iPedia Free Information Center

Information about 1996 In British Music

Part of a of articles on
British music

BPI • OCC
Charts
Singles chart (#1s; Records)
Albums chart (#1s)
Download chart (#1s)
Awards
BRIT Awards • Mercury Prize
NME Awards
Periods
Pre-1950 • 1950s & 60s
1970s • 1980s
1990s - Present
Origins
England • Scotland • Wales
• Caribbean
Genres
Classical • Britpop • Hip-hop
Opera • Rock • Jazz
Major music publications
NME • Melody Maker
Music Week • Record Collector
Record Mirror • Record Retailer
Smash Hits • Sounds
Other links
•
Festivals •
Timeline
1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995
1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000
2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005
2006 • 2007 • ()
This box:  •  • [ edit]
1990s in music in the UK
List of number one singles
Summaries and charts:
1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
←19892000?
This is a summary of 1996 in music in the United Kingdom, including the official charts from that year.

Summary

This year saw the start of an increase to the amount of number 1 singles. 24 hit the top spot this year, the highest since 1980, which also saw 24.

The first number 1 single of the year was "Jesus to a Child", George Michael's first solo #1 for 10 years. This was followed by Babylon Zoo's "Spaceman", which had been used in an advert for Levi's. The song itself sounded quite different from the version used in the advert, which had been sped up and re-arranged. Nevertheless, it stayed at #1 for five weeks, sold over a million copies, and Jas Mann, the man behind Babylon Zoo, became the first solo male to make their chart debut at number 1.

After five years, the boyband Take That split up this year. Their final number 1 came in March, a cover of the Bee Gees song "How Deep Is Your Love". Several of the members went on to start a solo career, with Gary Barlow the first to hit #1 with "Forever Love" in July. However, it would be Robbie Williams who would go on to score the most success as a solo artist.

After George Michael scored another number 1 with "Fastlove" in April, Gina G reached the top spot with "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" in May. This song was the UK's entry to the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest, and originally reached #6 when it was released at the beginning of April. It hovered around the top 5 for the next few weeks, before moving up to 1 in the week of the contest. Although it didn't win, it still became the first Eurovision song to hit #1 since Nicole's "A Little Peace", which won the contest in 1982.

The next number 1 was "Three Lions", released by comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner and the band The Lightning Seeds. It was the official song of the 1996 European Football Championship (Euro '96), which was being held in England. A rewritten version of the song ("Three Lions '98") would reach number 1 two years later, coinciding with the Football World Cup 1998 (France '98).

The Fugees were responsible for the biggest selling single of the year, with a cover of Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song". It sold over a million copies.

However, by far the most successful act of the year were the Spice Girls, who kickstarted their career with three number 1 singles - the million selling "Wannabe" in July, which was one of the longest No 1 stints by any girl group (7 weeks); ( Shakespears Sister "Stay" is the longest girl group No 1, 8 weeks), and remains the biggest selling single by one to this day, "Say You'll Be There" in October, and "2 Become 1" in December, also a million seller, and the year's Christmas number one single.

Oasis smashed the record for most weeks in the singles chart (previously held by Adam & The Ants in 1981) with 134wks, thanks to mass waves of re-entries of songs from their back catalogue throughout the year.

1996 is also grimly notable for having the drummers of two popular bands, Matthew Fletcher of Heavenly, on 14 June, and Chris Acland of Lush, on 17 October, commit suicide. Lush had at the time been in the final stanges of planning an American tour, which his devastated bandmates cancelled and then disbanded.

