Derided for its derivative nature and much maligned for unashamedly revelling in style and attitude Britpop - that gobby, effete and arch musical sub-genre that dominated the British charts from 1992 to 1997 - was nonetheless the last bona fide cultural music phenomenon to bless these shores. A lot of it was eminently forgettable dross (Northern Uproar, Marion, Strangelove) but at its best the scene's brightest talents were capable of both infectious terrace chant choruses and tear-jerking melancholy, sometimes within the same song.
This ranking is difficult for me to be objective about since I grew up with these songs and dozens like them. The list is highly subjective in two ways. Firstly - and most unforgivably - I am bowing to my prejudice against the electronica of the era. I never loved The Prodigy, Underworld or even Portishead as keenly as I did Suede, the Auteurs or Ash and so I have made the decision to exclude these artists and focus pretty much exclusively on guitar rock and pop. The fault, I acknowledge, is mine. Secondly, I decided not to completely cave in to received wisdom and traditional hierarchy by placing all the acknowledged classics in the top positions. Whilst the top 3 will surprise nobody there are hopefully other entries in this list that will cause the odd eyebrow to be raised. As well as hoisting supposedly second tier artists into the upper echelons I have not always opted for the obvious tracks from the big hitters either.
Let the gnashing of teeth and indignation at the lack of Republica begin...
50
In marked contrast to many of their Britpop brethren Glasgow's Bis attempted to revitalise the twee pop aesthetic of the previous decade with this peppy number
49
The erstwhile ravers returned from the wilderness with this faux-Stones stomper, a spookily prescient nod to Britpop's veneration of its classic rock heritage
48
Born from the ashes of the seminal Las John Power's scouse quartet could never quite match their genius but, as 'Alright' proves, they still knew their way around a catchy pop song
47
Skunk Anansie were famous for their punkish rage and lyrical vitriol but, with the heartfelt ballad 'Hedonism,' lead singer Skin was able to showcase a softer, more vulnerable side
46
Coming on like a scally Bonnie and Clyde 'Me and You...' is Space's finest three minutes and typifies their cheeky, upbeat music and wry, observational lyrics
45
Welsh groups made a huge contribution to the Britpop scene, none more so than Kelly Jones' band of passionate guitar rockers. The momentum of 'A Thousand Trees' still takes your breath away
44
Another of Britpop's cheeky chappie brigade Dodgy crafted this sunny, singalong summer anthem with sweet harmonies and a big, blissful chorus
43
One of the many groups given a second wind by Britpop Ian Broudie's band of scouse troubadours provided the scene with many of its sweetest melodies
42
This bubblegum punk-pop zeitgeist-jumper about the pitfalls of staying out all night is Britpop at its fabulously silly and superficial best
41
The 60s lounge stylings of Saint Etienne were perfectly suited to the retro reverence of Britpop and this drop dead gorgeous ballad also echoes the scene's faded glamour
40
This indie veteran's acerbic snapshot of the Camden scene and its assorted hangers-on is possibly the greatest aural encapsulation of the madness of the times
39
The eagerly awaited reincarnation of Shaun Ryder and Bez did not disappoint and this filthy groove with its provocative lyrics was their delirious highpoint
38
Although wildly over-rated and overplayed at the time (thank you, Chris Evans) this dad-rock classic possessed an undeniably monumental riff
37
Everybody's favourite Bradford-based light-metallers certainly knew their way around a big chorus and they didn't come any bigger than this beery sing-a-long
36
Second only to 'Every Breath You Take' in the pantheon of misunderstood (anti) love songs this stark story of sexual exploitation became a surprise monster smash
35
An early Britpop belter that became a surprise hit on US college radio 'Laid' is a frenzied rocker that rejoices in its quirky, subversive lyrics and impassioned delivery
34
Neil Hannon was very much the self-styled Noel Coward of Britpop and this louche, elegantly witty number was a major contribution to the era's glorious high camp
33
And while we are on the subject of camp, Brian Molko and co. ramped up the hypersexual androgyny of the times with this grinding belter positively dripping in filth
32
The much anticipated return of Baggy's finest may have ultimately proved a disappointment but this skyscraping ballad is testimony to their awesome talents
31
The most accessible track from the quirky prog-popsters 'Stripper Vicar' is a catchy slice of Carry On campery with a delicious twist ending
30
With harmonies soaring and guitars jangling this typically sunny number from the great indie survivors is another outrageously neglected Britpop gem
29
Featuring a certain Richard Hawley on lead guitar this Sheffield quartet never bettered this slow-building freak out complete with demented drumming and wailing vocals
28
