In 1977, the Sex Pistols burst on the scene with "Anarchy in the UK," and transformed popular music forever. Along with that song, every one of these singles helped reshape style, language, and performance. This is the story of how music and the world change, how bands reach a peak and dominate the scene briefly before fading away, about the undeniable power of certain records ("Smells Like Teen Spirit," for example). Here are punk and grunge, disco and rock, funk and electronica, rap and hip-hop. Every incisive, illuminating, and outspoken essay defies the accepted standpoint of music journalism. From Elvis Costello's Alison and The Bee Gees' Stayin' Alive to Bjork's Hyperballad and Missy Elliot's The Rain, it's a truly provocative read.