Charts

Singles

Issue DateSong TitleArtistSales
7 JanuaryEarth SongMichael Jackson80,000
14 JanuaryJesus To A ChildGeorge Michael110,000
21 JanuarySpacemanBabylon Zoo418,000
28 JanuarySpacemanBabylon Zoo204,000
4 FebruarySpacemanBabylon Zoo128,000
11 FebruarySpacemanBabylon Zoo80,000
18 FebruarySpacemanBabylon Zoo63,000
25 FebruaryDon't Look Back in AngerOasis250,000
3 MarchHow Deep Is Your LoveTake That257,000
10 MarchHow Deep Is Your LoveTake That120,000
17 MarchHow Deep Is Your LoveTake That90,000
24 MarchFirestarterThe Prodigy119,000
31 MarchFirestarterThe Prodigy80,000
7 AprilFirestarterThe Prodigy75,000
14 AprilReturn Of The MackMark Morrison90,000
21 AprilReturn Of The MackMark Morrison90,000
28 AprilFastloveGeorge Michael90,000
5 MayFastloveGeorge Michael75,000
12 MayFastloveGeorge Michael55,000
19 MayOoh Aah... Just A Little BitGina G75,000
26 MayThree LionsBaddiel and Skinner and The Lightning Seeds110,000
2 JuneKilling Me SoftlyThe Fugees157,000
9 JuneKilling Me SoftlyThe Fugees195,000
16 JuneKilling Me SoftlyThe Fugees173,000
23 JuneKilling Me SoftlyThe Fugees160,000
30 JuneThree LionsBaddiel and Skinner and The Lightning Seeds140,000
7 JulyKilling Me SoftlyThe Fugees103,000
14 JulyForever LoveGary Barlow109,000
28 JulyWannabeSpice Girls154,000
4 AugustWannabeSpice Girls150,000
11 AugustWannabeSpice Girls145,000
18 AugustWannabeSpice Girls125,000
25 AugustWannabeSpice Girls110,000
1 SeptemberWannabeSpice Girls90,000
8 SeptemberFlavaPeter Andre129,000
15 SeptemberReady or NotThe Fugees72,000
22 SeptemberReady Or NotThe Fugees75,000
29 SeptemberBreakfast At Tiffany'sDeep Blue Something85,000
6 OctoberSetting SunThe Chemical Brothers99,000
13 OctoberWordsBoyzone232,000
20 OctoberSay You'll Be ThereSpice Girls349,000
27 OctoberSay You'll Be ThereSpice Girls163,000
3 NovemberWhat Becomes Of The Broken Hearted / Saturday Night At The Movies / You'll Never Walk AloneRobson & Jerome196,000
10 NovemberWhat Becomes Of The Broken Hearted / Saturday Night At The Movies / You'll Never Walk AloneRobson & Jerome113,000
17 NovemberBreatheThe Prodigy195,000
24 NovemberBreatheThe Prodigy95,000
1 DecemberI Feel YouPeter Andre87,000
8 DecemberA Different BeatBoyzone90,000
15 DecemberKnockin' On Heaven's Door / Throw These Guns AwayDunblane189,000
22 December2 Become 1Spice Girls429,000
29 December2 Become 1Spice Girls300,000

Albums

Issue DateAlbum TitleArtist
7 January(What's the Story) Morning Glory?Oasis
14 January(What's the Story) Morning Glory?Oasis
21 January(What's the Story) Morning Glory?Oasis
28 January(What's the Story) Morning Glory?Oasis
4 February(What's the Story) Morning Glory?Oasis
11 February(What's the Story) Morning Glory?Oasis
18 FebruaryExpecting to FlyThe Bluetones
25 February(What's the Story) Morning Glory?Oasis
3 March(What's the Story) Morning Glory?Oasis
10 March(What's the Story) Morning Glory?Oasis
17 MarchFalling into YouCéline Dion
24 MarchAnthology 2The Beatles
31 MarchGreatest HitsTake That
7 AprilGreatest HitsTake That
14 AprilGreatest HitsTake That
21 AprilGreatest HitsTake That
28 AprilJagged Little PillAlanis Morissette
5 MayJagged Little PillAlanis Morissette
12 May1977Ash
19 MayOlderGeorge Michael
26 MayOlderGeorge Michael
2 JuneOlderGeorge Michael
9 JuneLoadMetallica
16 June18 Til I DieBryan Adams
23 JuneJagged Little PillAlanis Morissette
30 JuneRecurring Dream - The Very Best Of Crowded HouseCrowded House
7 JulyRecurring Dream - The Very Best Of Crowded HouseCrowded House
14 JulyJagged Little PillAlanis Morissette
21 JulyJagged Little PillAlanis Morissette
28 JulyJagged Little PillAlanis Morissette
4 AugustJagged Little PillAlanis Morissette
11 AugustJagged Little PillAlanis Morissette
18 AugustJagged Little PillAlanis Morissette
25 AugustJagged Little PillAlanis Morissette
1 SeptemberJagged Little PillAlanis Morissette
8 SeptemberComing UpSuede
15 SeptemberNew Adventures in Hi-FiR.E.M.
22 SeptemberKKula Shaker
29 SeptemberKKula Shaker
6 OctoberNaturalPeter Andre
13 OctoberGreatest HitsSimply Red
20 OctoberGreatest HitsSimply Red
27 OctoberBlue Is the ColourThe Beautiful South
3 NovemberA Different BeatBoyzone
10 NovemberSpiceSpice Girls
17 NovemberTake TwoRobson & Jerome
24 NovemberTake TwoRobson & Jerome
1 DecemberSpiceSpice Girls
8 DecemberSpiceSpice Girls
15 DecemberSpiceSpice Girls
22 DecemberSpiceSpice Girls
29 DecemberSpiceSpice Girls

