Photo: Markus Unger / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
Manic Street Preachers are one of the most successful bands to emerge from Wales who first formed in 1986. Since the disappearance of guitarist Richey Edwards in 1995, the band has consisted of vocalist/guitarist James Dean Bradfield, his cousin Sean More on drums and bassist Nicky Wire. The band started off as a punk and glam influenced band with the release of their debut album Generation Terrorists in 1992. As their career went on, they evolved into a more alternative rock band which led to them gaining success during the Britpop era.
The Manics have been a very popular band throughout their career, often playing many of the Uk’s biggest festivals. They have also been nominated for many awards and have won several of them. In 1995, the band were the subject of one the most mysterious and tragic events in rock history when guitarist Richey Edwards disappeared and was never seen again. Despite several claimed sightings of Edwards over the years, he has never surfaced and in 2011 was officially presumed dead. Nevertheless the band have carried on in the years since his departure, and here are ten of the best songs from their career.
# 10 – Last Christmas
Kicking off this Manic Street Preachers Songs list we have a surprising entry that is a cover of the George Michael classic that was never released and never actually recorded. The band played it at a number of shows and television appearances around the Christmas period of 1994. What makes it great is that it isn’t just some cheesy office party-style drunken singalong. The band actually manage to make it genuinely heartfelt and dark.
# 9 – La Trisstesse Durera (Scream to a Sigh)
This track was the single from the band’s second album Gold Against the Soul released in 1993. It reached number twenty-two on the UK charts. The title of the song is taken from the last words spoken by Vincent Van Gough. The lyrical concept is written from the perspective of a war veteran. Musically, it has a grunge-esque fell to it. When it was released it contained the B-side “Patrick Bateman,” a song about the titular character from “American Psycho.”
# 8 – Everything Must Go
Here is the title track from the band’s fourth album released in 1996. It was the second single to be released from the record. It charted at number five on the UK charts. The song is apparently a message to fans after the disappearance of Richey Edwards. The message is that although the music has changed, the band are still the same. The song does indeed, see the band going in a more adventurous direction, featuring violins and Sean Moore reportedly had a lot more freedom with what he could do with the drums in terms of space.
# 7 – Stay Beautiful
Here we go all the way back to the beginning with the band’s first single from Generation Terrorists released in 1991. The song originally shared its title with the album. It is a pure example of the band’s earlier punk-influenced sound. It just about managed to get into the UK Top forty. However, it failed to do so when it was re-released six years later, only managing to reach number fifty-two. The song has also managed to have its influence on wider popular culture, being the inspiration for a slogan used in a car advert and even having a club named after it.
# 6 – Little Baby Nothing
Here is a track that was the sixth and final single to be released from Generation Terrorists. It features guest vocals from American actress and singer Traci Lords. The song is about the exploitation of women and the band approached Lords to sing on it due to her previous involvement in the adult film industry. They originally wanted Kylie Minogue to do it but she was not available. It reached number twenty-nine on the Uk charts.
# 5 – So Why So Sad?
This track is taken from the band’s sixth album Know Your Enemy released in 2001. It was a joint single that was released alongside “Found That Soul.” It reached number eight on the UK singles chart. It is one of the band’s more melancholy numbers that lyrically tackles the issue of depression and anxiety and how it is often experienced by people who live comfortable lives. It was the only song from this album to be included on the 2002 compilation Forever Delayed.
# 4 – Faster
Here we have a track taken from what is considered to be Manic’s classic album from 1994 titled The Holy Bible. It reached number sixteen on the Uk singles chart. A song that is a mixture of rock, punk and indie, it features a sample at the beginning taken from the film adaptation of George Orwell’s “1984”, by actor John Hurt. Like the previous entry in this list, it was also the only single from its respective album to be featured on Forever Delayed.
# 3 – PCP
This track is the closing number of The Holy Bible. The album’s lyrical content was heavily dominated by Edwards and his battles with depression and self-harm, and this track is no exception. The fact that it is final track on the final album that Edwards played on makes it particularly haunting. The album is considered to be one of the greatest British rock albums of all time as well as one of the saddest pieces of work ever created.
# 2 – If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next
Just off the top spot we have a track that was released as the first single from the band’s fifth album Here’s My Truth So Tell Me Yours. It reached number one on the UK Singles chart. Inspired by the Spanish Civil War, the track is regarded as one of the most poignant tracks ever to speak out about the issue of racism and fascism. Ironically, the song was used in 2009 on the website of the fascist British National Party.
# 1 – Motorcycle Emptiness
At the top spot we have what is the best-known cut from the band’s early period. Released in 1992, it was the first single to be taken from Generation Terrorists. Musically the song stands out from most of the faster punk influenced that the band was largely producing at the time. It is a power ballad and in many ways is a pre-cursor to the sound that they would become more known for. It reached number seventeen on the UK singles chart.
![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
