'Hey Joe', The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Although originally a traditional American folk song, The Jimi Hendrix Experience's first single is by far the most well known and has created a legacy in its own right.

'All Tomorrow's Parties', The Velvet Underground & Nico - Their first single from their first and best album, Lou Reed took inspiration for this track from Andy Warhol, who described this song as "a very apt description of certain people at the Factory at the time."

'White Riot', The Clash - Strummer recognised black people in the UK had a worthy cause to riot, but also felt that white people had reasons to riot too. Through this magnetically galvanising debut single, The Clash became role models for youths across the country.

'Transmission', Joy Division - Ian Curtis' sombre but poetic lyrics and Joy Division's relentless bass riffs were first heard by the world through this instant classic. Curtis' iconic erratic dancing was also debuted through its video too.

'Supersonic', Oasis - Definitely Maybe was the fastest selling debut album of all time in the UK when it was released and Supersonic certainly propelled its success. Nothing sums up the Oasis attitude better than, 'I need to be myself/I can't be no one else/I'm feeling supersonic/Give me gin and tonic.'

'Clint Eastwood', Gorillaz - The virtual superstar band's debut single was an eclectic mix of rock, hip-hop, and electronica. It stylishly introduced the world to Damon Albarn's Gorillaz, whose new-age music and hyper-modern approach still stands the test of time.

'Human Behaviour', Bjork - 'Human Behaviour' was the Icelandic singer's first solo single, after leaving The Sugarcubes. Its lyrics that reflected upon human nature and emotion from an animal's point of view proved only be a small step towards the alternative realms that Bjork would later embrace. An instant classic that made her an icon.

'Killing An Arab', The Cure - A single inspired by a scene in Albert Camus' 'The Stranger', the band's debut was a short-sharp blast of post-punk energy, full of vim and vigour - setting the template for countless copycat for a generation to come

'Neighbourhood Tunnels #1', Arcade Fire - Still one of their best songs, this is a perfect debut single and it was love at first sight from there.

'Mr Brightside', Killers - One of the best indie dancefloor-filling anthems of the last decade, 'Mr Brightside' can still be heard bellowing out of pubs at closing time. A pop classic, and one for all time.

'Time To Pretend', MGMT - It's that unavoidable song that everyone plays at parties. Even though it's overplayed, there's no denying its electro pop magic full of optimism and bliss.

'Anarchy In The UK', Sex Pistols - The angry and obnoxiously arrogant anthem that galvanised punk rockers is the most controversial song on our list. Shortly after its release, the BBC banned the track following the Pistols' behaviour on the TV programme, Today. However, its notoriety doesn't detract from the fact that it is an incredible track.

'Creep', Radiohead - Somewhat rough around the edges in comparison to the genre-defying art-rock that the band would later create, the band may not like it, but this was the number that presented radio on to the world stage - a raw post-grunge number of a great band at their most embryonic. An anthem for Generation X

'Hand In Glove', The Smiths - Johnny Marr's jangly guitar and Morrisey's deep morose vocals were unleashed in perfect juxtaposition to the world through this incredible debut single. The Smiths' unique sound that was captured in the single would prove to be a winning formula for the band throughout their work.

'Keep Yourself Alive', Queen - Brian May wrote the entirety of this great glam rock single that was the springboard for one of the most celebrated classic rock acts of all time.

'Losing My Edge', LCD Soundsystem - This alternative dance single from DFA Records' darling James Murphy is inspired by the fact he found other people started to play similar records to him meaning he wasn't going to be cutting edge anymore. It's very tongue-in-cheek and mocks his own silliness - but weirdly danceable. How very meta.

'What A Waster', The Libertines - It's actually 13 years since this was released, which makes us feel old. There have been few more exciting debut singles since. This was the beginning of a really exciting time in London for indie, but would sadly become a self-fulfilling prophecy for Pete Doherty in the 00s.

'Ceremony', New Order - This is a song by Joy Division, released as New Order%u2019s debut in 1981. It was one of the last songs to be composed with lyrics written by Ian Curtis. Bernard Sumner put the 'Ceremony' rehearsal tape through an EQ to transcribe the lyrics. A great homage to a departed legend.

'Suicide Alley', Manic Street Preachers - Their most commercially successful stuff is a cleaner sounding than this. This is Manics at their rawest, with a frenetic energy of a 70s punk band. The single was self-released and self-financed - but laid the blueprint for the arena-filling proto-punk that would follow.

'Teenage Kicks', The Undertones - The inspirational DJ Robert Peel listed this track as his all time favourite song, claiming that the song reduces him to tears each time. Although The Undertones probably didn't expect their debut song to reduce grown men to tears, they certainly knew how to write a punk anthem.

'Killing In The Name', Rage Against The Machine - Written over 20 years ago, the institutional racism and police brutality that resides at the core of the heavy metal track is still resonant today. It's Rage's most famous song and one of the best heavy metal songs to date.

'Alive', Pearl Jam - Eddie Vedder's vocals may have been notoriously incomprehensible, but it never detracted from his prolific song writing, which is rooted in this incredible debut single. Yes Eddie, your legacy is still alive.

'Has It Come To This?', The Streets - Elevating the presence of British rap and garage, The Streets's debut single didn't fit in amongst the mainstream radio, but that's exactly why it was so good.

'Hard To Explain', The Strokes - This is taken from their first album, which is still their best. The single, released by Rough Trade in 2001 after the A&R genius James Endeacott discovered them, was an instant success and gained an NME award for best single. A short-sharp kick in the face, re-invigorating the world of music in the post nu-Metal haze of the new millenium. A garage rock revolution was born.

'Blitzkrieg Bop', Ramones - When the Ramones debuted their single, they unwillingly pioneered the phrase 'Hey Ho Let's Go', which is still chanted as a rallying cry today. It's a great rock song and captures the sound of the emotive nature of the punk movement.

'Sweet Disposition', The Temper Trap - A powerful intro with guitar's as huge as The Edge. The melodic falsetto builds as drums - heavy on the toms - build to a thumping chorus. It's really well-orchestrated and a bold statement of intent form a band who've gone on to become huge.

'Obstacle 1', Interpol - Easily one of their greatest tracks and the opening riff sets crowds on fire from the moment it breaks. It's got a great combination of epic anthem rock and catchy indie simplicity - a great track to lose your shit to in a festival, and shining beacon upon the post-punk majesty of classic debut album, Turn On The Bright Lights.