“Army Dreamers” is a song by Kate Bush released in 1980. It tells the story of a grieving mother for her young adult son, killed during military maneuvers. The song tackles the poignant theme of young soldiers losing their lives in service. Kate Bush, known for her unique style and distinctive voice, often explores complex subjects in her songs. The video for the song features Kate Bush in camouflage, surrounded by soldiers in a wooded setting.

The music video is directed by Keef.

Writer(s) : Catherine Bush Publisher(s) : Kate Bush Music Ltd
Genres : Pop, Rock, Folk/Acoustic,art pop, art rock, baroque pop, new wave pop, permanent wave, piano rock, singer-songwriter

Genres : Pop, Rock, Folk/Acoustic,art pop, art rock, baroque pop, new wave pop, permanent wave, piano rock, singer-songwriter

The music video is directed by Keef

Featured on the album 1980,Never for Ever

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

19.38% / -0.53%

British rock band XTC’s “The Mayor of Simpleton,” penned by Andy Partridge and helmed by producer Paul Fox, debuts as the vibrant lead single from their 1989 album “Oranges & Lemons.”

Initially molded as a slower, reggae-tinged track, it morphs into an effervescent pop anthem, anchored by Colin Moulding’s deliberately orchestrated bass lines, intricate guitar layers, and vocal harmonies.

Reaching No. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100 and claiming the peak of the US Alternative Songs chart, it unfolds as a clever ode to emotional intelligence, playfully juxtaposing the narrator’s academic gaps with an endearing capacity for love.

XTC, formed in 1972 and rebranded in 1976, sidestepped live audiences post-1982 due to Partridge’s stage fright but secured cult reverence with “Black Sea” and “English Settlement.”

“The Mayor of Simpleton” punctuates a three-year hiatus following 1986’s “Skylarking.”

The music video is directed by Jim Blashfield.

Writer(s) : Andrew John Partridge Publisher(s) : Bmg Vm Music Limited
Genres : post_punk

Genres : Rock, Folk/Acoustic, Pop,alternative rock, art punk, art rock, beatlesque, new romantic, new wave, new wave pop, post-punk, power pop, uk post-punk, zolo

Featured on the album 1989,Oranges & Lemons

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

14.13% / 0.49%

Featuring symphonic rock elements with modern synthesizers for its time, “Twilight” by Electric Light Orchestra, released in 1981, stands out with its dynamic opening and rich vocal harmonies. Written by Jeff Lynne, the track became iconic after being used without authorization in the 1983 animated short film “Daicon IV Opening Animation,” produced for the Daicon IV science fiction convention in Japan, and later became a cult favorite in Japanese otaku culture.

The music video is directed by Bev Bevan.

Writer(s) : Jeffrey Lynne Publisher(s) : Alleytime Ltd, Polygon Music
Genres : Rock, Folk/Acoustic,album rock, art rock, beatlesque, classic rock, glam rock, mellow gold, rock, soft rock, symphonic rock

Genres : Rock, Folk/Acoustic,album rock, art rock, beatlesque, classic rock, glam rock, mellow gold, rock, soft rock, symphonic rock

The music video is directed by Bev Bevan

Featured on the album 1981,Time

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

13.57% / -0.29%

“Generals and Majors” by XTC skewers war-time clichés with a sardonic nod to “oh, what a lovely war.”

Colin Moulding delivers vocals and basslines laced in irony, while Andy Partridge’s jagged guitar riffs and vocals add pointed contrast.

Produced by Steve Lillywhite, the track marches to Terry Chambers’ clipped drumming.

The video features Richard Branson—then-owner of Virgin Records—wandering through the absurdity.

Writer(s) : Colin Ivor Moulding Publisher(s) : Bmg Vm Music Limited
Genres : vintage_power_pop

Genres : Rock, Folk/Acoustic, Pop,alternative rock, art punk, art rock, beatlesque, new romantic, new wave, new wave pop, post-punk, power pop, uk post-punk, zolo

The music video is directed by Marcus Adams

Featured on the album 1980,Black Sea

13.49% / -0.02%

Originally conceived as an instrumental piece called “Moondust” by Reeves Gabrels, the song was revised by Bowie and Brian Eno and released in 1995 as “Hallo Spaceboy.” In 1996, the remixed version by Pet Shop Boys incorporated elements from their song “Space Oddity,” adding a pop dimension to the track. Bowie performed “Hallo Spaceboy” with Nine Inch Nails during his American tour, and later with Pet Shop Boys at the 1996 Brit Awards.

