Top 10 Best English Bands
When it comes to English bands, the country has produced some of the most iconic and influential acts in music history. From rock legends who changed the face of popular music to pop groups who ruled the charts, the UK has always been a hub for groundbreaking sounds and unforgettable performances.
These bands have filled arenas, topped the charts, and built fanbases that span across generations.
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Queen
Queen is an English rock band formed in London in 1970. The original lineup was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar). Before Queen, May and Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury, a fan... read more
Queen is number one on my list. They created amazing songs that people will remember for a long time. I don't think they will ever be forgotten. Freddie had a beautiful four-octave voice and was one of the best frontmen that ever lived. Roger has great drumming skills and a nice high voice. Brian's guitar skills will never be matched by anybody else. John was one of the quietest and most relaxed bass players I've ever seen.
Their concerts will never bore you. Freddie always kept the crowd engaged with his amazing, strong voice and his strutting on stage. He would make jokes and sometimes laugh out loud. Anyway, Queen is truly an amazing band! They truly 'took my breath away.'
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The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The group comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the development of the 1960s counterculture and the recognition of popular... read more
Yes, versatility and the fact that three of the greatest songwriters ever were in the same band. Couple this with George Martin's musical nous and Brian Epstein's leadership, and they were unique. John said after the breakup that they were a band, just a band who made it big. Very big. But I think that The Beatles were more than just a band. They didn't write and sing songs just to suit the times. They led and influenced the times they lived in, creating musical and social changes in a way that has not been heard or seen since.
The six parts of The Beatles' success - the four group members, the manager, and the musical director - gelled into an unstoppable creative force. I think that the main reason for their phenomenal success was their collective creative genius.
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Coldplay
Coldplay is a British rock band formed in 1996. The group includes Chris Martin (lead vocals, piano), Jonny Buckland (lead guitar), Guy Berryman (bass), and Will Champion (drums, backing vocals). Their manager, Phil Harvey, is often referred to as the unofficial fifth member.... read more
They are better than Queen and The Beatles. Their music always has a positive conclusion, and they are certainly better than a broke-up boy band. Frontman Chris Martin has a rich voice, and the band makes music enjoyable for almost everyone. Vote and take them to the number 1 slot that they certainly deserve.
They have composed some of the most sentimental songs I have ever heard. They should be in the top three.
They have the perfect combination. The greatest lyrics and melodies.
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One Direction
One Direction (commonly abbreviated as 1D) was a British and Irish pop boy band composed of Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and originally Zayn Malik, who departed on March 25, 2015.
The group formed on The X Factor UK in 2010, finishing third, and then signed with Simon... read more
Please, guys, don't insult One Direction. If you don't like them, then why are you even watching this? There is nothing that One Direction has got to do with the insecurities of teenage girls or whatever crap you people are talking about. They deserve to be on the top. They have their fans from all around the world, so at least pretend to show some respect.
This is the best band I have ever heard. Those who think this is not real music should not insult them. There are millions of fans reading this, and they love One Direction. And don't even insult Niall. He is an amazing person, and the other boys are also brilliant. You haters are just jealous of their success at such a young age.
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Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin was an English hard rock band formed in London in 1968 as the New Yardbirds. The group consisted of Robert Plant (vocals), Jimmy Page (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass, keyboard), and John Bonham (drums). The band was largely the brainchild of Jimmy Page, who even financed their first tour... read more
The Gods of Rock music. Excellent guitar and music. Robert Plant is incredible. Stairway to Heaven is the ultimate rock song ever. But then, who can forget Kashmir?
My favorite band is Queen, but they're already in first. Voting for Led Zep because they deserve better than to finish behind One Direction and Coldplay.
Better than The Beatles! Why? Guitar solos are excellent. Drum beats too. Bass is very good in most songs, and Plant's voice is actually 10/10.
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The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. The first settled line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar), Bill Wyman (bass), and Charlie Watts (drums).... read more
Simply the best! What a magical band! The best combination ever: powerful guitars, magical bass and drums, and... Mick Jagger!
One Direction and Coldplay above The Stones? You're having a laugh, aren't you?
The Rolling Stones are rock 'n' roll. Their raw energy and pure emotion are matched by no other band.
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Oasis
Oasis is an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. The original lineup consisted of Liam Gallagher (lead vocals), Paul Arthurs (guitar), Paul McGuigan (bass guitar), and Tony McCarroll (drums). A few months later, Liam invited his older brother Noel Gallagher (lead guitar, vocals) to join the... read more
The reason they are one of the greatest British bands ever is that they dominated the 90s with two of the greatest albums ever made. Morning Glory and Definitely Maybe defined the decade. Even if they didn't really break America, that wasn't due to them not being a great band. It was mostly because whenever they went on tour there, they more or less broke up.
