See You Down The Front

Our love of girl band pop is well established over many episodes, but it's never been the sole focus - until now! In this episode Adam, Elle and Paul pick their six favourite girl band songs which cover a 60-year span of pop history. Yes Girls Aloud, yes The Supremes and yes Blackpink - and that's just for starters.Send us a text

Some albums are so good it's hard to choose the best track off them. But never frightened of a challenge, we take on the question `What's the best track on...?' and still come out smiling. Paul, Elle and Adam are joined by returning guest, Frankie, and the albums under the microscope include such heavyweights as Revolver, Tapestry, Rumours, and Definitely Maybe plus four more. You'll have your own favourites, but see if they align with ours. Send us a text

So we welcome 2025 by looking back at 2024 and using our Spotify Wrapped stats to see what we were listening to. Some obvious, some less so. Join Adam, Elle and Paul for a meander through our favourite tunes over the last 12 months. Send us a text

Compilation albums were once a staple of Christmas Day. Bought for you when your burgeoning music interest had come to the notice of parents, aunts and grans. In this compact Christmas episode, Adam, Elle and Paul pick out a few compilations they've loved with one a true Christmas cracker!Send us a text

We take a diversion away from artists' main job to look at their side projects in this episode. Regulars Adam, Elle and Paul are joined once again by Michelle to look at some of the diversions artists have taken when their day job is in hiatus. From Laurel Canyon folk to 80s pop rock, we have many bases covered.Send us a text

It's a World Cup episode and this time it's the 1994 world cup as we pick the best and most representative 32 songs of the year and debate the living daylights out of them. Britpop heroes, drum and bass innovators, dancefloor bangers and big ballads collide as Elle, Adam, Neil and Paul pick an ultimate winner.Send us a text

Eurovision royalty, melody magicians, Swedish superstars - obviously we're talking about Abba. With sales of more than 300 million records and as popular today as they ever were, it's time to take a closer look at the Scandi Fab Four. In this episode we rank 20 of their very best with Adam, Elle and Paul joined on this occasion by long-time Abba fan, Gill. Choosing 20 was hard enough in itself but putting them into some kind of chart...well you'll just have to listen. All we can say is Thank You for the Music!Send us a Text Message.

Our latest episode is the last in our look at the last few decades, taking us from 2010 to the present day. Once again we're joined by a guest as Kieran Hymus offers his six picks to go along with those from Elle, Adam and Paul. It's a curious mix from a curious period with pure pop rubbing shoulders with major female artists, some serious rap contenders and some fizzing indie. Send us a Text Message.

Our trawl of the decades brings us into the new millennium with six of the best from Adam, Elle, Paul and special guest Frankie from the years 2000-2009. We saw the rise of new indie guitar heroes, TV stars as pop stars, weird hip-hop and some banging RnB. There are massive female stars, rootsy Americans and references to Disney and Marvel abound! Join us for the latest episode.

Once again we're focusing on a particular decade and this time turning our gaze on the Nineties. Joining Paul, Adam and Elle for this episode is broadcaster,  podcaster and journalist Gareth Roberts and between them they produce a rollercoaster ride of pop thrills. From smash the state rock to lo-fi genius, it's another broad church.

As The Jam would have it, This is the Modern World. Well not quite, but for some of the team it feels like it. A best of 2004 featuring dance heavyweights, rap superstars, indie classics and pure pop bangers. How will our World Cup featuring 32 of the best songs from the year pan out? Only one way to find out, and that's tune in as Elle, Adam, Neil and Paul put on their best debating hats and argue it out.

As we continue our trawl through the decades, Elle, Adam and Paul are joined by special guest Michelle for a look at the 80s. A miserly six songs each to sum up a whole decade doesn't seem fair, but - hey - those are the rules. You'll hear all kinds , from MTV favourites to East Kilbride noiseniks. It all makes sense when you listen, so have fun.

In 2024 we're going back through the decades as Adam, Elle and Paul pick songs from the 70s.These are the tunes that we love from the decade or which have a special meaning for us.It's a decade full of contrasts so expect the same in these choices.

What a year 1981 was! Anthems galore and a real melting pot of styles as we emerged from post-punk and entered the New Romantic and new pop world.So our World Cup will take in 32 of the best songs of the year for a no quarter given battle to find the year's top song.It would be a surprise if the final result wasn't a surprise, so listen in and see what tops the pile. 

The regular See You Down The Front crew of Adam, Elle and Paul are joined for this episode by a very special guest as Frankie Goes to Hollywood guitarist Brian Nash sits in to pick five of his favourite British albums - and gets to throw a sixth in at the end for good measure. Across the 21 picks from all four of us there is the usual diverse mix including 80s pop, prog, female soul and 60s classic.