The music video is directed by David Mallet.

Writer(s) : Brian Peter George Eno, David Bowie Publisher(s) : Opal Music (Gb 1), Tintoretto Music
Genres : Rock,art rock, classic rock, glam rock, permanent wave, rock

Genres : Rock,art rock, classic rock, glam rock, permanent wave, rock

The music video is directed by David Mallet

Featured on the album 1995,Outside

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

13.47% / -0.41%

Todd Rundgren’s “Bang The Drum All Day,” released in 1983, has become an anthem for anyone preferring fun over work. Rundgren played all the instruments, mainly electronic ones, a novelty at the time. Football fans know it as the celebratory tune for Green Bay Packers’ touchdowns at Lambeau Field since 1995.

Writer(s) : Todd Harry Rundgren Publisher(s) : Fiction Music Inc
Genres : Rock, R&B, Pop, Folk/Acoustic,art rock, country rock, folk rock, heartland rock, mellow gold, philly soul, power pop, singer-songwriter, soft rock, zolo

Genres : Rock, R&B, Pop, Folk/Acoustic,art rock, country rock, folk rock, heartland rock, mellow gold, philly soul, power pop, singer-songwriter, soft rock, zolo

Featured on the album 1983,The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

12.64% / -0.12%

David Bowie’s “The Hearts Filthy Lesson,” from 1995, marks a bold turn into industrial rock, crafted with Brian Eno’s experimental production techniques. Cryptic lyrics reference themes of decay and violence, embodied by the character Ramona A. Stone. The song’s gritty textures and dark tones align it with Bowie’s exploration of art and mortality, resonating with the unsettling aesthetic of the ’90s. Featured in Se7en, the song illustrates Bowie and Eno’s fascination with industrial sounds, blending dissonance and rhythm into a dense sonic tapestry.

Writer(s) : Brian Peter George Eno, Michael Garson (Usa), Erdal Kizilcay, David Bowie, Sterling Campbell, Reeves Gabrels Publisher(s) : Jones Music America, Tintoretto Music, Opal Music (Gb 1), Threptos Music
Genres : art_rock

Genres : Rock,art rock, classic rock, glam rock, permanent wave, rock

Featured on the album 1995,Outside

11.16% / -0.23%

“No Surprises” emerges from Radiohead’s third studio album, “OK Computer,” released on May 21, 1997.

It’s a creation of all band members and features a calming melody paired with a notable glockenspiel riff.

The track finds its way as the album’s third single on January 12, 1998, reaching No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart.

Its music video, directed by Grant Gee, showcases Thom Yorke’s face in a helmet that fills with water in a single shot.

Recorded in one take at St. Catherine’s Court, owned by Jane Seymour, the song took shape amid the album sessions.

It became a fixture in the band’s 1997-1998 world tour performances and appears in concert films like “Meeting People is Easy.”

With B-sides “Palo Alto” and “How I Made My Millions,” its release got substantial airplay and endures in Radiohead’s live sets.

You can find the song’s music video on platforms like YouTube.

The music video is directed by Grant Gee.

Writer(s) : Philip James Selway, Thomas Edward Yorke, Jonathan Greenwood, Colin Charle Greenwood, Edward John O Brien Publisher(s) : Warner Chappell Music Ltd
Genres : art_rock

Genres : Rock, Folk/Acoustic,alternative rock, art rock, melancholia, oxford indie, permanent wave, rock

Featured on the album 1997,OK Computer

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

11.00% / -0.26%

“Creep” by Radiohead, released in 1992, propels the band from their Oxfordshire roots into the global spotlight.

With its melancholic lyrics and haunting melody, the song captures themes of alienation and self-doubt.

Drawing influence from alternative rock giants like R.E.M. and the Pixies, “Creep” sets the stage for Radiohead’s exploration of complex emotional landscapes.

This single precedes an evolution in their sound, demonstrated in later albums like *The Bends* and *OK Computer*.

Writer(s) : Michael Edwa Rd Hazlewood, Albert Louis Hammond, Colin Charle S Greenwood, Thomas Yorke, Jonathan Greenwood, Philip Selway, Edward John O Brien Publisher(s) : Warner Chappell Music Ltd
Genres : art_rock

Genres : Rock, Folk/Acoustic,alternative rock, art rock, melancholia, oxford indie, permanent wave, rock

Featured on the album 1992,Pablo Honey

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

10.68% / 0.01%

“Take It Back” turns a rock ballad into a lopsided love story where the real affair is between mankind and the Earth—one party takes and lies, the other waits and watches.

