34 extraordinary songs with meaning; songs that are sometimes brushed aside in favour of their more obvious counterparts.
Some tracks may have had commercial success, but have done so while managing to shift the course of contemporary music in a way that shows a musical impact beyond their chart position.
These songs have been carefully chosen by BBC Radio 6 Music producers and presenters. Let them help you uncover a wealth of tracks you never knew, and return afresh to the songs you love.
Hit play on BBC Radio 6 Music’s Alternative Jukebox and enjoy hearing some of the most significant musical moments of all time. Alternatively sit back and read about the entire 500 tracks selected by BBC Radio 6 Music’s team in the book published by Octopus on Oct 6th, or get up and come and listen to Don Letts, Cerys Matthews and Gilles Peterson discuss their choices with Miranda Sawyer at the launch at Rough Trade East on Oct 8th.
CD 1
1. Robert Johnson ‘Cross Roads Blues’ (chosen by Craig Charles)
2. Cream ‘Strange Brew’ (chosen by Cerys Matthews)
3. Booker T And The MG’s ‘Time Is Tight’ (chosen by Steve Lamacq)
4. Janis Joplin ‘Summertime’ (chosen by Huey Morgan)
5. Marvin Gaye ‘What’s Going On’ (chosen by Mary Ann Hobbs)
6. Toots & The Maytals ‘Pressure Drop’
7. John Lee Hooker ‘Black Snake’ (chosen by Cerys Matthews)
8. Parliament ‘P-Funk (Wants To Get Funked up)’ (chosen by Craig Charles)
9. Siouxsie & The Banshees ‘Hong Kong Garden’ (chosen by Nemone)
10. Buzzcocks ‘What Do I Get’ (chosen by Chris Hawkins)
11. Patti Smith Group ‘Frederick’ (chosen by Mary Ann Hobbs)
12. Talking Heads ‘Once In A Lifetime’ (chosen by Chris Hawkins)
13. The Specials ‘Ghost Town (chosen by Chris Hawkins)
14. Billy Bragg ‘A New England’ (chosen by Steve Lamacq)
15. Echo & The Bunnymen ‘The Cutter’ (chosen by Liz Kershaw)
16. Pixies ‘Where Is My Mind’ (chosen by Nemone)
17. The Blue Nile ‘Easter Parade’ (chosen by Gideon Coe)
18. A Tribe Called Quest ‘Luck of Lucien’ (chosen by Gilles Petersen)
19. The Stone Roses “I Am The Resurrection” (chosen by Chris Hawkins)
CD2
1. Stereolab ‘French Disko’ (chosen by Mark Radcliffe)
2. Jeff Buckley ‘ Grace’ (chosen by Mary Ann Hobbs)
3. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds ‘Red Right Hand’ (chosen by Mary Ann Hobbs)
4. Portishead ‘Strangers’ (chosen by Giles Peterson)
5. Goldie ‘Inner City Life’
6. Super Furry Animals ‘Ice Hockey Hair’ (chosen by Marc Riley)
7. The Flaming Lips ‘Race For The Prize’ (chosen by Steve Lamacq)
8. Radiohead ‘ Pyramid Song’ (chosen by Mary Ann Hobbs)
9. Terry Callier ‘Dancing Girl’ (chosen by Giles Peterson)
10. Elbow ‘Weather To Fly’ (chosen by Don Letts)
11. Gil Scott-Heron ‘New York Is Killing Me’
12. PJ Harvey ‘Written On The Forehead’ (chosen by Don Letts)
13. alt-J ‘Breezeblocks’ (chosen by Steve Lamacq)
14. First Aid Kit ‘Emmylou’ (chosen by Mark Radcliffe)
15. Jesse Boykins III & Melo-X ‘The Perfect Blues (chosen by Don Letts)
BBC Radio 6 Music’s Alternative Jukebox
Various Artists - Double Album Compilation
Released November 3rd on Island Records
