Music
03 Apr 18

Radio X’s ‘Best of British’ features 15 Oasis hits – and no women

Radio X have faced backlash over lack of diversity after publishing their poll, ‘Best of British’ which contained 15 tracks by Oasis, and no songs at all by any stand-alone female musicians.

The top 100 list, voted for entirely by listeners with no shortlist, named Manchester band Oasis’ 1994 classic ‘Live Forever’ as its best British track of all time.

Managing editor of Indie station Radio X Matt Deverson commented, "This year, we see Oasis take the number one spot in a Top 100 that features truly great British tunes from across the decades.“

Joining 'Live Forever' in the top 10 were other Oasis tunes, ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’, ‘Wonderwall’, ‘Slide Away’ and ‘Champagne Supernova’

Also featuring prominently in the Top 100 are tracks by The Beatles, Manic Street Preachers, Arctic Monkeys, The Smiths, Queen and David Bowie.

Our #BestOfBritish No.1 this year! Watch Live Forever before on our roof by @liamgallagher! pic.twitter.com/e3uou9oKY2

— Radio X (@RadioX) April 2, 2018

The ranking has drawn criticism from fans citing the lack of diversity in inclusion of female musicians, people of colour and LGBTQ+ artists. The input of a solitary woman is recognised in the list – Candida Doyle, who is a credited songwriter on Pulp’s 1995 track ‘Common People’.
Notably absent are two of the most successful British female musicians in recent times, Amy Winehouse and Adele.

Fans had a mixed reaction – some defending the poll merely as an expression of the opinions of listeners, others stating that the results were a disappointing dismissal of women, ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ musicians from the British music scene.

Radio X's "Best of British" playlist has no women in the top 100 but features 15 songs by Oasis

— Roisin O'Connor (@Roisin_OConnor) April 3, 2018

People moaning about @RadioX #BestOfBritish?Seriously, get a grip! It's an indie station, why are people expecting Adele to be on the list?!

— ⚓️SusieP⚓️? (@Beachdrifter74) April 3, 2018

Almost goes without saying, but that Radio X 'Best of British' list is awful. It's just the whitest, penisiest collection of music in existence.

— elfie. (@elfbatross) April 3, 2018

Confirming that ears are wasted on some people, Radio X's 100 best British songs of all time (voted by listeners) contains no women, one black person (the drummer from the Libertines) and 15 songs by Oasis https://t.co/kP5rjkg4xa

— Alex Needham (@alexneedham74) April 3, 2018

Why are people kicking off that Radio X’s Best Of British barely contained any women? It’s based off the people’s personal tastes who voted and not everything has to be sexist

— Becca Harrison (@beccaharrison38) April 3, 2018