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)
Stereotypes
Blur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're a twinkle in her eye
She's been feeling frisky
Since her husband said goodbye
She wears a low cut T-shirt runs a little B&B
She's most accommodating when she's in her lingerie
Wife swapping is the future
Yes, they're stereotypes
There must be more to life
All your life you are dreaming
And then you stop dreaming
From time to time you know
You should be going on another bender
The suburbs they are sleeping
But he's dressing up tonight
She likes a man in uniform he loves to wear it tight
They're on the lovers sofa they're on the patio
And when the fun is over watch themselves on video
The neighbors may be staring
But they are just past caring
The lyrics of Blur's song "Stereotypes" are a commentary on the dull and unfulfilled lives of suburban couples who are bored with their routine lives and seek excitement through unconventional means. In the first verse, the female protagonist of the song is introduced as someone who is feeling frisky since her husband left her. She runs a bed and breakfast, and is most accommodating when she is in her lingerie. The singer embodies the stereotype of a lonely, sexually frustrated woman who is seeking an escape from her mundane life.
The second verse introduces the idea of wife swapping as the future, which seems to fit with the theme of seeking new and unconventional experiences in order to fill the void in one's life. The chorus highlights the stereotypical nature of these suburban lifestyles, and the dissatisfaction that comes with it. The line "there must be more to life" suggests that the characters are aware of their monotonous existence but are unsure of how to break free from it.
The third verse continues to explore the idea of unconventional sexual experiences as a means of escape, this time with the male protagonist dressing up in a uniform to satisfy his partner's desires. The final line of the verse suggests that the couple is filming themselves, perhaps as a way to live out their fantasies. The final chorus implies that the suburban couples are aware of the negative attention they attract, but they are past caring about it.
In summary, the lyrics of "Stereotypes" critique the boredom and monotony of suburban life, and how individuals seek to escape it through unconventional means. The song suggests that there is more to life than conforming to societal norms and stereotypes, and that individuals should seek to find their own way to fulfill their desires and find excitement.
Line by Line Meaning
The suburbs they are dreaming
The residents in the suburbs have aspirations and visions for their lives.
They're a twinkle in her eye
These aspirations and visions are a source of hope and excitement for the residents.
She's been feeling frisky / Since her husband said goodbye
The woman is experiencing sexual desire and seeking new experiences after her divorce.
She wears a low cut T-shirt runs a little B&B / She's most accommodating when she's in her lingerie
The woman runs a bed and breakfast and is willing to go above and beyond for her guests, even in revealing clothing.
Wife swapping is the future / You know that it would suit you
The song suggests that unconventional sexual activities, like wife swapping, are becoming more normalized and desirable.
Yes, they're stereotypes / There must be more to life
The song acknowledges that these behaviors and attitudes are common, but implies that there is more to life than fulfilling these stereotypes.
All your life you are dreaming / And then you stop dreaming
The song reflects on the fleeting nature of dreams and how they can disappear as people settle into monotonous, conventional lifestyles.
From time to time you know / You should be going on another bender
The song suggests that people should let loose and have wild experiences every once in a while to break free from conformity.
The suburbs they are sleeping / But he's dressing up tonight
The neighborhoods may appear quiet, but there are people who are still pursuing their desires and having adventures.
She likes a man in uniform he loves to wear it tight / They're on the lovers sofa they're on the patio / And when the fun is over watch themselves on video
The couple depicted in the song enjoys fetishizing uniforms and recording their sexual encounters for later viewing, be it on a couch or outdoors.
The neighbors may be staring / But they are just past caring
While the neighbors may judge the behavior of others in the suburbs, the group engaging in unusual activities simply no longer cares about their opinions or views on their lifestyles.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Damon Albarn, David Rowntree, Graham Coxon, Steven Alexander James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@noneofthet4880
The suburbs they are dreaming
They're a twinkle in her eye
She's been feeling frisky
Since her husband said goodbye
She wears a low cut T-shirt runs a little B&B
She's most accommodating when she's in her lingerie
Wife swapping is the future
You know that it would suit you
Yes, they're stereotypes
There must be more to life
All your life you are dreaming
And then you stop dreaming
From time to time you know
You should be going on another bender
The suburbs they are sleeping
But he's dressing up tonight
She likes a man in uniform he loves to wear it tight
They're on the lovers sofa they're on the patio
And when the fun is over watch themselves on video
The neighbors may be staring
But they are just past caring
@villababy8748
I keep going on Blur marathons before I go to sleep.
@annie-no2xn
ME TOO 🧚♀️
@undercoverofdarknezz
That is exactly what I’m doing right now
@vaty1860
frickin true
@elizamoomoo5595
A WHOLE ASS MOOD
@aryayudha9912
Same
@CandMe222
One of the things I've always loved about Blur is ALEX. He always looks SO cool whenever he is on stage or performing or in video, just standing there all refined and hardly moving, and looking above it all like he doesn't give a s***, usually with a cigarette and his hair over his eyes. He's fascinating.
@CandMe222
Couldn't have put it any better! That's exactly what I was trying to say, shorthand! Thank you ! He really IS!!
@TickTockFilms
CandMe222 when they played in sydney ( the other day) he literally just walked out in shorts and bare feet! IN F*CKING WINTER!
@CandMe222
Brlliant! He is a class act of his own :)