Time Out has teamed up with emusic to offer our readers 40 free music downloads and a free audiobook
50 best London songs
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By Time Out editors
Posted: Mon Sep 25 2006 
36 Babyshambles 36 Albion Babyshambles [download]
Elegy for an England falling into disrepair
Pete Doherty’s adherence to a vision of an idealised England has underpinned his songwriting from his very first efforts in The Libertines. Creatives from William Blake to Enid Blyton and Michael Bracewell have all explored the idea of a lost Arcadian wonderland, but in ‘Albion’, Doherty dreams not of some bucolic idyll, but of grabbing his gal (‘I’ll be waiting in the photo booth at the underground station’) and escaping to places as oddly unglamorous as Deptford and Catford. The final destination is irrelevant, it seems; it’s the getting away (‘anywhere in Albion’) that matters.
Available on ‘Down In Albion’ album (2005)
37 Knocked ‘Em In The Old Kent Road Harry Champion [download]
A gem from the glory days of music hall
At the dawn of the twentieth century, London contained more than 300 music halls. Harry Champion’s ‘Knocked ’Em In The Old Kent Road’ was a genre classic. Thankfully many of music hall’s most beautiful venues are still open for business. The Hackney Empire has now returned to theatrical use. The Stratford Rex is a fully functional music venue once again. Perhaps most remarkable is Wilton’s Music Hall in Stepney.With its mirrored ballroom and vast chandelier, Wilton’s was known as ‘the handsomest room in town’. It’s rumoured to have been the scene of the first ever can-can and was the headquarters for the East Enders who gathered to fight Oswald Mosley’s fascists in 1936. Now, theatre has returned and, as befits its radical heritage, a number of ‘pay what you can’ seats are reserved for most shows.
Available on ‘A Little Bit Of What You Fancy’ compilation (2000) Feature continuesAdvertisement
38 A Rainy Night In Soho The Pogues [download]
Big-hearted, boozy ballad
Soho can be a difficult place to negotiate when you’re sober. But when you’re drunk, it’s even worse. The whole area turns into an emotional minefield, with every neon shopfront, clip joint, or twat on a rickshaw suddenly taking on a profound metaphorical significance. If you ever want to wallow in boozy heartbreak, Soho’s the place for you. Which is probably why this waltzing lament makes so much sense to so many people.
Available on ‘Rum Sodomy And The Lash’ reissue, bonus track (2005)
39 London The Smiths [download]
‘Billy Liar’ esqe relocation melodrama
‘Smoke lingers round your fingers/Train, heave on to Euston/Do you think you’ve made the right decision this time?’ Anyone who has ever relocated to The Smoke will recognise (albeit possibly in a less romanticised form) the excitement and anxiety implicit in the opening lines of this song.
Available on ‘Louder Than Bombs’ album (1987)
40 14 Hour Technicolour Dream The Syn [download]
Song performed at an all-nighter at Alexandra Palace starring Pink Floyd, as remembered by Time Out’s art editor
‘The bands were up on a platform in the middle of the room, so there wasn’t a separate stage area and audience area, it was all mixed up. I have in my mind a lot of noise, like the whirring of a projector. There was a lot of flickering light which was quite visually confusing. I can hardly remember the band – I just remember this atmosphere of confusion. Also everybody was pretty stoned, so that made it even more confusing.
In the main area people were hanging about but not dancing – I don’t remember any dancing at all, which was strange. It was a much more freaky, slightly alienated sort of atmosphere. In the side areas I remember a lot of people sitting around on the floor; it became a kind happening, and it just seemed to go on and on and on. I remember thinking: This is really weird, but I’m obviously in the right place.’ Sarah Kent
Available on ‘Original Syn’ (1967)- Add your comment to this feature
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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.