The Fifties
Pop On Trial is the series which delivers the verdict on pop’s most important, influential and entertaining decade.
The results are in.
The 70s is the winning decade, decided by the jury on the finale.
Check out the top ten for the decade below as voted for by you.
The 80s Advocate
Miranda Sawyer
Miranda grew up in Wilmslow, Cheshire, a suburban upbringing that she explored in her first book Park and Ride.
She came of age in the mid-80s, dancing to New Order at various Mancunian nightclubs, before leaving to study Jurisprudence at Oxford University - ideal preparation for her first job: writing for Smash Hits.
Since then, Miranda's written for a myriad of publications including GQ, Vogue, Esquire, Select and The Guardian. In 1993 she became the youngest winner of the prestigious PPA Magazine Writer of the Year award.
Nowadays she's a feature writer for The Observer, where she continues to advocate the joys of pop culture. Look out for her biography of Madonna, to be published in the summer.
The Top 10 Vote
These are the top ten tracks as voted for by you. Full results below.
- 1
- The Pogues - Fairytale Of New York
- 2
- New Order - Blue Monday
- 3
- Specials - Ghost Town
- 4
- The Jam - Town Called Malice
- 5
- The Smiths - This Charming Man
- 6
- Human League - Don't You Want Me
- 7
- The La's - There She Goes
- 8
- Stone Roses - Fool's Gold
- 9
- Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax
- 10
- The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
The Critics Top 50
This Top 50 was compiled by Stuart Maconie, Mark Radcliffe, Miranda Sawyer, Martin Fry, Jazzie B and the production team.
Select a track to find out more information about the artist and the song.
Stone Roses
Fools GoldSpecials
Ghost TownDexys Midnight Runners
GenoHuman League
Love Action (I Believe In L...Madness
House Of FunFrankie Goes To Hollywood
RelaxPet Shop Boys
It's A SinNew Order
True FaithThe Smiths
There Is A Light That Never...Prince
When Doves CryCarino
T-CoyScritti Politti
Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha...Run-DMC
RockboxTears For Fears
ShoutThe Smiths
How Soon Is Now?A Guy Called Gerald
Voodoo RayDollar
Hand Held In Black And WhiteFrankie Goes To Hollywood
Two TribesThe Pretenders
Brass In PocketIncognito
IncognitoFun Boy Three
Faith, Hope and CharityHi Tension
You Make Me HappyLight Of The World
London TownCentral Line
Walking Into SunshineImagination
Body TalkLinx
You're LyingEddy Grant
Electric AvenueWah!
The Story Of The BluesAdam And The Ants
Kings Of The Wild FrontierMadonna
Into The GroovePublic Enemy
Rebel Without A PauseGrandmaster Flash And Melle...
White Lines (Don't Don't Do...Soul II Soul
Keep On Movin'The Jam
Town Called MaliceThe La's
There She GoesGrace Jones
Pull Up To The BumperOrange Juice
Rip It UpAztec Camera
ObliviousThe Pogues
Fairytale Of New YorkStyle Council
Long Hot SummerThe Cure
The Love CatsHuman League
Don't You Want MeOrange Juice
Simply Thrilled HoneyNew Order
Blue MondayMadonna
Like A VirginVan Halen
JumpThe Smiths
This Charming ManM/A/R/R/S
Pump Up The VolumePublic Enemy
Don't Believe The HypeWham!
Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do?)