Name | Song 2 |
---|---|
Cover | Blur_song_2_CD1.jpg |
Artist | Blur |
From album | Blur |
Released | |
Format | 7" vinyl, CD |
Recorded | 1996 |
Genre | Alternative rock, grunge |
Length | 2:02 |
Label | Food |
Producer | Stephen Street |
Last single | "Beetlebum"(1997) |
This single | "Song 2" (1997) |
Next single | "On Your Own"(1997) |
Misc |
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"Song 2" is a song by English alternative rock band Blur, and the second track on, and second single released from, their fifth album Blur in April 1997. The riff-based track, known for its overdriven chorus, is among the best-known songs the band has recorded.
BackgroundDamon Albarn stated at the song's debut live performance at the RDS in Dublin in June 1996 that "This one's called 'Song 2', 'cause we haven't got a name for it yet". The working title ended up sticking. It was said that the song was about Pavement's Bob Nastanovich, known for his colourful and energetic stage presence.According to producer Stephen Street in an interview with HitQuarters, the song was recorded using RADAR audio recording equipment. "Song 2" was the second track on the album, was the second single from the album to be released, is exactly two minutes and two seconds long, and is also the second track on their compilation . It reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart and also placed #2 on Triple J's Hottest 100 for 1997 in Australia. The song is also the second song on the second disc on the album Bustin' + Dronin'. It has two choruses, two verses and two bridges. The song was played by Blur at their Hyde Park reunion gigs in summer 2009 and subsequently appears on the 'All The People' live recordings.
ReceptionIn the UK, "Song 2" built upon the success of Blur's chart-topping single "Beetlebum" to reach number two in the charts. It was also the band's biggest hit in the US, reaching number six on Billboards Modern Rock Tracks chart. Though it is atypical of Blur's previous trademark style, in America it is the song most closely associated with the band.The song was meant to be a parody of American grunge music. Ironically, it was embraced by the same radio stations whose airplay choices the song was parodying in the first place.
In popular cultureThe song became popular upon its release in 1997 on college and modern rock radio stations in the USA. but the band refused to allow this, as Albarn is an anti-war campaigner. Music video games Guitar Hero 5 and Lego Rock Band feature the song on their respective setlists. The song was featured briefly in the episode "Malled" of the animated series Daria. The song is also used in the twelfth episode of the tenth season of the animated sitcom The Simpsons, entitled "Sunday, Cruddy Sunday". It was played when Homer and the rest of the people from Springfield were running around Pro Player Stadium after Dolly Parton released them from a cell during the Super Bowl. during Avril's Bonez World Tour.The song was covered by the Plain White Ts for the Punk Goes '90s compilation and by My Chemical Romance in Radio 1's Live Lounge. The song was also covered by Robbie Williams and AFI. Japanese rock band The Brilliant Green included a cover of the song on their 2010 release Blackout. The song was also covered by the Argentinian rock band Catupecu Machu and the Brazilian rock band Hori in several times at his concerts. Earl Zinger covered this song as Song 2Wo on his Album Put Your Phazers On Stun Throw Your Health Food Skyward. The New Standards covered this song on their 2005 release The New Standards. Project RnL covered this song in a quirky A Capela style (Currently only available on YouTube) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0bwN-9GM14
MeaningsThe song is meant to lightly poke fun at grunge bands. The lyrics jump around and have no connection whatsoever, all with a grunge-like gutair riff in the background, sounding much like the riff from the Nirvana song Smells Like Teen Spirit. It also bears a striking resemblance to the Pavement song, Debris Slide.The song makes many references to the number 2, therefore it is called Song 2. It is number 2 on most of the albums it has featured on (sans , where it is track 7), it is 2:02 long, it has 2 verses, 2 choruses, and 2 bridges, and reached number 2 on the UK charts.
Music videoThe music video for this song was directed by Sophie Muller, and it features the band playing in a small, secluded room with loud speakers behind them. During the choruses, the volume of the music sends the band members crashing against the walls and ground. This video bears striking resemblances to Blur's video for "Popscene".
Track listing;Purple 7" #"Song 2" #"Get Out of Cities";CD1 #"Song 2" #"Get Out of Cities" #"Polished Stone" ;CD2 #"Song 2" #"Bustin' + Dronin'" #"Country Sad Ballad Man" (live acoustic) ;International CD #"Song 2" #"Get Out of Cities" #"Polished Stone" #"Bustin' + Dronin'" ;Japan Tour CD #"Song 2" #"Get Out of Cities" #"Polished Stone" #"Bustin' + Dronin'" #"Beetlebum" (Mario Caldato Jr. mix) #"Beetlebum" (instrumental) #"Country Sad Ballad Man" (live acoustic) #"On Your Own" (live acoustic)
Chart positions
References
Category:Blur (band) songs Category:1997 singles Category:Music videos directed by Sophie Muller Category:English-language songs Category:Virgin Records singles Category:1997 songs This text is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-SA License. This text was originally published on Wikipedia and was developed by the Wikipedia community.
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