There was an invasion. We won…but the music endured. As with any Sauce list, this is not a “traditional” or “strict” ranking of British Invasion albums. About half are from the ’60s; the rest flow naturally out of that wave. There are even a few from the ’90s! So get out your brown sauce and prepare to be invaded.
(If you’d like to hear the featured tracks, you can listen to them here on Spotify.)
25) Herman’s Hermits, Their Greatest Hits (1987)
The invasive track: “I’m Into Something Good”
Am I the only one who thinks immediately of “The Naked Gun”? Leslie Nielsen was Canadian, not British, but still.
24) Psychedelic Furs, Talk Talk Talk (1981)
The invasive track: “Pretty in Pink”
The British invasion lands firmly in the ’80s.
23) The Police, Outlandos d’Amour (1978)
The invasive track: “Roxanne”
We’re getting that Jamaica connection here with The Police. Particularly when Sting launches into a Rastafarian accent…which happens more than you might think.
22) The Spencer Davis Band, Gimme Some Lovin’ (1967)
The invasive track: “Gimme Some Lovin'”
Steve Winwood’s band, Kevin Kline’s workout song, and the song playing when Ellen gets pulled over in “Mr. Destiny.” Timeless.
21) Billy Idol, Rebel Yell (1983)
The invasive track: “Catch My Fall”
Very…English rebellion. Billy Idol gets it.
20) The Yardbirds, For Your Love (1965)
The invasive track: “For Your Love”
Pre-Jimmy Page Yardbirds. This one’s got Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and of course, Chris Dreja and Jim McCarty, present for “all Yardbirds releases” according to Wikipedia.
19) New Order, Substance 1987 (1987)
The invasive track: “True Faith”
Substantive!
18) The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
The invasive track: “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – Reprise”
A bit later in the decade for these chaps. Better late than never though. And oh yeah, the Reprise is where it’s at! It kills me when they sing “we’re Sgt. Pepper’s one and only lonely hearts club band.”
17) Genesis, Invisible Touch (1986)
The invasive track: “Throwing It All Away”
Phil didn’t have to give it all away. He did that for us.
16) The Dave Clark Five, American Tour (1964)
The invasive track: “Because”
One of those instances where other bands did “The Beatles” better than the actual Beatles.
Blimey!
15) The Jam, Sound Affects (1980)
The invasive track: “That’s Entertainment”
Kayli hates The Jam! Especially this song. But she also hates Elvis Costello, who is basically the SPOKESPERSON for the “angry young man” movement which is decidedly UK.
14) T. Rex, Electric Warrior (1971)
The invasive track: “Life’s A Gas”
Everything’s a gas in Great Britain. T.Rex most of all.
13) Duran Duran, Rio (1982)
The invasive track: “Hold Back the Rain”
Endlessly charming Simon Le Bon “smells like he sounds.” I have to assume he is referring to the smell of England and not, like, English people.
12) The Animals, It’s My Life (7″) (1965)
The invasive track: “It’s My Life”
Oooh fuck yeah The Animals! This song is so intense. It’s been known to get something of a rally going whilst playing in the Hyundai. IT’S MY LIFE!!!!
11) Oasis, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)
The invasive track: “Don’t Look Back In Anger”
Because it wouldn’t be a British Invasion list without the Gallagher gits. One of only TWO albums from the ‘90s to make the cut!
10) The Sweet, Desolation Boulevard (1974)
The invasive track: “Fox on the Run”
“THE Sweet,” as my friends across the pond call ’em.
9) The Zombies, The Singles Collection: As & Bs 1964 – 1969 (2000)
The invasive track: “She’s Not There”
“The way she had to have the color of her hair.” Sigh, Brittania.
8) Tears for Fears, Songs from the Big Chair (1985)
The invasive track: “Shout”
You can’t call yourself a fan of the British Invasion without recognizing the importance and pure wonder of Tears for Fears. Plus you can just TELL they’re hiding some truly Commonwealth chompers behind those coy smiles.
7) Badfinger, No Dice (1970)
The invasive track: “No Matter What”
A perfect turn into the ’70s.
6) Depeche Mode, Violator (1990)
The invasive track: “Personal Jesus”
Okay, Depeche Mode. You can tell we’ve made it firmly out of the ‘80s now. Pardon me, your own personal Jesus? Talk about a royal claim.
5) The Kinks, The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (1968)
The invasive track: “Picture Book”
The hair, the outfits, the drunken swagger of songs like “Picture Book.” Mmm, Kinky.
4) Dusty Springfield, A Girl Called Dusty (1964)
The invasive track: “Wishin’ and Hopin'”
She’s British! I forgot! I often try to re-create this photo around the house (denim and adorable pose in tow) and Steve always knows exactly what I’m doing. Dusty is unmistakable on any continent.
3) The Who, My Generation (1965)
The invasive track: “A Legal Matter”
I guess the band hates this album? Don’t be sore, chaps. It’s a perfect little chunk of the Pommy invasion. Complete with 4 ugly mugs on the cover.
And speaking of ugly mugs…
2) The Rolling Stones, England’s Newest Hit Makers (1964)
The invasive track: “Little By Little”
A bold choice indeed to throw these ugly-ass hit makers front and center. My favorite Stones album nonetheless. Gems from the isle of Albion.
1) The Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
The invasive track: “I Should Have Known Better”
Come on, you knew! There is not a more perfect album to capture the feel of the British Invasion. Filled front to back with charming bits of jingle-jangle, pop-packed, lovey-dovey limey devotion.
Thanks for swimming in the (British) Sauce folks! God save the Queen!!
Awesome. I’m putting together a British Invasion playlist and this take on it is different from mine but will complement it very well. I just bought five songs on your recommendation!:
Little By Little The Rolling Stones
A Legal Matter The Who
Wishin’ and Hopin’ Dusty Springfield
Picture Book (Stereo Mix) The Kinks Cl
Gimme Some Lovin’ The Spencer Davis Group
I’m Into Something Good Herman’s Hermits
I don’t really like the early Stones but that one’s good.