What is Britpop?
What's a Wonderwall anyway?
Before the Spice Girls brought us zig-a-zig-ah and invaded every inch of 90s pop culture, Britain was witnessing a different kind of revolution. One led by cheeky lads in bucket hats and art-school rebels armed with guitars. This was Britpop, an unapologetically British counterpunch to the grunge storm brewing across the Atlantic. Its brashness, swagger, and sheer absurdity still echo in our headphones, our wardrobes, and (against better judgement) some karaoke bars.
Whether you’re discovering Britpop for the first time or you’ve got an Oasis poster still pinned above your bed, prepare to relive a dizzying moment of cultural madness. We’re here to unravel what Britpop was, why it mattered, and why its legacy lives on in a world that still debates Blur v Oasis on Twitter (or X... whatever it’s called now). Grab your Fred Perry, make a cup of builder’s tea, and sit comfortably.
The Britpop Origin Story
Britpop wasn’t just a genre; it was a declaration. Tired of snoozy shoegaze and the brooding angst of American grunge, Britpop swaggered onto the scene like a braggart at last orders. It was colourful, cocky, and proudly unrefined.
Rather than rebel against pop, Britpop embraced its British roots with a knowing wink. It pillaged the past with glee, from the cheery melodies of The Beatles to the bold bravado of glam rockers like David Bowie. It wasn’t afraid to wield Kinks-inspired chronicles of suburban life, nor did it shy away from the laddish stomp of The Stone Roses.
But Britpop didn’t just materialise overnight. The 80s indie underground paved the way with bands like The Smiths and The Jesus and Mary Chain quietly laying the groundwork. And then came Suede’s glittering debut in 1993. With that Mercury Prize-winning record, frontman Brett Anderson moaned into the mic like a glam-punk saviour, and Britpop found its first bone fide hero. Soon after, Blur’s “Modern Life is Rubbish” planted the Britpop flag with its Brit-centric identity, just as Oasis' "Definitely Maybe" slid swaggering onto the scene. Britain hadn't just reclaimed its sound. It was weaponising it.
It wasn’t all organic bliss, though. Britpop’s mythology owes as much to music mags like Select and NME as it does to the bands. These journalists spun tales that made every act a character in an epic drama. Britpop wasn’t just alive on the airwaves; it was a front-page sensation.
Britpop’s Big Four
When you hear “Britpop,” four names spring to mind. Blur. Oasis. Pulp. Suede. These weren’t just bands; they were icons of a movement that made mundane Britain magnetic.
Blur, led by Damon Albarn, gave us multicoloured pop anthems served with a side of art-school wit. Coated in cockney swagger (despite their middle-class roots), Blur’s albums like Parklife perfectly encapsulated Britpop’s playful spirit. Who else could make a song about the banalities of suburban dog-walking an anthem?
Oasis were the boisterous Mancunians, spouting confidence like someone dared them to be cooler every five minutes. Their debut Definitely Maybe was thunder, and follow-up What’s The Story (Morning Glory)? became the soundtrack for footy lads and karaoke veterans. Phrases like “working-class heroes” clung to Oasis as tightly as Liam Gallagher’s parkas.
Pulp, meanwhile, brought glam-tinged mischief and seedy romanticism to the mix. Jarvis Cocker’s sharp lyricism turned kitchens, council estates, and sordid evenings into sweeping epics. Their album Different Class wasn’t just about class divisions; it rocked them into the stratosphere.
And then there was Suede. Glamorous. Melancholic. A bit bizarre. Brett Anderson’s swooning vocals paired with Bernard Butler’s guitar riffs made Suede the romantic existentialists of Britpop. Their early success paved the way for others but don’t call them Britpop to their face. They’ll deny it proudly.
The Battle of Britpop
If Britpop were reality TV, the 1995 chart battle between Blur and Oasis would be the season finale. Blur’s chirpy “Country House” went head-to-head with Oasis’ anthemic “Roll With It.” The press billed it as class warfare in stereo. The middle-class art kids vs. the working-class pub lads. Blur ended up taking the crown with their number-one single, but Oasis had the last laugh (What’s The Story sold more than The Great Escape). Britain had never seen a rivalry so loud, and frankly, neither band has stopped talking about it since.
Beyond the Big Four
TThough the Big Four dominated, Britpop’s soundscape was vast and varied. Supergrass brought us sun-soaked, cheeky charm with hits like “Alright”. Elastica, led by Justine Frischmann, added stylish snarl to the mix. The Bluetones delivered jangly anthems, while Menswear rode a wave of hype with questionable launching skills.
These bands may not have hit the same dizzying heights, but they added colour and depth to Britpop’s mosaic. Even Heavy Stereo deserves a pint for trying (before Gem Archer ran off to join Oasis proper).
And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Britpop was a sprawling genre full of hidden gems and underappreciated acts waiting to be discovered. Dive in, and you’ll find plenty more to explore beyond the household names.
The Decline of Britpop
By the late 90s, Britpop began to buckle under its own weight. Britpop wasn’t just music anymore; it was pop culture in its messiest form. Bands burned out. Albums fell flat. (Yes, Be Here Now, we’re looking at your seven-minute indulgences.)
Teen pop ascended with the Spice Girls, and NME declared grunge was back with Radiohead’s OK Computer. Artists like Travis and Coldplay began shifting the sound towards introspection, and soon Britpop felt like last night’s leftover lager.
Britpop’s Legacy
Britpop still lingers in British music, fashion, and identity. Its unapologetic Britishness paved the way for confidence in UK music and inspired waves of indie revivalists. Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, DMA’s? They all carry echoes of the Britpop DNA.
The fashion remains iconic too. Fred Perry polos, Stone Island jackets, and Adidas trainers are still wardrobe staples, both for nostalgic fans and the new generation. And thanks to Spotify, there’s always a ready-made playlist spinning out Pulp’s perfect hooks and Oasis’ stadium-ready bangers.
But more than anything, Britpop marked a weird, glorious moment when British music stopped looking across the Atlantic for validation. It stood proudly on its own two feet and shouted, “Give us a listen!” And we did.
Relive Britpop’s Finest Moments
Feeling the Britpop itch? Start with a playlist of essential tracks featuring gems from Blur, Oasis, Pulp, and Suede while sprinkling in tracks from Elastica, Gene, and Supergrass.
Because whether you’re bellowing “Don’t Look Back in Anger” at a festival or smirking along to “Common People”, Britpop’s magic is still alive.
What’s your ultimate Britpop song? Get in touch, let us know, or I might just record a terrible cover of Wonderwall.
