See You Down The Front

Often cited as `the only band that matters', The Clash transcended their punk origins to become one of Britain's finest ever bands. Their output was prodigious and this week, Ben, Adam, Neil and Paul try to whittle it down to 15 essential tracks for any Clash newbie.  Punk, reggae, rock, rap, gospel - The Clash did it all and more. Got a favourite? Let us know what it is and we'll i...

The history of British pop has thrown up any number of classic songs, but could we find 20 tracks to be representative of more than 60 years of recording history? Huge sellers? Artists synonymous with genres? Recording superstars? One artist, one song was the rule - but who gets in?  Let's just say, we're already planning Volume 2!  Send us Fan Mail

What a year! The best of 1977 forced us into some difficult choices and surprising decisions - to say the least! Listen as Adam, Ben and Paul debate key cuts from punk, disco, reggae, pop and rock to find the year's ultimate single. Send us Fan Mail

We love a good football discussion as much as our music and this week we combine the two with a look at where they have crossed paths over the years. From the walk out  anthems that stir the blood to the tournament songs that defined World Cups and European Championships and even footballers' own forays into the charts. Send us Fan Mail

This week we're giving out credit where credit's due - either to those unsung heroes who don't get a fair shake, and even to some bigger artists who perhaps aren't always regarded with the greatest of affection. Adam, Ben and Paul each bring five candidates to the discussion and we'd love to hear your suggestions.  Send us Fan Mail

This week we make our first foray into the world of Metal - and not before time. Joining Paul to discuss its origins, offshoots and leading exponents are Craig, Anno and Joe - all time-served fans and performers sharing their opinions and insights into this enduringly popular genre.  Send us Fan Mail

There are some music moments we'd all rather forget - even from our favourites - so this week, Ben, Adam and Paul throw five of these each into Room 101 and expunge them from their personal music histories. Listen in to find out what - or who - gets cut. Send us Fan Mail

An epic episode featuring much debate about what was the best single of 2003 as a new wave of indie guitar heroes clash with classy RnB acts and poptastic Girl Bands. But what will be the ultimate winner? Listen to Ben, Kirsty, Adam and Paul as they argue for their favourites. Send us Fan Mail

People often talk about difficult second albums, but this week Paul, Adam and Ben look at artists who successfully negotiated their sophomore releases to further enhance their reputation. Five choices each covering everything from pure pop and rap to new wave punk funk. Send us Fan Mail

It's a Bowie special this week as Paul, Ben, Adam and Neil put forward their choices for a taster album to introduce the great man's stellar career. But where to start with a back catalogue this good? Send us Fan Mail

Joining Paul this week to dissect the biggest tunes of 1990 are Mark Jones and Gareth Crilly. It's a year when dance music collides with the peaks of baggy and Madchester alongside some massively enduring pop tunes. 32 songs, but what will come out on top? Send us Fan Mail

Another city under the microscope - this time 20 songs by 20 Liverpool artists, and we could have chosen 20 more. No Beatles - but that's because we thought it might be a foregone conclusion, as we rank sngs by China Crisis, Cilla, Echo and the Bunnymen and more. Some tough choices and some surprising placings. Send us Fan Mail

It's time for Paul, Ben and Adam to hold their hands up and admit I Was Wrong, as this week they run through a few of their music mistakes - whether overrating an album or choosing the wrong band at a festival, rubbishing a legend or realising years later they should have listened more carefully!  Send us Fan Mail

The King of Pop comes under the microscope this week as Paul, Ben, Adam and Neil put together a beginner's guide to the work of Michael Jackson - 15 songs that stretch from his days as the youngster fronting the Jackson 5 through to his stellar solo years. Send us Fan Mail

It's a real saga this week trying to choose the best single of 1966 - a year chock full of great tunes. Ben, Adam and Paul debate the respective merits of releases by the Rolling Stones, Dusty, Small Faces, Beatles, Four Tops, Beach Boys and more. Like the Lord of the Rings special editions, it goes on a bit, but we get there in the end!  Send us Fan Mail

Paul, Ben and Adam this week discuss their favourite songwriting teams and surprisingly find there's no room for one particular partnership! Send us Fan Mail

This week, Ben, Adam and Paul take on the task of picking  a sampler album for The Jam, choosing 15 songs to represent the career of these British music giants. See if you agree with their choices for a career-spanning overview.  Send us Fan Mail

It's back to 1984 for Paul, Adam, Ben and Neil this week as they debate the  song of the year. Who will emerge victorious as Van Halen, The Style Council and Madonna amongst others lock horns.  Send us Fan Mail

This week Paul, Adam and Ben pick their favourite cover versions - both the classic and the quirky. Have you got a favourite cover?  Send us Fan Mail

So here it is. Merry Christmas. Our deliberations to find the best Christmas record ever. Paul, Adam, Ben and Neil pick through 32 of the finest festive favourites to come up with a winner. Here's a hint - it's not Buble.  Send us Fan Mail

This week we create a league table from 20 songs by 20 Manchester bands. In an oversight of epic proportions, the wonderful and frightening The Fall somehow got overlooked and we hang our heads in shame. Otherwise, did we get the final placings right?  Send us Fan Mail

This week Paul talks to David Gorst and Grace Humphreys from Alibi Productions about their roles in the music and entertainment business and  the impact of the pandemic on performers, taking in recording with a Quarryman, helping to create a new tribute show and forming a band to get out of Maths along the way.  Send us Fan Mail

Sometimes a band you hate comes up with a song you love, and then again a favourite artist mght drop an absolute stinker. This week Adam, Ben and Paul choose five from each side of the divide.  Send us Fan Mail

Ben, Adam and Paul pick over chart travesties - those songs that didn't deserve to hit top spot and those that didn't. Plus they reflect on some of the tragic stories of artists taken too soon.  Send us Fan Mail

Paul, Ben and Adam pick the gigs they've seen that they'd like to relive, a gig from the past they wish they'd been at and an artist they would like to have seen at the peak of their powers.  Send us Fan Mail