The legends who built modern pop and rock are either heading for retirement or have, sadly, already gone to the great gig in the sky. So who is likely to fill the gap and how has becoming a global superstar changed? In this episode Adam, Elle and Paul discuss who should be getting the big festival headline slots and who is likely to be occupying them for years to come.

In this episode we look at the influence of our parents on our own musical tastes as they reveal their own Top 5, or 6, or 7. Honestly it was hard to get them to stop! So Elle, Paul and Adam chat about the likes of Abba, Paul Simon, Booker T and the MGs, My Chemical Romance, Dire Straits and Tiffany! An eclectic list to say the least.

After Liverpool, New York and Manchester we now turn our attention to London in a city-focused episode of See You Down The Front.We rank 25 songs  from London artists or specifically about the capital, and only when you realise what's not there do you come to appreciate just how many great songs have emanated from the Smoke.We've got artists as varied as Amy Winehouse and The Kinks, The Clash and Skepta as we cast our eyes and ears over this playlist.  

Little beats that great feeling of putting a new album on, hearing the first track and thinking you're on to a good thing.In this episode of See You Down The Front, Paul, Elle and Adam pick some favourite opening tracks that set the scene for the rest of the albums to come.It's a wonderful mix of punk, pop, rap and rock as these Track One Side One songs will attest.

It's a World Cup episode as Adam, Elle and Paul sift through the best of 2005 to find their ultimate single of that year.It was an era of breakout indie guitar groups, girl band fantasticness, quality RnB and much, more.But of the 32 songs on show, what becomes number one? Listen to find out.

This week Paul, Adam.and Elle put their knowledge to the test to come up with five songs sharing the same word in the title - then did it twice more.A few rabbit holes were followed as the lists crossed soul, disco, rock, pop, rap and funk.No gimmes like 'love' or 'the'. And yes, 'ain't' is a word!

There are plenty of artists who haven't had a proper look-in on the podcast so far, and this week we decided to try and redress the balance. Adam, Elle and Paul have each picked five bands or singers who this podcast needs some more of.There's new British soul, old Philly soul, Northern Ireland punks, Korean girls, classic 60s songwriting and New York New Wave of the highest order. 

What better way for the See You Down The Front podcast to start 2023 than by looking back at 2022?In this episode,  Elle, Adam and Paul pick through their Spotify Wrapped to discover what was getting played most last year - often with surprising results.From new soul to old punk, and Korean pop that's not K-Pop, there's quite the cross section, plus Adam's perennial favourite Japanese Boy.Also apologies to Sufjan Stevens for shockingly getting the name of his album very wrong. The track's still great though!

Back with another festive special as Paul, Adam, Elle and Neil have a World Cup of the best Christmas number ones that aren't Christmas songs. It's a right old mix of the sublime and the ridiculous with 32 tracks from 70 years of chart history. Does the right one win in the end? You'll have to listen to find out!

Remember when you heard a song and thought that's the most exciting thing I've ever heard? Could have been a new single, an album track, the opening song at  gig - or even a band changing direction. We've all had that buzz from a track that gave you goosebumps - and not always for the same reason. This week Elle, Adam and Paul choose examples of songs that excited them and the reasons behind their choices.

In this episode, Elle, Adam and Paul dig deep into their record collections to come up with a diverse group of artists who can boast a great run of singles. Leaving out many of the usual suspects they cover everything from Korean rap, West Coast pop, P-Funk inspired hip-hop and, ahem, Abba.  Well we did say 'many' of the usual suspects - not all!It's five artists each, and three singles in succession - making for a great final playlist.

We're back on the World Cup trail with this episode as Paul, Adam and Elle pick through 32 of 1982's big hits, classic tracks and underground favourites to find the ultimate winner. It's an era where alternative bands are as big in the charts as pure pop, and rap, electro and hip-hop are starting to make their considerable presence felt.

In this episode we get to choose 15 tracks from Madonna's back catalogue as an introduction for new fans - as if she really needs any introduction.Adam, Elle and Paul bring eight choices each to the table and these are whittled down to create an overarching Madonna playlist.The greatest female pop and pop culture icon of the last 40 years? We think so!

Well it's been a while! Illness and emigration have put the podcast on hold for a little while, but we've regrouped and we're back with our 50th episode.  Joining us for the first time is Elle who drags us kicking and screaming into the 2010s and beyond, as we each choose our top ten singles of all time. And it wasn't easy! Expect to hear some familiar names for See You Down The Front and a few making the podcast for the first time, but not necessarily the last. 

It's another World Cup Year - this time back in 1973. Glam was in its pomp, the charts were full of Soul stirrers and a new generation of pop idols were being formed. Listen as Paul, Ben and Adam kick this one around to find the ultimate single of the year. Apologies to anyone expecting an Osmonds/David Cassidy fest! 

