What did Time magazine consider the twentieth-century's greatest album? Which anthem by Prince was an attempt to emulate Bob Seger? And what links Count Basie and Batman? If you thought you knew your music, then think again. 1001Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, is totally revised and fully updated for 2013, and is the definitive guide to accompany your interest in music. Written by top UK and US music journalists, and includes a preface by Michael Lydon, the founding editor of the Rolling Stone magazine. It celebrates the great and ground-breaking albums throughout the eras - from the genesis of Fifties rock 'n' roll to the technological and electronic innovations of the 2000s. Each entry includes key tracks and explains exactly why each of these albums deserved to be included in the list, offering an insight into the process of their creation, development, and success.
With albums from Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Sex Pistols, ACDC, Ray Price, the Beach Boys, Sonic Youth, P J Harvey, Jack White, Green Day, Christina Aguilera, and the latest from David Bowie, as well as new cutting-edge entries such as Kendrick Lamar and Django Django, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die covers all the works that have formed part of the soundtracks to all our lives, at one point or another. Illustrated with more than 900 iconic images of album covers, bands and artists, as well as photographs from many legendary gigs, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, covers from the 1950s to the present and is the single most comprehensive list of music that changed the world, an absolute must-have for all the musically inspired.

1001 Songs

by Robert Dimery

Published 4 October 2010
"1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die" is an absorbing introduction to some of the greatest songs ever recorded, by an enormous range of artists from Bessie Smith to Gnarls Barkley and from Metallica to Missy Elliott. Find out what made their songs so great - then get back to the music. The rich history of popular music is built on a foundation of classic songs. From Tin Pan Alley to the Brill Building, Bob Dylan to Kurt Cobain, and Joni Mitchell to Amy Winehouse, gifted songwriters have crafted a cherished body of music that has become part of our lives. Imagine the Fifties without the magical clamor of "Tutti Frutti" and "Hound Dog", the Seventies without the anthemic "Le Freak" and "Anarchy in the U.K.", or the Noughties without the leftfield pop of "Toxic" or "Crazy". This music mirrors the times, both reflecting society at large ("A Change is Gonna Come" and "The Message") and mapping our own personal highs ("God Only Knows") or lows ("Hurt"). And from "Saturday Night Fish Fry" to "Saturday Night Fever", it has helped us simply forget our problems and dance till dawn.
"1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die" picks through nearly a century of music to bring you an inspiring selection of some of the greatest recordings ever made. Each entry in this wonderfully browsable book tells the story of a great song. Find out what inspired the songwriter, what makes the track so enduring, which songs it influenced in turn, and which cover version to listen out for. You'll also pick up a wealth of fascinating trivia along the way. What links Lead Belly, Lonnie Donegan, and Black Betty? Whose gravestone inspired Phil Spector's first hit? And when did Christina Aguilera join forces with The Moon People? Read on and find out.