h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello Zarquon

I'm currently sketching out an article on Britpop, a condensed version of which will eventually be submitted for Guide entry.

Thus far, I have been making the claim that Britpop started with the release of 'You Really Got Me' by the Kinks in 1965. However, if we define Britpop as essentially being English people singing in English voices about everyday English things, it is very hard to dispute the case of George Formby as the originator of Britpop - albeit unconsciously, of course. George Formby singing about cleaning windows in a flat Lancashire accent is every bit as Britpop as Blur singing about Fun Pubs in a Cockney whine, if you ask me.

Any thoughts? It's a can of worms, I know.

DMS

A can of worms? Isn't it just. Adam Faith probably pre-dated the Kinks. He wasn't an American soundalike like Cliff Richard originally was.

I'f you're looking back to George Formby Jnr, then what about Gracie Fields, singing in broad Lancashire.

Farther back, there's George Formby Senior (the subject of my entry), who my grandmother saw in Bury, Lancs when he was performing on the Northern circuit. My grandfather used to sing some of his songs in the pubs.

And how about Marie Lloyd? Her stuff was definitely popular, and indubitably 'of the people'.

Notice that I'm sitting on the fence here.

Hang on, DogManStar!

Aren't you for getting the Beatles!! 1959/60. Well before the Kinks. Are you saying they weren't BritPop?

Yes, good points.

I suppose the first thing to do is define was 'Britpop' actually is. The definition I'm working to that subject matter and presentation is typically English. Therefore, just because a band happens to be English, or British, they are not necessarily Britpop. Parklife is Britpop. Dark Side Of The Moon isn't. Common People is Britpop. Wannabee isn't, etc etc.

I think Britpop has a strong working class element - indeed, this could be the Holy Grail of what is and what isn't. And this is where George Formby fits in, and Gracie Fields too, as you point out. Gracie Fields would be Britpop, but Vera Lynn wouldn't.

I think for the Guide entry, I will concentrate on the Britpop of the mid/late 1990's, as most people will be familiar with the main exponants (who I list as Blur, Pulp, Elastica, Suede and Devine Comedy). I think it is too rich an arguement to contain in fifteen hundred words or whatever. But I want to trace the origins nonetheless, which is where George and Gracie fit in.

All sorts of bands that kind of are but kind of aren't: the Smiths, Madness, Oasis for a start. And is Britpop confined to music? What about Britpop films? Lock, Stock? The Great Escape? The Italian Job?

Yes. Notice I didn't include Vera Lynn.

It depends how far you go back. Marie Lloyd and George Fomby Senior were identifiably from their respective regions.