks below, and we’ll methodically think, question, argue and hopefully … agree on our Best of British!

41 responses to “Best of British Music: Who tops YOUR list?”

Jewish Young Professional “JYP”

Jul 1, 2021 at 4:34 pm

Great topic! In no particular order, here are some of my British* artist picks:
Elton John
Ed Sheeran
Amy Winehouse
Jess Glynne
KT Tunstall
Emeli Sande
John Newman
Bishop Briggs
Rudimental
Ellie Goulding
The Beatles
Adele

*Stereotypical world geography-challenged American here. If anyone on my list doesn’t count as British, I will not be insulted if you edit!

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1. manvmusic
  
  Jul 1, 2021 at 4:39 pm
  
  Oh nice! Highly commendable list here, my friend! Winehouse certainly for her status and voice. The Beatles for how they did everything FIRST. I would perhaps fit Elton John in there, too? It is a highly hard list to dial down that’s for sure! They’ve got their reasons to be included! Some may argue that the music they’ve created may just not scrape them in – but definitely within the top twenty.
  
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2. manvmusic
  
  Jul 1, 2021 at 4:39 pm
  
  Thanks for getting involved! What would you say is your FAVOURITE British music artist?
  
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Art of the Beat

Jul 1, 2021 at 5:02 pm

Sex Pistols, Kate Nash and Elton John…

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1. manvmusic
  
  Jul 1, 2021 at 5:24 pm
  
  That’s TWICE Elton John has appeared now .. hmm interesting .. it’s looking like he’s a worthy contender! He’s a national icon not just for music but for sexual identity too! Pistols are also a worthy spot, for their efforts in the punk scene. Where would punk be without them, eh? Thanks for sharing your thoughts, my friend. Hopefully, one of those will be in the list! Kate Nash is certainly a new artist to the roster, another one WORTHY!
  
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Crandew

Jul 1, 2021 at 5:05 pm

Agreed that it’s a great topic!
These are my picks.

The Beatles
Led Zeppelin
Black Sabbath
Iron Maiden
The Smiths

FAVOURITE British music artist:
Duran Duran

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1. manvmusic
  
  Jul 1, 2021 at 5:26 pm
  
  Oh yes yes, now this is a list! I agree with you there,certainly in terms of making the metal/classic rock scene what it is today, simply ICONIC. Sabbath, Zeppelin, Beatles for sure. They very well may be in the top five, come to think of it. Their names that have cropped up a lot. Hmm, Smiths may be outed by their Mancunian counterparts, Oasis or Blur, but we’ll see. The Smiths are influential in their right – irrespective of their geographical status in Manchester.
  
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Yernasia Quorelios

Jul 1, 2021 at 11:09 pm

💜 Here We Go EveryOne; in no particular order:

● Dire Traits
● Human League
● Electric Light Orchestra
● M People
● Fine Young Cannibals
● Robert Miles
● Prodigy
● Mike Oldfield
● Fat Boy Slim
● Enya
● Gorrilaz
● Pet Shop Boys

…so many more; especially contemporary…

…💛💚💙…

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1. manvmusic
  
  Jul 2, 2021 at 7:22 am
  
  Oof some
  More artists to fill the list! Commendable additions, my friend, thank you. ELO and Gorillaz are certainly able to join with some other votes for them. Some proper old classics interlaced with some electronic contemporaries here. It really shows your appetite in your taste of music haha! Top stuff, thanks for sharing your thoughts!
  
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  1. Yernasia Quorelios
    
    Jul 2, 2021 at 9:59 am
    
    💜 …’aving Being Away from Old Blighty for a while ‘aven’t heard “top stuff” for a mo’ or two EveryOne; or ‘top dog’ et al either, maybe I NEED!!! a ‘Kip’ to Dream about Blighty…ergo, YOU!!! ARE Most Welcome SupaSoulBro; it’s a Pleasure to Share and Serve, Stay Strong and Serene…
    
    nisi mortuus nec neque nolite vicit 🤭🤫🤐
    
    …💛💚💙…
    
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  2. Yernasia Quorelios
    
    Jul 2, 2021 at 11:50 am
    
    💜 Particularly ‘Brothers [Sisters and Others] In Arms’ ~ Dire Straits EveryOne; music is The Great Joiner, The Glue that Binds Us Together while Some Seek To Tear Us Apart, Putting yet “Another Brick” in ‘The Wall’ ~ Pink Floyd
    
    …💛💚💙…
    
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  3. manvmusic
    
    Jul 2, 2021 at 6:05 pm
    
    Dire Straits and Pink Floyd are fantastic, and definitely worthy to attain on the list. Some say Floyd are overrated with their music making, but you can’t dismiss how iconic it’s been.
    
