In the 1960s The Beatles spearheaded the British Invasion, a movement during which British music and culture became very popular in the United States. Some of the most prolific artists of all-time emerged from the British Invasion, including The Who and The Rolling Stones.
Today, we have the United Kingdom (UK) to thank for a multitude of chart-topping hits. History has repeated itself, but instead of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “Satisfaction” we have “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Glad You Came.” For British artists, you haven’t made it big until you “break the States,” and now more artists are making the leap across the ocean.
Some of the more recent musical sensations to gain momentum stateside include Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, and Adele. This so-called second invasion has revived the familiar boy-band concept in the form of One Direction and The Wanted.
Ed Sheeran, a twenty-one-year-old Halifax native, began writing songs at a young age. He collaborated with other songwriters to create the popular Cee-Lo Green hit “Forget You” and gained a worldwide following through his YouTube channel. He released his first single “The A Team” last year. Earlier this year, Sheeran toured with Snow Patrol in the U.S. and is currently in the midst of supporting Taylor Swift on her Red Tour.
Listeners appreciate Sheeran’s unique tone and his heart-touching lyrics. He makes a point to emphasize that he writes all of his own songs, and has even written songs for One Direction, including “Moments” and the group’s most recent single, “Little Things.” Taylor Swift fans will soon be familiar with his work in the song “Everything Has Changed,” which he co-wrote with Swift for her new album.
Jessica Cornish, or Jessie J, is another skilled lyricist and the mastermind behind the Miley Cyrus hit “Party in the USA,” as well as many other songs sung by artists such as Chris Brown and Britney Spears. Her single “Domino” made the biggest impact in America, peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2011. That same year, Jessie J appeared on Saturday Night Live as a musical guest. She has found a way to infuse aspects of hip-hop, R&B, and soul music into her work, which has made her truly unique among modern artists.
Many would consider Adele the most successful artist of the second British invasion. Her debut album 19 achieved double platinum status in the U.S. and helped her to win two Grammy awards in 2009. 21, Adele’s second album, won her five Grammys and two American Music Awards. She is the first artist to have three singles (“Set Fire to the Rain,” “Someone Like You,” and “Rolling in the Deep”) in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time, prompting Billboard to name her artist of the year in 2011. Her unique, soulful songs about heartbreak and loss have been praised by critics and artists alike, including Guns N’ Roses’ guitarist Slash and American icon Madonna.
Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson make up the world-wide boy-band-sensation One Direction. The band was put together by X-Factor judge Simon Cowell in 2010 after they had been eliminated from the show’s solo competition. One Direction eventually placed third on the show, and was later signed to Cowell’s record label. Die-hard fans (nicknamed Directioners) and casual listeners alike are familiar with the band’s hit singles “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Live While We’re Young.” These songs and the pop group’s other popular hits draw from elements of rock, keeping each tune interesting and fresh. Due to their success, One Direction has transcended the title of band and has become a brand. Retailers across America, as well as around the world, sell a variety of One Direction merchandise, ranging from clothing to dolls.
The Wanted, comprised of Tom Parker, Max George, Siva Kaneswaren, Nathan Sykes, and Jay McGuiness, is another boy-band that has emerged from England. While some may not be familiar with the group, almost everyone has heard their debut U.S. singles “Glad You Came,” “Chasing the Sun,” and, most recently, “I Found You.” The group was formed from mass auditions in 2009 and eventually arrived on the U.S. music scene in 2012, making an appearance on the late-night show Chelsea Lately and performing at the Beacon Theater in New York City. The Wanted strive to break the boy-band mold, appearing older and rougher around the edges than the pre-teen-friendly One Direction. The group infuses elements of rock, dubstep and techno to achieve this unique sound. The Wanted also avoids cliché color-coordinated outfits and makes no attempt to hide a partying lifestyle.
Music is not the only British phenomenon to spread across the Atlantic. Popular shows, such as the X-Factor, Hell’s Kitchen, The Office, Skins, and American Idol (originally known as Pop Idol in the UK) have broken into the U.S. market. Even the British flag, known as the Union Jack, has become a fashion statement, adorning countless clothing items, bags, and shoes. This great migration of British culture to The Unites States can truly been seen as a Second British Invasion.