Britpop Acts: Top 25

Britpop: Top 25 Acts

Britpop was a genre which emerged in the early ‘90s in the United Kingdom. It grew out of the British indie music scene and was characterized by its guitar-driven pop sound. This list was created by aggregating 17 best-of lists focused on Britpop. The top 10 is comprised of those acts appearing on 9 or more lists. After the top 10, any act appearing on 2 or more lists is ranked based on its overall status in Dave’s Music Database. See other lists of Acts/Music Makers by Genre. Oasis 1. Oasis 2. Blur 3. Suede 4. Pulp 5. Supergrass 6. Elastica 7. The Verve 8. Manic Street Preachers 9. The Charlatans 10. Kula Shaker 11. Radiohead 12. The Smiths 13. Coldplay 14. The Stone Roses 15. Muse 16. Noel Gallagher/High Flying Birds 17. Paul Weller 18. Snow Patrol 19. Stereophonics 20. Keane 21. James 22. Happy Mondays 23. Ash 24. Travis 25. Ocean Colour Scene Resources/Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: Lists of Acts/Music Makers by Genre Dave’s Music Database: Top 25 Britpop Albums Dave’s Music Database: Top 50 Britpop Songs First posted 6/29/2026.

Britpop: Top 25 Albums

Britpop: The Top 25 Albums

Britpop was a genre which emerged in the early ‘90s in the United Kingdom. It grew out of the British indie music scene and was characterized by its guitar-driven pop sound. This list was compiled by aggregating the results of 22 sources. Those albums which made at least 3 lists were ranked by overall Dave’s Music Database points and then the top 25 were ranked based on the aggregate of Britpop albums. Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here. 1. Oasis (What’s the Story) Morning Glory (1995) 2. Pulp Different Class (1995) 3. The Verve Urban Hymns (1997) 4. Blur Parklife (1994) 5. Oasis Definitely Maybe (1994) 6. Suede (aka “London Suede”) Suede (1993) 7. The Stone Roses The Stone Roses (1989) 8. Blur The Great Escape (1995) 9. Blur Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993) 10. Radiohead The Bends (1995) 11. Radiohead OK Computer (1997) 12. Suede (aka “London Suede”) Dog Man Star (1994) 13. Manic Street Preachers Everything Must Go (1996) 14. The La’s The La’s (1990) 15. Oasis Be Here Now (1997) 16. The Verve A Northern Soul (1995) 17. Manic Street Preachers The Holy Bible (1994) 18. Coldplay A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) 19. David Bowie The Man Who Sold the World (1970) 20. Teenage Fanclub Bandwagonesque (1991) 21. Coldplay Parachutes (2000) 22. Blur Blur (1997) 23. Keane Hopes and Fears (2004) 24. Kaiser Chiefs Employment (2005) 25. The Libertines Up the Bracket (2002) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Britpop: Top 50 Songs” Dave’s Music Database: other best-of-genre lists First posted 9/2/2024.