Top 40 Singles of 1996

Position Song Title Artist Sales Highest Position
1Killing Me SoftlyFugees1,350,0001
2WannabeSpice Girls1,320,0001
3SpacemanBabylon Zoo1,100,0001
4Say You'll Be ThereSpice Girls900,0001
5Return Of The MackMark Morrison840,0001
6Ooh Aah...Just A Little BitGina G790,0001
7Three Lions (The Official Song Of The England Football Team)Baddiel and Skinner and The Lightning Seeds780,0001
8ChildrenRobert Miles770,0002
9Mysterious Girl (remix)Peter André featuring Bubbler Ranx750,0002
102 Become 1Spice Girls730,0001
11Don't Look Back In AngerOasis710,0001
12How Deep Is Your LoveTake That670,0001
13Just Tah Let U KnowEazy E610,0002
14BreatheThe Prodigy590,0001
15FirestarterThe Prodigy530,0001
16WordsBoyzone520,0001
17Breakfast At Tiffany'sDeep Blue Something510,0001
18If You EverEast 17 featuring Gabrielle510,0002
19What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted / Saturday Night At The Movies / You’ll Never Walk AloneRobson and Jerome510,0001
20Anything3T480,0002
21FastloveGeorge Michael470,0001
22MacarenaLos Del Rio460,0002
23Born SlippyUnderworld460,0002
24Ready Or NotThe Fugees450,0001
25The X FilesMark Snow440,0002
26One & OneRobert Miles featuring Maria Nayler440,0003
27Because You Loved MeCéline Dion420,0005
28Give Me A Little More TimeGabrielle420,0005
29Nobody KnowsTony Rich Project410,0004
30You're GorgeousBaby Bird410,0003
31Knockin' On Heaven's Door / Throw These Guns AwayDunblane410,0001
32CeciliaSuggs featuring Louchie Lou and Michie One380,0004
33FlavaPeter André370,0001
34Don't Stop Movin'Livin' Joy350,0005
35It's All Coming Back To Me NowCéline Dion350,0003
36I Love You Always ForeverDonna Lewis340,0005
37How BizarreOMC340,0005
38Jesus To A ChildGeorge Michael330,0001
39Virtual InsanityJamiroquai310,0003
40Forever LoveGary Barlow300,0001

Music awards

BRIT Awards

The 1996 BRIT Awards winners were:

Mercury Music Prize

The 1996 Mercury Music Prize was awarded to Pulp - ''Different Class.

External links

Music from the United Kingdom has achieved great international popularity since the 1960s, when a wave of British musicians helped to popularise rock and roll. Since then, the UK has produced numerous popular performers in far-ranging fields from heavy metal to folk rock and drum
..... Click the link for more information.
The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) is the British record industry's trade association. Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four 'major' record companies (Warner Music Group, EMI, Sony BMG, and Universal Music Group), associate members
..... Click the link for more information.
The Official UK Charts Company (OCC), previously called the Chart Information Network (CIN) compiles various "official" UK record charts, including the UK Singles Chart, the UK Albums Chart, and the UK Official Download Chart, as well as genre-specific
..... Click the link for more information.
UK Singles Chart is currently compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC) on behalf of the British record industry. The chart week runs from Sunday to Saturday, with the chart being printed in Music Week magazine, and published online at Yahoo! Music UK (formerly Dotmusic)
..... Click the link for more information.
This is a list of the number one hits in the UK Singles Chart, from its inception in 1952 to the present. The sources, in accordance with the official canon of The Official UK Charts Company, are the New Musical Express chart from 1952 to 1960; the
..... Click the link for more information.
^]]  Note: The Shadows, or The Drifters as they were originally called, are credited on twelve #1 singles. Seven of these share credit with Cliff Richard and some lists recognise only their 5 chart-topping singles without Richard.
..... Click the link for more information.
The UK Albums Chart is a chart of the sales positions of albums in the United Kingdom. It is formulated by The Official UK Charts Company and a Top 200 published in Charts Plus (only the Top 100 is counted in data sources).
..... Click the link for more information.
This is a list of the number one hits in the UK Albums Chart, from its inception in 1956 to the present. The sources are the Record Mirror chart from 1956 to the end of 1958, the Melody Maker chart from November 1958 to March 1960, the
..... Click the link for more information.
The UK Official Download Chart is compiled by The Official UK Charts Company on behalf of the music industry. The chart week runs from Wednesday to Tuesday, with the chart being compiled on a Wednesday afternoon; however, the chart is aired initially on BBC Radio 1's Chart
..... Click the link for more information.
This is a list of the number one hits in the UK Official Download Chart, from its inception on 1 September 2004 to the present. The source is Official Chart Company's download chart .
..... Click the link for more information.
BRIT Awards, often simply called The BRITs, are the annual United Kingdom pop music awards founded by the British Phonographic Industry. The backronym BRIT stands for The British Record Industry Trust

