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)
Top Man
Blur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Be careful when you're out
We are having freaky weather
There's a lot of it about
The terraces are swinging
He's a monkey on the roof
You've seen him on the telly
So let me introduce your host tonight
T.O.P.M.A.N.
He's naughty by nature
On doubles and chasers
He's a little boy racer
Shooting guns on the high street of love
In a crowd it's hard to spot him, but anonymity can cost
He's never cheap â??n' cheerful, he's Hugo and he's Boss
He's riding through the desert on a Camel Light
And on a magic carpet, he'll fly away tonight
Open sesame
T.O.P.M.A.N.
Sees her in double
Then pukes on the pavement
Likes her all clean and shaven
Shooting guns on the high street of love
The song "Top Man" by Blur is a cautionary tale about a dangerous and reckless man known as T.O.P.M.A.N. The lyrics warn the public to be careful when out because of the erratic and unpredictable weather, and the presence of this troublemaker. The song describes T.O.P.M.A.N. as someone who is naughty by nature, loves to drink and drive, and is notorious for causing chaos on the streets. The line "he's a monkey on the roof" paints a picture of him acting like a wild animal, and his presence makes the terraces swing.
The chorus of the song repeats the name T.O.P.M.A.N. and describes how he enjoys doubles and chasers, which are alcoholic drinks, and acts like a little boy racer. This line is particularly effective as it shows how he is immature, reckless, and not to be trusted. The line "shooting guns on the high street of love" further emphasizes his violent nature and lack of regard for the safety of others.
The second verse further describes T.O.P.M.A.N. as someone who is hard to spot in a crowd, but his anonymity can be costly. He is not someone who is cheap and cheerful, but someone who likes to show off his wealth and power. He is also described as someone who likes his women clean and shaven, with a hint of misogyny in the lyrics. The last few lines of the song describe his escapism, as he rides on a Camel Light in the desert or flies away on a magic carpet. These lines imply that T.O.P.M.A.N. is someone who doesn't like reality and wants to escape his problems.
Overall, the song "Top Man" by Blur is an intriguing and thought-provoking song that describes a dangerous person who is a menace to society. It is a warning against the recklessness and chaos that can ensue when such people exist in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a public warning
The singer is alerting the public to something important.
Be careful when you're out
The singer is advising people to be cautious when they are outside.
We are having freaky weather
The weather conditions are unusual and unpredictable.
There's a lot of it about
The unpredictable weather conditions are widespread in the area.
The terraces are swinging
The crowd is excited and enthusiastic about something.
He's a monkey on the roof
Someone is mischievous and playful, often in a dangerous way.
You've seen him on the telly
The person being referred to is famous or well-known on television.
So let me introduce your host tonight
The artist is presenting the person being referred to as the main attraction for the evening.
T.O.P.M.A.N.
Referring to the person being introduced for the evening - likely the main attraction.
He's naughty by nature
The person being introduced has a mischievous or rebellious personality.
On doubles and chasers
The person being introduced enjoys alcoholic drinks consisting of doubles (double shots of spirits) and chasers (a non-alcoholic drink used to wash down the alcohol).
He's a little boy racer
The person being introduced is passionate about cars and enjoys driving them in a fast and reckless manner.
Shooting guns on the high street of love
Metaphorically, the person being introduced is a player in the dating game - they move from lover to lover quickly and easily.
In a crowd it's hard to spot him, but anonymity can cost
The person being referred to can blend into a crowd and may be difficult to locate, but their anonymity can come at a price - others may exploit or take advantage of them.
He's never cheap 'n' cheerful, he's Hugo and he's Boss
The person being referred to is not one to settle for subpar experiences - they prefer luxury and high-end options.
He's riding through the desert on a Camel Light
This line is likely a metaphor for the person being referred to traveling through life easily and calmly.
And on a magic carpet, he'll fly away tonight
This line is also likely a metaphor for the person being referred to escaping from their problems and moving on to something new.
Open sesame
This phrase is likely meant to unlock or reveal something exciting or meaningful.
