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)
Colin Zeal
Blur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
He's a pedestrian walker, he's a civil talker
He's an affable man with a plausible plan
Keeps his eye on the news, keeps his future in hand
(And then he)
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
He's so pleased with himself, ah ha
While sitting in traffic, Colin thinks in automatic
He's an immaculate dresser, he's your common aggressor
Colin's the modern retard with a love of bombast
Keeps his eye on the news, doesn't dwells on the past
(And then he)
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah ha
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah ha
(And then he)
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah ha
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah ha
(He's a modern retard, he's terminal lard
He's an affable man, with a carrotene tan
Because Colin Zeal's ill
Colin Zeal's ill
Colin Zeal's ill)
'Cause Colin Zeal knows
the importance of popularity and keeping up with the times. He's a simple man who values being well-liked by others and being in the know. He presents himself well and is always on time, which adds to his overall sense of self-satisfaction. The use of the word "pedestrian" in the opening line suggests that Colin is not necessarily exceptional, but rather blends in with the crowd. However, he sees this as a positive trait and takes pride in being relatable and approachable.
The second verse adds another layer to Colin's character. He's described as an "immaculate dresser" but also as a "common aggressor," which could suggest that he has some underlying aggression despite his pleasant demeanor. The line "Colin's the modern retard with a love of bombast" is particularly interesting - it highlights the idea that intelligence and self-awareness do not necessarily equate to success or happiness in today's society. Colin may not be the brightest or most interesting person, but he knows how to fit in and please others. The repetition of the watch-checking and self-congratulatory lyrics drive home this point.
Overall, "Colin Zeal" is a commentary on the pressures to conform and be popular in modern society, at the expense of individuality and deeper reflection. Colin represents a certain type of person who values surface-level success and recognition over personal growth or genuine connection with others.
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
@deisy4677
Lyrics:
Colin Zeal knows the value of mass appeal
He's a pedestrian walker, he's a civil talker
He's an affable man with a plausible plan
Keeps his eye on the news, keeps his future in hand
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah ha
While sitting in traffic, Colin thinks in automatic
He's an immaculate dresser, he's your common aggressor
Colin's the modern retard with a love of bombast
Keeps his eye on the news, doesn't dwells on the past
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah ha
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah ha
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah ha
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah ha
(He's a modern retard, he's terminal lard
He's an affable man, with a carrotene tan
Because Colin Zeal's ill
Colin Zeal's ill
Colin Zeal's ill)
'Cause Colin Zeal knows
@pipiANDcaca0
[Verse 1]
Colin Zeal knows the value of mass appeal
He's a pedestrian walker, he's a civil talker
He's an affable man with a plausible plan
Keeps his eye on the news, keeps his future in hand
And then he
[Chorus]
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah-ha
[Verse 2]
While sitting in traffic, Colin thinks in automatic
He's an immaculate dresser, he's your common aggressor
Colin's the modern retard with a love of bombast
Keeps his eye on the news, doesn't dwell on the past
And then he
[Chorus]
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah-ha
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah-ha
And then he
[Chorus]
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah-ha
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah-ha
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah-ha
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah-ha
[Outro]
Well, he's a modern retard, he's terminal lard
He's an affable man with a carotene tan
'Cause Colin Zeal's ill, Colin Zeal's ill, Colin Zeal's ill
He's Colin Zeal and he knows
@patrickstocks3576
Colin Zeal knows the value of mass appeal
He’s a pedestrian 🚶♀️ walker, he’s a civil talker
He’s an affable man 👨 with a plausible plan
Keeps his eye 👁 on the news, keeps his future in hand 🖐
Looks at his watch, he’s on time yet again
Looks at his watch, he’s on time yet again
He’s pleased 😀 with himself, he’s pleased 😀 with himself
He’s so pleased 😀 with himself, ah ha
While sitting 🪑 in traffic, Colin thinks in automatic
He’s an immaculate dresser, he’s your common aggressor
Colin’s the modern retard with a love 💕 of bombast
Keeps his eye 👁 on the news, doesn’t dwells on the past
Looks at his watch, he’s on time yet again
Looks at his watch, he’s on time yet again
He’s pleased 😀 with himself, he’s pleased 😀 with himself
He’s so pleased 😀 with himself, ah ha
He’s pleased 😀 with himself, he’s pleased 😀 with himself
He’s so pleased 😀 with himself, ah ha
Looks at his watch, he’s on time yet again
Looks at his watch, he’s on time yet again
He’s pleased 😀 with himself, he’s pleased 😀 with himself
He’s so pleased 😀 with himself, ah ha
He’s so pleased 😀 with himself, he’s pleased 😀 with himself
He’s so pleased 😀 with himself, ah ha
(He’s a modern retard, he’s terminal lard
He’s an affable man 👨 with a carrotene tan
Because Colin Zeal’s ill 🤒
Colin Zeal’s ill 🤒
Colin Zeal’s ill 🤒)
‘Cause Colin Zeal knows
@LiamHammers1
This whole album is just tune after tune after tune! One of the best bands ever
@farzana2686
Modern Life Is Rubbish I agree this is one of the bands ever
@zooso3785
Gorillaz is also one of the bands ever
@pietropes1322
@@zooso3785 That band called The Band are one of the bands for sure.
@motnosniv
aren't they all?
@David_T
I had bought "Leisure" when it came out since I was a Madchester fan. Imagine my surprise as soon as the opening chords of "For Tomorrow" came across my stereo. I listened to it non stop until my wife threatened to destroy the CD. Colin Zeal maybe my favourite song on the album.
@deisy4677
Lyrics:
Colin Zeal knows the value of mass appeal
He's a pedestrian walker, he's a civil talker
He's an affable man with a plausible plan
Keeps his eye on the news, keeps his future in hand
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah ha
While sitting in traffic, Colin thinks in automatic
He's an immaculate dresser, he's your common aggressor
Colin's the modern retard with a love of bombast
Keeps his eye on the news, doesn't dwells on the past
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah ha
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah ha
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah ha
He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself
He's so pleased with himself, ah ha
(He's a modern retard, he's terminal lard
He's an affable man, with a carrotene tan
Because Colin Zeal's ill
Colin Zeal's ill
Colin Zeal's ill)
'Cause Colin Zeal knows
@TheHivesAreLaw_2000
I'm ready.
@arihmancerquis825
Are they talking about Boris Johnson?
@RastaSaiyaman
You forgot the "And then he" before the "Looks at his watch" part of the chorus.