Song 143 - Riverboat Song by Ocean Colour Scene

Britpop takes us to the 1990s, but influences for some of the anthems of Britpop can be taken from the 1960s, some from the 1980s and for today's song, it is the 1970s and Led Zepplin, who provided inspiration for this Britpop number from Ocean Colour Scene. The Riverboat song released in 1996, was heavily influenced by Four Sticks by Led Zepplin and what probably makes this song stand out is its 6/8 swing time beat which breaks away from the traditional 4/4 that you hear with so many pop songs.

Released February 1996, it reached number 15 in the chart and was picked up by Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans, who used it to introduce guests on his Channel 4 programme, TFI Friday. It was their first single from Moseley Shoals which was released in April the same year. The Riverboat song paved the way for hits like The Day we caught the train and the Circle. The album reached number 2 in the chart that year. 

There is one thing that makes Ocean Colour Scene different from the other Britpop bands I have featured to date and this that I actually heard them play live at the height of their fame. In 1998, Ocean Colour Scene played at Stirling Castle, touring their second album Marchin' Already and we were lucky enough to get tickets. From memory it was a beautiful night around  August time and I went with the same friends I had been to Beautiful South with and had an amazing time. Live concerts are brilliant but to have a live concert on your doorstep of where you grew up was amazing. Stirling Castle is home turf and although I love Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle will always means that I am ten minutes from a spiritual home.

As I am feeling generous tonight, I am (a) going to stop talking and (b) give you both The Riverboat Song and The day we caught the train as they are both iconic Britpop tunes. Also the second ones creates of lovely image of me, my sister and my dad singing down the A9 on the way to Stirling. Hope you've had a good Monday.

Here the songs now:

The Riverboat Song on TFI Friday

The day we caught the train, live from Stirling Castle

Written by Ocean Colour Scene

Released: February 1996

Album: Moseley Shoals