‘What’s the most British song ever?’ – 22 contenders for the alternative UK national anthem

‘Parklife is the obvious pick but I think Common People by Pulp might have it beat, that song is basically a sociology lecture set to music. The way it captures class tension and that specific kind of British cynicism is unreal

I remember hearing it for the first time at a pub in Manchester and the whole place just stopped what they were doing, everyone knew every word.’
–Wonderful_Income_433

‘Time for heroes – The Libertines. Wombles reference – plus ‘there are fewer more distressing sights than that of an Englishman in a baseball cap’.’
–Cowgoescamus

‘Ghost Town – The Specials.’
–PatrickMustard

‘Born Slippy. LAGER LAGER LAGER LAGER!’
–banananey

‘That’s Entertainment by The Jam.’
–quetalputa

‘Cool For Cats by Squeeze. That can’t come out of another place.’
–BusterGonad25

‘Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci – Patio Song. It’s got an English bit, a Welsh bit, Welsh-accented vocals, and it’s about having a lovely day despite your patio being on fire. What more could you want?’
–Mticore

‘Waterloo Sunset is basically a love letter to London.’
–BrokenSnowNose

‘Dance Wiv Me, Dizzy Rascal. I heard this song quite a bit in the clubs when I was travelling and wound up in the UK.’
–Harl0t_Qu1nn

‘The Streets – Fit But You Know It.’
–liammcg13

‘Caught by the Fuzz by Supergrass.’
–durhamdale