Saint Etienne
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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 Saint Etienne, a trio that bridged the worlds of 1960s pop, club culture, and British indie with their dreamy, eclectic sound.
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: Croydon, Greater London, England
Active years: 1990–present
Associated genres: Alternative dance, indie pop, synthpop, dance-pop
Record labels: Heavenly, Warner Bros., Creation, Sub Pop, Mantra, Sanctuary
Members: Sarah Cracknell – vocals / Bob Stanley – keyboards, programming / Pete Wiggs – keyboards, programming
Formation and Early Years
Formed in 1990 by music journalists Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs, initially as a project featuring rotating vocalists.
Their debut album Foxbase Alpha (1991) featured several vocalists before Sarah Cracknell became the permanent frontwoman.
Inspired by club culture, 1960s pop, and experimental works like OMD's Dazzle Ships.
Rise to Prominence
Gained recognition with their breakout single "Only Love Can Break Your Heart", a dreamy rework of the Neil Young classic.
Followed up with Foxbase Alpha, which was nominated for the 1992 Mercury Prize.
Released So Tough (1993), a top-ten album featuring hits like "You're in a Bad Way" and "Join Our Club".
Commercial Success and Albums
Experimented with folk and electronic fusion on Tiger Bay (1994), which reached the UK top 10.
Their single "He's on the Phone" (1995), a collaboration with Étienne Daho, became their highest-charting UK hit at number 11.
Pivoted to indie pop with Good Humor (1998), featuring the top-twelve single "Sylvie".
Later Activities and Legacy
Embraced atmospheric and ambient sounds with Sound of Water (2000) and Finisterre (2002), which were accompanied by film projects.
Continued blending genres with albums like Words and Music by Saint Etienne (2012) and I've Been Trying to Tell You (2021).
Maintained a loyal fanbase with new releases like The Night (2024) and numerous collaborations with visual artists and filmmakers.
Notable Facts
Their track "Only Love Can Break Your Heart", a cover of Neil Young's classic, was one of the first indie dance anthems of the 1990s.
Foxbase Alpha earned a Mercury Prize nomination in 1992, marking them as a key act of the era.
Their single "He's on the Phone" (1995), a collaboration with Étienne Daho, became their highest-charting hit.
Defining Lyric
"Only love can break your heart" - Only Love Can Break Your Heart (1991)
Discography
Foxbase Alpha (1991)
So Tough (1993)
Tiger Bay (1994)
Good Humor (1998)
Sound of Water (2000)
Finisterre (2002)
Tales from Turnpike House (2005)
Words and Music by Saint Etienne (2012)
Home Counties (2017)
I've Been Trying to Tell You (2021)
The Night (2024)
Essential Listening
"Only Love Can Break Your Heart" (1991): Their breakthrough single, a dreamy indie-dance classic.
"He's on the Phone" (1995): A euphoric Europop anthem that became their biggest hit.
"Sylvie" (1998): A breezy yet bittersweet track showcasing their indie-pop brilliance.
Why You Should Be Listening to Saint Etienne Now
Saint Etienne’s ability to weave nostalgia with innovation has kept their music timeless. Whether you’re revisiting their 90s classics or exploring their more recent experimental albums, their sound remains as compelling and unique as ever.
See you on down the road.