Britpop (What is it?)
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Hello you. Make a cup of tea, put a record on. Welcome to The A to Z of Britpop, your introduction to the bands, music, and characters that defined the most exciting genre of the 1990s. In this article, we introduce Britpop, the cultural and musical movement that captured the spirit of the UK in the mid-1990s. Britpop wasn’t just a genre; it was a celebration of British identity, soundtracked by bands like Oasis, Blur, Suede, and Pulp.
Britpop was built on personalities, fierce rivalries, soundbites, and of course, the music that defined a decade. It captured the restless energy of the country and signalled a wave of optimism across the UK that had been missing for years.
Each entry in this series is a fact file, giving you the key details: who they were, where they came from, and what they made. It’s the perfect starting point for revisiting the era if you were there, or figuring out why your mum or dad keeps going on about it.
Overview
Originated in: United Kingdom
Active years: 1993–1997 (peak years)
Associated genres: Alternative rock, indie pop, glam rock, mod revival
Key artists: Oasis, Blur, Pulp, Suede
Derivative styles: Post-Britpop
Formation and Early Years
Britpop emerged in the early 1990s as a reaction to grunge and shoegaze, offering an alternative rooted in British identity.
Influenced by 1960s British Invasion bands, 1970s punk rock, and 1980s indie pop.
Early pioneers included Suede, whose 1993 debut album became the fastest-selling debut in UK history.
Blur’s Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993) established the movement’s aesthetic, rejecting American cultural dominance.
Rise to Prominence
Oasis’s Definitely Maybe (1994) and Blur’s Parklife (1994) propelled Britpop into the mainstream.
Pulp’s Different Class (1995) added a witty, working-class perspective, with anthems like “Common People.”
Camden became a cultural hub, with venues like the Good Mixer hosting key figures in the scene.
The 1995 “Battle of Britpop” between Blur’s “Country House” and Oasis’s “Roll with It” captivated the nation, marking a high point for the movement.
Commercial Success and Albums
(What’s the Story) Morning Glory? by Oasis became one of the best-selling albums in UK history, with over 22 million copies sold globally.
Blur’s The Great Escape and Pulp’s Different Class both hit No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.
Suede’s Dog Man Star showcased a darker, more ambitious side of Britpop.
Elastica’s self-titled debut became the fastest-selling debut album in UK history upon its release in 1995.
Later Activities and Legacy
As Britpop waned in the late 1990s, bands like Travis and Coldplay adopted a more introspective style, forming the post-Britpop movement.
The movement’s impact extended into fashion, cinema (Trainspotting, Four Weddings and a Funeral), and politics, with Tony Blair aligning New Labour with the optimism of the era.
Retrospective documentaries like Live Forever: The Rise and Fall of Britpop (2003) explore its lasting cultural significance.
Notable Facts
The “Battle of Britpop” was as much about class and regional divides as it was about music, with Oasis representing the North and Blur the South.
The movement helped revive British cultural exports, from music to fashion and film, in the 1990s.
Suede’s Dog Man Star is often considered a masterpiece, despite being released during a time of internal band turmoil.
The Union Jack became a symbol of the era, famously worn by Geri Halliwell at the 1997 Brit Awards.
Noel Gallagher’s iconic Union Jack guitar remains a defining image of the period.
Defining Lyric
“You’re gonna be the one that saves me.” — Wonderwall (1995)
Discography
Parklife by Blur (1994)
Definitely Maybe by Oasis (1994)
Different Class by Pulp (1995)
Dog Man Star by Suede (1994)
Elastica by Elastica (1995)
Essential Listening
“Wonderwall” (1995): Oasis’s most iconic song, a global anthem of Britpop.
“Common People” (1995): Pulp’s wry commentary on class divides, delivered with irresistible hooks.
“Parklife” (1994): Blur’s playful, quintessentially British exploration of everyday life.
Why You Should Be Listening to Britpop Now
Britpop remains a cultural touchstone, embodying a unique moment of British creativity and confidence. Its anthems and attitude continue to inspire, offering a window into a transformative era in UK history. Whether you’re revisiting old favourites or discovering these classics for the first time, Britpop still has the power to connect.
See you on down the road.
