“Born Slippy (Nuxx)” by Underworld is a legendary electronic track that became an anthem of the 1990s rave culture and a defining moment in British electronic music. Released in July 1996 as a single (though an earlier version appeared in 1995 as the B-side to the different track, Born Slippy), it rose to massive popularity after being featured in the cult film Trainspotting, directed by Danny Boyle.
The song is famous for its hypnotic beat, surging synths, and Karl Hyde’s stream-of-consciousness vocals that swing between euphoria and emotional fragmentation. Phrases like “lager, lager, lager” and “drive boy dog boy dirty numb angel boy” are delivered in a drunken, almost disoriented tone, capturing the highs and lows of a night out—or a life spiraling out of control.
“Born Slippy (Nuxx)” builds gradually, layering pulsating rhythms, haunting melodies, and vocal loops into a track that feels both chaotic and transcendent. It was both a club banger and a cathartic emotional release, which is part of why it resonated so deeply with a generation.
Commercially, it was a major success, reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and becoming one of Underworld’s most recognizable songs. Despite—or because of—its dark undertones and experimental structure, it became a rave-era anthem and a staple of ’90s dance floors.
To this day, “Born Slippy (Nuxx)” is considered one of the most influential electronic tracks of all time. It encapsulates the tension between escapism and emotional rawness, and remains a cultural touchstone for electronic music and the 1990s youth experience.
Underworld – Born Slippy (Nuxx) – Lyrics