Even their worst albums are still good. They just can't live up to their first two. They also have incredible B-sides.
Oasis or Queen are definitely 1 and 2 for the best. The others are good, but these two have changed music itself.
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Take That
Take That is an English pop group from Manchester that was formed in 1989. The group currently consists of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, and Mark Owen. Known for hits like Back for Good and Rule the World, Take That has sold millions of records worldwide.
Take That is an amazing group. They are all down to earth and care so much about their fans. They interact with their audience, and at album signings or any other time they meet fans, they take the time to chat to you as if they had known you for ages. Each song written by them has a meaning.
I was in my late 30s when they began and am now 62, but I still sang and danced the night away at two of their concerts this year. They really care about others and do so much for charity, not only in public but behind the scenes too. Their music brings out every emotion in me. What they have achieved over 25 years is incredible. They absolutely deserve to win. #TakeThatForever I'm so proud of them.
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Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd are an English progressive rock band formed in 1965 in London, England. They gained international acclaim with their innovative, conceptual music blending progressive rock and psychedelia. The classic lineup included Syd Barrett (vocals and guitar), David Gilmour (vocals and guitar), Nick... read more
Yo, what the hell is going on here? One Direction is better than Pink Floyd? Go back to junior high or listen to Floyd ASAP! Incredibly powerful lyrics and concepts, some of the most impressive instrumentalists in music history, and the never-ending influence on music they have. Being ranked #9 is disgraceful for them. They are considered by some to be even better than the Beatles. Idiots. All of you.
The fact that Led Zeppelin, The Stones, The Beatles, and even Queen are above Pink Floyd on this list is just an insult to '70s music. Pink Floyd will never be beaten.
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Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Phil Selway, and Ed O'Brien.
Known for their experimentation and sonic evolution, they rose to international prominence with OK Computer and continued... read more
Truly the band with the most variations in sound. Don't believe me? Listen to Kid A and The Bends. Note the difference.
I am gonna puke. Radiohead below One Direction? Who are at three? Radiohead should be in the top 10 AT LEAST!
They deserve to be at the top. Unlike The Beatles, they are daring and creative. They are the greatest ever.
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XTC
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Spice Girls
The Spice Girls are an English pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consists of Emma Bunton (Baby Spice), Melanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice), Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice), Melanie Brown (Scary Spice), and Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice).... read more
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The Who
The Who is an English rock band formed in London, England, in 1964. The most recognizable lineup consisted of Roger Daltrey (lead vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar), John Entwistle (bass guitar), and Keith Moon (drums). They are best known for their live performances and hit songs "Baba O'Riley," "My Generation... read more
Rock gods like none other. Keith is the best drummer, John is the best bassist, Roger is a fantastic singer, and Pete is the greatest songwriter, plus a fantastic guitarist.
I used to not care about these guys. Then I heard Live at Leeds. Needless to say, my mind was blown to bits. THE best rhythm section of any band ever!
Their sound endures more than anyone else's, and some of the songs are the most exciting pieces of music ever written.
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The Smiths
The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. The band consisted of vocalist Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke, and drummer Mike Joyce. They became one of the most influential bands of the 1980s, known for their distinct blend of jangly guitar pop and introspective... read more
What is actually wrong with this list?! Take That 2nd? Oasis 8th? The Smiths 11th? Who puts One Direction and Take That above The Smiths and Oasis?! The Smiths is my favorite English band, and you cannot beat Morrissey's lyrical genius and Marr's extraordinary musical talent. Listen to How Soon Is Now, There Is a Light That Never Goes Out, or I Know It's Over before you dare press One Direction.
Greatest band of all time... let alone in England. The Smiths created some of the most unique, inspiring, influential, emotional, and interesting music of all time. There will never again be anything like Morrissey's quintessentially English, yearning voice or Johnny Marr's symphony of glittery, jangly guitars. The Smiths are and will always be number 1 in my book.
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Def Leppard
Def Leppard are an English hard rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement.
The band rose to international fame with albums like Pyromania (1983) and Hysteria (1987), the latter of which sold over 20 million copies worldwide. They were inducted... read more
Come on! How could these guys not be on the list?!
Some of the greatest rockers of the '80s!
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Mumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons is a British indie folk band formed in London in 2007. The band includes Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall, and Ted Dwane. They rose to prominence with their debut album Sigh No More and became known for their energetic live performances and folk-influenced sound.
I love Mumford and Sons. What I don't understand is why they are 32!
They are way better than a 32!
