(What's the Story) Morning Glory

The Battle of Britpop

For many people (What's the Story) Morning Glory represents the epitome of the Britpop movement. The year before its release, Britain's two biggest bands, Blur and Oasis, has released massivly successful albums and had begun making inroads in the United States. However, the two bands constantly attacked each other in the media.

Things came to a head when Oasis and Blur decided to release the first single from their highly anticipated albums on the same day, August 14 1995. This event caused a media sensation that extended beyond the music industry to the point where the bands were regularly mentioned on the evening news.

The challenge was dubbed The Battle Of Britpop and was considered a fight between the gritty, working class Oasis and the artsy, upper class Blur. Blur's "Country House" single sold 274,000 copies to Oasis' 216,000 copies of "Roll with It".

However, in the end, Oasis' album (What's the Story) Morning Glory was far more successful than Blur's The Great Escape (album). In the UK, it spend over three times as long on the charts (a total of three years) and outsold Blur's album 13x platinum vs. 3x platinum. Oasis' album is hailed as the essence of Britpop for its impact on mainstream society, debt to 60s music, and bloated, anthemic nature.

Track listing

1. Hello
2. Roll With It
3. Wonderwall
4. Don't Look Back in Anger
5. Hey Now!
6. [...]
7. Some Might Say
8. Cast No Shadow
9. She's Electric
10. Morning Glory
11. [...]
12. Champagne Supernova

Chart positions

UK:

Some Might Say #1 (27 weeks on chart) Roll With It #2 (18 weeks) Wonderwall #2 (34 weeks) Don't Look Back in Anger #1 (24 weeks)

US:

Wonderwall #8 (20 weeks on chart) Don't Look Back in Anger #55 (14 weeks)

Referenced By