Top 10 Best Songs by Manic Street Preachers

The title is a quote from Vincent van Gogh: "Sadness will last." It's about a war veteran treated as an attraction. Despite the heavy subject, the music is energetic and uplifting. The guitars are sharp and the chorus is grand. An early example of their gift for turning despair into catchy rock.

A duet with porn actress Traci Lords. It's a feminist song about the objectification of women and the emptiness of the male world. The melody is sweet and poppy, which contrasts sharply with the biting lyrics. "You are pure, you are snow." A cult classic that perfectly captures the band's punk attitude.

The title track of their comeback album after Richey's disappearance. It's about sweeping away the past and starting over. The strings are bombastic and driving. It's a powerful statement of survival. Bradfield sings with enormous passion. The sound of a band that refuses to give up.

A duet with Nina Persson from The Cardigans. It's a perfect pop-rock song with enormous drive. The "call and response" singing works great. The lyrics refer to suicide and depression, but the music is euphoric. One of their biggest commercial successes, full of energy and zest for life.

An epic ballad that starts with a simple drumbeat and grows into a symphony. It's about the passing of time and the loss of innocence. "In the beginning, when we were winning." The mood is wistful and grand. A song that takes you on an emotional journey and makes you think about what really matters.

A song about disappointment and hating your situation, wrapped in a cheerful jacket. The drumbeat is tight and the guitars are fresh. Bradfield sings about drinking to forget and the sun that disappeared. It's a perfect example of their "happy music, sad lyrics" formula. A sing-along for everyone with a broken heart.

Not about a tidal wave, but about the silent power of the "Tsunami" twins from the Japanese royal family (a metaphor for silence and dignity). The guitar riff is Eastern-inspired and catchy. The song flows and waves. It's one of their most radio-friendly and successful songs, with a unique atmosphere.

An early masterpiece. It's an indictment of consumer society and the emptiness of modern life. The guitar riff is melancholic and immediately memorable. "Under neon loneliness." The lyrics are pure poetry. The video, shot in Tokyo, reinforces the feeling of alienation. A timeless classic that reveals the band's soul.

The anthem of the British working class. It starts with that beautiful string intro and then breaks loose. "We don't talk about love, we only want to get drunk." It's proud, combative and grand. Bradfield sings the lungs out of his body. The song gave the band a second life and became an anthem for everyone fighting for a better existence.

Their biggest hit and a number one in the UK. Inspired by the Spanish Civil War. The title is a warning against indifference. The music is ethereal, atmospheric and almost ghostly. "If I can shoot rabbits, then I can shoot fascists." It's intelligent, political and wonderfully beautiful. A unique pop song with a message that always remains relevant.