Nature is cast as “her,” spied on and stolen from without remorse, while the narrator admits to ignoring every warning sign with the nonchalance of someone convinced she won’t mind.

But the song hints that if she ever decides to “take it back,” it won’t be with roses and apologies—it’ll be with a reckoning, abruptly flipping the dynamic like a verse torn from a nursery rhyme.

All of this unfolds over a melodic landscape that disguises eco-caution as heartbreak, sliding warnings under the radar by wrapping them in the language of regret and failed romance.

Writer(s) : David Jon Gilmour, Robert Ezrin, Robert Ezrin Publisher(s) : Pink Floyd Music Publishers Ltd
Genres : art_rock

Genres : Rock,album rock, art rock, classic rock, progressive rock, psychedelic rock, rock, symphonic rock

Featured on the album 1994,The Division Bell

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

10.66% / 0.11%

Remaining one of the most popular songs of the Phil Collins era, “Throwing It All Away” by Genesis, released in 1986, is a rock ballad illustrating their evolution towards a pop-oriented sound. The song talks about a couple going through a rough patch in their relationship, a recurring theme for Collins.

The music video is directed by James Yukich.

Writer(s) : Michael Rutherford, Anthony George Banks, Phillip Collins Publisher(s) : Imagem Songs Limited, Philip Collins Ltd, Michael Rutherford Publishing Ltd
Genres : Rock,album rock, art rock, classic rock, hard rock, mellow gold, progressive rock, rock, soft rock, symphonic rock

Genres : Rock,album rock, art rock, classic rock, hard rock, mellow gold, progressive rock, rock, soft rock, symphonic rock

The music video is directed by James Yukich

Featured on the album 1986,Invisible Touch

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

10.55% / -0.16%

Released on 18 August 2003, “Go To Sleep” by Radiohead saunters along with a runtime of 3:21 on the album Hail to the Thief.

Labeled alternative rock, it isn’t shy, managing a dance at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart while climbing to number two in Canada and number nine in Italy.

The song’s structure toys with 4/4 and 12/8 bars, presenting Jonny Greenwood’s “stuttering” guitar, enhanced through the GRM Tools plug-in for a granular, glitchy solo.

The accompanying CGI music video, courtesy of Alex Rutterford, paints Thom Yorke as an outsider strolling in a park as architecture around him falls and reimagines itself with a modern twist.

A live version from Osaka even found itself strumming for the War Child charity in 2004, offering another varied taste of this quirky track.

Writer(s) : Thomas Edward Yorke, Philip James Selway, Edward John O’Brien, Jonathan Greenwood, Colin Charles S Greenwood Publisher(s) : Warner Chappell Music Ltd
Genres : art_rock

Genres : Rock, Folk/Acoustic,alternative rock, art rock, melancholia, oxford indie, permanent wave, rock

The music video is directed by Alex Rutterford

Featured on the album 2002,Hail to the Thief

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

10.16% / -0.29%

Becoming a global hit, “China Girl,” released in 1983, was produced by Nile Rodgers and combines rock elements with Stevie Ray Vaughan’s guitar and new wave. The controversial music video features Bowie and an Asian actress, addressing themes of colonialism and interracial relationships. It’s said that co-writer Iggy Pop was inspired by a brief affair with a Vietnamese actress. He also revisited the track on his album “The Idiot.”

The music video is directed by David Mallet.

Writer(s) : James Jr Osterberg, David Bowie Publisher(s) : Emi Music Publishing Ltd, Unknown Publisher
Genres : Rock,art rock, classic rock, glam rock, permanent wave, rock

Genres : Rock,art rock, classic rock, glam rock, permanent wave, rock

The music video is directed by David Mallet

Featured on the album 1983,Let’s Dance

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

9.99% / -0.23%

“Baker Street” by Gerry Rafferty, released in 1978, is famous for its iconic saxophone riff played by Raphael Ravenscroft. The song was written during a difficult transition period for Rafferty after leaving his former band Stealers Wheel. The track describes life in a bustling city, inspired by the eponymous street in London where Rafferty stayed with a friend. The success of “Baker Street” propelled Rafferty to international stardom, reaching the second spot on the Billboard Hot 100. It is said that Ravenscroft was only paid 27 pounds for his solo before later earning much more in royalties.

The music video is directed by Liam Genockey.

