What is "back to basics"

adv. back to fundamental principles n. (context politics chiefly British English) A conscious return to principles such as self-respect, decency and honesty; especially the discredited policy of the Conservative government in the 1990s.

Back to Basics was a political campaign announced by British Prime Minister John Major at the Conservative Party conference of 1993 in Blackpool.

Intended as a nostalgic appeal to traditional values, it subsequently backfired when a succession of Conservative politicians were caught up in scandals.

Back to Basics is a 1987 collection of Billy Bragg's first three releases: The albums Life's A Riot With Spy Vs. Spy and Brewing Up with Billy Bragg and the EP Between The Wars. This collection did not contain any new material, but did document Billy Bragg's early "one man and his guitar" approach. The songs collected on this release demonstrate major recurrent themes in Bragg's work: highly critical commentary on Thatcherite Britain, laced with poetic love songs. The collection was re-released in November 1993 on the Cooking Vinyl label.

Back to Basics is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Christina Aguilera. It was released on August 9, 2006 by RCA Records as a double album. Serving as executive producer, she enlisted a wide range of producers including DJ Premier, Rich Harrison, Rob Lewis, Mark Ronson, and Linda Perry. Recording sessions began in January 2005 and ended in April 2006, taking place at Chalice Recording Studios and Record Plant.

Inspired by Aguilera's 1920s–1940s idols, including Billie Holiday, Otis Redding, Etta James, and Ella Fitzgerald, Back to Basics was described by Aguilera herself as a fusion of old-school jazz and soul inspirations with a modernized style. Primarily a pop and R&B record, the first disc juxtaposes rhythm and blues with hip hop and urban elements with most songs employing samples, while the second contains all original tracks with the exception of " Candyman", which samples "Tarzan & Jane Swingin' on a Vine". Lyrically, the album is inspired by Aguilera's previous life events including her marriage with Jordan Bratman in 2005.

To portray a new persona, Aguilera adopted her new alter ego, Baby Jane, and made several changes to her public appearance, inspired by classic Hollywood movie stars. She promoted the album by performing at concerts from mid-2006 to early-2007, including the 2006 MTV Movie Awards and the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards. The album's supporting tour Back to Basics Tour, which visited countries in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and Middle East, lasted from late-2006 until late-2008. Back to Basic spawned three international singles: " Ain't No Other Man", " Hurt" and "Candyman".

Back to Basics received positive reviews from music critics who complimented its musical diversity from Aguilera's previous albums while there were others who criticized its length. The record received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album, and its lead single "Ain't No Other Man" won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards in 2007. In its first week of release, the album debuted atop the US Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of 346,000 copies. Back to Basics achieved similar success internationally, reaching the top spot in over fifteen countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland and United Kingdom. The album has sold 1.7 million copies in the US, and 5 million units worldwide as of November 2013.

Back to Basics or Back 2 Basics may refer to:

• Back to Basics (campaign), a 1993 UK initiative to relaunch the government of John Major
• Traditional education, or back-to-basics, long-established customs in schools

Back to Basics is the seventeenth studio album by the reggae artist Beenie Man released on July 13, 2004. His single "Dude" reached #26 on the Billboard charts and #7 in the British charts.

Back to Basics is a 1994 live album recording by Alan Hull. It was recorded at the Mean Fiddler and Blackheath Halls in London during January 1994. Playing alongside Alan is Kenny Craddock.

Back to Basics is the twelfth studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Anvil.

Back to Basics is the eighth studio album and tenth overall album by Bay Area-based R&B group Maze. Released in 1993 on Warner Bros. Records.

Back to Basics is the fifth solo album by former The Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman and his first since 1992's Stuff. It was released in June 2015 under Proper Records.