[2025] A roundup of classic UK rock songs: from the latest tracks to timeless staples!
These days, whether you look at the charts in the U.
S.
or the U.
K.
, pop, hip-hop, and R&B dominate the top spots, so rock fans might be feeling a bit left out.
That said, UK rock has long been popular among Japanese listeners of Western music, and even now, as we approach the mid-2020s, a new generation of talented bands is emerging.
Taking into account that veteran bands are also releasing strong tracks, this article highlights the latest UK rock gems in the first half, and then moves on to a lineup packed with timeless classics.
If you’re new to UK rock, be sure to check it out!
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- Great Western rock classics and hit songs of the ’90s
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- [2025] Must-Sing! A Roundup of Popular Western Rock Songs for Karaoke
- Western Rock Music Popularity Ranking [2025]
[2025] A roundup of classic UK rock songs: from the latest tracks to timeless staples! (91–100)
Sounds Like BalloonsBiffy Clyro
It’s a song that develops from a light, breezy sound into a powerful chorus.
As an aside, Simon Neil, the vocalist/guitarist of Biffy Clyro, tends to wear his guitar relatively high, but I felt a coolness that transcends details like that.
In My PlaceColdplay
A song where a heart-tightening sense of longing coexists with a warm feeling wrapped in kindness.
Even within its relaxed tempo, the powerful drums and the piano’s soul-penetrating tone leave a strong impression.
Released in August 2002, this track is included on the album “A Rush of Blood to the Head” and reached No.
2 on the UK Singles Chart.
At the 2003 Grammy Awards, it won Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Singing of heartbreak, regret, and hope, this song is perfect for moments when you’re standing at a crossroads in life or want to reexamine a relationship with someone important.
Its resonant lyrics and beautiful melody are sure to soothe your heart.
[2025] A roundup of iconic UK rock songs: from the latest tracks to timeless classics! (101–110)
Your SongElton John
It was included on the 1970 album Elton John.
He is a singer-songwriter who debuted in 1969.
With total record sales exceeding 300 million, he is one of the world’s leading hitmakers.
Known for his love of soccer, he once purchased the English team Watford and served as its owner.
The Best Tears of Your LifeEnglish Teacher
This is a moving song by English Teacher, a cutting-edge indie band the UK is proud of, featured on their April 2024 album “This Could Be Texas.” It’s characterized by a musicality that transcends the bounds of post-punk and lyrics that delicately depict heartbreak and sorrow.
Lily Fontaine’s expressive vocals stir the listener’s heart.
While portraying ruptures in relationships and shifts in emotion, the piece also deftly captures self-discovery and growth.
Its innovative sound, incorporating experimental elements, signals a bold new chapter for the band.
Highly recommended for anyone seeking a track that closely resonates with the subtleties of the heart.
The End of the ContenderEverything Everything
Hailing from Manchester, UK, Everything Everything are a band at the forefront of the art rock scene, steadfastly maintaining a stance that resists trends.
Their single The End of the Contender from their latest album Mountainhead encapsulates the band’s experimental and multifaceted musicality.
The track features lyrics rich with deep insight into society and the individual, deftly portraying the tumult of the modern world and personal introspection.
It’s a song that showcases their distinctive sound, an exquisite blend of electronica and indie rock.
Pressure PadFolly Group
Folly Group, who brought a fresh breeze to the music scene with their debut EP “Awake And Hungry” in 2021, are a rising experimental post-punk band based in London.
“Pressure Pad,” a single from their January 2024 album “Down There!,” fuses a distinctive sound with a profound message.
The track explores the beauty and complexity of surrendering oneself to the flow of relationships, unfolding alongside an unexpected trumpet section.
Its rich musicality and reflections of urban reality make it relatable to anyone swept up in the routines of big-city life.
It’s recommended for listeners who want to step back from London’s bustle to face themselves, or who are seeking new musical discoveries.
Folly Group’s “Pressure Pad” is a track that will add vibrant color to city living.
HallelujahHappy Mondays
A track released in 1989 by a band that epitomized Manchester, it’s one of the standout songs on a legendary EP that topped the UK indie charts.
This strike from Happy Mondays, leaders of the so-called Madchester scene, still ignites dance floors today.
Shaun Ryder’s distinctive vocals blend perfectly with a groovy, rave-evoking sound.
With lyrics that celebrate a life unbound by society’s constraints, the song captured the spirit of the youth at the time.
A must-listen for anyone seeking a fusion of dance music and rock.