Most popular songs in 2XS Rocks! playlist

'At The Crossroads' - MOTT THE HOOPLE (Mott The Hoople 1969). This was the debut album - the Hereford band. It was produced - Guy Stevens, who wanted to create an album that would suggest "Bob Dylan singing with the Rolling Stones". The song was writte

'Panic Station' - MUSE (The 2nd Law 2012). The fifth single from the band's sixth studio album has been idiotically compared to Queen's 'Another One Bites The Dust' and Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'...

'Paperlate' - GENESIS (3 x 3 (EP) 1981). This 33 rpm single was released on 21 May 1982, and later resurfaced on the 2008 box set, 'Archive 2'

Walk Idiot Walk - THE HIVES (from Tyrannosaurus Hives 2004). This is the third album - the Swedish garage punksters

'Twisted Skin' - BEACH MERCER (Back Forth 2006). Bring on the Manchester indies

'Smells Like Teen Spirit' - NIRVANA (Nevermind 1991). Written - frontman Kurt Cobain, the song claimed to address people outside of the underground music community who did not understand the band's message

'Take A Breath' - DAVID GILMOUR (On An Island 2006). This was the third solo album - David Gilmour, best known as a lead vocalist and guitarist for Pink Floyd. It was his first for 22 years and was released on his 60th birthday, 6 Mar 2006

'Is This Love' by JAMES ( 2024). Formed in the 80s, James are one of Britain's most enduring - and endearing - success stories. They have released 16 studio albums to date, selling over 25 million copies, and their recent run of Top 5 albums has proved to

'Sirens' - THE SHERLOCKS (People Like Me & You 2023). Following Josh and Andy Davidson's departure, Kiaran and Brandon Crook enlisted Alex Proctor on guitar and Trent Jackson on bass. This is the Sheffield band's fourth album

'Leaders Of The Free World' - ELBOW (Leaders Of The Free World 2005). The Manchester band formed in the late 90s and is a vehicle for frontman Guy Garvey's candid, evocative lyrics. This was their 3rd album

'Good Times Bad Times' - LED ZEPPELIN (Led Zeppelin I 1969). The acclaimed debut album from Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham. Shown here is the original (very) limited sleeve with turquoise print. Peter Grant insisted on the "mor

'Inhale' - FM RODEO ( 2024). The nicely brooding band was formed in Texas in 2015 - Troy Dry (vcls. gtrs) and Johnny Elrod (drms). They're big fans of Green Day, Nirvana and Oasis

'Bankrobber' - THE CLASH ( 1980). The London punksters started out in 1976. The legends were Joe Strummer (d 2002), Paul Simonon, Mick Jones & Nicky 'Topper' Headon

'Big Decision' - THAT PETROL EMOTION (Babble 1987). TPE were originally formed in 1984 from the ashes of the Derry Hitmakers, Bam Bam And The Calling, and The Undertones. Leaders were guitarists John O'Neill and Raymond Gorman who were both DJs at Derry'

'Bad Time' - ALKALINE TRIO (Blood, Hair, And Eyeballs 2024). The Chicago trio started out in 1997 with Matt Skiba, Dan Andriano & Derek Grant. This is their tenth studio album

'Take What You Want' by DEF LEPPARD (Diamond Star Halos 2022). Well, it's been done many times - and they've been at this a long time - but the Sheffield rockers can still get away with it!

'Nantucket Sleighride' - MOUNTAIN (Nantucket Sleighride 1971). This was written - Felix Pappalardi and his wife Gail Collins (who also painted the artwork), and is from the band's second album. A 'Nantucket Sleighride' is a term used - whalers when the

'Not Fade Away' - THE ROLLING STONES ( 1964). In their heyday, the world's greatest Rock & Roll band. Here, doing a fine cover of the Buddy Holly (Norman Petty) classic, released on 21 Feb 1964

'Wall Of Glass' - LIAM GALLAGHER (As You Were 2017). The Gob returns. Burnage's William John Paul Gallagher turns in a decent effort, while watching over his shoulder for Noel

The Last Ride - JOHNNY MARR THE HEALERS (from Boomslang 2003). This was a limited edition debut single - the band which also featured Zak Starkey & Kula Shaker's Alonza Bevan. The album was released 2 years later

'What Would You Know' - JESUS JONES (Liquidizer 1989). The debut album - the Wiltshire band which was started in 1986 - Mike Edwards, Jerry De Borg, Alan Doughty, Iain Baker & Tony Arthy. Unfortunately, they were early casualties of EMI's greedy takeov

'Fire And Water' - FREE (Fire And Water 1970). The third album (and first major success) for the band who formed in London in 1968. They disbanded in 1973, with lead singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke forming half of Bad Company, and bassist And

'Zoo Station' - U2 (Achtung Baby 1991). The Irish gods' seventh studio album was produced - Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno

'Standing In The Road' - BLACKFOOT SUE ( 1972). This was released on 2 Jun 1972 - the Birmingham band, formed in the early 60s - identical twins Tom and David Farmer, with Eddie Golga