Writer(s) : Gerald Rafferty Publisher(s) : Stage Three Music Limited
Genres : Rock,art rock, classic rock, folk rock, mellow gold, soft rock

Genres : Rock,art rock, classic rock, folk rock, mellow gold, soft rock

The music video is directed by Liam Genockey

Featured on the album 1978,City to City

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

9.77% / -0.12%

Reflecting Electric Light Orchestra’s transition to more electronic sounds, “So Serious” was released in 1986. Jeff Lynne later had a successful career producing for artists like George Harrison and Tom Petty.

The music video is directed by Peter Christopherson.

Writer(s) : Jeffrey Lynne Publisher(s) : Emi April Music Inc
Genres : Rock, Folk/Acoustic,album rock, art rock, beatlesque, classic rock, glam rock, mellow gold, rock, soft rock, symphonic rock

Genres : Rock, Folk/Acoustic,album rock, art rock, beatlesque, classic rock, glam rock, mellow gold, rock, soft rock, symphonic rock

The music video is directed by Peter Christopherson

Featured on the album 1986, Balance of Power

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

9.50% / -0.04%

Released in 1980, “Let My Love Open The Door” by Pete Townshend, famed guitarist and songwriter of The Who, was recorded at Eel Pie Studios in London and produced by Townshend himself. The song, which reached the top 10 in the US, has been widely used in films, TV shows, and commercials.

Writer(s) : Peter Dennis Townshend Publisher(s) : Spirit Catalogue Holdings S A R L
Genres : Rock, Folk/Acoustic,album rock, art rock, blues rock, classic rock, country rock, folk rock, heartland rock, mellow gold, progressive rock, singer-songwriter

Genres : Rock, Folk/Acoustic,album rock, art rock, blues rock, classic rock, country rock, folk rock, heartland rock, mellow gold, progressive rock, singer-songwriter

Featured on the album 1980,Empty Glass

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

9.30% / -0.01%

A surprise hit in the UK, reaching number two on the charts, Laurie Anderson’s “O Superman,” released in 1981, is a hypnotic blend of minimalism and performance art. Using a vocoder to alter her voice, Anderson creates a futuristic, meditative atmosphere accompanied by synthesizers, flute loops, a Farfisa organ, saxophone, and bird sounds. In “O Superman,” multimedia artist Anderson explores themes of communication and surveillance.

The music video is directed by Laurie Anderson.

Writer(s) : Laurie C Anderson Publisher(s) : Difficult Music
Genres : Pop, Rock, Jazz, Classical,art pop, art rock, experimental, experimental pop, experimental vocal, laboratorio

Genres : Pop, Rock, Jazz, Classical,art pop, art rock, experimental, experimental pop, experimental vocal, laboratorio

The music video is directed by Laurie Anderson

Featured on the album 1981,Big Science

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

8.99% / -0.26%

Released in 1985, “Running Up That Hill” is one of Kate Bush’s most iconic tracks. With its powerful synthesizers and introspective lyrics, the song explores the desire to understand and switch roles in a relationship. The track experienced a resurgence in popularity after being featured in the 2022 TV series “Stranger Things,” introducing Bush to a new generation of listeners.

The music video is directed by David Garfath.

Writer(s) : Kate Bush Publisher(s) : Kate Bush Music Ltd
Genres : Pop, Rock, Folk/Acoustic,art pop, art rock, baroque pop, new wave pop, permanent wave, piano rock, singer-songwriter

Genres : Pop, Rock, Folk/Acoustic,art pop, art rock, baroque pop, new wave pop, permanent wave, piano rock, singer-songwriter

The music video is directed by David Garfath

Featured on the album 1985,Hounds Of Love

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

8.83% / -0.08%

David Bowie’s 1976 rendition of “Wild Is The Wind” somehow manages to be both reverently nostalgic and unmistakably his own.

Originally penned by Dimitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington and famously interpreted by Nina Simone, Bowie’s version doesn’t just inhabit the song—it smolders inside it, giving it the kind of emotional gravity that feels deeply cinematic.

Recorded during the “Station to Station” sessions at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, the track is a fascinating outlier amidst the album’s otherwise cocaine-fueled experimentation with funk and krautrock influences.

The delicate interplay between Earl Slick’s guitar work and Bowie’s achingly passionate delivery transforms what could’ve been a mere homage into an exercise in measured theatricality.

Even if the orchestration leans towards lush melodrama, it’s Bowie’s voice—fragile yet commanding—that gives the song its poignant edge, hovering somewhere between despair and devotion.

