On Air Now
Radio X Chilled with Sarah Gosling 10pm - 1am
7 April 2024, 12:00
The Blur classic was released as a single on 7th April 1997. Here's the story of how the band made their way beyond Britpop.
Blur's Song 2 was released on Monday, 7th April 1997.
The Britpop band's electrifying banger stands out for so many reasons. It's one of Blur's most famous tracks, but also one of their shortest. You'd also be forgiven for thinking this doesn't sound like many other songs from Damon Albarn and co.
The track started out as a joke on their record company, with Blur thinking it was "too extreme" compared to their sound to get the green light. The track was a reaction to the Britpop era, which the band had taken as far as they could with the album The Great Escape. In fact, Song 2 reflects Graham Coxon's tastes in alternative guitar rock, particularly the US band Pavement.
The 1997 single, which is often known as 'the "whoo hoo" song' doesn't have the words Song 2 in its lyrics, so why is it called Song 2? Find out the answer to this and much more below.
The answer's a pretty simple one folks. Song 2 began as a working title or nickname for the track, as it was set to the second song on the tracklist for their eponymous fifth studio album.
Get more facts about the song here.
Blur - Song 2
It was introduced by Damon saying: “I don’t know what it’s called, I don’t even know what it’s about, ‘cos I haven’t really written it yet. At the moment it’s called Song Number 2.” The lyrics were pure gibberish!
Blur - Song 2 (first ever preformance)
But when as the track became the second song on the band’s eponymous fifth album, the name became the official title.
But producer Stephen Street considered the stream of consciousness to be perfect as it was, so it was included on the final take.
She also did the business for The Stone Roses’ Ten Storey Love Song, Mr Brightside by The Killers and Use Somebody by Kings Of Leon.
The Killers - Mr. Brightside (Official Music Video)
It lost in both cases to Never Ever by All Saints! Here's popular radio celebrity from the 90s Alan Partridge announcing the winner.
All Saints win British Video presented by Alan Partridge | BRIT Awards 1998
Starship Troopers trailer with "Song 2"
...alongside London Calling by The Clash and We Will Rock You by Queen.
Simpsons Super Bowl Running Song 2
Ticket Barrier Sings Blur's Song 2 #WooHoo - Original Clip
READ MORE: Nandi Bushell covers Blur's Song 2 in tribute to Britpop
Phil Daniels talks Blur's Parklife