London

London. It's not just the very cradle of English-language civilization, it's ground zero of a whole world of musical styles and sounds, from the sultry T. Rex-tacy of "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" to the Clash's punk rock call-to-arms "London Calling," to the cherry soda fizz of the Spice Girls' "Wannabe." The Rolling Stones know "You Can't Always Get What You Want," but if you download our London Basics, you can get all the glam-rock dazzlers, post-punk anthems, 'round-the-pub yarn-spinners, and Britpop bangers you need.

The Style Council's Paul Weller may ride an emotional merry-go-round in "My Ever Changing Moods," but with our London Next Steps, there are tunes to suit his every humor. We've got Kate Bush's ethereal "Wuthering Heights" for his wild, stormy nights; and the "too beautiful" psychedelic dream world of the Small Faces' "Itchycoo Park" (an actual East End locale) for when he's feeling loose and sunny. Refined romance comes courtesy of Roxy Music's swoon-y crooner "More Than This," while Dusty Springfield's stiff upper lip gives way to bleeding-heart pleading in the pop epic "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me."

Fire up our London Deep Cuts and hear the world through the city's ears. The Bronx by way of South Wimbledon? It's Slick Rick and the tongue-tripping accent of his golden-age hip-hop classic, "Children's Story." How about "Bucky Done Gun," featuring Sri Lankan MC M.I.A., who spits righteous rapid-fire lyrics on top of grimy British beats? Or "Brimful of Asha," Cornershop's trance-y dance-tune tribute to Indian film-music superstar Asha Bhosle? It's a whirlwind tour, so when you're feeling fatigued, settle down and let Maxi Priest deliver the cool reggae-pop vibe of sweet Jamaica, "Close to You."

Sure, there are the legendary hamlets of Liverpool and Manchester, but when it comes to British musical greatness, nothing tops London. A magical mash-up of art schools, public houses, boys choirs, and music halls — not to mention a crossroads-of-the-world pool of influences — the city birthed an entire universe of popular music: the brilliant, brainy art-rock of Brian Eno ("Baby's On Fire"), the spit-polished punk of Generation X ("Ready, Steady, Go"), the gorgeous ache of Coldplay ("Yellow"). Nowhere but London would the revolutionary snarl of the Sex Pistols' "Anarchy In the UK" give way to the perky '80s dance-pop of Wham!'s classic "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" and the hip-hop grime of the Streets' "Let's Push Things Forward." And nowhere but iTunes can you tour the city's music without ever leaving your earbuds.