Britpop: Top 50 Songs

Britpop: Top 50 Songs

Britpop was a genre which emerged in the early ‘90s in the United Kingdom. It grew out of the British indie music scene and was characterized by its guitar-driven pop sound. This list was compiled by aggregating 29 lists (sources at the bottom of the page). Those songs which made 3 or more lists were then ranked based on their overall status in Dave’s Music Database. Click here to see other genre-specific song lists. 1. Oasis “Wonderwall” (1995) 2. The Verve “Bitter Sweet Symphony” (1997) 3. Oasis “Live Forever” (1994) 4. Pulp “Common People” (1995) 5. Blur “Song 2” (1997) 6. Oasis “Don’t Look Back in Anger” (1995) 7. The La’s “There She Goes” (1988) 8. Oasis “Champagne Supernova” (1996) 9. Blur “Girls and Boys” (1994) 10. Underworld “Born Slippy” (1995) 11. Manic Street Preachers “A Design for Life” (1996) 12. The Verve “The Drugs Don’t Work” (1997) 13. Elastica “Connection” (1994) 14. Blur “Parklife” (1994) 15. Cornershop “Brimful of Asha” (1997) 16. Edwyn Collins “A Girl Like You” (1995) 17. Coldplay “Trouble” (2000) 18. Stone Roses “I Am the Resurrection” (1989) 19. Oasis “Supersonic” (1994) 20. Oasis “Whatever” (1994) 21. Manic Street Preachers “If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next” (1998) 22. Oasis “D’You Know What I Mean?” (1997) 23. Oasis “Cigarettes and Alcohol” (1994) 24. Stone Roses “Love Spreads” (1994) 25. Blur “There’s No Other Way” (1991) 26. Supergrass “Alright” (1995) 27. The Verve “Lucky Man” (1997) 28. Oasis “Some Might Say” (1995) 29. Blur “Country House” (1995) 30. Radiohead “Just” (1995) 31. Blur “This Is a Low” (1995) 32. Blur “Beetlebum” (1997) 33. Suede “Animal Nitrate” (1993) 34. The Verve “Sonnet” (1998) 35. James “Laid” (1993) 36. Oasis “Roll with It” (1995) 37. Placebo “Nancy Boy” (1997) 38. Suede “The Drowners” (1992) 39. Lush “Ladykillers” (1996) 40. Ocean Colour Scene “The Riverboat Song” (1996) 41. The Verve “History” (1995) 42. Mansun “Wide Open Space” (1996) 43. Ocean Colour Scene “The Day We Caught the Train” (1996) 44. Blur “The Universal” (1995) 45. Oasis “Shakermaker” (1994) 46. Pulp “Babies” (1992) 47. The Lightning Seeds “The Life of Riley” (1992) 48. Space “Female of the Species” (1996) 49. The Bluetones “Slight Return” (1996) 50. Blur “Chemical World” (1993) Resources/Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Other Genre/Category Song Lists” Dave’s Music Database (8/26/2011). “Blur beats Oasis in the battle of Britpop: August 26, 1995” AllMusic.com Amazon playlist: 100 Greatest Britpop Songs Bangers ‘n’ Mash’s Blog Best Things on Earth Blog Bigfuzz Blog Boston Phoenix BritPopNews.com Buzzjack.com Discogs.com The Guardian Kids Attack Blog Live Forever: The Best of Britpop (album) Live Music Management NME.com NME.com (voter picks) OldWizard.net Paste RateYourMusic.com – Spirit of Eden RateYourMusic.com – Topper Supersonic RateYourMusic.com – William of Baskerville Rawsktar.net – Bob Rawsktar.net – Graeme Rawsktar.net – Rall ReadyToGo.net TheRockCzar.com Rolling Stone ShareMyPlaylists.com SputnikMusic.com Squidoo.com First posted 4/10/2013; last updated 7/26/2023.

The Top 100 Albums According to the BBC

First posted 3/26/2012; updated 8/3/2020.

