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)
Mellow Jam
Blur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll see, you'll see
It's your sea, your sea
It's your sea, your sea
It's your sea, your sea
It's your sea
Who shot you lied, she got, she knows
Who should she love, she love she knows
Who should she love, she does, she goes
Who should she love, it's all she knows
Who should she love, she does, she knows
Whose shot she lies, she goes, she knows
Whose shot she lies, beside she knows
Who shuts his eyes, who does, she knows
Who shuts his eyes inside, she knows
Who shuts and tries and dies the lies to solve the lies
And often cried, who shot the lies
And brought shots in a blind
Away, away, away, away
You'll see, you'll see
You'll see, you'll see
You'll see, you'll see
You'll see
The lyrics of Blur's song Mellow Jam describe the feeling of being overwhelmed by the monotony and emptiness of modern life. The opening lines present the image of feeling like a chain-store, practically floored, and one of many zeros. The singer feels kicked around and bored, as if they're just another cog in the machine. Their ears may be full, but they're empty because they're holding out their heart to people who don't really care. The chorus speaks to the desire for peace and escape from the overwhelming nature of modern life. The singer craves coffee and T-V, which serves as a means of numbing the senses to the chaos around them. They've seen so much they're going blind, and they're brain-dead virtually, indicating a detachment from reality.
The second verse of the song continues the theme of escape from reality, with the singer inviting listeners to go to the countryside, a place where there may be wisdom, but also risks of harm. The language spoken there may be foreign and unclear, but at least it offers a break from the emptiness of modern life. Overall, Mellow Jam offers a commentary on the struggles of modern existence, advocating for peace and escape to counteract the overwhelming and often dehumanizing nature of our world.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you feel like a chain-store
Do you feel like a part of a large, impersonal corporation devoid of individuality?
Practically floored
Feeling almost knocked down by the monotony and lack of excitement.
One of many zeros
Feeling insignificant and undervalued in a society that prioritizes conformity.
Kicked around bored
Feeling tired of being pushed around, with nothing interesting to do or look forward to.
Your ears are full, but you're empty
Having heard so much noise but still feeling a void within oneself.
Holding out your heart
Being vulnerable and hoping for emotional connection with others.
To people who never really care how you are
Offering oneself to those who don't care about your feelings or well-being.
So give me coffee and T-V
A desire for simple pleasures like caffeine and entertainment to distract from the mundane.
Peacefully
Desiring peace and calmness in a world that can be stressful and chaotic.
I've seen so much, I'm going blind
Feeling like having seen everything and become jaded or incapable of recognizing new experiences.
And I'm brain-dead virtually
Feeling mentally numb or unresponsive due to excessive media consumption.
Sociability
The act of being social and interacting with others, which can be difficult for some.
Is hard enough for me
Being an introvert, finding socializing with others can be challenging.
Take me away from this big bad world
A desire to escape from the challenges and negativity present in the world today.
And agree to marry me
A wish to form a meaningful connection and share life together with someone special.
So we can start over again
Starting fresh in a new relationship, leaving the past's difficulties behind.
Do you go to the country
Wondering if visiting the countryside could offer an escape from the mundanity of daily life.
It isn't very far
The possibility of finding a temporary solution to change one's perspective is closer than one thinks.
There's people there who'll hurt you
Knowing that people everywhere are capable of causing harm.
'cos of who you are
Being treated poorly or unfairly due to one's identity, beliefs, or personality.
Your ears are full of their language
Being surrounded by people who speak differently and having difficulty understanding them.
There's wisdom there you're sure
Despite the differences, believing that there's valuable knowledge to be gained from other cultures.
'till the words start slurring
The moment when the language barrier becomes too much to bear and communication breaks down.
And you can't find the door
Feeling trapped and not knowing how to leave a difficult situation.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Damon Albarn, David Alexander De Horne Rowntree, Graham Coxon, Steven Alexander James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind