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)
Tame
Blur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Airplane passes
At the slight angle
Second one follows
Reaching no evidence
Continues to baffle her
But she's not stupid
She's just friendly
Today is up to you
Can I pass through you?
Tame, tame, tame, tame
Applause in background
Their coffee mornings
They show Bonanzas and
What to buy there
So taste of horrors in
Oh well city's hot
You fall to pieces when
I must be dreaming
I don't know what to do
Today is up to you
Can I pass through you?
And I don't know what to do
My absence is due
Can I pass, can I?
The lyrics of "Tame" by Blur are cryptic and open to interpretation, but at their core, they seem to be about feeling uncertain and powerless in the face of external events. The song begins with an image of an airplane passing overhead at a slight angle, followed by a second plane. There is no evidence of what they are doing or where they are going, which confuses and bewilders the singer. Despite this, she recognizes that she is not stupid, just friendly, which sets up a sense of vulnerability and openness to experience.
The second verse shifts to a different scene - a coffee morning where Bonanza (presumably a store or brand) is being promoted. Despite the appearance of normality and consumerism, there is a "taste of horrors" in the air, as if something terrible is lurking behind the facade of everyday life. The singer feels like she is falling to pieces, unable to cope with the dissonance between her expectations and reality.
Throughout the song, the repeated refrain of "tame, tame, tame" suggests a desire to exert control over the chaos and confusion of life. The singer is searching for a way to make sense of the world and find a sense of order in the midst of unpredictability. Ultimately, however, she is left feeling lost and unsure of what to do.
Line by Line Meaning
Disguise this morning
The morning is hiding something under its disguise
Airplane passes
An airplane flies overhead
At the slight angle
The airplane is flying at an angle
Second one follows
A second airplane follows the first one
Reaching no evidence
The airplanes leave no trace of their presence
Continues to baffle her
The airplanes' actions confuse and perplex her
But she's not stupid
The woman watching the airplanes is not unintelligent
She's just friendly
Her demeanor is warm and sociable
I don't know what to do
The artist is unsure of their next move
Today is up to you
Today's outcome is in the hands of someone else
Can I pass through you?
The singer wonders if they can go through with their plan
Tame, tame, tame, tame
The artist is trying to control their emotions and desires
Applause in background
There is a sound of applause in the distance
Their coffee mornings
The people in the background have a routine of coffee mornings
They show Bonanzas and
They display items for sale, such as Bonanzas
What to buy there
They suggest what items to purchase
So taste of horrors in
The items for sale may be unpleasant or difficult to handle
Oh well city's hot
The city is lively and bustling
You fall to pieces when
You become upset or distraught when
I must be dreaming
The artist questions if they are living in reality or a dream
My absence is due
The artist may not be present for a reason
And I don't know what to do
The artist still feels unsure about their course of action
Can I pass, can I?
The singer is still questioning if they can go through with their plan
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