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)
Bone Bag
Blur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Own reflection was never bent
Be a man can shaking bone bag
One day up is another down
I don't want to hurt you, no not ever
No not ever
This is my street, I stay here and sleep
You're outside on sunny days
Stay a while, so nearly there
I don't want to hurt you, no not ever
No not ever
This is my street I stay here and sleep
You're outside on sunny days
Be a man can shaking bone bag
One day up is another day
I don't want to hurt you, no not ever
No not ever
The lyrics to Blur's song "Bone Bag" revolve around various themes such as self-reflection, the paradox of life, and the need for acceptance and empathy. The opening lines, "When you see in see you dancing, own reflection was never bent," hint at the idea of self-awareness, as the persona realizes that their true self cannot be hidden from their own reflection. This realization is contrasted with the line "be a man can shaking bone bag," which implies a desire to project a strong and resilient persona, even if it means hiding one's insecurity and vulnerability.
The chorus repeats the line "I don't want to hurt you, no not ever," suggesting a desire for empathy and the recognition that one's actions can affect others. The persona also acknowledges their place in the world, claiming "this is my street, I stay here and sleep," while the rest of the world, represented by the "sunny days" and those outside, seems distant and separate.
The song's paradoxes become apparent in the line "nicotine flow stops a pain grow," which suggests that what may alleviate one problem, such as the pain of nicotine addiction, can also create other issues. The song's final lines, "one day up is another down," capture the unpredictability of life and the need to accept its ups and downs with grace and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
When you see in see you dancing
When you look at yourself, you are happy and content with who you are
Own reflection was never bent
You have always been true to yourself and your beliefs
Be a man can shaking bone bag
You must be strong and resilient even when faced with difficult situations
One day up is another down
Life is full of ups and downs, and everything can change in an instant
I don't want to hurt you, no not ever
I care about you deeply and I never want to cause you any pain or harm
This is my street, I stay here and sleep
This is my home and I feel safe and comfortable here
You're outside on sunny days
You are free to come and go as you please, and enjoy the beauty of the world
Nicotine flow stops a pain grow
Smoking helps to ease your pain and make you feel better in difficult times
Stay a while, so nearly there
Keep going, you are almost at your destination and you should not give up now
Be a man can shaking bone bag
You must be courageous and strong, even when you feel weak and vulnerable
One day up is another day
Remember that life can change at any moment, and that every day is a new opportunity
I don't want to hurt you, no not ever
I value our relationship and want to do everything I can to protect it and keep us both happy
This is my street, I stay here and sleep
I am settled and content here, and do not want to leave
You're outside on sunny days
You have the freedom to enjoy life and make the most of every moment
Lyrics © 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
Michael Kehoe
When you see in see you dancing
Own reflection was never bent
Be a man can shaking bone bag
One day up is another down
I don't want to hurt you, no not ever
No not ever
This is my street, I stay here and sleep
You're outside on sunny days
Nicotine flow stops a pain grow
Stay a while, so nearly there
I don't want to hurt you, no not ever
No not ever
This is my street I stay here and sleep
You're outside on sunny days
Be a man can shaking bone bag
One day up is another day
I don't want to hurt you, no not ever
No not ever
Pete Mahoney
being a big blur fan but missing out on early cds and tapes cos i was first into them in 1991 when i was 12!!!! then i got a job in 98 and with my first pay packet got the blur 10th anniversary box set for 120 quid and was in nirvana listening to all the b-sides!!!!!!!!!! bliss on souped up bass
Jubilee outsider
Why is every Blur's b side so good??
Emily S
I just love the chorus! and chime to it! I don't want to hurt you No, not ever No, not ever
TrimTrab13
this song's real great...incredibly. I loves it :o) thanks yasminx16 for putting this up.
Jitka Kurečková
Where can i find this picture? I would like to save it to pictures on PC. ;)
Lisa Zoria
That pic is so cute!
Carl Andrew
I always enjoyed listening to this song, though I might well have been embarrassed to tell a non blur fan so!
Course I wouldn't now, but now I think I 'get it' a little more, I like it for the same reason I like 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn'!
Carl Andrew
At the risk of starting another britpop fight
1:53 Chord changes reminiscent of a few Supergrass songs?
I love Supergrass, especially their chord changes! lol
Santonian
yes indeed!
Rosie Barrett
Thanks so much for putting this up :) I love this song :D