Overview


..... Click the link for more information.
The Mercury Prize, formerly the Mercury Music Prize and currently known as the Nationwide Mercury Prize for sponsorship reasons, is an annual music prize awarded for the best album from the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland.
..... Click the link for more information.
The diverse nations that now make up the United Kingdom were much more distinct from each other prior to modern times. There was little culturally uniting the varying Welsh, Scottish, English and Irish villages and regions until relatively recently.
..... Click the link for more information.
This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims.
Please help Wikipedia by adding references. See the for details.
This article has been tagged since February 2007.

..... Click the link for more information.
This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims.
Please help Wikipedia by adding references. See the for details.
This article has been tagged since February 2007.

..... Click the link for more information.
This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims.
Please help Wikipedia by adding references. See the for details.
This article has been tagged since February 2007.

..... Click the link for more information.
This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims.
Please help Wikipedia by adding references. See the for details.
This article has been tagged since February 2007.

..... Click the link for more information.
The Folk Music of England has a long history. The United Kingdom, like most European countries, underwent a roots revival in the last half of the 20th century. English music has been an instrumental and leading part of this phenomenon, which peaked at the end of the 1960s and into
..... Click the link for more information.
music of Scotland has kept many of its traditional aspects; indeed, it has itself influenced many forms of music.

Scottish traditional music, although influencing and being influenced by both Irish traditional music and English traditional music, is very much a creature unto
..... Click the link for more information.
Wales is a nation within the United Kingdom, and is a culturally, ethnically and politically separate Celtic country. Its traditional music is related to the Celtic music of countries such as Ireland and Scotland.
..... Click the link for more information.
The Doyleys, Paradise and Lavine Hudson and the Bazil Meade inspired London Community Gospel Choir began to drive the music much further towards the mainstream and it must be said out of the comfort zone of the black churches.
..... Click the link for more information.
^]]  The Encyclopedia of Classical Music edited by Peter Gammond, Salamander Books, ISBN 0-86101-400-6
  • ^  Ibid.
  • Percy A.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    • Britpop was a mid-1990s British alternative rock genre and movement. The movement emerged from the indie scene of the early 1990s and was characterised by bands influenced by British guitar pop music of the 1960s and 1970s.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    British Hip Hop is a genre of music, and a culture that covers a variety of styles of rap music made in the United Kingdom.[1] It is sometimes known as Brithop,[2] and is generally classified as one of a number of styles of urban music.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    The history of opera in the English language commences in the 17th century.

    Earliest examples

    In England, opera's antecedent was the 17th century jig. This was an afterpiece which came at the end of a play.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    British rock and roll, or British rock, was born out of the influence of rock and roll and rhythm and blues from the United States, but added a new drive and urgency, exporting the music back and widening the audience for black R & B in the U.S.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Jazz in Britain has been performed in the country since shortly after the music's first appearance on record in 1917. A number of British musicians have gained international reputations, although adherents of this music have often felt embattled within the UK itself.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    New Musical Express (better known as the NME) is a popular music magazine in the United Kingdom which has been published weekly since March 1952. It was the first British paper to include a singles chart which first appeared in the 14 November 1952 edition.
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was, according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly music newspaper.[1] It was founded in 1926 as a magazine targeted at musicians; in 2000 it was merged into "long-standing rival"[1]
    ..... Click the link for more information.
    Music Week is a trade paper for the UK record industry.

    Founded in 1959 as Record Retailer, it was relaunched on March 18, 1972 as Music Week.
    ..... Click the link for more information.


    This article is copied from an article on Wikipedia.org - the free encyclopedia created and edited by online user community. The text was not checked or edited by anyone on our staff. Although the vast majority of the wikipedia encyclopedia articles provide accurate and timely information please do not assume the accuracy of any particular article. This article is distributed under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License.
    Herod_Archelaus


    page counter