Robert Webb’s sarcastic, sniggering, sneering synopsis of 1995 on Channel 5’s “Ten Things I Hate About 1995” portrayed a tacky, sleaziness that was not altogether truly representative of that year!!

Sure it was the year that gave us Dale Winton’s “Pet’s Win Prizes” and the irritatingly smug Jeremy Beadle in “Beadle’s About”…..and it’s a pity the latter wasn’t on the receiving end of Eric Cantona’s kung fu kick that night at Selhurst Park. And yes, rogue trader Nick Leeson singlehandedly brought down one of Britain’s oldest banks, Barings!! But what Robert Webb skated over was that this year was the zenith of Britpop and I have have some wonderful memories of 1995, all of which are infused with Britpop tunes.

1995 was the year that saw the man of the moment Chris Evans take the helm of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show and champion the music of Oasis, Blur, Pulp, Supergrass etc. It was only a couple of weeks before he joined Radio 1 that I had had a curry with Chris Evans and a few others. This had come about through my association at the time with his then estranged wife, Carol McGiffen ( from Loose Women ) and my defining memory of 1995 was sitting in her garden by Hampstead Heath on a glorious sunny Sunday, listening to the Radio 1 Chart Rundown. The significance of this was the culmination of a week’s hype by the music industry in the so called “Battle of the Bands” to see whether Oasis or Blur would win the race to No1. In the event Blur’s “Country House” pipped Oasis’ “Roll With It” to the post.

Who was No1 that week is immaterial. What is important is that Oasis and Blur were instrumental in the Britpop movement that injected real dynamism, energy, colour, wit and humour into the music scene. Nobody represents the wit and humour of Britpop better than Jarvis Cocker and Pulp. And that’s why, whatever it’s shortcomings, 1995 will long be remembered for it’s musical legacy. To celebrate this mid decade year, here’s a Top 10 Best Britpop Hits of 1995 –

Top 10 Best Britpop Hits of 1995

1)  Blur – Country House

2)  Oasis – Wonderwall

3)  Pulp – Common People

4)  Blur – The Universal

5)  Oasis – Roll With It

6)  Supergrass – Alright

7)  Pulp – Disco 2000

8)  Oasis – Some Might Say

9)  Suede – New Generation

10)  Supergrass – Lenny

You can immortalise the songs of your favourite Britpop groups, in your own home or workplace / office, by ordering your favourite vinyl record or CD; single, album or album cover; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. ORDER NOW by clicking on…….. http://www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Alternatively this would make a unique present or original gift for a special celebration  ie a Wedding ( Wedding Song ), an Engagement Party, a House Warming Party, a 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday, a Silver Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!! THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!