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Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Their most critically acclaimed period is widely considered to be from 1983 to 1989, during which they released landmark albums like Piece of Mind, Powerslave, Somewhere... read more
Their singer, Bruce Dickinson, is a polymath: a pilot, fencer, radio DJ, and various other things he excels at. Steve Harris plays the bass with his fingers, and not many people can do that. Their drummer, Nicko McBrain, is one of the best drummers on this planet. Their guitarists, Adrian, Dave, and Janick, are amazing. Every song the band has put out on all of their 15 albums is amazing. And best of all, they're British!
Bruce Dickinson is the most talented vocalist of all time, in my opinion, and the guitar is incredible. They have 6 DVDs made about them, 5 of which were chart-topping. To top it off, they even have their own beer. They cannot be beaten by 5 boys with voice correction and 1D.
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Portishead
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Keane
Keane is an English post-Britpop, piano rock, and pop rock band from Battle, East Sussex, formed in 1995. The group consists of Tim Rice-Oxley, Richard Hughes, Jesse Quin, and Tom Chaplin. Keane achieved major success in the 2000s with albums such as Hopes and Fears.
Keane has some of the best lyrics and catchy tunes. While some bands provide me with just a few songs to listen to, there are easily ten or more that I can think of for Keane.
They are much better than One Direction, who shouldn't even be on this list. Keane are the best. Why aren't they number 1?
By far the best.
If you just compare them to, let's say, Coldplay, they are so much better...
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Muse
Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The members are Matt Bellamy (lead vocals, lead guitar, piano, keyboards), Dom Howard (drums, percussion), and Chris Wolstenholme (bass, backing vocals). They have won numerous awards, including five MTV Europe Music Awards... read more
Ridiculous! Muse should be in the top 5 along with The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Queen, and Pink Floyd. Muse is the best band I've ever known. They create great music, very intelligent. Lyrically, I love them. They talk about something important. The band members are simply geniuses. Come on, top 5 at least!
The best band in the 21st century, in my opinion. Fully talented members, meaningful deep lyrics, able to put all musical elements: rock, classical, electronic, etc.
The best band to attack the Illuminati. You should agree!
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Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English new wave and synthpop band formed in Birmingham in 1978. They achieved major success in the 1980s and were a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States. The group is known for hits like "Hungry Like the Wolf," "Rio," and "Ordinary World."
So creative, so clever in their music, what an inspiration to others in the music industry... just awesome. Never get tired of listening to their songs!
Duran Duran changed the face of music in the '80s and took the UK, America, and the whole world by storm. Every song is a classic.
Not just Duran Duran, but Spandau, Coldplay, etc., are all better than One Direction. Fact! DD beats 1D!
They are so cool and their music is amazing. I'm a teenager and would rather listen to them any day compared to the crappiness of 1D.
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Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath were a heavy metal band formed in Birmingham, England, in 1968 by guitarist and songwriter Tony Iommi, singer John "Ozzy" Osbourne, bassist and main lyricist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. Their self-titled debut album received mixed reviews, but they quickly gained a strong following... read more
There is no group like Black Sabbath. Paranoid - ha, ha. What great times we had in college listening to Sabbath. Unforgettable.
Top 20? The band who created metal, the Godfathers, in the top 20?
They should be first for me, though.
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Joy Division
Joy Division was an English post‑punk band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. They originally used the name Warsaw. The quartet comprised Ian Curtis (vocals), Bernard Sumner (guitar. Keyboards), Peter Hook (bass), and Stephen Morris (drums). The band became influential despite their brief... read more
Tony Wilson always thought of Joy Division and New Order as the same band. If you listen to that catalogue of work, it's obvious this lot should be much higher on the list.
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Genesis
Genesis was an English rock band formed at Charterhouse School in Godalming, Surrey, in 1967. The band's most commercially successful and longest-running lineup consisted of keyboardist Tony Banks, bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford, and drummer/singer Phil Collins. In the 1970s, the group also included... read more
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Whitesnake
Whitesnake is an English rock band formed in London in 1978 by singer David Coverdale after his departure from Deep Purple. Originally assembled as Coverdale's backing group, the band quickly developed its own identity, though Coverdale remained the sole consistent member throughout its history.... read more
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Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro is a Scottish rock band formed in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire. The group consists of Simon Neil on vocals and guitar, and twin brothers James and Ben Johnston on drums and bass, respectively. Since their formation, they have released multiple critically acclaimed albums and established a strong... read more
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Deep Purple
Deep Purple is an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. They are regarded as pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical style has changed over the years. They originally played progressive rock, but shifted to a heavier sound around 1970.... read more
The greatest rock band of all time. Those who have not heard their songs do not really know what hard rock is. Smoke on the Water, Black Night, Hush, Soldier of Fortune... the list goes on.