Song 2


"Song 2" is a song by English rock band Blur. The song is the second song on their eponymous fifth studio album. Released in April 1997, "Song 2" reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, number four on the Australian ARIA Charts, and number six on US Billboard Alternative Songs.
At the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards, "Song 2" was nominated for Best Group Video, and Best Alternative Video. At the 1998 Brit Awards, the song was nominated for Best British Single, and Best British Video. In December 1998, BBC Radio 1 listeners voted "Song 2" the 15th Best Track Ever. In 2011, NME placed it number 79 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".

Background

According to Graham Coxon, "Song 2" was intended to be a joke on the record company. Damon Albarn had recorded an acoustic demo of the song which was slower but featured the song's distinctive "woo-hoo" chorus in whistle form. Coxon then suggested that they pump up the speed and perform the song loudly, with Coxon deliberately seeking out an amateurish guitar sound. From there, Coxon told Albarn to tell the record company that they wanted to release the song as a single to "blow the... labels' heads off". To Coxon's surprise, record executives reacted positively. When asked if the band had any idea of the song's commercial appeal, Coxon replied, "We'd just thought it was way too extreme".
The track was originally nicknamed "Song 2" as a working title which represented its slot in the tracklist, but the name stuck. The song is two minutes and two seconds long, with two verses, two choruses and a hook featuring Albarn yelling "woo-hoo!" as the distorted bass comes in. It is the second song on Blur's self-titled album, as well as , and was the second single released from the former album. Some writers have stated that the song is intended to be a parody of the grunge genre, while others state that it was a parody of radio hits and the music industry with a punk rock chorus.

Reception

In 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 popular on radio stations in the US; consequently, it went at number 55 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, number 6 on Billboards Modern Rock Tracks chart, staying on that chart for 26 weeks and number 25 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. This is the band's only crossover hit to date crossing over to top 40 radio. It also placed number two on Triple J's Hottest 100 for 1997 in Australia. The song is atypical of Blur's previous style. The song's intro has been called Graham Coxon's "finest moment". NME ranked "Song 2" at number two in its end-of-year list of the Top 20 Singles of 1997.

Music video

The music video for this song was directed by Sophie Muller, and it features the band playing in a small, secluded room with loud amplifiers behind them. During the choruses, the volume of the song sends the band members crashing against the walls and ground. The set used was modelled on that in the video for their pre-breakthrough single "Popscene".

Live performances

played the song at BBC Radio 1. The cover was later featured on the album "Radio 1's Live Lounge", released on October 11th, 2006.
On October 20, 2018, at the Demon Dayz Fest LA, Damon Albarn's other well-known band Gorillaz played the familiar Song 2 theme but in characteristic Gorillaz style with dub/funk elements. While recognition was still dawning on the audience, Graham Coxon joined Gorillaz onstage and launched into his original riff before he and Gorillaz went on to perform the classic arrangement to an enthusiastic reception.

In popular culture

The song became popular in the UK and overseas upon its release in 1997. It was featured on college and modern rock radio stations in the US.
Licensed worldwide on numerous occasions, its first appearance came as the title music for .
In 2010, Blur manager Chris Morrison said, "Northrop Grumman, which is an American defence contractor, got in touch with us and asked if they could use the song for their trade shows to promote the next generation of stealth fighters. We thought that was probably inappropriate. The money was great but we turned it down." Albarn is an antiwar campaigner.
"Song 2" was used as part of the London 2011 New Year's Eve fireworks display. It appeared in shortened form mixed alongside various other landmark British tracks including "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" by The Beatles, "We Will Rock You" by Queen, and "London Calling" by The Clash.

Film

The song was used in trailers for the film Starship Troopers and Thunderbirds.
It was used in BMW Films' short film Star featuring Clive Owen and Madonna.

Sports

Italian football team Juventus uses this song after a goal is scored on home field since January 2020. The song has also been used by numerous professional ice hockey teams as a goal song.

Television

The song is briefly featured in the episode "Malled" of the animated series Daria. The song appears in the Parks and Recreation episode "Prom". "Song 2" is also featured in "Sunday, Cruddy Sunday" of the animated series The Simpsons as part of a montage sequence which ends satirically. The song is also featured in the South Park episode, "Stanley's Cup".

Video games

The song is also on Just Dance 2 as a DLC song.

Track listing

All music composed by Albarn, Coxon, James and Rowntree. All lyrics composed by Albarn.
Purple 7"
  1. "Song 2" – 2:02
  2. "Get Out of Cities" – 4:02
CD1
  1. "Song 2" – 2:02
  2. "Get Out of Cities" – 4:02
  3. "Polished Stone" – 2:42
CD2
  1. "Song 2" – 2:02
  2. "Bustin' + Dronin'" – 6:13
  3. "Country Sad Ballad Man " – 4:59
International CD
  1. "Song 2" – 2:02
  2. "Get Out of Cities" – 4:02
  3. "Polished Stone" – 2:42
  4. "Bustin' + Dronin'" – 6:13
Japan Tour CD
  1. "Song 2" – 2:02
  2. "Get Out of Cities" – 4:02
  3. "Polished Stone" – 2:42
  4. "Bustin' + Dronin'" – 6:13
  5. "Beetlebum " – 5:07
  6. "Beetlebum " – 5:07
  7. "Country Sad Ballad Man " – 4:59
  8. "On Your Own " – 4:26
2012 Brit Awards
  1. "Girls & Boys" – 4:43
  2. "Song 2" – 2:15
  3. "Parklife" – 2:52

    Personnel

Weekly charts

Chart Peak
position

Year-end charts

Certifications