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)
Es Schmecht
Blur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The conversation in the dayroom's gone
It's a brutal thought but you thought it
And in the future, it'll be the same
Looking out for number one
The conversation in the dayroom's gone
It's a brutal thought but you thought it
The same, the same, the same, the same
The same, the same, the same, the same
The same, the same, the same, the same
In the future, it'll be the same
Waltzing on an Autobahn
There is cause for alarm
It's a neurotic thought but you thought it
And in the future, it'll be the same
The same, the same, the same, the same
The same, the same, the same, the same
The same, the same, the same, the same
In the future, it'll be the same
The lyrics to Blur's song "Es Schmecht" (German for "it tastes") reflect the idea that people are innately selfish and will always prioritize their own interests. The opening line, "Looking out for number one," sets the tone for the rest of the song as it implies the selfishness of human nature. "The conversation in the dayroom's gone" could mean that the singer sees that people are no longer talking to each other about selflessness or moral conduct. The repetition of the stanza again implies that people continue to put themselves first even in the future. It's a pessimistic and brutal view of human nature.
The second stanza, "Waltzing on an Autobahn/There is cause for alarm," reflects the same theme. The Autobahn is a busy road where drivers prioritize their own speed over safety or courtesy, hinting at the selfish and uncaring world that the singer sees around him. The line "It's a neurotic thought but you thought it" could mean that while the singer sees human nature as selfish and destructive, he is also aware that his thoughts are irrational and negative. The song ends with a repeated refrain of "it'll be the same," emphasizing that the future holds no real hope for change and that human nature will always be brutal and selfish.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking out for number one
Prioritizing oneself above all else
The conversation in the dayroom's gone
There's no longer any communication or connection between people
It's a brutal thought but you thought it
Admitting to having a harsh and perhaps selfish idea
And in the future, it'll be the same
It's likely that this pattern of behavior will continue in the future
Waltzing on an Autobahn
Moving through life at a rapid and dangerous pace
There is cause for alarm
There's reason to be worried or concerned about this way of living
It's a neurotic thought but you thought it
Acknowledging that the idea is irrational or obsessive, yet it still persists
The same, the same, the same, the same
Repeating the same negative patterns and behaviors
In the future, it'll be the same
The likelihood of continuing down this destructive path is high
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