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Every April 23rd, the distinctive St George's Cross flag is unfurled skywards as if England were halfway to the World Cup with Germany about to be thrashed in the final. Happily, this is no bad thing and on such a historic day our Patron Saint would surely demand some music for his next conquest. So Snap, Crackle and Pop reckons now is the time to celebrate the pop'n'roll acts who have raised the spirits of this nation over the years, some who may have fallen by the wayside and others who continue to belt out the hits like invincible knights of the realm.

There are, of course, many to choose from but if St George had to name his Top Ten, there would be no room for nostalgia, only ruthless rock decision making. Which means out go Queen's pop-operatics, the Bee Gee's disco anthems and Black Sabbath's hard rock Satanism. Also tossed aside are Pulp's Britpop flag-wavers, Led Zeppelin's tousled histrionics, Coldplay's bedwetters and The Smiths' bed-sit angst, alongside other notable and honourable absentees The Clash, Pet Shop Boys and Arctic Monkeys. Because here is our definitive St George's Day Countdown. Serve with a plate of bangers and mash:

10 Oasis

St George would surely respect the Gallagher brother's fighting qualities and with "Live Forever" they have a song tailor-made for his everlasting kudos.



09 Pink Floyd

During their ‘60s heyday and with the rather far-out Syd Barrett setting controls for the heart of the sun, the goggle-eyed Floyd were seeing dragons around every corner.



08 New Order

What greater national honour can there be than writing the official World Cup song for the English football team? "We're singing for England, ENG-ER-LAND!"



07 The Stone Roses

The baggy legends may only have made one good album but in John Squire they had a guitarist who played as if brandishing a massive sword, even if singer Ian Brown sounded as though his throat had just been cut.



06 Sex Pistols

OK so St George may have frowned upon Sid Vicious and co's anti-Royalist rhetoric but he would surely have entered battle to the words "God Save The Queen" every day of the week.



05 Spice Girls

Yes, THAT dress, which may have been tailored from a Union flag but never mind. Plus Geri looks cracking in it and we need some girls at this party.



04 Blur

Single-handedly resurrected "British Image #1", soundtracking the Britpop era with songs like "This Is A Low", which was written around the BBC's much-loved shipping forecast.



03 The Rolling Stones

Put the anti-establishment, insurrectionary bad attitude, prison terms, mars bars and "Their Satanic Majesties Request" to one side, because the now pensionable Mick and Keef are as English as a cup of tea.



02 Radiohead

Paid direct tribute to Her Majesty with "Kid A"'s "National Anthem" before showing admirable knowledge of war games on "You And Whose Army". Thom Yorke's woggle eye is also rumoured to have been injured at the infamous battle of Harrowdown Hill.



01 The Beatles

Crowned the nation's favourite musical sons some 45 years ago when they collected MBEs at Buckingham Palace (don't mention what happened in the toilets), their standing continues to this day, with Sir Paul McCartney unchallenged as the Queen Mother of Brit Rock.



What do you think of our St George's Day Jukebox? Who's out that should be in? Have your say here...