BBC: The Top 100 Albums

Over the years, the BBC has released a few best-of album lists. Five of those lists (details about each and links at bottom of page) have been aggregated into this list, unique to the DMDB. Also, check out annual picks for album of the year. 1. The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) 2. U2 The Joshua Tree (1987) 3. Oasis Definitely Maybe (1994) 4. Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IV (1971) 5. The Verve Urban Hymns (1997) 6. R.E.M. Automatic for the People (1992) 7. Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon (1973) 8. The Beatles The Beatles (aka “The White Album”) (1968) 9. Radiohead OK Computer (1997) 10. Michael Jackson Thriller (1982) 11. Simon & Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970) 12. The Beach Boys Pet Sounds (1966) 13. Paul Simon Graceland (1986) 14. Marvin Gaye What’s Going On (1971) 15. Bruce Springsteen Born to Run (1975) 16. Meat Loaf Bat Out of Hell(1977) 17. Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) 18. The Beatles Revolver (1966) 19. Oasis What's the Story Morning Glory (1995) 20. Fleetwood Mac Rumours (1977) 21. The Sex Pistols Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977) 22. Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here (1975) 23. Queen A Night at the Opera (1975) 24. Dire Straits Brothers in Arms (1985) 25. The Beatles Abbey Road (1969) 26. The Smiths The Queen Is Dead (1986) 27. Dido No Angel (1999) 28. Bob Dylan Blood on the Tracks (1975) 29. Coldplay A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) 30. Joni Mitchell Blue (1971) 31. David Bowie The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972) 32. Bob Dylan Blonde on Blonde (1966) 33. Van Morrison Astral Weeks (1968) 34. The Clash London Calling (1979) 35. The Who Who’s Next (1971) 36. Pulp Different Class (1995) 37. Kate Bush Hounds of Love (1985) 38. Velvet Underground & Nico Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) 39. The Jimi Hendrix Experience Electric Ladyland (1968) 40. Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells (1973) 41. Blur Parklife (1994) 42. Carole King Tapestry (1971) 43. George Harrison All Things Must Pass (1970) 44. Eagles Hotel California (1976) 45. The Stone Roses The Stone Roses (1989) 46. Radiohead The Bends (1995) 47. Nirvana Nevermind (1991) 48. Miles Davis Kind of Blue (1959) 49. Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill (1995) 50. Massive Attack Blue Lines (1991) 51. The Beatles Rubber Soul (1965) 52. Blondie Parallel Lines (1978) 53. Keane Hopes and Fears (2004) 54. The Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street (1972) 55. Primal Scream Screamadelica (1991) 56. Paul McCartney & Wings Band on the Run (1973) 57. George Michael Faith (1987) 58. Pink Floyd The Wall (1979) 59. Kylie Minogue Fever (2001) 60. The Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers (1971) 61. U2 Achtung Baby (1991) 62. Madonna True Blue (1986) 63. Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life (1976) 64. Joy Division Closer (1980) 65. The Pixies Doolittle (1989) 66. Abba Arrival (10/11/76) 67. Neil Young Harvest (1972) 68. James Blunt Back to Bedlam (2004) 69. The Jimi Hendrix Experience Are You Experienced? (1967) 70. Leftfield Leftism (1995) 71. Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin II (1969) 72. David Gray White Ladder (2000) 73. Madonna Ray of Light (1998) 74. Jeff Buckley Grace (1994) 75. Spice Girls Spice (1996) 76. Portishead Dummy (1994) 77. The Human League Dare! (1981) 78. David Bowie Let’s Dance (1983) 79. The Rolling Stones Let It Bleed (1969) 80. R.E.M. Out of Time (1991) 81. Roxy Music For Your Pleasure (1973) 82. The Beatles A Hard Day’s Night (1964) 83. Prince & the Revolution Purple Rain (soundtrack, 1984) 84. Love Forever Changes (1967) 85. David Bowie Hunky Dory (1971) 86. Lou Reed Transformer (1972) 87. AC/DC Back in Black (1980) 88. Nick Drake Bryter Layter (1970) 89. John Lennon Imagine (1971) 90. The Who Tommy (1969) 91. Maroon 5 Songs about Jane (2002) 92. The Clash The Clash (1977) 93. Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti (1975) 94. Donald Fagen The Nightfly (1982) 95. Robbie Williams I’ve Been Expecting You (1998) 96. The Band The Band (1969) 97. Frank Sinatra Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! (1956) 98. Prince Sign ‘O’ the Times (1987) 99. Joy Division Unknown Pleasures (1979) 100. Patti Smith Horses (1975) Resources and Related Links: 4/1/2013: BBC Radio 2 “Listeners’ Poll” BBC listeners were polled to determine the top 100 albums of all time. 2006: Stuart Maconie’s “Critical List” BBC radio show in which Maconie presented albums which he suggested every popular music aficionado should have in their collections. 8/28/2006: BBC Radio 2 “Music Club Top 100 Albums” Top 100 ranked list of voters’ favorite #1 albums on the UK Album Chart, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the UK album chart. June 2002: BBC News “Top 50 Albums of Last 50 Years” Ranked list. No commentary. Link goes to an article about the list and includes a dead link which supposedly links to the entire list. 1/24/1998: BBC News “The Music of the Millenium” Top 100 ranked list. No commentary.

The Verve Urban Hymns released

Urban Hymns The Verve

Released: September 30, 1997 Peak: 23 US, 112 UK, 15 CN, 9 AU Sales (in millions): 1.3 US, 3.3 UK, 11.0 world (includes US and UK) Genre: Britpop

Tracks: Song Title (Writers) [time] (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to charts. Bitter Sweet Symphony [5:58] (6/28/97, 12 US, 2 UK, 22 AR, 4 MR) Sonnet [4:21] (5/30/98, 74 UK) The Rolling People (The Verve) [7:01] The Drugs Don’t Work [5:05] (9/13/97, 1 UK) Catching the Butterfly (The Verve) [6:26] Neon Wilderness (Nick McCabe, The Verve) [2:37] Space and Time [5:36] Weeping Willow [4:49] Lucky Man [4:53] (12/6/97, 7 UK, 16 MR) One Day [5:03] This Time [3:05] Velvet Morning [4:57] Come On (and hidden track Deep Freeze) (The Verve) [15:15] Songs written by Richard Ashcroft unless noted otherwise. Total Running Time: 75:57 The Players: Richard Ashcroft (vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboard) Nick McCabe (lead guitar) Simon Tong (second lead guitar, keyboard) Simon Jones (bass) Peter Salisbury (drums)

