Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band - Apache

So to the last of the 31 Songs, and the only instrumental. As a singer, lyrics are an important part of songs, so they have to be exceptionally good as an instrumental to make the grade.

And Apache by the Incredible Bongo Band is that good. A remake of the classic by the Shadows, yet taken to the next level with insistent, rhythmic breakbeats of the bongos (I know, who’d have thought it?). Whilst you may not have heard this song, or even heard of this song, you’ll be aware of its legacy. For this is the track which gave birth to house music.

For that reason alone it merits inclusion in the list, but the beats fit just as well in their original location as under a house or hip-hop tune. An excellent way to kick off the New Year’s Eve celebrations. (Trust me, there’ll be plenty of time to make up for the lack of lyrics during the karaoke later on…)