Metallica's One took its inspiration from the novel, Johnny Got His Gun (Dalton Trumbo, 1939), adapted into an anti-war movie in 1971.

Orinoco Flow is an enchanting piece with Enya singing of sailing away and describing a series of shores and locations around the globe.

Everyday Is Like Sunday sees Morrissey singing about being in a gloomy coastal town and it really has him down.

Opel is a long track driven heavily by guitar and Syd Barrett’s often distant voice. It feels like there are instruments absent here.

In Fast Car, Tracy Chapman plays acoustic guitar, letting her voice carry the song, sharing the story of a young girl with a tough upbringing.

In Buffalo Stance, Neneh Cherry’s narrator remains resilient and she is adamant that she will not need a rich man to improve her life.

My Bloody Valentine's Feed Me with Your Kiss seems to concern passionate romance - primarily sexual intercourse.

Mudhoney's Touch Me I’m Sick is a raw and gritty piece that proved influential upon release especially on college radio.

Waiting Room is said to link back to a band named Embrace that lasted a year and were fronted by Ian MacKaye before he formed Fugazi.

Written by Black Francis, Where is My Mind? was inspired by a holiday he took to the Caribbean and went scuba diving.

Follow the Leader saw Eric B. & Rakim push their style into more complex territory in both lyrical output and sound.

Freak Scene was written amidst tension among the Dinosaur Jr. members and that is reflected in the song here.

With or Without You is said to be U2 singer, Bono’s, commentary on his personal life and his life as a rock star.

Centred by a stunning and mesmerising guitar riff, Need You Tonight began life with the music and Hutchence added in the lyrics.

Faith remains a classic though not George Michael’s best in my opinion. What isn’t in doubt was he was a terrific singer in his lifetime.

Never Let Me Down Again is darker and more haunting than Everything Counts, further evidence of how Depeche Mode were evolving.

Paradise City from Guns N' Roses has something anthemic about it. It is one example of a band who were on fire from the off.

In Fairytale of New York, we have a duet between MacGowan and MacColl as they look back on a turbulent relationship that has now ended.

Looking at the lyrics to R.E.M.'s The One I Love it is clear that the narrator here is not offering flowers and chocolates to his beloved.