Written off by many as opportunistic Smiths' impersonators Gene crafted many a fine tune in their time with this mournful, melodramatic ballad being a particular standout
27
Whilst they would doubtless balk at being lumped in with the Britpop crowd the Northern Irish metal trio's pop-punk corker chimed perfectly with the adrenalin-fuelled times
26
If Britpop had a revered fountainhead then it was the so-called Modfather Paul Weller. The choppy, pulsating Changingman was his most enduring track from the era
25
One of the finest of Britpop's upbeat anthems, this bouncy, melodic paean to ambition and aspiration was just one of a host of great singles from Sonya Madan's footsoldiers
24
Seamlessly melding spiky guitar pop with keenly observed social satire 'Inbetweener' pointed the way for lead singer (and Britpop pin-up) Louise Wener's future career as a comic novelist
23
Luke Haines was the grumpy young man of Britpop and this sardonic early classic lays down a template for much of the baroque guitar pop that was to become a hallmark of the era
22
Britpop was awash with witty, densely written songs; none more so than this breathless examination of idiot masculinity and the burgeoning 'lad' culture
21
In many ways Britpop's last hurrah this ode to outsider romance was the fey Scottish indie popsters finest four minutes and provided British alternative music with an exciting new direction
20
The York quartet surprised everyone with the consistency of their 'A Maximum High' album and this, its standout single, a cinematic piece of horn-blasting brilliance
19
This infectious barnstormer became ubiquitous in the mid-90s and justifiably so; few bands could match the Radleys for melodic invention and optimistic guitar jangle
18
Easy pickings for those who lamented Britpop's veneration of style over substance, Menswear actually produced a run of fantastic 45s. This achingly beautiful ballad should have been a number one
17
Drenched in sitar and woozy psychedelia Crispin Mills' obsession with Eastern mysticism ensured that 'Tattva' really stood out from the dad-rock crowd
16
With its abrupt shifts in tempo and oblique lyrics 'Slight Return' was perhaps a surprise hit, but its enigmatic charm has ensured that it still holds up well today
15
The Charlatans' second coming coincided with the downward trajectory of Britpop as a whole but this slinky rocker is a terrific addition to their impressive canon
14
The Manics first release since the disappearance of their bassist Richey Edwards was a monumental epic anchored in blazing guitar, keening strings and class war rhetoric
13
The renaissance of Edwyn Collins was one of the most delightful by-products of Britpop and his signature song, with its now-iconic central riff, remains a masterpiece
12
Dogged both by their connection to Britpop superstars Blur and criticism of their derivative chords Elastica truly shone on this impeccable (and very funny) pop song
11
It may not be as polished or well-known as 'Girl From Mars' or 'Goldfinger' but for sheer bratty, helter-skelter fun the pop culture references of 'Kung Fu' beat all-comers
10
Forget the interminable dirge that is 'Bittersweet Symphony' and wallow instead in this brooding, stately ballad; one of the most nakedly emotional that Britpop produced
9
The Super Furrys' glorious debut shimmers with Celtic mysticism and impenetrable allusions before erupting in a climax of exultant harmonic bliss. One hell of a calling card
8
This irrepressible anthem to being young and doing what you want became Britpop's 'My Generation,' albeit considerably more cheeky and benevolent in tone
7
Brett Anderson et al were true Britpop pioneers, forcing their way into the mainstream with glam rock stompers like this. The precocious talents of lead guitarist Bernard Butler didn't hurt either
6
Arguably the very first Britpop 45 this punchy, horn-blaring racket signalled a new direction for British indie music, away from the insular and hurtling headlong into the expansive
5
Before she became a respectable TV presenter Lauren Laverne sassed her way through the most unfairly neglected garage rock gem of the decade. 'Punka' was as good a manifesto as Britpop ever had
4
Those who feared for Bernard Butler's career after he quit Suede were silenced as soon as they heard the sweeping majesty of 'Yes,' replete with David McAlmont's soaring vocals
3
Radiohead evoke emotional responses that other bands can only dream of and this astonishing, skewed ballad builds to a crescendo so powerful it is almost heartbreaking
2
The Gallagher brothers were Britpop icons for a reason. Only a band with supreme self-confidence and self-belief could have pulled off so audacious a track as 'Live Forever,' with its straightforward, life affirming lyrics married to an indie 'wall of sound' of awesome sonic power
1
Could it really have been anything else? A good shout for song of the decade let alone best Britpop anthem Jarvis Cocker's masterpiece is witty, scabrous, flippant, poignant and great to dance to. The lyrics have the potency of a literary short story and the music is sly yet muscular enough to more than do the words justice. A stone cold classic
