Song Stories: Ocean Colour Scene: The Day We Caught the Train

Britpop was huge in the 1990s and it's sometimes easy to forget that their was more than just Oasis, Blur, Pulp and Suede.  "The Day We Caught the Train" by Ocean Colour Scene is one of those timeless tracks that encapsulates the spirit of the mid-90s Britpop era.  Released in 1996 as the lead single from their second album, Moseley Shoals, it quickly became a defining song for Ocean Colour Scene and cemented their place in the British music scene.

Musically, "The Day We Caught the Train" fits perfectly into the Britpop movement, alongside other bands like Oasis, Blur, and Pulp. However, where some Britpop bands leaned heavily on glam rock or punk influences, Ocean Colour Scene drew more from the 1960s, blending the soulful grooves of Motown with the psychedelia and melody-driven focus of The Beatles or The Kinks. The result is a sound that is both fresh and deeply rooted in rock and roll history.

The song's infectious, sing-along chorus and upbeat tempo instantly made it a festival anthem. The rhythm section, driven by Oscar Harrison’s drums and Damon Minchella’s bass, keeps the song propelling forward, while Steve Cradock’s lead guitar adds a rich texture, balancing between subtlety and flair. This classic sound, paired with Simon Fowler’s earnest and slightly raspy vocals, gives the track its distinct character — uplifting but also tinged with melancholy

The beauty of "The Day We Caught the Train" lies in its simplicity. While the lyrics might seem straightforward, they leave plenty of room for interpretation. For some, it’s a song about escaping everyday life, embracing the thrill of spontaneity. For others, it’s a bittersweet reflection on moments that pass too quickly.

Though Ocean Colour Scene may not have reached the same level of global superstardom as Oasis or Blur, "The Day We Caught the Train" has endured as one of the definitive tracks of the Britpop era. The band are still together to this day, and have remained stalwarts of the Britpop genre.

The album that "The Day we Caught the Train" was the lead single of, "Moseley Shoals" is one of the best and most popular albums of the Britpop genre. It became critical and commercial triumph. It peaked at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and remained in the charts for over a year, eventually going multi-platinum.

With some singles that have gone on to define the genre alongside the aforementioned "The Day we Caught the Train".

The albums opening track The Riverboat Song," is perhaps the album’s most well-known anthem, especially after it became the theme for TFI Friday, a popular British TV show hosted by Chris Evans. "The Circle" is the band at their most introspective and soulful. With a beautiful acoustic melody with lyrics that reflect a sense of longing and introspection. Fowler’s delivery is heartfelt and filled with emotion, and Cradock’s subtle, intricate guitar work is a perfect complement.

The album's title, Moseley Shoals, is a tribute to the area of Moseley in Birmingham where the band members lived and created most of the album. It also nods to the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama. 

It's a record that showed the band at their creative peak, and it gave Ocean Colour Scene their moment in the sun. 

Thank you for reading 

Jack