Released in the summer of 1982, Come on Eileen has become a staple of British culture over the years. The Dexys classic reached number one in the United States and was the band's second number one hit in the UKplaceholder image
Released in the summer of 1982, Come on Eileen has become a staple of British culture over the years. The Dexys classic reached number one in the United States and was the band's second number one hit in the UK | Getty Images

The 30 best songs ever released by Birmingham bands as chosen by Brummies

Joe Forte
By Joe Forte

Reporter

Published 10th Nov 2023, 17:03 GMT
Updated 10th Nov 2023, 17:32 GMT

From rock legends such as Black Sabbath to soul and the reggae sounds of UB40, Birmingham has a music history to be proud of - but what are the greatest songs by Birmingham bands?

Birmingham and the West Midlands has always been a major centre for great music.

With the likes of ELO, Ocean Colour Scene, Lady Leshurr, Laura Mvula, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, Brum has produced many top artists over the years.

The city is known for being the birth of heavy metal, thanks to Ozzy and Sabbath, but there are numerous bands with links to the second city. Musicians from this part of the world have certainly had a big impact on music culture around the world, with a number of classics from Birmingham bands going on to be worldwide hits and number one singles.

But what are the very best tunes produced by bands from the city? We asked our readers to tell us the best song ever released by a Birmingham band with over a hundred people getting back to us with their suggestions.

We've gone through the answers and can now unveil the 32 best songs from Birmingham bands, as chosen by you. Let's take a look.

Are Duran Duran the Birmingham act with the most hits? quite possibly. Ordinary World, one of the group's slower ballads was mentioned a few times by our readers.

5. Ordinary World - Duran Duran

Are Duran Duran the Birmingham act with the most hits? quite possibly. Ordinary World, one of the group's slower ballads was mentioned a few times by our readers. Photo: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Save a Payer was the third single from the band's wildly popular album Rio. The lyrics from Simon Le Bon are about a chance meeting between two people that turns into a one-night stand

6. Save a Prayer - Duran Duran

Save a Payer was the third single from the band's wildly popular album Rio. The lyrics from Simon Le Bon are about a chance meeting between two people that turns into a one-night stand | Getty Images for Global Citizen

Released in 2004, Sunrise was one of the band's last major hits. The upbeat dance track peaked at number 5 on the UK singles chart

7. (Reach up for The) Sunrise - Duran Duran

Released in 2004, Sunrise was one of the band's last major hits. The upbeat dance track peaked at number 5 on the UK singles chart | NationalWorld

A tribute to soul singer Geno Washington, this was the band's second single and their first UK number one, staying at the top of the Singles Chart for two weeks

8. Geno - Dexys Midnight Runners

A tribute to soul singer Geno Washington, this was the band's second single and their first UK number one, staying at the top of the Singles Chart for two weeks | Getty Images

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