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)
Pressure On Julian
Blur Lyrics
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Sing, sing the lullaby, bah bah bah
Sitting on the pavement, sucking on a long straw
It's colorful, it's colorful, but it washes you out
Here is my violence, and here is the excuse
I learned it all, but only second hand
Falling into walls, well what is it with you
We planned it all this way
We planned it all this way
Pressure on Julian
Swimming in yellow pissy water
Sand getting in between their ears
No blood in head in this bloddy weather
Irate people with yellow tounges
Only the magical transit children
Sing, sing the lullaby, bah bah bah
Falling into walls, well what is it with you
You never know, never know, never know
We planned it all this way
We planned it all this way
Pressure on Julian
(There was pressure on Julian, pushing trolleys in the car park
From B to A, then back to B
Pressure on Julian, he keeps passing out
Poor, precious little snout, the birds are singing at night
Pressure on Julian)
We planned it all this way
We planned it all this way
Pressure on Julian
The lyrics to "Pressure on Julian" by Blur are cryptic and open to interpretation. The song seems to describe a world where only "magical transit children" are able to find some sort of beauty in their surroundings, as they sing a lullaby and suck on long straws. However, the overall picture painted is quite dark, as the world is full of violence, walls to fall into, and yellow pissy water filled with sand. The chorus features the repeated declaration that "We planned it all this way" with the phrase "Pressure on Julian" inserted throughout.
The song seems to be a commentary on modern society, where people are bombarded with negativity and violence but somehow still find joy in small things. The mention of Julian suggests that he is an individual who is feeling the pressure of society and is struggling to cope. It's unclear who "we" are in the chorus, but the repetition of the phrase suggests that they are powerful figures who are responsible for the state of things.
Overall, "Pressure on Julian" is a dark, thought-provoking song that paints a bleak picture of modern society while still finding moments of beauty and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Only the magical transit children sing, sing the lullaby, bah bah bah
The only ones capable of bringing joy are those who view the world with an imaginative eye
Sitting on the pavement, sucking on a long straw. It's colorful, it's colorful, but it washes you out
Even the brightest things in life can eventually drain you of your vibrance and leave you feeling empty inside
Here is my violence, and here is the excuse. I learned it all, but only second hand
I have committed acts of aggression, yet refuse to take responsibility for them, instead blaming others for my behavior
Falling into walls, well what is it with you. You never know, never know, never know
Repeatedly running into problems without understanding how or why they came about
We planned it all this way. We planned it all this way. Pressure on Julian
We were aware of the negative outcome that would result from our actions, yet continued down that path anyway
Swimming in yellow pissy water. Sand getting in between their ears. No blood in head in this bloddy weather. Irate people with yellow tounges
Living in an unpleasant environment that negatively impacts one's mental state, while also dealing with angry and uncooperative individuals
(There was pressure on Julian, pushing trolleys in the car park. from B to A, then back to B. Pressure on Julian, he keeps passing out, Poor, precious little snout, the birds are singing at night. Pressure on Julian)
Julian is suffering from mental and/or physical stress caused by the difficult and repetitive work he is doing, leading to exhaustion and a sense of hopelessness
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