'Love Will Tear Us Apart' - A1 PEOPLE ( 2002). Simeon Bowring & Tom Crook cover the Joy Dvision classic, with vocals - Kid Wax

'Diamond And The Missing Son' - UNQUIET NIGHTS (Seasons In Exile 2024). With Belfast origins, the trio are Ulstermen Luke Mathers and Rodger Firmin, with Italian John Rossi. This is their third album

'Sex On Fire' - KINGS OF LEON (Only By The Night 2008). The Jesus rockers are three brothers and a cousin: Caleb Followill, Matthew Followill, Jared Followill, Nathan Followil. This was the band's 4th album

'You Don't Know How It Feels' - TOM PETTY (Wildflowers 1994). This was Petty's second solo album (following 1989's 'Full Moon Fever') and his first for Warner Bros. Records, for whom he had recorded as part of the Traveling Wilburys

'Take Me Back Home' - GUN (Hombres 2024). The Glasgow band who, we are pleased to say, never go away! Originally called Blind Alleez, vocalist Mark Rankin is a cousin of Texas' Sharleen Spiteri

'Need A Friend' - EL VY (Return To The Moon 2015). In case you think you've heard this wonderful baritone voice on 2XS before, you have. El Vy is Cincinnati's Matt Berninger (The National), with Brent Knopf (Menomena & Ramona Falls)

'Love Is In Your Eyes' - THE LEMON TREES ( 1992). The London band comprised Guy Chambers, twins Paul & Jeremy Stacey, Alex Lewis and Paul Holman. The band formed in 1993, recorded two albums, and then disbanded in 1995. Nice dash of 60s throwback...

'Keep Me Out Of It' by SKINNY KNOWLEDGE (Don't Turn Out The Lights 2021). Leading the Bournemouth band, Andy Leslie-Smith's vocals - aren't! Which is good. He wrote this with 'an old mate', Chris Payn, and says its's about 'encouraging people to push thro

'Low Fuel Drug Run' - 7HORSE (Let the 7Horse Run 2012). L.A. rock veterans Joie Calio and Phil Leavitt were the excellent Dada, the trio responsible for the hit 'Dizz Knee Land'. As 7Horse, they also contributed their song 'Meth Lab Zoso Sticker' to the

'Strung Out Johnny' - IGGY POP (Every Loser 2023). Michigan's James Newell Osterberg releases a raw album, teaming up with Red Hot Chilli Peppers' drummer Chad Smith, and Duff McKagan of Guns N' Roses

'Typical' - MUTE MATH (Mute Math 2006). MuteMath were formed in New Orleans in 2003

Run Run Run - THE THIRD RAIL (from 1967). 1960s

'My Generation' - THE WHO (My Generation 1965). The band's debut album was released - Brunswick Records in December 1965

'Back Home' - GOLDEN EARRING (Golden Earring 1970). Formed in 1961 as The Golden Earrings, George Kooymans and his fellow Dutchmen prove there's more to the band than 'Radar Love'

'Love Lost' - THE GOON SAX (We're Not Talking 2018). This group of teenagers from Brisbane have become one of our favorite new bands

'Brother The Cloud' - EDDIE VEDDER (Earthling 2022). The former Pearly One, Edward Louis Severson III, excels yet again. This is his third solo album, and he now seems to be firmly into his 'Tom Petty phase'

'If You Ever Leave, I'm Coming With You' - THE WOMBATS (Fix Yourself, Not The World 2022). The Liverpool indies' frontman Matthew Murphy describes this song as a 'a very enjoyable punch in the face'

Mess It Up - THE ROLLING STONES (from 2023). 2000s

Runaway - KEYSIDE (from 2024). Playlist

Killer - VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR (from 1970). ProgRock

The Whale - SUE THE NIGHT (from Mosaic 2015). Sue The Night is the stage moniker of Dutch artist Suus de Groot

What You Told Me - OUR GIRL (from The Good Kind 2024). The Brighton trio are Soph Nathan (gtrs, vcls), Josh Tyler (bass) and Lauren Wilson (drms). Nathan tell us that 'this song's about seeing illness affect someone I love. It's about the heartbreak in t

Chelsea Rose - ROCKHEAD (from Rockhead 1993). Vancouver's Bob Rock (Schneider) and Chris Taylor formed the band to create 'classic rock' with lead vocalist Steve Jack

'Need You No More' - CHAPPAQUA WRESTLING (Plus Ultra 2023). Brilliant effort - the Manchester based band (although members Charlie Woods and Jake Macleod are actually from Brighton). This is their debut album

'Sweetheart Contract' - MAGAZINE ( 1980). Bring on the punks, Howard Devoto and Pete Shelley. Martin Hannett produced the single, which just scraped into the charts at #54 in July 1980

'Susie Q' - CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL (Creedence Clearwater Revival 1968). This excellent rendition of the Dale Hawkins classic is from the first album - John Fogerty's band