The classic Joy Division track was released in 1980 and was focused around lead singer Ian Curtis and his troubled relationship with wife Deborah Woodruff. The song has gone on to influence many other musicians and bands including The Pet Shop Boys. The song focuses on Curtis’ marriage, but also takes into account his own struggles with epilepsy and his efforts to hold down a day job whilst his singing career got off the ground. The track is rough and elegant, and will go down as a work of art for years to come. It was released a month after Curtis died by suicide. placeholder image
The classic Joy Division track was released in 1980 and was focused around lead singer Ian Curtis and his troubled relationship with wife Deborah Woodruff. The song has gone on to influence many other musicians and bands including The Pet Shop Boys. The song focuses on Curtis’ marriage, but also takes into account his own struggles with epilepsy and his efforts to hold down a day job whilst his singing career got off the ground. The track is rough and elegant, and will go down as a work of art for years to come. It was released a month after Curtis died by suicide. | Getty

The 11 biggest and best Manchester songs and anthems - including Joy Division, Oasis and The Smiths

Patrick Hollis
By Patrick Hollis

Digital Journalist

Published 16th May 2023, 14:40 GMT
Updated 7th Nov 2023, 16:28 GMT

Plenty of iconic songs have been born from Manchester- we’ve had a go at picking out just a few

Manchester is a city steeped in musical history, with some of the biggest names coming from the area. From Oasis to Joy Division, The Smiths to Happy Mondays, plenty of talent has s[ruing from Manchester and the surrounding area. 

With this, some of the most memorable and iconic songs in UK music have been created by these local acts. Many of these songs remain just as popular as they were when first released. 

To celebrate the rich Mancunian music influence, we’ve taken a stab at collecting together the best songs which have come from the city. Many of these were suggested by you, our readers. 

Compared to other bands in this celebration of Manchester music, Courteeners are relatively new. However, they've been around long enough to have produced plenty of banging tunes. 'How Good It Was' is from their 2014 album 'Concrete Love'. The track is a stand out on what is a great album and a reminder that the music scene in Manchester continues to be alive and well

5. Courteeners- How Good It Was

Compared to other bands in this celebration of Manchester music, Courteeners are relatively new. However, they've been around long enough to have produced plenty of banging tunes. 'How Good It Was' is from their 2014 album 'Concrete Love'. The track is a stand out on what is a great album and a reminder that the music scene in Manchester continues to be alive and well | Getty

This classic Stone Roses track was released to the world in 1989. It enjoyed instant success, ranking highly in song charts around the world. The track was on the band’s debut self titled album and is one which very much introduced them to music fans around the world. It is a song which is regularly mentioned in covernations about the best indie songs ever made.

6. The Stone Roses- I Wanna Be Adored

This classic Stone Roses track was released to the world in 1989. It enjoyed instant success, ranking highly in song charts around the world. The track was on the band’s debut self titled album and is one which very much introduced them to music fans around the world. It is a song which is regularly mentioned in covernations about the best indie songs ever made. | Getty Images

Released on the 1990 album 'Life', 'This Is How I Feel' is one of Inspiral Carpets' most loved tracks. Depicting a working class mother in an extra-marital affair, the track was the band's first to break into the UK Top 40

7. Inspiral Carpets- This Is How It Feels

Released on the 1990 album 'Life', 'This Is How I Feel' is one of Inspiral Carpets' most loved tracks. Depicting a working class mother in an extra-marital affair, the track was the band's first to break into the UK Top 40 | Getty Images

The song dates back to 1977 and is on Buzzcocks first release- the EP 'Spiral Scratch'. The track is one played by the band throughout their career

8. INDIO, CA - APRIL 14: Musicians Steve Diggle (L) and Pete Shelley of Buzzcocks perform onstage during day 2 of the 2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Field on April 14, 2012 in Indio, California. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images for Coachella)

The song dates back to 1977 and is on Buzzcocks first release- the EP 'Spiral Scratch'. The track is one played by the band throughout their career | Getty

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