1997 in British Music

The Story of 1997

The year British music lost its innocence. The death of Princess Diana in August cast a shadow over everything, and the emotional outpouring made 'Candle in the Wind 1997' the biggest-selling single in British history. Elton John's rewritten version became an unlikely monument to grief. But the year had started brighter. The Spice Girls were unstoppable – 'Spice' was everywhere, 'Say You'll Be There' and '2 Become 1' making them the biggest pop act in the world. Radiohead released 'OK Computer', a masterpiece that transcended Britpop entirely – 'Paranoid Android', 'Karma Police', 'No Surprises' – it was the sound of anxiety in the machine age. The Verve's 'Urban Hymns' was beautiful, 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' becoming an anthem despite a lawsuit over the sample. The Chemical Brothers' 'Block Rockin' Beats' was big beat's peak. All Saints were the new girl group, 'Never Ever' a gorgeous R&B ballad. Oasis were still huge but the energy was fading. Pulp released 'This Is Hardcore', a dark, brilliant comedown album. Britpop was over, but the music coming out of Britain in 1997 was richer and stranger than the headlines suggested.