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)
Ultranol
Blur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Itchy pimples, unseemly moles
For funny turns and Chinese burns
For aching heads we're most concerned
For staying lively, getting it nightly
This we guarantee
That Ultranol is the new remedy
Before you go to bed take two or three
For aches and pains and jellied brains
Help you sleep and smile again
Nouw you're aimless, blameless, almost nameless
You get much more although you pay less
Revitalise that sexual drive
In fact, be born again
Yes Ultranol will put you on the map
Take four or five then have a little nap
When you wake up you'll feel better
For your coughs and scabby holes
Keep you young although you're feeling old
If you're not protected you're going to get is
So suck 'em and see, you won't regret it
Suck 'em and see
The lyrics to Blur's Ultranol are a satirical take on the promises made by pharmaceutical companies through their advertisements. The song advertises for a product called Ultranol, claiming that it can cure everything from coughs and colds to aching heads and low sexual drive. The song is cynically witty, commenting on the way the medical industry presents its products in a glossy, simplified way that often takes advantage of people's insecurities and vulnerabilities. It subverts the language of typical pharmaceutical advertising to create a sense of absurdity and suspicion.
The lyrics are playful, highlighting the excess of claims made by such advertisements. The lyrics make use of colloquial language such as "scabby holes" and "Chinese burns" to create a sense of familiarity and humor around the subject. The repetition of phrases such as "when you wake up you'll feel better" and "suck 'em and see" parody the way advertisements present a quick fix to any ailment one may have. In essence, the song is an indication of how we at times can engage in a very generalised search for a quick answer to our health problems instead of addressing the root cause of the issue.
Line by Line Meaning
For coughs and colds and scabby holes
We have a solution for common medical issues like coughs, colds, and scabby skin.
Itchy pimples, unseemly moles
We can also help with itchy pimples and unsightly moles.
For funny turns and Chinese burns
Our remedy can even heal the pain from sudden dizziness or from being burned with a Chinese burn.
For aching heads we're most concerned
We are especially focused on relieving headaches.
For staying lively, getting it nightly
Our product promises to help with staying energetic and having a healthy sex life.
This we guarantee
We stand by our product and ensure its effectiveness.
That Ultranol is the new remedy
Introducing Ultranol, our new product that can help with various medical issues and quality of life.
Before you go to bed take two or three
To see the benefits, simply take two or three pills before going to bed.
When you wake up you'll feel better
Once you wake up, you will see a difference in how you feel.
For aches and pains and jellied brains
Ultranol can also help relieve general pain and the feeling of being mentally foggy.
Help you sleep and smile again
Our remedy can help you sleep well and feel happy again.
Now you're aimless, blameless, almost nameless
With Ultranol, you can feel carefree and worry-free, almost as though you don't have a care in the world.
You get much more although you pay less
Our product provides a lot of benefits, even though it is relatively inexpensive.
Revitalise that sexual drive
Ultranol can help rekindle your libido and improve your sex life.
In fact, be born again
You can feel refreshed and energetic, as though you have been born anew.
Yes Ultranol will put you on the map
Our product will help you feel like you've really arrived.
Take four or five then have a little nap
Simply taking four or five pills and then taking a nap can rejuvenate you.
For your coughs and scabby holes
Again, we can help with common medical issues like coughs and scabby skin.
Keep you young although you're feeling old
Even if you are aging, our product can help you feel young and lively.
If you're not protected you're going to get it
If you don't take care of yourself, you'll inevitably experience health issues.
So suck 'em and see, you won't regret it
We urge you to try our product and see the noticeable difference in your overall wellness.
Lyrics © 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