1993 all over again: NME's best singles two decades back

Although we have a bright new year waiting to be written upon, let's not forget that January is two-faced, looking back as well as forward. And no day is more push-me-pull-you than New Year's Day itself.

So, to show 2013 what sort of challenges it will need to rise to and to lob in a few lazy posts of embeds, let's hold hands and countdown the 20 best singles of 20 years ago, as decided upon by the NME.

20: Bjork - Venus As A Boy
Possibly the point where we should have said "enough with the kooky", as Bjork stares into middle distance and rolls eggs round her head. Cooking doesn't come any more twee than this.

"His wicked sense of humour suggests exciting sex" doesn't really hold true in the real world, does it? Not unless Jeremy Beadle was... but no, let us pursue that thought no further.



19. Senser - Eject
18. Paul Weller - Sunflower
17. Shara Nelson - Down That Road
16. Radiohead - Creep
15. New Order - Regret
14. Blur - For Tomorrow
13. Spiritualized - Electric Mainline EP
12. Pet Shop Boys - Go West
11. Manic Street Preachers - From Despair To Where?
10. Huggy Bear - Her Jazz
9. Belly - Feed The Tree
8. Elastica - Stutter
7. Tindersticks - Marbles
6. Bjork - Human Behaviour
5. Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name Of...
4. Suede - Animal Nitrate
3. Leftfield/Lydon - Open Up
2. Credit To The Nation - Call It What You Want
1. The Breeders - Cannonball