What is Britpop? Britpop is a British music movement from the 1990s that blends elements of rock, pop, and alternative music, characterized by catchy melodies and lyrics reflecting British identity and culture. It was created as a response to the Grunge scene in the United States. The rivalry between Oasis and Blur, more commonly known as The Battle of Britpop started in the early 90s when these two bands started competing for who could reach n1 at the Top of The Pops and rule the Britpop scene. Now for a little background:
Blur is a British rock band based in London that started in the late 80s formed by four men: Damon Albarn (lead singer), Graham Coxon (guitarist), Alex James (bassist) and finally Dave Rowntree (drummer). Blur first became famous in 1991 with their album Leisure. Their song There’s No Other Way even debuted on the Top of the Pops chart. Blur completely changed the music scene in the UK. During the 90s, Grunge emerged in the US and everyone wanted to sound like them, but after a bad experience during Blur’s tour in the US they decided to stop trying to sound American and started embracing their British roots, making songs like Parklife, Country House or Charmless Man. That is how Britpop emerged.
Oasis started a few years after and immediately became Blur’s direct rival. Oasis was started in 1991 in Manchester by the Gallagher brothers; Liam (lead singer) and Noel (songwriter and lead guitarist). Three other men later joined: Paul Arthurs or Bonehead (rhythm guitar), Paul McGuigan or Guigsy (bassist) and Alan White (drummer). They were signed in 1993 and in 1994 their first album Definitely Maybe was released and it became one of the fastest-selling debut albums in the UK. This obviously earned them a very important spot not only in the Britpop scene but in general in music. They quickly became one of the most important bands in the UK. They have iconic songs like Wonderwall or Don’t Look Back In Anger, which are practically anthems in the UK. They were notorious for the Gallagher brother’s usual fights not only between them but also with many people in the British music scene, mainly Blur. “It was Oasis versus Blur, and it was about who could take the throne of British rock.” Said Oasis’ guitarist Noel Gallagher. But, it wasn’t only a rivalry about music, it was north versus south, working class versus middle class, Manchester versus London.
Ever since Oasis had come out with their album the relationship between both bands was quite tense, but their feud reached its peak in 1995 when both bands announced their single on the same day. Oasis announced Roll With It and Blur came out with Country House. This ended up with them fighting over who could reach number 1 on Top Of The Pops. The 18th of august, 1995 Blur’s Country House debuted on number 1 which consequently made them win the fight. When on stage to perform said song, Blur’s bassist, Alex James wore an Oasis t-shirt as a jab towards them.
During the following years the rivalry didn’t stop, in fact, it increased. Both bands would constantly trash talk the other publicly. The feud was mainly stirred by Liam, Noel, Damon and Alex, the other band members would usually try to stay out of it. Some examples of their (very) public feud was Liam constantly saying in interviews how he had a thing for Damon’s girlfriend, Justine Frischmann (Elastica’s frontwoman) and how she (Justine) was going to “go for him (Liam)”. In the 1995 Brit Awards when Blur went on stage to pick up the award for best song, Damon went up to the microphone and exclaimed “We think this should’ve been shared with Oasis!” who were also nominated for the award. Over the years both bands rekindled and are quite friendly. Noel Gallagher even played the guitar at a Gorillaz gig. Liam was asked recently on twitter what he thought about Albarn to which he answered “Love that kooky nerd hipster”.
