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)
Trouble in the Message Centre
Blur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Local and direct
Room to room, an operator
No calls today, dear, they'll just have to wait, dear
I call and I collect
So just strike him softly away from the body
You're made up too shiny today (in so much trouble)
Thoughts are just pissing away (in so much trouble)
In so much trouble
I am a manager
I am in control
As the local delegator
No calls today, dear, they'll just have to wait, dear
I offer no guarantee at all
So don't take it lightly you'll put yourself under
You're made up too shiny today (in so much trouble)
Thoughts are just pissing away (in so much trouble)
A new typeface, a new day (in so much trouble)
You can't remember ten minutes ago (in so much trouble)
Too much trouble
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
You're made up too shiny today (in so much trouble)
Thoughts are just pissing away (in so much trouble)
A new typeface, a new day (in so much trouble)
You can't remember ten minutes ago (in so much trouble)
It's too much trouble (la, la-la-la-la)
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
The lyrics suggest the persona of the song "Trouble in the Message Centre" is the operator of a message center. The message center is described as "local and direct," with the ability to connect room-to-room. The persona takes pride in being in control, describing themselves as a manager and delegator. The persona refuses to take responsibility for any guarantees and expects people to wait for their calls. The lyrics are contemptuous as the persona uses their power to make people wait and collect messages on their behalf. The repeated refrain "in so much trouble" seems to express the frustration of the persona and their sense of being overwhelmed with the intense nature of their job.
The lyrics also point out how the persona feels that other people are not doing their job correctly. They claim that they are "made up too shiny today" and "thoughts are just pissing away" and "can't remember ten minutes ago." These lines are likely referencing the superficiality and scatteredness of others, who are not totally present or able to keep up.
When listening to this song, the dramatic combination of the words and music create an atmosphere of tension and expectation. The composition and instrumentation seem to be driven rather than soothing. The lyrics berate and undermine others, and the production of the music reflects this harsh tone. Overall, the lyrics suggest a person who is power-hungry and doesn't mind making others wait in the message center while feeling overwhelmed by their job.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the message center
I am the hub for all forms of communication
Local and direct
I operate within a limited range, but with a strong connection
Room to room, an operator
I serve as a liaison, transferring information from one person to another
No calls today, dear, they'll just have to wait, dear
There is currently no message to deliver, it will have to come at a later time
I call and I collect
I retrieve all messages and communications directed at this center
So just strike him softly away from the body
Please delete or discard any messages that are no longer needed
You're made up too shiny today (in so much trouble)
You are putting on a front or facade that is too perfect and may lead to consequences
Thoughts are just pissing away (in so much trouble)
Your thoughts are being wasted and not put to good use, leading to issues
In so much trouble
You are experiencing a lot of difficulties or problems
I am a manager
I oversee the operations of this message center
I am in control
I am responsible for ensuring that everything runs smoothly
As the local delegator
I am the one who assigns tasks and responsibilities to others
I offer no guarantee at all
I can make no promises or assurances regarding the messages that are delivered
So don't take it lightly you'll put yourself under
Be careful with what you say or do, it may have unintended consequences
A new typeface, a new day (in so much trouble)
Change and newness may cause difficulty or distress
You can't remember ten minutes ago (in so much trouble)
You are experiencing forgetfulness or lapses in memory, leading to problems
Too much trouble
The situation at hand is causing too much stress or difficulty
La, la-la-la-la
Vocalization or background musical accompaniment
La, la, la, la
Vocalization or background musical accompaniment
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alexander James, David Rowntree, Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@russibianca3893
I am the message center
Local and direct
Room to room, an operator
No calls today, dear, they'll just have to wait, dear
I call and I collect
So just strike him softly away from the body
You're made up too shiny today (in so much trouble)
Thoughts are just pissing away (in so much trouble)
In so much trouble
I am a manager
I am in control
As the local delegator
No calls today, dear, they'll just have to wait, dear
I offer no guarantee at all
So don't take it lightly you'll put yourself under
You're made up too shiny today (in so much trouble)
Thoughts are just pissing away (in so much trouble)
A new typeface, a new day (in so much trouble)
You can't remember ten minutes ago (in so much trouble)
Too much trouble
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
You're made up too shiny today (in so much trouble)
Thoughts are just pissing away (in so much trouble)
A new typeface, a new day (in so much trouble)
You can't remember ten minutes ago (in so much trouble)
It's too much trouble (la, la-la-la-la)
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
@patrickstocks3576
I am the message center
Local and direct
Room to room, an operator
No calls today, dear, they’ll just have to wait, dear
I call and I collect
So just strike him softly away from the body
You’re made up too shiny today (in so much trouble)
Thoughts 💭 are just pissing away (in so much trouble)
In so much trouble
I am a manager
I am in control
As the local delegator
No calls today, dear, they’ll just have to wait, dear
I offer no guarantee at all
So don’t take it lightly you’ll put yourself under
You’re made up too shiny today (in so much trouble)
Thoughts 💭 are just pissing away (in so much trouble)
A new typeface, a new day (in so much trouble)
You can’t remember 10 minutes ago (in so much trouble)
Too much trouble
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
You’re made up too shiny today (in so much trouble)
Thoughts 💭 are just pissing away (in so much trouble)
A new typeface, a new day (in so much trouble)
You can’t remember 10 minutes ago (in so much trouble)
It’s too much trouble (la, la-la-la-la)
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
La, la-la-la-la
La, la, la, la
@artangel16
One of my favorites of this amazing band. This song is so underrated
@devlinX
RapedFish PlasticOnTheCelling Totally, this was my favourite track on the album when it came out, love it.
@flowerboy9419
This song predicted Romo
@mattiemclean9882
One of their best ever
@rosspurchase9022
Yeah man.ace!
@chad832
Alex wrote this one.
@LanceVanceDance84
The guitar on this track melts me. Graham Coxon is a god.
@noseyparker6622
One of the most underrated guitarists ever in my opinion.
@anmluzuriaga
Amen
@pabloparraga6079
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