Sees her in double
The person being referred to has a tendency to see others as romantic partners, often in a sexual context.
Then pukes on the pavement
The person being referred to often takes things too far and ends up regretting their actions later on.
Likes her all clean and shaven
The person being referred to has preferences for their romantic partners, often favoring more traditional and conservative values.
Shooting guns on the high street of love
The person being referred to enjoys the excitement and drama of romantic relationships, but doesn't usually commit to one person for very long.
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
Rocío Molina
Lyrics:
This is a public warning
Be careful when you're out
We are having freaky weather
There's a lot of it about
The terraces are swinging
He's a monkey on the roof
You've seen him on the telly
So let me introduce your host tonight
T.O.P.M.A.N.
He's naughty by nature
T.O.P.M.A.N
On doubles and chasers
T.O.P.M.A.N
He's a little boy racer
T.O.P.M.A.N
Shooting guns on the high street of love
In a crowd it's hard to spot him, but anonymity can cost
He's never cheap â??n' cheerful, he's Hugo and he's Boss
He's riding through the desert on a Camel Light
And on a magic carpet, he'll fly away tonight
Open sesame
T.O.P.M.A.N.
He's naughty by nature
T.O.P.M.A.N
On doubles and chasers
T.O.P.M.A.N
He's a little boy racer
T.O.P.M.A.N
Shooting guns on the high street of love
T.O.P.M.A.N.
Sees her in double
T.O.P.M.A.N.
Then pukes on the pavement
T.O.P.M.A.N.
Likes her all clean and shaven
T.O.P.M.A.N.
Shooting guns on the high street of love
T.O.P.M.A.N.
He's naughty by nature
T.O.P.M.A.N
On doubles and chasers
T.O.P.M.A.N
He's a little boy racer
T.O.P.M.A.N
Shooting guns on the high street of love
T.O.P.M.A.N
Shooting guns on the high street of love (x8)
El Nato
A good song no doubt, shame it is not highly valued, but I love it.
K-leb
I think it's too...affected for a lot of people.
Grant G
Top Song
Rocío Molina
Lyrics:
This is a public warning
Be careful when you're out
We are having freaky weather
There's a lot of it about
The terraces are swinging
He's a monkey on the roof
You've seen him on the telly
So let me introduce your host tonight
T.O.P.M.A.N.
He's naughty by nature
T.O.P.M.A.N
On doubles and chasers
T.O.P.M.A.N
He's a little boy racer
T.O.P.M.A.N
Shooting guns on the high street of love
In a crowd it's hard to spot him, but anonymity can cost
He's never cheap â??n' cheerful, he's Hugo and he's Boss
He's riding through the desert on a Camel Light
And on a magic carpet, he'll fly away tonight
Open sesame
T.O.P.M.A.N.
He's naughty by nature
T.O.P.M.A.N
On doubles and chasers
T.O.P.M.A.N
He's a little boy racer
T.O.P.M.A.N
Shooting guns on the high street of love
T.O.P.M.A.N.
Sees her in double
T.O.P.M.A.N.
Then pukes on the pavement
T.O.P.M.A.N.
Likes her all clean and shaven
T.O.P.M.A.N.
Shooting guns on the high street of love
T.O.P.M.A.N.
He's naughty by nature
T.O.P.M.A.N
On doubles and chasers
T.O.P.M.A.N
He's a little boy racer
T.O.P.M.A.N
Shooting guns on the high street of love
T.O.P.M.A.N
Shooting guns on the high street of love (x8)
talbot
I find The Great Escape extremely underrated.
Skywirefan
I really fucking love the "OOOPPEN SESAME!" in the middle of the song. I dont know why, but I just really fucking love hearing it.
Luchiz
I love it too... I think one of the reasons is the whistle sound Damon makes when he says "sesame"... I've always loved his whistles
K-leb
Heh, I know some people who hate it. This album is very polarizing.
Fernanda Martins
Skywirefan funny it's exactly in the middle
Moira Keenan
Love this song! So well written.