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  4. Content Catnip
    
    Jul 3, 2021 at 11:21 pm
    
    I rate Dire Straits too…I don’t know why I thought they were from the US
    
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  5. manvmusic
    
    Jul 4, 2021 at 7:07 am
    
    For a second, I did too! Their music is drawn more from southern rock I reckon, so that’s why I suppose we link them to the US.
    
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  6. Content Catnip
    
    Jul 4, 2021 at 9:08 am
    
    Yes I think they have ab American sound and weren’t they in some Hollywood movies like Top Gun soundtrack, I don’t know why but I always associate Dire Straits with America
    
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  7. manvmusic
    
    Jul 4, 2021 at 10:46 am
    
    Hmm, back to some research for me, me thinks! Have nooo idea
    
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2loud2oldmusic

Jul 2, 2021 at 12:29 am

There are so many…
Queen
Judas Priest
Led Zeppelin
Black Sabbath
Iron Maiden
Elton John
Robbie Williams
George Michaels
The Beatles
Def Leppard
The Who
Rolling Stones
I could go on and on.

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1. manvmusic
  
  Jul 2, 2021 at 7:26 am
  
  Ahh yes, that’s a couple more votes for Queen, Zeppelin and Sabbath now. The Who is a likely contender that has been fairly missed out on a lot of other lists, which is interesting! Elton John is a prolific artist name that keeps – and has cropped – up in pretty much everyone else’s top ten. Ah YEA – I initially forgot about Priest amongst the night of Sabbath and Maiden, but they’re certainly there – more so for the iconic vocals and dark musical undertones. For myself, I actually think Rolling Stones are fairly overrated. Now, this may be the fact that I was born in the wrong generation, but there’s certainly more influential and iconic artists within the British isles, then the Stones. But hey, that may be just me! I wasn’t brought up with their music, I suppose! Let me
  Know your cravings on this one, and what makes them so special.
  
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  1. Yernasia Quorelios
    
    Jul 2, 2021 at 10:12 am
    
    💜 Wrinkly and Rocking “Rolling Stones” is ALL; it’s Crystal Clear Clarity that “Age Ain’t Nuthin’ But a Number” ~ Artist Name Escapes Me EveryOne
    
    …💛💚💙…
    
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  2. Content Catnip
    
    Jul 4, 2021 at 9:10 am
    
    Black Sabbath is iconic, my bf loves them I don’t mind them but never really found them that exciting tho
    
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  3. manvmusic
    
    Jul 4, 2021 at 10:47 am
    
    Yeah, such beast and beautiful music all at the same time – your bf has stellar music taste haha! You cannae ignore the sheer power within the likes of Warpigs ..
    
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2. Content Catnip
  
  Jul 3, 2021 at 11:20 pm
  
  Love this list of classics 👌🤗
  
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Content Catnip

Jul 3, 2021 at 11:19 pm

Aphex Twin, New Order, Joy Division, Kate Bush, Massive Attack, The Prodigy, Goldfrapp, PJ Harvey, Led Zeppelin, Portishead, Brian Eno, Lush, Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins, Everything But the Girl….
Geez I could go on for ages this is just the beginning of my list

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1. manvmusic
  
  Jul 4, 2021 at 7:06 am
  
  Haha it’s getting to be a pretty long list ain’t it? This is such a fantastic collective of artists, and certainly reveals your particular genre favourites in the world of music. Aphex Twin and Kate Bush are avid favourites of mine, too. They have appeared a few times on other people’s lists, so may very well get at least top15! That certainly goes the same for Zeppelin and ENO – FANTASTIC PICKS!!!
  
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  1. Content Catnip
    
    Jul 4, 2021 at 9:11 am
    
    Favourite Kate Bush album is probably The Sensual World for me
    
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  2. manvmusic
    
    Jul 4, 2021 at 10:49 am
    
    Oooh, that’s a shout tbf. My gf is a huge fan of Kate Bush, her favourite has always been Hounds of Love for the childhood connections she makes with it, ever since her mum whacked it on for a listen! She’s a desirable artist who makes fantastic and lush music
    
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Content Catnip

Jul 3, 2021 at 11:30 pm

The Cure, The Cranberries, Blur, The Smiths, Pink Floyd, Simply Red, M People, U2, Fine Young Cannibals, Pet Shop Boys

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1. manvmusic
  
  Jul 4, 2021 at 7:10 am
  
  THE LIST GOES ON! Haha thank you so much for your artist additions. I will be sure to get the list drawn soon with all the marvellous comments and artist picks people have gone with! It’s another for Cure, Blur, Smiths and Floyd!
  
