In a pop music context, the term "twee" was originally used by British music journalists in the mid- to late 1980s as an abusive term for Indie Pop. It has since been 'reclaimed' by some indie pop fans and used in a neutral sense.

Musically its key characteristics are jangling guitars, a love of sixties pop and often fey, innocent lyrics. It is not at all uncommon to find hand claps, rubber bands or ukuleles in the background of these songs.

The influences are acts such as Girls At Our Best, The Monochrome Set & The Undertones. The Scottish independent labels Postcard Records and Sarah Records are responsible for many early twee indie bands like Orange Juice and The Field Mice.