Blur released “Song 2”

Song 2 Blur

Writer(s): Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James, Dave Rowntree (see lyrics here) Released: April 7, 1997 First Charted: April 12, 1997 Peak: 55 US, 25 AR, 6 MR, 2 UK, 4 AU, 3 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 1.2 UK Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 191.3 video, 722.32 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Blur was an English rock band formed in 1988 by singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James, and drummer Dave Rowntree. The band became a major player in the Britpop movement of the 1990s. Blur, and Britpop in general, didn’t gain much attention in the United States. “Song 2” is the “blaring anthem” from Blur that “sounds least like the rest of its Brit-pop catalogue.” CBC It started out as a joke WK thrown together “one murky, hungover day in the studio.” CBC Albarn recorded a slower, acoustic demo with the distinctive “woo-hoo” chorus in whistle form. Coxon suggested they amp up the speed and the volume, accompanied by a deliberately amateurish guitar sound. WK Alban recorded a guide vocal with nonsense, stream-of-consciousness lyrics. According to producer Stephen Street, the words were “pure babbling” but at his suggestion the lyrics were left alone, considered perfect as they were. SF Between the cryptic lyrics and loud guitars, this was considered a song written as a parody of grunge. SF It has also been said that Blur were mocking radio-friendly songs and the record industry in general. WK As the second song on the album, it was given the placeholder name of “Song 2,” but it ended up sticking. WK It was the second single released from the band’s fifth, self-titled album. It ran two minutes and two seconds with two verses and two choruses. It peaked at #2 on the UK charts and was ranked #2 on NME magazine’s year-end list of 1997’s singles. WK It has become a popular sports anthem for soccer and hockey. Resources: CBC CBC.ca (3/27/2019). “Woo hoo! 20 things you may not know about Blur’s ‘Song 2’” by Justin Chandler SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 10/13/2021; last updated 8/25/2023.

Blur “Girls and Boys” released

Girls and Boys Blur

Writer(s): Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James, Dave Rowntree (see lyrics here) Released: March 7, 1994 First Charted: March 19, 1994 Peak: 59 US, 59 CB, 38 RR, 4 MR, 5 UK, 19 AU 12 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.6 UK Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 49.8 video, 168.91 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The rock band Blur formed in London in 1988 with singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James, and drummer Dave Rowntree. Their debut album, 1991’s Leisure connected to the Madchester and shoegazing scenes of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s while their second album, 1993’s Modern Life Is Rubbish, showcased them more as a guitar pop group. With their third album, 1994’s Parklife, Blur established themselves as one of the pillars of the Britpop movement of the 1990s. It became their best-selling album in the UK with more than a million sold. It was their first of seven consecutive albums to top the UK charts. The album produced four top-20 singles in the UK, with the lead single, “Girls and Boys,” being the most successful. Blur didn’t generate as much of an audience in the United States, although this song was one of a handful to reach the alternative rock chart, becoming their biggest hit. Damon Albarn was inspired to write the song while on vacation in Spain where he saw what he called “a rampant sexual scene among visitors.” WK Songfacts.com called it “a send-up of the hedonistic club culture of the ‘90s” SF which “deals with sexual roles, and freedom of sexual preference.” SF Radiohead’s Thom Yorke said it is one of the songs he wished he’d written. SF Graham Coxon said audiences responded to “Girls and Boys” because “there’s nothing too complicated about it and it’s got a chanty sort of chorus.” SF Alex James described itas “disco drums, nasty gutiars and Duran Duran bass.” WK Billboard’s Larry Flick said it was “a detour into clubland with an amusing, word-twisting ditty fleshed out with a trance-like synth energy and a hard, syncopated beat, courtesy of the Pet Shop Boys.” WK Vibe’s James Hunter called it “a brilliant turn on new wave disco that boasts the year’s best bent guitars.” WK British music magazines NME and Melody Maker both named “Girls and Boys” the single of the year. It was nominated for best song at the MTV Europe Music Awards. AllMusic.com’s Stephen Thomas Erlewine said the song was “undeniably catchy” and “one of the best Blur ever recorded.” WK Resources: SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 8/24/2023.