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)
Down
Blur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know it is
I can't convince you
All you have to do is
Slow down
I've always said
It will never change
Just to be you
I think that's all I want to say
And all the things
I've ever told you
I didn't mean at all
I didn't mean at all
I'd forget you
So if you come here
If you come here
All you have to do
Just to be you
I think that's all I want to say to you
Ah, uh, ah, uh
And all the things
That I've told you
I didn't mean at all
I didn't mean at all
I'd forget you
So if you come here
If you come here
All you have to do
Just to be you
I think that's all I need to say to you
The lyrics of Blur's song Slow Down seem to be about trying to convince someone to slow down and take things easy. The singer recognizes that it's ultimately up to the person they're addressing to decide how to live their life, and they can't force them to change. All they can do is offer a suggestion to slow down.
The second verse seemingly speaks about the singer trying to convince the other person that they don't need to change, and that being themselves is enough. The words "all you have to do just to be you" reinforce this idea. The singer seems to be admitting that they have said things in the past that they didn't mean, and that they would forget the person they're addressing if they were to leave. However, they also suggest that if the person were to "come here," they would be welcomed and accepted for who they are.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as a message of acceptance and understanding. The singer recognizes that they can't control others, they can only encourage them to take things easy and be themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
It's up to you
The decision is yours and yours alone
You know it is
You are aware that only you can make this decision
I can't convince you
There's nothing I can do to persuade you
All you have to do is
The solution is simple
Slow down
Take some time to think and reflect
I've always said
This is not the first time I mention it
It will never change
The situation will not improve by itself
All you have to do
The solution is simple
Just to be you
Be true to yourself
I think that's all I want to say
I have nothing else to add
And all the things
All the advice and suggestions
I've ever told you
That I've given to you before
I didn't mean at all
They were not sincere, they were empty words
I'd forget you
I'd be better off without you
So if you come here
If you decide to visit me
All you have to do
The solution is simple
Just to be you
Be true to yourself
I think that's all I want to say to you
I have nothing else to say to you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Damon Albarn, David Rowntree, Graham Coxon, Steven Alexander James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind