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 Song
Blur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a guillotine
Pulling away
In my machine
Where have I been, now
Not you
Shooting stars in my left arm
Giving away time to Casio
Sun is slow
I got soul
Is this where I'm going to
We'll see
We'll see
We'll see
I kill this sleep
I'm the man in the moon
Walking on sand on my home high noon
In love with the moon, love you
'Cause I lift my street
I'm a guillotine
Pull it away
In my machine
Forget where I've been before
Forget you
Is this where I'm going to
We'll see
We'll see
We'll see
The lyrics of "Mellow Song" by Blur provide an ambiguous narrative about the relationship between the singer and a mysterious entity referred to as "you." The song opens with the singer stating that they are leaving their street and are now a "guillotine," someone or something that causes harm to others. They are pulling away in their machine, suggesting that they are running away from something or someone. The question "where have I been, now, not you" indicates that the singer has been on a journey, but it is not clear whether the person they are addressing has been with them or not.
The second verse is poetic and mysterious: "Shooting stars in my left arm, an alcohol low, giving away time to Casio, the sun is slow, I got soul." The shooting stars in the singer's arm suggest that they have a feeling of something explosive and intense inside them. The "alcohol low" could represent a feeling of being lost or depressed, while "giving away time to Casio" may reference the act of wasting time or possibly trying to move on from something. The "sun is slow" reference to the fact that it's difficult to measure time in moments of confusion and uncertainty. The singer states that they "got soul," which could be interpreted as the idea that, despite the confusion and chaos around them, they still hold on to a sense of self and purpose.
The chorus of the song repeats the words "is this where I'm going to, we'll see," creating a sense of uncertainty and anxiety for the listener. The second verse repeats the notion that the singer is a guillotine and is in love with the moon while walking on sand during high noon. Finally, the song ends with the singer saying that they are forgetting where they've been before and forgetting about "you," the mysterious character referred to throughout the song. We are left wondering who this "you" is and what relationship the singer has with them, but the lyrics provide interesting and thought-provoking images of confusion and dislocation.
Line by Line Meaning
I left my street
I have physically departed from my hometown, my comfort zone
I'm a guillotine
I am sharp and cutting through life with a clear purpose
Pulling away
I am distancing myself from people and places that no longer serve me
In my machine
I am in control of my actions, moving forward with intention and speed
Where have I been, now
Reflecting on my past, questioning my previous choices and behaviors
Not you
Realizing that my past is not defined by anyone else but myself
Shooting stars in my left arm
My mind is drifting with a sense of fantasy or drug-induced euphoria
An alcohol low
Feeling the effects of drinking too much, struggling to stay grounded in reality
Giving away time to Casio
Distracting myself with something trivial and insignificant
Sun is slow
Time seems to be crawling by, I am restless and impatient
I got soul
Despite my inner struggles, I have a strong sense of self and purpose
Is this where I'm going to
Wondering about my future, unsure of what lies ahead
We'll see
I am open to the possibilities that life may bring, but am not making any concrete plans
I kill this sleep
I am unable to rest, my mind is too active and restless
I'm the man in the moon
I am detached from reality, observing life from a distance
Walking on sand on my home high noon
Navigating through life's obstacles, feeling grounded and connected to my roots
In love with the moon, love you
Finding solace in something intangible and distant, perhaps a person or an ideal
Cause I lift my street
I am taking action to elevate my life, seeking something greater for myself
I'm a guillotine
I am ready to cut through anything that stands in my way
Pull it away
Continuing on my journey, leaving things behind that don't fit into my vision of the future
Forget where I've been before
Moving forward, not dwelling on past mistakes or regrets
Forget you
Leaving behind people or situations that no longer serve me, including those who may have hurt me in the past
Is this where I'm going to
Continuing my quest for purpose and meaning
We'll see
Only time will tell where my journey will take me
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
@hdipan7731
I left my street
I'm a guillotine
Pulling away
In my machine
Where have I been, now
Not you
Shooting stars in my left arm
An alcohol low
Giving away time to Casio
Sun is slow
I got soul
Is this where I'm going to
We'll see
We'll see
We'll see
I kill this sleep
I'm the man in the moon
Walking on sand on my home high noon
In love with the moon, love you
'Cause I lift my street
I'm a guillotine
Pull it away
In my machine
Forget where I've been before
Forget you
Is this where I'm going to
We'll see
We'll see
We'll see
@roiybenkel682
I lift my street
I'm a guillotine
Pull it away
In my machine
Forget where I've been
And not youShooting stars in my left arm
An alcohol low
Giving away time to Casio
Where sun is slow
And I got soulCHORUS:
Is this where I'm going to?
We'll see, we'll see
We'll seeI kill this sleep
I'm the man on the moon
I'm walking on sand
On my own high noon
In love with the moon
And not youI lift my street
I'm a guillotine
Pull it away in my machine
Forget where I've beenREPEAT CHORUS
@snowbelle74
The kind of song that best suits Damon's vocals. Gorgeous.
@Kelly14UK
+snowbelle74 I can't say "gorgeous", i''m a hetero guy Albarn's age haha.
The whole thing's brilliant, Albarn's part, then that bloody instrumental and outro. Just incredible. Maybe one of my favourite songs in my entire life.
@SaidSheThatsWhat
Really, Kelly?
@Kelly14UK
Yeah whatever SaidSheThatsWhat
@MrShahid0072
@@Kelly14UK I guess you have to keep telling that you are not a girl to everyone online.. Kelly lol
@Yamikylie
yes, as Country Sad Ballad Man
@Eiron
13 one of the greatest albums imo
@ambercheekz3860
WHO ARE YOU LETS BE FRIENDS
@Eiron
@@ambercheekz3860 I'm just a regular guy
@glx3846
It’s a great album but very emotional considering the songs are depicting heartbreak and break up