Rating: 4.105 out of 5.00 (average of 27 ratings) Quotable: “A rich album that revitalizes rock traditions without ever seeming less than contemporary” – Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Album: “Not long after the release of A Northern Soul, the Verve imploded due to friction between vocalist Richard Ashcroft and guitarist Nick McCabe. It looked like the band had ended before reaching its full potential, which is part of the reason why their third album, Urban Hymns — recorded after the pair patched things up in late 1996 — is so remarkable. Much of the record consists of songs Ashcroft had intended for a solo project or a new group, yet Urban Hymns unmistakably sounds like the work of a full band, with its sweeping, grandiose soundscapes and sense of purpose.” AMG “The Verve have toned down their trancy, psychedelic excursions, yet haven’t abandoned them — if anything, they sound more muscular than before, whether it's the trippy Catching the Butterfly or the pounding Come On. These powerful, guitar-drenched rockers provide the context for Ashcroft’s affecting, string-laden ballads, which give Urban Hymns its hurt.” AMG “The majestic Bitter Sweet Symphony and the heartbreaking, country-tinged The Drugs Don't Work are an astonishing pair, two anthemic ballads that make the personal universal, thereby sounding like instant classics. They just are the tip of the iceberg — Sonnet is a lovely, surprisingly understated ballad, The Rolling People has a measured, electric power, and many others match their quality.” AMG “Although it may run a bit too long for some tastes, Urban Hymns is a rich album that revitalizes rock traditions without ever seeming less than contemporary. It is the album the Verve have been striving to make since their formation, and it turns out to be worth all the wait.” AMG

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for The Verve AMG All Music Guide review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine WK Wikipedia First posted 4/7/2008; last updated 10/2/2023.

 

The Verve released “Bitter Sweet Symphony”

Bitter Sweet Symphony The Verve

Writer(s): Richard Ashcroft (see lyrics here) Released: June 16, 1997 First Charted: June 28, 1997 Peak: 12 US, 22 RR, 8 A40, 3 AA, 22 AR, 4 MR, 2 UK, 5 CN, 11 AU, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, 1.28 UK, 2.24 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 1103.7 video, 901.07 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: “Bitter Sweet Symphony” was the lead single from Urban Hymns, the third album from the British alternative rock group The Verve. With its “Phil Spector-ish density,” AMG it became “one of the defining songs of the Britpop era.” WK While the group had other hits in the UK, this was their only song reach the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S. It might not have charted at all if it weren’t for its use in a Nike commercial which prompted radio statios and MTV to add the song. SF Lyrically, it takes “a somber look at the ennui of everyday life.” SF Lead singer Richard Ashcroft said the song is a reflection on how money and happiness were not synonymous. Rolling Stone and NME each named it the Single of the Year. It was nominated for a Brit Award for Best British Single and a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. It also garnered MTV Video Music Award nominations for Video of the Year, Best Group Video, and Best Alternative Video. The Verve’s lead singer Richard Ashcroft is shown walking down a London sidewalk in one continuous motion, an homage to the “docu-fiction music video” for Massive Attack’s ‘Unfinished Sympathy.” WK The Guardian’s Francesca Perry called it one of the best music videos about city life. WK The song created legal controversy because the opening strings, which are sampled from a 1965 orchestral recording by Andrew Loog Oldham of the Rolling Stones’ song “The Last Time.” Although the Verve got permission from Decca Records, which owned the Oldham recording, they didn’t know they also needed permission from ABKCO, which owned the original publishing for the song. The company’s owner, Allen Klein, was a former manager with the Rolling Stones and forced them into a very lopsided contract which gave him publishing rights to all the songs the band had recorded through 1969. He employed similarly cruel tactics in paying Ashcroft a flat fee of $1000 and forcing the band to sign over 100% of the publishing. SF Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for The Verve AMG All Music Guide SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 2/2/2021; last updated 8/24/2023.