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)
Death Of A Party
Blur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Came as no surprise
Why did we bother?
Should have stayed away
Another night
And I thought "Well, well"
Go to another party and hang myself
Gently on the shelf
The death of the teenager
Standing on his own
Why did he bother?
Should have slept alone
Another night
And I thought "Well, well"
Go to another party and hang myself
Gently on the shelf
Another night
And I thought "Well, well"
Go to another party and hang myself
Gently on the shelf
The lyrics of "Death Of A Party" by Blur appears to be an introspective and melancholic take on the experience of partying-- a commentary on the superficiality and pointless indulgence of it all. The opening line "The death of the party came as no surprise" immediately sets a tone of disappointment and disillusionment, as if the singer had already lost faith in the idea of parties even before attending them. This is further emphasized by the line "why did we bother? Should have stayed away" which suggests that they had already predicted the inevitable disappointment and regret of attending these gatherings.
The lyrics also hint at a sense of loneliness and isolation which the party environment only exacerbates. The lines "The death of the teenager standing on his own. Why did he bother? Should have slept alone" describe a situation where a young person feels out of place and disconnected in the midst of the social fray. It seems as though the party is neither comforting nor enjoyable to the singer-- rather, it is a source of discomfort and inner turmoil.
The repetition of "well, well" throughout the song underscores this sense of disappointment and resignation. The singer seems to acknowledge that they are stuck in a cycle of dissatisfaction that they cannot break free from. Even the final lines of the song "another night, and I thought 'well, well' go to another party and hang myself gently on the shelf" seem to imply that the only solace the singer can find is in the idea of withdrawing from the world and retreating into themselves.
Overall, the lyrics of "Death Of A Party" paints a picture of the emptiness and shallowness of the party culture, and the resulting sense of isolation and disaffection it can create. It is a bleak and introspective take on the social experience, and a reminder that sometimes, as the song suggests, it might be better to skip the party altogether.
Line by Line Meaning
The death of the party
The party was over, it was no longer fun and lively
Came as no surprise
It wasn't unexpected, the party had lost its energy
Why did we bother?
Why did we even try to keep the party going when it had clearly ended
Should have stayed away
We should have avoided the party altogether
Another night
Similar occurrences have happened before
And I thought "Well, well"
I reflected on the situation and wondered why I kept making the same mistake
Go to another party and hang myself
I feel like I'm just going through the motions and not really living
Gently on the shelf
I feel stagnant and unimportant, like an object set aside and forgotten
The death of the teenager
The youthfulness and passion was gone
Standing on his own
The individual was isolated and unsupported
Why did he bother?
Despite feeling alone and unsupported, the individual continued to try and be a part of the group
Should have slept alone
It would have been better for him to be alone rather than feeling lonely in a group
And I thought "Well, well"
I reflected on the situation and wondered why the individual didn't just stay home
Another night
Similar occurrences have happened before
Go to another party and hang myself
I feel like I'm just going through the motions and not really living
Gently on the shelf
I feel stagnant and unimportant, like an object set aside and forgotten
Another night
Similar occurrences have happened before
And I thought "Well, well"
I reflected on the situation and wondered why I kept making the same mistake
Go to another party and hang myself
I feel like I'm just going through the motions and not really living
Gently on the shelf
I feel stagnant and unimportant, like an object set aside and forgotten
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
david hatred
The death of the party
Came as no surprise
Why did we bother?
Should have stayed away
Another night
And I thought "Well, well"
Go to another party and hang myself
Gently on the shelf
The death of the teenager
Standing on his own
Why did he bother?
Should have slept alone
Another night
And I thought "Well, well"
Go to another party and hang myself
Gently on the shelf
Another night
And I thought "Well, well"
Go to another party and hang myself
Gently on the shelf
비정한세상
The death of the party
Came as no surprise
Why did we bother?
Should have stayed away
Another night
And I thought well, well
Go to another party and hang myself
Gently on the shelf
The death of the teenager
Standing on his own
Why did he bother?
Should have slept alone
mmtz
THIS IS WHY THIS ALBUM IS THE BEST OF THEM... Every song is a fucking masterpiece! 1997 was a great year, no doubt
Holocron Studios
Fr. I think 1997-2003 was their prime
Gabe
i havent even made an album ranking of them because all of their albums are to great (besides leisure). although i was thinking about Modern Life is Rubbish or 13 being the best album. But yeah this album is a true masterpiece
Miau F
Toda la razon amigo, Blur el mejor album junto a Parklife y 13
Jon Connington
I prefer 13 and Think Tank, but they're all great.
SpacehotelMusic
Yeah, 97 was the best year for music we ever had - especially from Blur (but also many others including Depeche Mode). My top 3 Blur albums are this (97), Modern Life and Parklife.
Syfan Collects
Easily one of my favorite Blur songs. Also sounds like a precursor to early Gorillaz material!
caiolivera -
this songs reminds me of O Green World, of gorillaz
gliderChucker
If I had to say what the most Gorillaz blur song is, I'd have to say "Music is My Radar", partially because of the vocals, but also the general vibe, if that makes any sense.
Man Walks Dogs
@gliderChucker Had to google that one: promo for a best-of in 2000, so no wonder I didn't know it, as I don't tend to buy best-ofs, especially if I already have the studio albums. I think Think Tank and probably/possibly 13 had a few proto-Gorillaz tracks on them - though both of those are after Gorillaz had started.
I do love this one for its Gorillaz vibe though. Been playing it in the car the last couple of days as we'd recently got hold of the reissue of Bustin' + Dronin' and that has three versions of it.
Think I'd better play MiMR next though, thanks...