When the track was later adopted as part of his 1981 compilation “ChangesTwoBowie” and released as a single in the UK, it notched a modest No. 24 on the charts, proving its peculiar appeal beyond mere fan service.

With its monochrome-laced music video by David Mallet blending live footage with stark visuals, the song feels like an elegant time capsule of Bowie’s introspective side—unmistakably intimate but still towering in ambition.

Genres : Rock,art rock, classic rock, glam rock, permanent wave, rock

The music video is directed by David Mallet

Featured on the album 1982,Strange Kind of Love

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

8.74% / -0.06%

Produced by Nile Rodgers, “Modern Love,” released in 1983, is an energetic anthem blending gospel and funk with rock, highlighted by punchy brass and a danceable rhythm. The song has been featured in many films and series, notably in an iconic scene from Noah Baumbach’s film “Frances Ha” starring Greta Gerwig. In 2024, Zaho de Sagazan performed a cover of “Modern Love” at the Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony, paying tribute to Greta Gerwig, the jury president.

The music video is directed by Jim Yukich.

Writer(s) : David Bowie Publisher(s) : Jones Music America
Genres : Rock,art rock, classic rock, glam rock, permanent wave, rock

Genres : Rock,art rock, classic rock, glam rock, permanent wave, rock

The music video is directed by Jim Yukich

Featured on the album 1983,Moonage Daydream : Soundtrack

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

8.63% / 0.08%

Art Rock, the Music

Art Rock emerges in the 1960s, characterized by its desire to incorporate elements from other types of music (classical, jazz, avant-garde, etc.). It stands out for its sophisticated approach, emphasizing creativity, innovation, and a certain intellectualization of music.

One of the most notable features of Art Rock is the complexity of its compositions. Unlike traditional rock songs that often follow a verse-chorus-verse structure, Art Rock pieces explore non-linear and more elaborate structures. Art Rock artists integrate extended instrumental sections, unexpected transitions, and multiple movements within a single song, reminiscent of classical music suites.

Art Rock also distinguishes itself through the use of unconventional time signatures. Instead of sticking to the traditional 4/4, compositions can shift between signatures like 7/8, 5/4, or even mixed signatures within the same piece. This approach creates more complex and varied rhythms, adding an extra dimension to the music.

Art Rock, the Words

Art Rock artists aren’t afraid to experiment with a wide range of instruments, often borrowed from other musical genres. Beyond the traditional rock setup of guitars, bass, and drums, they incorporate classical instruments like violin, cello, piano, and brass. Electronic instruments like synthesizers, mellotrons, and theremins are also commonly used to create unique and innovative sound textures.

Production techniques in Art Rock are often cutting-edge. Artists and producers explore advanced recording methods, such as multi-tracking, tape reversal, and sophisticated studio effects. They play with the soundscape, using stereo creatively and manipulating sounds to create immersive auditory landscapes.

Art Rock, the Sound

Lyrics in Art Rock tend to be more poetic and introspective than in traditional rock. Artists tackle deep and complex subjects, such as alienation, the search for meaning, and intense personal experiences. The lyrics are often metaphorical and open to interpretation, encouraging listeners to think and uncover hidden meanings.

The lyrical themes in Art Rock are frequently influenced by literature and visual arts. Artists draw from literary works, artistic movements, and philosophical concepts to enrich their texts. References to writers, painters, and art currents are common, creating a strong link between music and other art forms. This multidisciplinary approach reinforces the intellectual and artistic nature of the genre.

Art Rock, the Cultural Impact

Art Rock has had a considerable influence on rock music and many other genres. By introducing complex song structures and advanced sound experimentation, Art Rock has broadened the horizons of traditional rock. Its influence is also felt in genres such as new wave and alternative rock.

Art Rock has also left an indelible mark on popular culture. The visual and conceptual elements of Art Rock have become essential components of music presentation, influencing not only how artists perform but also how they are perceived by the public.

Art Rock has always sparked varied, often polarizing, criticism. While some critics and fans praise the genre’s innovation and complexity, others criticize it for being pretentious and elitist.

Art Rock has played a crucial role in the evolution of fashion regarding gender and androgyny. Artists often challenged traditional gender norms, wearing clothing and makeup that blended masculine and feminine elements. This fluidity inspired many fashion designers to explore similar concepts in their collections.

ADJACENT GENRES

• classic rock
• permanent wave
• progressive rock
• glam rock
• soft rock
• symphonic rock
• new romantic
• new wave
• hard rock
• melancholia
• alternative rock
• art pop
• power pop
• beatlesque
• baroque pop
• oxford indie