The BBC are celebrating the 20-year anniversary of  “the birth of Britpop” complete with footage and songs from bands including Oasis, Blur, Elastica, Pulp, Supergrass, Sleeper and The Verve. The season, entitled “Britpop at the BBC”, was broadcast on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6 Music and TV channel BBC Four on 6th to 11th April.

However the Record Press author would question the accuracy of this 20th anniversary of Britpop. Whilst Britpop undoubtedly peaked in 1995 and was at its height between 1994 and 1996, I would suggest it started earlier at the beginning of the decade with the arrival of Blur in 1991 and Suede in 1993. However this is a moot point, because it is right to review and celebrate this quintessentially British music movement with the perspective of a look in a 20 year old rear view mirror.

For those born after 1990, an explanation might be required as to what the Britpop phenomenon was all about. Wikipedia probably sums it up best, albeit a little scientifically……… “Britpop is a subgenre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom. Britpop emerged from the British independent music scene of the early 1990s and was characterised by bands influenced by British guitar pop music of the 1960s and 1970s. The movement developed as a reaction against various musical and cultural trends in the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly thegrunge phenomenon from the United States. In the wake of the musical invasion into the United Kingdom of American grunge bands, new British groups such as Suede and Blur launched the movement by positioning themselves as opposing musical forces, referencing British guitar music of the past and writing about uniquely British topics and concerns. These bands were soon joined by others including Oasis, The Verve, Pulp, Supergrass, Space, Sleeper and Elastica”.

For those born before 1990, Britpop was simply a lot of fun. It was flamboyant, colourful and confident and happy to ram “British-ness” down the throat of the world!! As I see it, essentially Britpop was influenced by and was a hybrid of the mod groups of the 1960s, The Kinks, The Small Faces and The Who along with the Glam Rock and New wave exponents of the 1970s, David Bowie, Slade, T.Rex and The Jam.

If you were not old enough to have experienced Britpop first time around, check out and download this Top 20 Best Britpop Songs –

Top 20 Best Britpop Songs

1) Oasis – Live Forever

2) Blur – Country House

3) Pulp – Common People

4) Blur – Parklife

5) Suede – The Power

6) Supergrass – Alright

7) Pulp – Disco 2000

8) Oasis – Don’t Look Back In Anger

9) Suede – Trash

10) Oasis – Masterplan

11) Supergrass – Moving

12) Oasis – Acquiesce

13) Suede – Film Star

14) Oasis – Cast No Shadow

15) Blur – Girls and Boys

16) Oasis – Roll With It

17) Oasis – Champagne Supernova

18) Suede – So Young

19) Suede – Wild Ones

20) Blur – Universal

What are your favourite Britpop songs? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

Celebrate your love of Britpop in your home or office, by ordering your favourite Britpop song in a vinyl or CD format; single, album or album cover; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque…… 

ORDER NOW…….. www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Framed vinyl records, framed CDs and framed DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!