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)
The Outsider
Blur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The plastic surgery will melt
Its like getting kinda me so
It comes over when you come
I need to call it out my system
I find the good and kick it out
When the wind blows the stars don't shine
I got day day day day day day day today
The error takes some parts so stay away
I find myself alone
Just staring down the phone
I got day day day day day day day today
I see shadows in the night grow
I see dancing disease
I don't fear very easily
I gotta get some light relief
I got day day day day day day day today
The error takes some parts so stay away
I find myself alone
Just staring down the phone
I got day day day day day day day today
Alone, alone, alone, alone
I got day day day day day day day today
The error takes some parts so stay away
I find myself alone
Just staring down the phone
I got day day day day day day day today
The lyrics to Blur's song The Outsider are quite cryptic and open to interpretation. The first verse mentions the singer's ego, and how plastic surgery will melt something on it. The second line could be a reference to the dangers and potential consequences of artificial enhancements. The next line, "It's like getting kinda me so," suggests that the singer may not feel like themselves when they undergo these changes. The final line of the verse, "It comes over when you come," is rather vague, but could be interpreted as how the singer is affected by others who have undergone plastic surgery, making them feel like they need to match up to society's beauty standards.
The chorus of the song has repetitive lyrics that suggest the singer is trying to rid themselves of something negative in their system. "I need to call it out my system, I find the good and kick it out," suggests that the singer wants to rid themselves of negativity, whether it be in their own thoughts or surroundings. The line, "When the wind blows the stars don't shine," implies that the singer may be feeling lost and disconnected in their current state.
The rest of the song talks about how the singer is feeling alone, and how they see "shadows in the night grow" and "dancing disease". The final line of the chorus is repeated, with the singer stating that they have "day day day day day day day today". This line itself is rather puzzling, but could be interpreted as the singer trying to take control of their life, despite the negative forces surrounding them.
Line by Line Meaning
I got something on my ego
I am struggling with something that is affecting my self-esteem
The plastic surgery will melt
I cannot hide my insecurities with superficial changes or quick fixes
Its like getting kinda me so
The issue is deeply personal and affecting my identity
It comes over when you come
The problem resurfaces when I am around a certain person or in a certain situation
I need to call it out my system
I need to acknowledge the issue and work through it
I find the good and kick it out
I am trying to eliminate negative thoughts and emotions
When the wind blows the stars don't shine
Sometimes things don't work out the way we expect them to
I got day day day day day day day today
I am living in the present
The error takes some parts so stay away
I am avoiding situations that may trigger negative feelings
I find myself alone
I am feeling lonely and isolated
Just staring down the phone
I am seeking connection and validation through technology
I see shadows in the night grow
The darkness in my life is getting more intense
I see dancing disease
Negative patterns are spreading and infecting my life
I don't fear very easily
Despite everything, I am strong and resilient
I gotta get some light relief
I need to find moments of joy and positivity in my life
Alone, alone, alone, alone
I am reminding myself of my current state of isolation
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