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50 best London songs
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By Time Out editors
Posted: Mon Sep 25 2006 
34 The Who 31 A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square Judy Campbell [download]
Swoonsome London-based romance made famous by Vera Lynn. The song’s most memorable performance took place during the air raids of 1940
‘It was the beginning of the air raids, but we went out, because we wanted to go out. The Shepherds Bush Empire had such nice shows, and you could see people like Margot Fontayne dancing. Judy Campbell was a successful young starlet then. I suppose “A Nightingale Sang…” just hit the right note for the time. Oh, it was so divinely escapist: “There was magic abroad in the air/There were angels dining at the Ritz…” It was nothing to do with air-raids. It was a popular song. Well, Judy Campbell came on in a satin evening frock, looking glamorous – and when she got to the point where she sang, “a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square”, she held up her hand and sang, “Hark!” you know, for the nightingale. And then “Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!” the air raid siren wailed! So instead of the nightingale, we got the siren! And the theatre just fell about they laughed so much, and Judy Campbell just died laughing on stage. It was just a yelp of laughter from the audience, they quite forgot the air raid!.’ Sylvia Harris
Available on The Best Of Vera Lynn compilation (1999) Feature continuesAdvertisement
32 London Dungeon The Misfits
US punks’ ode to a night in London’s cells
‘During our early years we tried to do an English tour with The Damned. When we completed our first three shows we walked off the tour after not being paid. We went to London and after that I went to Canterbury with Sid Vicious’s mom Anne. Our singer Glenn Danzig and guitarist Bobby Steele went to see The Jam at the Rainbow. A bunch of skinheads started a fight with Glenn who turned to watch Bobby run down the block! To protect himself, Glenn pulled a piece of glass from the Rainbow’s broken window and got arrested. In Brixton jail he put the lyrics together for “London Dungeon”. We worked on the song to audition for The Clash’s second world tour. When our drummer Joey Image fled to the USA for drugs, we aborted that tour and left our clean-faced rotting corpses in your London Dungeon.’
Jerry Only, The Misfits
Available on ‘The Misfits’ (1979)
33 A13, Trunk Road To The Sea Billy Bragg [download]
Bobby Troupe’s iconic ‘(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66’ is transplanted to Essex
‘I was sick of hearing people sing songs about America. How did we know that Amarillo, New Mexico wasn’t as dreary as Dagenham? There was a punk perversity about it, but also a pride in singing about my manor. “Starts down in Wapping/ Girl there’s no stopping/By-pass Barking and straight through Dagenham down/ To Grays Thurrock/Romney and Basildon…” And the dual carriageway to Southend does have a mythic weight for boy racers that’s part of that rock ’n’ roll dream. If Springsteen could romanticise New Jersey, I didn’t see why I couldn’t do the same for estuarine Essex.’ Billy Bragg
Available on ‘Life’s A Riot With Spy Vs Spy’ album, bonus disc (1987)
34 I Can See For Miles The Who [download]
Pete Townshend’s psych-pop masterpiece
This song may namecheck the Taj Mahal and Eiffel Tower, but was allegedly inspired by a hazy night spent gazing across London from Highgate. The cover of the album it appears on - 'Meaty Beaty Big & Bouncy' - shows seminal mod hangout The Railway Hotel, now the site of four blocks of flats, each named after a band member.
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83 comments
"London Girl", The Jam. boy/girl, spiky, longing, meaty beaty bouncy bassy,
transient, gritty but evergreen.
"Fuck Forever", of course.
For me, "Times of Heroes".
Anything from 101 Damnations by Carter USM. Every track is a love letter to a tarnished beauty.
Lily Allen's song isn't the best London-related song of the week it came out, let alone ever. It's so trite and says so little new or relevant about living in London, it amazes me anyone could think other wise.
I'd go for the Pogues' "London Girl" or, better still, Hefner's " We Love The City". Or, of course, "Waterloo Sunset"
For me, anything by the Clash. They are pure London.
'Welcome to the Story' by Galliano is the one for me. Brooding Rob Gallagher lyrics opens up what turns out to be an optimistic missive to early 90's Londoners.... "...watch the sunset over the 'Grove...." indeed.
Pimlico by David Devant & His Spirit Wife. A neglected treasure and an ode to the delights of Tate Britain and falling in love in this fair city.
The Kinks (Dedicated Follower of Fashion does it for me)
The Clash
Ralph McTell (Streets of London)
LDN? What song's that?
Can't think of anything original, recent and decent at the mo, who can suggest one?
I think Lily Allens song smile reminds me of London, because it´s such a happy song! I am also very happy when in London, so that is kind of the reason... I do also think the Red Hot Chili Peppers remind me of London, because they had a concert in Hyde Park the first time I was there! Im from Norway, you know! :)
I love Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty and West End Girls by The Pet Shop Boys.
Madness, The Clash and The Kinks
Has to be 'London sucks' by Extreme Noise Terror. A classic hook, beautiful melody and poetic lyrics. It makes me want to do a sex wee.
dose anyone know mcfly?
Maybe because I'm a Londoner...It's guaranteed to annoy the hell out of anyone who doesn't live in London. You can sing it with your best put on "cock-er-knee" accent, and if you're singing it, it generally means you're a bit tired and emotional and on the way home from a great night out.
071 by Paris Motel. A relatively new song but a fabulous one. Probably not about London but certainly framed by the Old Smoke. A gorgeous voice, gentle guitar and fabulous strings make this stunning.