1994 in British Music

The Story of 1994

Britpop exploded, and Blur versus Oasis defined the year. Blur's 'Parklife' was the album that made Britpop a national conversation – 'Girls & Boys', 'Parklife' with Phil Daniels' spoken word, 'End of a Century' – it was witty, British and enormous. Oasis released 'Definitely Maybe', the fastest-selling debut album in British history, a swaggering declaration of intent built on Liam's snarl and Noel's songs. 'Live Forever', 'Supersonic' and 'Cigarettes & Alcohol' were anthems for a generation. The battle lines were drawn. Pulp released 'His 'n' Hers' and were working on 'Different Class'. Elastica's self-titled debut was brilliant, post-punk energy for the 90s. The whole Cool Britannia thing hadn't been named yet, but it was brewing. Meanwhile, dance music was reaching new peaks: Goldie's 'Timeless' was the jungle album that broke the genre to the mainstream. The Prodigy's 'Music for the Jilted Generation' was harder, darker and brilliant. Massive Attack's 'Protection' deepened trip-hop. Oasis and Blur were the story, but the richness of British music in 1994 went far beyond the Britpop narrative. The future felt exciting and limitless.