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)
Globe Alone
Blur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who hasn't stopped sucking his thumb
Who very straight and never grins
Who cares what car he's driving in
He is because he saw it on a commercial break
And if he doesn't get what
He wants then he'll get a headache
He's here on his own, on globe alone
Who joined health club to glisten
Into hi-fi precision
Whose mobile phone gives him the bone
Who very keen on Sharon Stone
Who only eats at the new brasserie
Who only ever gets merry
Who wouldn't be seen at bedtime
Without putting Calvin Kleins on
The lyrics to Blur's "Globe Alone" satirize the consumerist culture of the late 1990s. Damon Albarn sings about a man who is obsessed with material possessions, status symbols, and superficial lifestyle choices. The first stanza introduces a character who is metaphorically "on globe alone" or isolated in his own world because of his devotion to advertising and his constant need for the latest goods. The lyrics point out that this character may never be satisfied and is always in search of the next purchase to keep up with his peers.
The second stanza continues by highlighting more of this character's habits, such as joining a health club to appear fit and new ventures like trying hi-fi precision. He has a constant need for social validation, as shown by his obsession with Sharon Stone and his preference for trendy restaurants and designer underwear. The chorus suggests that despite his accumulation of material wealth, he is ultimately alone in his pursuit of these things.
The irony in these lyrics is that the character is portrayed as a caricature of the shallow, aspirational culture of the time, yet many people could relate to his mindset. Albarn uses witty wordplay and a catchy melody to make the song both critical and entertaining.
Line by Line Meaning
Who maddest one on the M1
Who is the most insane person driving on the M1 highway.
Who hasn't stopped sucking his thumb
Who still acts like a child and hasn't grown up.
Who very straight and never grins
Who is boring and never smiles or is happy.
Who cares what car he's driving in
Who is obsessed with material possessions like cars.
He is because he saw it on a commercial break
He is only interested in things he has seen advertised on TV.
And if he doesn't get what
And if he doesn't get what he wants,
He wants then he'll get a headache
He will feel stressed and unhappy if he can't have what he wants.
Because he needs it, wants it, almost loves it
He feels like he must have the things that he wants and desires.
He's here on his own, on globe alone
He is alone and isolated in his own world of materialistic desires.
Who joined health club to glisten
Who joined a gym to work out and look good.
Into hi-fi precision
To achieve the most perfect sound quality possible from his stereo system.
Whose mobile phone gives him the bone
Whose mobile phone makes him feel excited and important.
Who very keen on Sharon Stone
Who is very attracted to and interested in the actress Sharon Stone.
Who only eats at the new brasserie
Who will only eat at the latest and trendiest restaurants.
Who only ever gets merry
Who only ever gets drunk.
Who wouldn't be seen at bedtime
Who is so vain that he won't go to bed without looking good.
Without putting Calvin Kleins on
Without putting on his expensive Calvin Klein underwear.
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
Rocío Molina
Lyrics:
Who maddest one on the M1
Who hasn't stopped sucking his thumb
Who very straight and never grins
Who cares what car he's driving in
He is because he saw it on a commercial break
And if he doesn't get what
He wants then he'll get a headache
Because he needs it, wants it, almost loves it
He's here on his own, on globe alone
Who joined health club to glisten
Into hi-fi precision
Whose mobile phone gives him the bone
Who very keen on Sharon Stone
Who only eats at the new brasserie
Who only ever gets merry
Who wouldn't be seen at bedtime
Without putting Calvin Kleins on
Roiy Benkel
Who maddest one on the M1
Who hasn't stopped sucking his thumb
Who very straight and never grins
Who cares what car he's driving inCHORUS:
He is because he saw it on a commercial break
And if he doesn't get what he wants
Then he get a headache
'Cos he needs it
Wants it
Almost
Loves it
He's here on his own
On globe alone
Here on his ownWho joined health club to glisten
Into hi-fi precision
Who mobile phone gives him the bone
Who very keen on Sharon StoneREPEAT CHORUSWho eats at the new brasserie
Who only ever gets merry
Who wouldn't be seen at bedtime
Without putting Calvin Klein's onREPEAT CHORUS
LRI Producciones
this is one of the most underrated songs ever, period.
D4M0N 4LB4RN
Krimson Jones I Was about to say that UwU
The voice of Reason
Whole album is a gem
chemicaleats
one of the best Blur songs
Mellow Yellow
Yeah
boogieman.
no
Diana Báez
Not their best but very catchy though
jmes
it really sounds like someone’s just put lyrics over a mario kart track and i love it
Rocío Molina
Lyrics:
Who maddest one on the M1
Who hasn't stopped sucking his thumb
Who very straight and never grins
Who cares what car he's driving in
He is because he saw it on a commercial break
And if he doesn't get what
He wants then he'll get a headache
Because he needs it, wants it, almost loves it
He's here on his own, on globe alone
Who joined health club to glisten
Into hi-fi precision
Whose mobile phone gives him the bone
Who very keen on Sharon Stone
Who only eats at the new brasserie
Who only ever gets merry
Who wouldn't be seen at bedtime
Without putting Calvin Kleins on
mmtz
I love this album, don't hate on it :(