1996 in British Music

The Story of 1996

Britpop began its long hangover, and dance music was pushing back. Oasis released 'Be Here Now' – the most anticipated album of the decade – a bloated, cocaine-fuelled mess that marked the moment Britpop peaked and began its decline. The reviews were savage, the cultural moment over. But 1996 had real treasures. Pulp followed 'Common People' with 'Disco 2000' and the brilliant 'Something Changed'. Manic Street Preachers released 'Everything Must Go', a triumphant recovery from Richey Edwards' disappearance. The Spice Girls launched, 'Wannabe' becoming a global phenomenon that made girl power a household phrase. Take That split, devastating millions of fans. The Prodigy's 'Firestarter' was the year's most thrilling single, Keith Flint's punk-rave energy crossing over to mainstream. Underworld's solo version of 'Born Slippy' became the defining song of Danny Boyle's 'Trainspotting', a film that soundtracked the year. The Chemical Brothers' 'Dig Your Own Hole' was big beat's finest moment. Goldie's 'Timeless' was still echoing. The year was a fascinating transition – Britpop's decline, Spice-driven pop's rise, and dance music's mainstream breakthrough. British music was shifting, and the end of the decade was taking shape.