90s Britpop power - 7 album selections from 7 bands

Looking back my favorite song on the album is Country House. Perhaps back then maybe it was Song 2 with it’s catchy and silly ‘woo hoo’ line and super paced and quick pop brilliance. Country House is still energetic but slows things down a tad but makes you bop your head from side to side and sing along. It was Blur’s first #1 single in a time when it was battle of who was better, them or Oasis. I didn’t care I liked both the bands, the more 90s Britpop the better.

I occasionally used this album title as a greeting with friends for months when this came out. Once in a blue moon I still do. It’s my favorite Oasis album, wonderful to listen to throughout with a few that are my favorites. I loved the rocking energy of title track with the lyrics “another sunny afternoon, yeah I’m walking to the sound of my favorite tune” and “need a little time to wake up, wake up” always helped me do just that.

Champagne Supernova is certainly a great title, and my absolute favorite song on the album into today with memorable lyrics and awesome melody. Rounding out my favorites is ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ a positive theme that is timeless. A good song to listen to when you need to get positive about a situation. Wonderwall is the fantastic song that is overplayed into today, but one of the most memorable lyrics ever “maybe you’re gonna be that one that saves me, cause after all you’re my wonderwall”

I was always buying CDs in the mid 90s and this is one of my favorites from 1995. I used to blast this bold album from my room as I just loved the vibe and the voice of lead singer Tim Burgess. My favorite song is “Just lookin” with the relatable lyrics of ‘Feelin' good, feelin' high, it's a rush
Count me in because I don't wanna work” Well luckily I didn’t have to work too hard in those days and was able to spend many leisurely hours listening to cool music. My other favorite song on the album is Crashin In. A solid record overall, I sometimes go back and listen to it and it takes me back to that very time.

This album was a UK #1 smash, and the classic Common People is one of my favorite Britpop songs ever. It is the probably the bands best known song and was heavily played on radio and on video. It is theatrical with charismatic singer Jarvis Cocker, but with a fun sound, and clever lyrics about social classes blending experiences.

“Laugh along with the common people
Laugh along even though they're laughing at you

And the stupid things that you do
because you think that poor is cool”

Another favorite track on the album is Disco 2000 which talks about two people meeting up in the future, which was released at that time when the year 2000 still seemed kind of far away and unpredictable. Take me back.

I used to hear this a lot at one of the super chill grunge like bars we frequented weekly in the mid 90s, with the terrific name of Trasheteria. The laid back but energetic and intense vibe of the song contributed the overall cool chill of the scene in those days. Intense lyrics like “Don’t understand how the heart is a spade, but somehow the vital connection is made” still sounded smooth and laid back somehow. This was a huge hit and the album (with other good tracks like Stutter) was yet another cool selection to come from the British music invasion of the mid 90s

I listened to this CD a lot in 1996, it flowed really well and had a couple of tracks that stood out for me. Ladykillers was their biggest hit in Canada, and had that female power vibe, that as a young 20 something out in the bar scene at that time I could definitely connect with. Love the lyrics ‘I don’t need your practiced lines, your school of charm mentality’... ‘When it comes to men like you, I know the score I’ve heard it all before’

Another track that goes along with this theme, another of my favorites on the record called ‘I’ve been here before’ with the lyrics ‘but I think that this time I’ve had more than enough, I’ve seen too much of your games and your immature stuff, you’re a waste of time’ Really helped validate the emotions of dealing with some of the guys out there! This was a unique and cool album that unfortunately was the bands last. But it's a memorable one that I'll always appreciate.

Bittersweet Symphony is one of the best known alternative/ Britpop songs and was a smash hit heading into the later 1990s. Catchy title and intro, great lyrics and timeless. Love hearing this even now, and the video was brilliant in with its casual cool vibe with Richard Ashcroft singing while walking through the streets of London.

Lucky Man was another great track from this album, in general the whole vibe of this record brings me back to a nostalgic place of reflection and good times overall, even though they were bittersweet.