On September 1995, a movement in the UK had its peak, a battle, melodic sounds evoking a renaissance of guitar rhythms where one of the major exponents of the Britpop released a record that contains not only the song that top the charts in the singles battle vs Oasis, but several songs that still 25 years later we remember somehow nostalgic, somehow blissful.
Talking about “The Great Escape” is an immediate reference to the “Britpop Battle” with Blur´s Country House vs Oasis Roll With It, but there´s more on the album than just that event. (If you want to find out more about Country House, don’t forget to read our article: Thoughts About Country House By Blur.
The opening song, Stereotypes already provided an insight of what the album was going to bring; fun tunes with a touch of sadness and solitude that can be heard on Charmless Man or the less popular but interesting Mr Robinson´s Quango. As well can be found songs with less fun tunes that lay almost into a dark atmosphere such as the fascinating He Thought Of Cars. As you can see, showing diversity but consolidating a musical idea.
Undoubtedly a song that frames, stood the test of time and became an anthem is The Universal, such track on the record might not sound as powerful, but having the opportunity to listen to it live, watch the entire band performing and leaving everything on the stage, is such an ecstasy.
The song is a masterpiece, a boost of energy that drives you to tears, as If you were looking so hard to achieve something that you have desired too much, and somehow you feel the confidence to go for it; the inspiration lyrics are: “Every paper that you read, Says tomorrow is your lucky day, Well here´s your lucky day, It really, really, really could happen, Yes, it really, really, really could happen, When the days they seem to fall through you, well just let them go”. The trumpet´s sound after those phrases, provides a victorious feeling that anything can be achieved!
25 years later the Britpop movement is no longer on the charts, but the legacy of one of the most brilliant UK bands with The Great Escape remains untouchable, to remind us that tomorrow can be our lucky day.
