Song 2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Song 2" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Single by Blur | ||
| from the album Blur | ||
| Released | 7 April 1997 | |
| Format | 7" vinyl, CD | |
| Recorded | 1997 | |
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | 2:02 | |
| Label | Food Virgin Records America |
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| Producer(s) | Stephen Street | |
| Chart positions | ||
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#2 (UK) |
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| Blur singles chronology | ||
| "Beetlebum" (1997) |
"Song 2" (1997) |
"On Your Own" (1997) |
"Song 2" is a song by Blur, and the second single released from their eponymous fifth album, Blur in April 1997. It features a catchy, bouncy beat combined with a calmly sung verse and a raucous, guitar-driven chorus, and is among the most well-known songs the band have recorded, particularly in the United States, where it remains their biggest hit to date.
The song is said to be a tribute to Bob Nastanovich's role in seminal indie rock band Pavement, but bears more similarity to Nirvana-like grunge, of which some consider it to be a parody[2].
Contents |
[edit] Information
"Song 2" was originally the track's working title (Damon Albarn stated at its debut live performance at the RDS in Dublin in June 1996 that "This one's called 'Song 2', 'cos we haven't got a name for it yet"), but it ended up sticking. Coincidences surrounding the number two eventually became associated with the song: it was the second track on the album, was the second single from the album to be released, and reached #2 in the UK singles chart and is approximately two minutes and two seconds long.
[edit] Reception
In the UK, "Song 2" built upon the success of Blur's prior #1 single "Beetlebum", reaching #2 in the charts. It was also the band's biggest hit in the USA, reaching #6 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks. Though it is decidedly atypical of Blur's trademark style, in America it is the song most closely associated with the band.
The song became quite popular upon its release in 1997 on college and modern rock radio stations in the USA. Due to its catchy chorus, it has been licensed worldwide on numerous occasions. Its first and most notable appearance came as the title music for the hit video game FIFA '98, contributing to its American success. It has been used in numerous advertisements, including commercials for the Pentium II, television spots for the film Starship Troopers, and is often heard in soccer and ice hockey stadiums when goals are scored. The song also gained recognition in Canada, as the theme for the Labatt Brewing Company. Famously, the American military requested to use the track at the launch of a new stealth bomber [1], but the band refused to allow this, as Albarn is an anti-war campaigner. [2] [3]
[edit] Trivia
- The distinctive drum sound was achieved by guitarist Graham Coxon playing a second set of drums face to face with regular drummer Dave Rowntree in the studio.
- The song has been used in the Simpsons episode "Sunday, Cruddy Sunday" and the South Park episode "Stanley's Cup".
- In March 2005, Q magazine placed "Song 2" at number 14 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.
- The song was featured in the PlayStation video game FIFA 98.
[edit] Cover versions
The song has been covered by a number of artists, including:
- During live performances by American bands Weezer, Wallflowers and Plain White T's.
- AFI covered the song as the traditional first song of MTV's 2007 New Years special.
- My Chemical Romance for Radio 1's Live Lounge.
- British rapper Plan B covers the song during his live perfomance, adding in his own rapping verse before the first proper verse of the song.
- French bands Dionysos and Louise Attaque covered the song during Taratata (TV).
- Brock Landers sampled the songs with his dance songs S.M.D.U.
[edit] Track listing
- 7" FOOD93
- "Song 2"
- "Get Out of Cities"
- CD1 CDFOODS93
- "Song 2"
- "Get Out of Cities"
- "Polished Stone"
- CD2 CDFOOD93
- "Song 2"
- "Bustin' + Dronin'"
- "Country Sad Ballad Man (Acoustic Live Version)"
- International CD
- "Song 2"
- "Get Out of Cities"
- "Polished Stone"
- "Bustin' + Dronin'"
[edit] References
- ^ [1] - Strange News From Another Star
- ^ Britpop rebel with a cause says no new nukes - The Guardian
- ^ Massive Effort! - nme.com
