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)
No Monsters in Me
Blur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With night nurse slippers and socks
He tries to keep this thoughts clean
By washing with Listerine
A little peck on the cheek
In dazed pajamas and sheets
Keep the light on, I'm not tired
I want to read my Dick Francis
There are no monsters in me
Car alarms letting off steam
Gary hears them in his dreams
Panic outside is seeping in
Just easy-listening to him
Turns in his sleep and smiles to himself
There are no monsters in me
Cause Garry's out on the Green
No growing pains for him
Gary Golf Ball Eyes is not in
a rush
The song No Monsters in Me by Blur is a quirky and humorous take on the thoughts and routines of the character Gary Golf. The lyrics describe Gary's attempts to keep his thoughts clean by washing with Listerine and his obsession with reading Dick Francis novels before bedtime. Despite his surroundings being plagued with car alarms and panic, Gary seems to be the picture of calmness with no monsters inside him. The image portrayed is of a man who is almost childlike in his innocence and naivety, as he is content with just playing golf on the green and living a simple life.
The lyrics of the song can be interpreted in several ways. On one level, it can be seen as a commentary on how people try to control their thoughts and surroundings in order to maintain their sanity in a world that can often be chaotic and frightening. The character of Gary Golf tries to keep his thoughts clean and constantly reads to distract himself from the outside world. It can also be seen as a critique of a certain type of middle-class lifestyle where people are obsessed with maintaining a veneer of respectability and normalcy.
The song's catchy melody and upbeat tempo are in stark contrast to the slightly dark and absurd lyrics, which makes it a classic Blur song. It is a popular track among fans and often features in the band's live shows.
Line by Line Meaning
Gary Golf stops all the clocks
Gary Golf, the singer, is attempting to arrest time i.e., put a pause on his life's progression
With night nurse slippers and socks
He dons slippers and socks used by night nurses, perhaps seeking comfort through association with comfort-givers
He tries to keep this thoughts clean
Gary Golf is seeking to keep his thoughts pure, without any impurities.
By washing with Listerine
As Listerine is an antiseptic mouthwash, Gary Golf here might be likening it to a purifier for his thoughts.
A little peck on the cheek
Gary Golf possibly receives a ritualistic 'goodnight' kiss from someone close, such as a partner, before he goes to bed
In dazed pajamas and sheets
Gary Golf is in a hazy state, perhaps with his thoughts still wandering
Keep the light on, I'm not tired
He's requesting the person to leave the light on since he might not be shuteye-ready yet
I want to read my Dick Francis
Gary Golf desires to read from the books authored by Dick Francis, a renowned English jockey-turned-crime-writer
Dirty Frauleins and nasty Nazis
The lyrics might be referencing the controversial author Kuki Gallmann's books
There are no monsters in me
Perhaps, Gary means that he's trying to be positive and keep his fears in check. Although, it could also be interpreted as someone who has lost everything and has nothing left to lose.
Car alarms letting off steam
Outside, car alarms are going off alluding to the chaotic state of the world
Gary hears them in his dreams
Because of the rising panic and chaos, the outside noise creeps into his subconscious
Panic outside is seeping in
There's an impending sense of doom that's causing panic around him. Gary is an observer to this, but chooses not to participate
Just easy-listening to him
Gary is probably just listening to some calming, easy-listening music to settle his mind
Turns in his sleep and smiles to himself
Gary seems to be content with his place in this chaotic world and is at peace even in his sleep
No growing pains for him
Gary's journey has been smooth without any major setbacks until now
Gary Golf Ball Eyes is not in
Gary is not a witness to the chaos that's going on outside and ruminating about his own life.
Lyrics © 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