Blur – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts
Blur Biography
Blur is an English rock band. Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James, and drummer Dave Rowntree formed the band in London in 1988. Leisure (1991), Blur’s debut album, combined Madchester and shoegazing influences. Blur released Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993), Parklife (1994), and The Great Escape (1995) after a stylistic shift influenced by English guitar pop artists such as the Kinks, the Beatles, and XTC (1995). As a result, the band was instrumental in popularizing the Britpop genre and achieving mass fame in the United Kingdom, thanks to a chart war with rival band Oasis in 1995 nicknamed “The Battle of Britpop.”
In 1990, Blur toured the United Kingdom for four months, performing new songs and supporting The Cramps. Their debut single, ‘She’s So High,’ was released in October of that year and reached number 48 on the UK singles chart. When Blur teamed up with producer Stephen Street, they were able to create a follow-up hit to ‘She’s So High.’ The band’s following single, ‘There’s No Other Way,’ reached number eight in the UK charts.
Leisure, Blur’s debut album, was released in 1991 and reached number seven on the UK album chart, despite mixed critical reviews. Blur went on a 1992 tour of the United States, nicknamed the Rollercoaster tour, despite being £60,000 in debt.They released ‘Popscene’ at the start of the tour, which represented a turning point for the band, despite only reaching number 32 in the charts.
Blur discovered upon their return from the United States that Suede had grown in prominence during their absence. Damon Albarn pushed on engaging Andy Partridge of XTC to produce their next album, determined not to be outdone and conscious that his band was in danger of being dumped by Food Records. The recordings were a flop, and the band was reunited with Stephen Street once more.
The resulting recordings were published in December 1992 as the band’s second album, Modern Life Is Rubbish. ‘For Tomorrow’ was the main single. In the United Kingdom, the album reached number 15 on the charts.
Parklife, Blur’s third album, was another commercial triumph. Parklife’s debut single, “Girls & Boys,” was a commercial radio hit. The album debuted at number one and spent 90 weeks on the charts. Around this time, the British music press coined the term “Britpop” to describe a new phenomenon that was a reaction to the long-dominant American grunge bands. Elastica, Pulp, Sleeper, and Menswear were among the acts that fell under the Britpop umbrella. At the 1995 BRIT Prizes, Blur won four awards.
Blur relocated to Iceland to record the sequel to The Great Escape. Blur, the next album, was released in February 1997. ‘Beetlebum,’ the band’s debut hit, reached number one in the UK. ‘Song 2′, the follow-up, was also a success. Bustin’ + Dronin’, a compilation of remixes by artists such as William Orbit and Thurston Moore, was released in Japan.
As the band prepared to record their second studio album, Graham Coxon released his debut solo album The Sky Is Too High in August 1998. The album 13 by Blur was produced by William Orbit and took a step away from the Britpop style. The song’s lyrics alluded to Damon’s breakup with Elastica’s Justine Frischmann. ‘Coffee + TV’ was the first Blur track to include Graham Coxon’s vocals.
Following the release of 13, Damon founded Gorillaz with Jamie Hewlett, Graham released solo albums, and Alex collaborated on songs with Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Marianne Faithfull, as well as working with Fat Les (featuring Keith Allen).
While the band’s relationships deteriorated, they began production on their second album, Think Tank, with DJ Fatboy Slim (Norman Cook) as producer. Coxon was finally dismissed from the group. Simon Tong of The Verve was hired as the touring guitarist for the record, which was released in 2003.
Late April 2008, Blur announced a reunion. Blur reformed in 2009, with Coxon rejoining the band, and started on a European reunion tour. They went on to record additional songs and compilations in the following years, as well as tour abroad.
They won a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 2012. The Magic Whip (2015), Blur’s eighth studio album, was their sixth consecutive number one in the UK. Since the conclusion of The Magic Whip tour, the band has primarily been on sabbatical.
Blur Discography
| The Magic Whip | |
| Think Tank | |
| 13 | |
| Blur | |
| The Great Escape | |
| Parklife | |
| Modern Life Is Rubbish | |
| Leisure |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Type Band Of The Blur?
Blur is an English rock band, formed in London in 1988. The group consists of singer/songwriter Damon Albarn, guitarist/singer Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur’s debut album Leisure (1991) incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing. Following a stylistic change influenced by English guitar pop groups such as the Kinks, the Beatles and XTC, Blur released Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993), Parklife (1994) and The Great Escape (1995). As a result, the band became one of the leading groups of the Britpop movement.
Which Is The Greatest Song Of Blur All Time?
There is no definitive answer to this question as everyone’s favorite Blur song is likely to be different. However, some of the band’s most popular and well-loved tracks include “Song 2,” ” Girls & Boys,” “The Universal,” and “Parklife.” All of these songs are excellent examples of Blur’s unique blend of Britpop and alternative rock, and each one has a special place in the hearts of the band’s fans.
Who Has The Most No 1 Hits Of Blur?
The answer to this question may surprise you – it is actually Damon Albarn, the lead singer of Blur, who has the most No 1 hits with the band. He has achieved this feat with a total of four solo No 1s, including two with Blur and one each with Gorillaz and The Good, the Bad & the Queen. In addition, Albarn has also written and produced a number of other Top 40 hits for Blur, making him one of the most successful British musicians of all time.
Who Is The Biggest Band Of All Time?
There are countless bands out there who could lay claim to the title of “biggest band of all time,” but there are a few that stand out above the rest. The Beatles are often cited as the biggest band of all time, and it’s hard to argue with that claim. They revolutionized popular music and continue to influence artists to this day. Led Zeppelin is another band that could lay claim to the title, as they are one of the most influential and successful rock bands of all time. Finally, U2 is a band that has achieved massive success both commercially and critically, and they show no signs of slowing down. All three of these bands are hugely successful and have legions of fans all over the world, so it’s hard to say who is the “biggest” band of all time. Ultimately, it’s up to the individual to decide which band they think is the biggest and most important.
Who Was The Lead Singer Of Blur?
The lead singer of Blur was Damon Albarn. He was also the primary songwriter and keyboardist for the band. Albarn has been involved in many other musical projects, including Gorillaz, The Good, the Bad & the Queen, Rocket Juice & the Moon, and DRC Music. He has also composed music for stage productions, films, and television.
Most Searched For Blur Songs
| Song 2 | |
| Parklife | |
| There’s no other way | |
| Girls and Boys | |
| Country House | |
| Tender | |
| Coffee & TV |