Blur's self-titled fifth album (1997) saw another stylistic shift, influenced by the lo-fi styles of American indie rock groups, and became their third UK chart-topping album. Its single "Song 2" brought the band mainstream success in the US for the first time. Their next album, 13 (1999) saw the band experimenting with electronic and gospel music, and featured more personal lyrics from Albarn. Their seventh album, Think Tank (2003), continued their experimentation with electronic sounds and was also shaped by Albarn's growing interest in hip hop and world music, featuring more minimal guitar work. Coxon left the band during early recording sessions for Think Tank, and Blur disbanded for several years after the end of the album's associated tour, with the members engaged in other projects.
In 2009, Blur reunited with Coxon back in the band and embarked on a European reunion tour. In the following years, they released several singles and compilations and toured internationally. In 2012, they received a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. Their eighth album, The Magic Whip (2015), was the sixth consecutive Blur studio album to top the British chart. The group have largely been on hiatus since the Magic Whip tour, but have announced plans to reunite in 2023 for various live dates.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blur_(band)
Studio albums
Leisure (1991)
Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993)
Parklife (1994)
The Great Escape (1995)
Blur (1997)
13 (1999)
Think Tank (2003)
The Magic Whip (2015)
The Ballad of Darren (2023)
Blue Jeans
Blur Lyrics
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I bought them on the Portbello Road on a Saturday
I stop and stare awhile
A common pastime when conversation goes astray
And don't think I'm walking out of this
She don't mind
Whatever I say, whatever I say
I want to stay this way forever
Blue, blue jeans I wear them every day
There's no particular reason to change
My thoughts are getting banal, I can't help it
But I won't pull out hair another day
And don't think I'm walking out of this
She don't mind
Whatever I say, Whatever I say
I don't really want to change a thing
I want to stay this way forever
If you don't mind
Whatever I say, Whatever I say
I don't really want to change a thing
I want to stay this way forever
You know it's to be with you
Don't give up on me yet
Don't think I'm walking out of this
She don't mind
Whatever I say, Whatever I say
I don't really want to change a thing
I want to stay this way forever
If you don't mind
Whatever I say, Whatever I say
I don't really want to change a thing
I want to stay this way forever
You know it's to be with you
The lyrics of Blur's Blue Jeans depict a laid-back attitude towards life and a contentment with the status quo. The first verse describes the singer's purchase of air cushioned soles on Portobello Road, a street market in London. He stops and stares for a while, a pastime he engages in when conversation goes astray. This introduces the theme of banality and the singer's sentiment of contentment with everyday life. The chorus repeats the sentiment that he doesn't want to change anything, exemplified by his blue jeans that he wears every day with no reason to change. He acknowledges that his thoughts are getting banal, but he won't pull out his hair over it. The second half of the song reinforces this desire for things to stay as they are. The singer wants to be with someone who won't give up on him and who doesn't mind that he doesn't want to change.
The lyrics to Blue Jeans are a commentary on the human condition. It describes the desire to be content and the contentment with staying the same. Although the singer acknowledges that his thoughts are becoming banal, he is unwilling to engage in the anxiety that comes with trying to make changes. The Portobello Road mention, a famous street market in London, also creates a sense of place in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Air cushioned soles
I am wearing shoes that provide comfort, I purchased them in a market on a weekend
I bought them on the Portbello Road on a Saturday
I purchased these shoes on a weekend while strolling through Portobello Road market
I stop and stare awhile
I pause for a moment, lost in my thoughts, when my conversation hits a dead-end
A common pastime when conversation goes astray
When talking reaches a dull point, it's a common habit to drift away in one's thoughts
Blue, blue jeans I wear them every day
I wear blue jeans on a daily basis without any specific motive
There's no particular reason to change
I have no reason or desire to change my habits or style
My thoughts are getting banal, I can't help it
My thoughts have become dull and uninteresting but I cannot avoid it
But I won't pull out hair another day
I won't stress about things I can't change and won't let trivial matters bother me anymore
If you don't mind
Assuming that it wouldn't be an issue for you
Whatever I say, Whatever I say
I hope that you will agree to whatever I say, without any argument
I don't really want to change a thing
I'm content with the way things are going, and I don't want to change anything
I want to stay this way forever
I wish to maintain my lifestyle and persona, permanently
You know it's to be with you
I want to be with you and that's the only certainty I have
Don't give up on me yet
Please don't lose faith in me, I will try to make things work
Don't think I'm walking out of this
I have no intention of leaving this situation or relationship
She don't mind
She is okay with whatever I do, and it isn't a problem for her
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Steven Alexander James, David Rowntree, Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind