Curved Air were one of the most distinctive and pioneering bands of the early British progressive rock scene. Formed in London in 1970, they were among the very first prog bands to be fronted by a woman — the influential Sonja Kristina — and built a singular sound from Darryl Way’s classical violin, Francis Monkman’s keyboards and a blend of folk, electronics and rock. Here is our fellow fan’s ranking of their finest songs.

The short version

If you only hear a few, make them “Back Street Luv”, “Vivaldi”, “Marie Antoinette” and “It Happened Today” — their unforgettable hit single, Darryl Way’s electrifying violin showpiece, a dramatic historical epic, and the thrilling opener of their debut. The full ranking is below.

A singular voice in early prog

Few bands sounded quite like Curved Air. Formed in London in 1970 by two Royal College of Music students — violinist Darryl Way and keyboardist-guitarist Francis Monkman — and fronted by the crystalline voice of Sonja Kristina, a former cast member of Hair, they fused classical music, folk, electronics and rock into something genuinely new. Taking their name from a Terry Riley album, they became one of the first prog bands led by a woman, and Kristina’s ethereal singing would go on to anticipate the likes of Kate Bush. Across a run of adventurous albums — and one huge hit single — they left an indelible mark on British prog. These fifteen songs are the best.

How we ranked them

This is one fan’s order, weighing melody, invention, that unique instrumentation and lasting impact. The facts are accurate; the order is a starting point for the debate.

The essential six

At the very top sits “Back Street Luv” (1971), their unforgettable UK top-five hit. With it: “Vivaldi” (1970), Darryl Way’s electrifying violin showpiece; “Marie Antoinette” (1972), a dramatic, historical mini-epic; “It Happened Today” (1970), the thrilling, violin-driven opener of their debut; “Young Mother” (1971), a virtuosic, dynamic fan favourite; and “Metamorphosis” (1973), a ten-minute, Eddie Jobson-era epic.

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Reliably great

The next tier is essential too. “Melinda (More or Less)” (1972) is a sparse, folky, sublime highlight; “Propositions” (1970) is a live-favourite showcase for the band’s chemistry; “Puppets” (1971) is a tense, beautifully sung slow-burner; “Over and Above” (1972) is Francis Monkman’s jazzy, ambitious centrepiece; and “The Purple Speed Queen” (1973) is a punchy, driving opener.

Deeper cuts

For the dedicated, these reward repeat listens. “U.H.F.” (1973) is an atmospheric, extended deep cut; “Woman on a One Night Stand” (1975) is a gritty highlight of their rockier era; “Baby Please Don’t Go” (1976) is a bluesy later single; and “Stay Human” (2014) is a violin-driven standout from their 2014 reunion.

Every song at a glance

All fifteen songs, in chronological order — each linked to the album it comes from, so you can hear it in context.

Where to start

Begin with their debut Air Conditioning and the masterful Second Album, home to the hit “Back Street Luv,” then the dramatic Phantasmagoria and the Eddie Jobson-era Air Cut. Their later albums, from Midnight Wire to the 2014 reunion North Star, reward deeper exploration.

The players

Curved Air revolved around the crystalline voice of Sonja Kristina — the band’s constant — and the classical brilliance of violinist Darryl Way and keyboardist-guitarist Francis Monkman. After they departed, the teenage prodigy Eddie Jobson, soon of Roxy Music, brought his own violin and keyboards, and a young American drummer named Stewart Copeland passed through before forming The Police. The band has lost two of its founders: drummer Florian Pilkington-Miksa died in 2021, and Francis Monkman in 2023. Sonja Kristina keeps the Curved Air name alive to this day.

Why they still matter

Curved Air proved that progressive rock could weave classical violin, cutting-edge electronics and a commanding female voice into something wholly original. Emerging alongside British peers like Renaissance, King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, they helped expand what prog could be, and Sonja Kristina remains one of the genre’s most influential vocalists. Decades on, their best songs still shimmer.

Go deeper

Keep exploring: rank their records with our guide to the best Curved Air albums, or place them in the bigger picture with the best progressive rock songs of all time.

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