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  1. Content Catnip
    
    Jul 4, 2021 at 8:58 am
    
    I am excited to see that list 😍 we have finally got Spotify in our house yay! So much better than listening to the ads on YouTube. So here is a list of my artists if you are interested in hearing them, it will be good to hear your playlist 🙂 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2GEwyYYvlRzMWU8dGIxCnd?si=In7Ygab6QVGF8zTSKFDFBQ&utm_source=copy-link&dl_branch=1
    
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  2. manvmusic
    
    Jul 4, 2021 at 10:45 am
    
    yes yes YES! Hahar thank you so much for this! It’s hugely aspirational to see so many British artists in this playlist … I’ll bear in mind your picks for sure when I somehow complete this list of THE BEST AND AWESOME OF ALL TIME muhahaha. Thanks for your support as ALWAYS, Catnip!
    
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Content Catnip

Jul 4, 2021 at 9:07 am

I don’t know if Ireland is considered British hehe 🤭 but I did include Cranberries and U2 in my list hmm not sure if that is right I love these bands though.

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1. manvmusic
  
  Jul 4, 2021 at 10:45 am
  
  Yeah – in a way! Haha either all, they’re all based within the British Isles so I’ll take it and add ‘em to the contender list! Thank u
  
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EclecticMusicLover

Jul 5, 2021 at 8:26 pm

I’m a bit late to this party, but off the top of my pointy old head, here are my entries for Best British Music Acts:
1. Beatles (of course)
2. Rolling Stones (they’re most definitely not overrated)
3. Elton John
4. Led Zeppelin
5. Pink Floyd
6. Tears For Fears
7. The Who
8. The Kinks
9. Queen
10. Pet Shop Boys

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1. manvmusic
  
  Jul 6, 2021 at 11:05 am
  
  Ah marvellous top ten listing here, Jeff! I’ll add them to the potentials, and I’ll be drawing up the definite list soon, I’m sure! Zeppelin, Floyd and Elton have appeared more than a few times, mind. I’m loving the love British acts are getting – and rightly so! The sheer strength in numbers we have – and have had – over the years is phenomenal. Our industry and their associated acts are blossoming once more!
  
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  1. EclecticMusicLover
    
    Jul 6, 2021 at 3:14 pm
    
    As you may have guessed from my posts, I review quite a few British artist & bands, many of whom are incredibly good. There is an astonishing amount of musical talent in the UK for sure.
    
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  2. manvmusic
    
    Jul 6, 2021 at 6:36 pm
    
    hahaha brilliant! Love to hear that, my friend. Love to hear.
    
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Art of the Beat

Jul 5, 2021 at 11:50 pm

The Kinks and Pet Shop Boys! I may have worn out a cassette tape or two from these bands backin the day.

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1. manvmusic
  
  Jul 6, 2021 at 11:07 am
  
  Ah haha that’s beautiful to hear. Both fabulous bands, in a time of struggle. Pet Shop Boys are the perfect summer backdrop for all things musical. Simply fantastic music. I’ll add them to the list! Appreciate the words, support and the need for me to listen to both these legendary acts again!
  
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Andrew

Oct 10, 2021 at 2:50 am

I’ll provide a top ten, in no particular order.

Def Leppard
Pink Floyd
Led Zeppelin
The Cure
The Cult
Iron Maiden
Muse
Bloc Party
Ozzy
The Police

I’d put U2 in there, but you didn’t say UK. Crap, Stereophonics are Welsh. I have to take them out now. Damn, I love that band!

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1. manvmusic
  
  Oct 10, 2021 at 9:19 am
  
  Smashing stuff. I love Stereophonics and the Welsh of Jones. Kelly’s voice is such a good one, really tops the band in the alternative rock scene.
  
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Andrew

Oct 10, 2021 at 12:48 pm

Kelly Jones has a unique voice. I can’t think of anyone who sounds like him. I absolutely love Bloc Party too. I know he’s been replaced in the band, but Matt Tong has to be the fastest drummer to come along since Stephen Morris of New Order. Matt and Gordon made up one of the best rhythm sections in all of current music, in my opinion.

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