Discover what Britpop is! A 90s cultural phenomenon: from the “Battle of Britpop” (Oasis vs Blur) to hits like Wonderwall and Common People. Origins, musical traits and the genre’s legacy.
Britpop is not just a genre, but a cultural phenomenon that defined the sound of British music in the 1990s.
It became a symbol of the era when Britain once again asserted itself as a musical superpower — with guitar-driven energy, witty lyrics and the spirit of youth.
Origins and context
In the early 1990s, the UK music scene was heavily influenced by American grunge (Nirvana, Pearl Jam).
Against this backdrop, a new movement emerged, focused on British identity, national humour and everyday life.
Inspired by The Beatles, The Kinks, The Smiths and David Bowie, a new wave of musicians crafted a sound that felt close to home — melodic, accessible and sharply observant.
Key Britpop bands
Oasis
The Manchester brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher turned Britpop into a people’s movement.
Anthems like Wonderwall, Don’t Look Back in Anger and Live Forever became the soundtrack of a generation.
Blur
The intellectual counterpoint to Oasis.
Damon Albarn and the band shaped a London version of the genre — ironic, urban, eclectic. The album Parklife (1994) is a Britpop classic.
Pulp
Jarvis Cocker turned Britpop into an art of observation.
Songs like Common People and Disco 2000 are both sarcastic and deeply humane.
Suede
Aesthetic of glamour, sexuality and the big city.
Their self-titled debut (1993) became one of the catalysts for the entire movement.
The Verve
A poetic, melancholic take on the genre. Bitter Sweet Symphony is an anthem of self-awareness and one of the defining tracks of the decade.
Musical traits of Britpop
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Guitars — crisp, often analog-driven tones with melodic drive
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Tempo — mid-paced, from laid-back to danceable
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Lyrics — about everyday people, love, irony and social or political commentary
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Vocals — British accents worn proudly as a marker of identity
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Atmosphere — a blend of light nostalgia and confidence in the future
Britpop fused rock energy, pop sensibility and poetic social insight.
Essential albums of the era
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Oasis – (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)
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Blur – Parklife (1994)
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Pulp – Different Class (1995)
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Suede – Dog Man Star (1994)
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The Verve – Urban Hymns (1997)
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Supergrass – I Should Coco (1995)
These releases defined the musical DNA of the decade.
Britpop as a cultural phenomenon
Britpop was never just about the music — it was a national idea.
It became a symbol of 90s British confidence — the era of «Cool Britannia» — alongside fashion, cinema (Trainspotting, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels) and football.
The soundtrack of a new millennium was blasting from pubs, TV screens and student parties.
Decline and legacy
By the late 1990s, Britpop had started to fade.
Oasis and Blur shifted their sound, while a new wave of artists — Coldplay, Muse, Travis, Keane — brought a more emotional, atmospheric approach.
Yet the spirit of Britpop lives on:
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in the guitar-driven indie scene,
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in 90s-themed retro parties,
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and in that distinct British sense of irony that never ages.
Why Britpop still matters
Britpop became a symbol of a time when young people believed that music could change the world.
It was more than a genre — it was a way of life, set to an E major chord with a Union Jack on the guitar.
Britpop is not just nostalgia. It’s a reminder that honesty and melody can unite a generation.
