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)
My Ark
Blur Lyrics
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To color everything I tell you
You don't understand
It takes me wherever I want to go
This is surely what I need
But I don't always think that way
And in the end
I must sober into this
I've got time
To build you up so tall
You won't fall down on me
I've got time
To build you up so tall
You won't fall down on me, down on me
Please excuse
My tendency
To color everything I tell you
But in my mind
There's nothing that really
Ever holds us from the truth
So I build My Ark for you
And I hope you do the same for me
In the end, I can't feeling
Just a sobering end to this
I've got time
To build you up so tall
You won't fall down on me
I've got time
To build you up so tall
You won't fall down on me, down on me
The opening lines of Blur's song My Ark set the foundation for the rest of the song. The singer is a person who tends to exaggerate and embellish their stories, but they do so with the intention of transporting their listeners and themselves to a different world. The singer admits that not everyone understands this tendency, but it's essential for them to fulfill their fantasies. However, sometimes they feel conflicted, even anxious about it.
As the song progresses, we hear the singer's anxiety and self-doubt come to the surface as they try to make amends for their behavior. They acknowledge that they have the time and the ability to help their loved ones, to create a secure environment for them to thrive in, and to build them up so high that they will never fall. The singer repeats the line, "I've got time to build you up so tall, you won't fall down on me," emphasizing the importance they place on showing up for the people they care about.
The title of the song, My Ark, alludes to the story of Noah's Ark in the Bible, where Noah builds an ark to protect himself and his family from a massive flood. In the same way, the singer in the song vows to safeguard their loved ones from any harm and protect them from the harsh realities of the world. Overall, Blur's My Ark encourages listeners to embrace their quirks and to prioritize their loved ones' well-being above all else.
Line by Line Meaning
Please excuse, my tendency
I apologize for my natural inclination
To color everything I tell you
To add my own personal touch to the things I say
You don't understand
You may not comprehend my perspective
It takes me wherever I want to go
It allows me to impose my will and manipulate the situation
This is surely what I need
This is definitely necessary for me
But I don't always think that way
But I may not always have the same conviction
And in the end
Ultimately
I can't help feeling
I cannot avoid feeling
I must sober into this
I need to face reality and come to terms with it
I've got time
There is no rush
To build you up so tall
To elevate you to great heights
You won't fall down on me
You will not disappoint me or let me down
But in my mind
However, what I imagine
There's nothing that really
There is nothing that actually
Ever holds us from the truth
Prevents us from knowing the truth
So I build My Ark for you
Therefore, I prepare a safe haven for you
And I hope you do the same for me
And I expect you to reciprocate
Just a sobering end to this
Just a depressing conclusion to this
You won't fall down on me, down on me
You will not be a disappointment to me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVEN ALEXANDER JAMES, DAVID ROWNTREE, DAMON ALBARN, GRAHAM COXON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind