VOODOO RAY, A GUY CALLED GERALD (1988)

 

Inspired by the innovative, dancefloor-filling house-music sounds emanating from Chicago and Detroit, Voodoo Ray creator and 808 State member Gerald Simpson was a regular visitor to The Haçienda. The UK’s first acid-house single was a groundbreaking release and a significant precursor to the fast-developing Madchester scene.

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THE MODERN AGE, THE STROKES (2001)

 

On their debut 45, New York pretty boys The Strokes gave indie in the 2000s a much-needed shot in the arm with a return to rock ’n’ roll basics. Sure, it was retro, but their reference points – specif cally The Velvet Underground – were everlastingly cool, and they wouldn’t be seen dead in an ill-f tting charity-shop plaid shirt.

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REBEL GIRL, BIKINI KILL (1993)

 

Bikini Kill, led by Kathleen Hanna, were radical feminist pioneers of the riot-grrrl movement in the 1990s, and a socially charged punk-rock force to be reckoned with. Rebel Girl is the scene’s most emblematic 45. Former Runaway Joan Jett produced the track as well as contributing backing vocals and guitar.

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YOU SEND ME, SAM COOKE (1957)

 

With this joyously romantic self-penned ballad, Sam Cooke opened up his brand of sweet Southern soul to a mainstream pop audience. He was one of the first black artists to hold such strong crossover appeal, and his gliding delivery has subsequently proved a strong influence on countless scores of performers.

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VIRGINIA PLAIN, ROXY MUSIC (1972)

 

Musical futurists Roxy Music ushered in a new age of art-pop with their ultra-stylised debut 45. The perfect antidote to the lumpy 70s, Virginia Plain was gleefully artful, glamorous and otherworldly all in the right proportions. The original ‘Virginia Plain’ was actually a painting by Ferry, from his art-school days.

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BEING BOILED, THE HUMAN LEAGUE (1978)

 

Human League spearheaded the anti-rock New Pop movement of the early 80s, but their debut single came from a darker, more experimental place. Phil Oakey introduces the 45 by quoting the last words of mass murderer Gary Gilmore – “Okay, ready, let’s do it”, – before bringing up the subject of silkworm farming.

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RELEASE THE BATS, THE BIRTHDAY PARTY (1981)

 

Written as a self-parody of the band’s links with the emerging goth scene, the bass-driven pisstake Release The Bats ended up being adopted as one of the genre’s def ning anthems. Nick Cave has since dismissed the association, but not before inspiring dark legions of would-be vampires to pick up a guitar.

 

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