We are joined by a special guest for this episode as we discuss the career of Liverpool legends Echo and the Bunnymen and try to compile a worthy 15-song compilation to do justice to their 40-year plus career. Alongside Paul, Ben and Adam is journalist, broadcaster and author Tony Fletcher who wrote the story of the Bunnymen in Never Stop. He founded Jamming! magazine, co-presented legendary TV music show The Tube and has written acclaimed books on REM, Wilson Pickett and The Smiths. It was a privilege to have him contribute to our discussion. 

Here's our Best of British Vol.3 - and we're still arguing! It's one artist, one song, so see who makes the cut this time round and who, staggeringly, has still failed to find a place even with 60 artists now represented. Join Paul, Ben and Adam for another round of music chat and expect Vol.4 to come along pretty soon.

This week Adam, Ben and Paul take a listen to a few of their favourite film soundtracks. From the obscure to the smash hit, here are a selection with some cracking tunes - covering disco, electronica and stoner rock along the way. 

It won't come as any surprise that we're fans of The Stone Roses, but how would we rank 20 of their finest tunes? Apologies to Shoot You Down which didn't make the final list, but that only emphasises the strength of the material. Listen as Paul, Ben and Adam debate the respective finishing positions of these classics. 

In the words of The Waitresses, It's Christmas Eve, gonna relax. And what better way to do it than with our Christmas special as Paul, Ben, Adam and Neil pick five fantasy Christmas dinner guests to chat around the table and also sing for their supper. It's a fun episode to leave 2021 on, and we'll be back next year. Thanks for listening.

There were some absolute tunes in 1983 and we've picked 32 of them to pick over in our latest World Cup competition. Ben, Neil, Adam and Paul debate the merits of classics from the likes of The Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen, Heaven 17 and, er, Toto. 

In this week's episode we put the music world's big hitters to one side and pick our alternative top 10s if the likes of Stevie Wonder, The Clash, The Jam, Public Enemy and Oasis had never existed. Paul, Ben and Adam dig deep into their collections to find some choice selections.

Going to the Chapel and we're gonna get married! This week we lighten the mood a little - if that's possible - by turning into wedding DJs and picking our first five songs to get the dance floor filled. Obviously after the buffet and once a couple of drinks have been consumed. Expect an eclectic mix to say the least. 

Who is the greatest talent of the last 40 years? It's a tough call but Prince must have a strong claim. In this week's episode we take our box set format and come up with a Prince sampler to  introduce the Minneapolis Maestro's work. So join Neil, Adam, Ben and Paul as we go in through the out door and explore  his Purple Reign.

The World Cup of 1978 - a year where post punk emerged but disco was still topping the charts. Soundtrack singles were huge and pure pop was finding the charts crowded with interlopers. This week Adam, Ben and Paul kick around 32 songs from '78 to try and find the year's best track. 

Possibly the greatest label in history, Motown is responsible for any number of classic songs that not only defined an era but live on in our collective music consciousness. This week, Adam, Ben and Paul set out to rank 20 of Motown's finest. So what and who will come out on top? Marvin, Stevie, Diana, The Temptations, Smokey, Four Tops, Supremes or Martha? Grapevine, My Girl, Superstition, My Girl or Reach Out? Have a listen and feel free to suggest your Motown favourite on our Instagram feed.

Vinyl is back in a big way, but for some of us it never went away. This week on See You Down The Front we're joined by Anthony Nyland, co-owner of Liverpool's Dig Vinyl store to discuss best dressed albums and the joys of finding  rare and unexpected records in surprising places.

There's no doubt that New York is one of the world's great music cities, and this week Ben, Paul and Adam set themselves the task of picking 20 songs to represent this fine metropolis. But what would make your list of New York's finest? 

This week Paul, Ben and Adam discuss golden years - not the Bowie single, but periods in a band's career when they could seemingly do no wrong. Each of us picks several examples where  bands enjoyed a glorious run of albums and were clearly at the top of their game.

We're back with Volume 2 of our Best of Britain having missed out some absolute bangers from our first list of 20 songs and artists. Looks like a third will be on the cards, too, as Paul, Adam and Ben agonise over who should or shouldn't make the cut.

Sometimes, for whatever reason, a career never reaches the heights you think it should. Bands break up, an early single is the best they'll ever do, contract disputes stall early promise - it could be one or many factors that get in the way. This week Paul, Adam and Ben pick out five examples each where promise was less fulfilled than it might have been.

It's World Cup year 1987 and a battle between such chart  heavyweights as Madonna, Pet Shop Boys, George Michael and Prince, the year's breakout star Terence Trent D'Arby , rap giants like Eric B & Rakim and the growing influence of Stock, AItken and Waterman. Listen as  Neil, Paul, Adam and Ben whittle 32 tracks down to an ultimate winner.

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 include it on the playlist.

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! 

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.

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.