[2025] A roundup of classic UK rock songs: from the latest tracks to timeless staples!

NaiveThe Kooks

The Kooks – Naive

This song, where nostalgic guitar riffs intersect with a powerful rhythm, is emblematic of 2000s British indie rock.

Released as a single by the Kooks in March 2006, it shines with a youthful glow in which the anxieties and expectations of romance intertwine.

With its catchy melody and lyrics that capture the sensibilities of young people, it reached No.

5 on the UK Singles Chart and became the 19th best-selling single of the year in the UK.

Chosen as the fourth single from the album Inside In/Inside Out, it has been widely featured in film and TV soundtracks and has earned broad support, especially among younger listeners.

It’s the perfect track to color a page of youth—whether for conversations with friends or heart-fluttering moments of love.

Somebody To LoveQueen

Queen – Somebody To Love (Official Video)

I definitely think Queen has beautiful choruses, but I feel this song reaches its climax from the moment Freddie Mercury starts playing the piano.

As always, the vocals are gorgeous, and I don’t think there are many vocalists who can sing so naturally with that level of nuance and dynamic expression.

Song 2Blur

Blur – Song 2 (Official Music Video)

This is a song that’s been used in numerous commercials.

It’s the kind of track that makes you want to blast the guitar along with that iconic shout.

I was shocked when I found out that the vocalist, Damon Albarn, was also in Gorillaz.

Where The Streets Have No NameU2

U2 – Where The Streets Have No Name (Official Music Video)

The intro guitar and delay are simply amazing.

This is a precious track that changed my perception of rock.

Bono’s powerful vocals, The Edge’s delay-driven guitar, and Adam and Larry’s rhythm all come together as one in this song.

Little Bit CloserSam Fender

Little Bit Closer

A masterful song that vividly depicts the feelings of young people confronting an oppressive society and loneliness has arrived from British singer-songwriter Sam Fender.

This work weaves intricate guitar work with an arresting tenor vocal, delicately expressing the loneliness and anxiety of people living today.

Released as an advance single from the album “People Watching,” which came out in February 2025, it has also been chosen as the theme song for the film “The Last Connection,” slated for release the same year.

Its powerful sound, influenced by Bruce Springsteen, and its raw, hometown-rooted lyrics drawn from experiences in North Shields, England, resonate deeply.

It’s a track for everyone seeking connection amid the clamor of the city.

Rock & Roll QueenThe Subways

The Subways – Rock & Roll Queen (Official Video)

An anthem of youth released in June 2005 by The Subways, who burst out of the UK indie rock scene.

It’s a track defined by energetic guitar riffs overflowing with youth and passion, and powerful vocals.

As a signature song from their debut album “Young for Eternity,” it reached No.

22 on the UK chart.

In addition to being featured on the soundtracks of the Hollywood films “Live Free or Die Hard” and “RocknRolla,” the band themselves appeared to perform it in a notable scene on the hit TV series The O.

C.

In 2020, they created versions in 20 languages to mark the song’s 15th anniversary.

A staple at major festivals like Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds, this track is perfect for moments when you want to go all out with energy.

R U Mine?Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys – R U Mine? (Official Video)

The band’s ensemble has a well-resonant low end, and the vocals and chorus feel like they’re coming in from a different angle.

The guitar riff sounds somewhat crushed, perhaps because of a fuzz-like effect, but that actually makes it all the more memorable.