Talk:Song 2

Rumors etc.
Blur fans sometimes report that Song 2 is a satire on American pop rock music, a deliberate construction based on successful rock songs. The success of the song would testify to their triumph, as the song is not understood to be a satire of the majority of listeners. Some ironic critics suggest that this was a rumor started as a satire of "indie kids" who are too eager to criticize pop music and read too much into other music. Neither of these rumors can been confirmed.

No rumour. I can't get a source, but I watched a TV interview with Damon Alburn here, in England, and he said it was in vein of a American rock band, and therefore, was likely to get a high chart position. The irony is Yanks obviously loved it, and it reached number 2, in the chart. Point proved there, Mr. Alburn.

I read that some consider it to be a Grunge parody...i suppose i see it. Soft verse, heavy chorus. I just never really saw it before, and still dont really see it...but i understand the American parody thing. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.251.57.162 (talk) 17:32, 19 November 2007 (UTC)


 * It actually hit #6 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. It never hit the Billboard Hot 100 (did hit #55 on the airplay chart). "Girls & Boys" actually did better than "Song 2" in the US, with a chart position on the Hot 100 and #5 on the Modern Rock Tracks charts. Doc Strange (talk) 21:56, 2 February 2008 (UTC)

UK Trailers only?
I seem to remember the song being used in trailers for Starship Troopers here in the United States. If someone has information to the contrary, feel free to change it back and leave a comment here. NoIdeaNick 05:49, 29 December 2005 (UTC)

Reason for Name
I have read before that the song is called "Song 2" not because of it being the second track on the album, but rather because it was the second song that Damon could not come up with a name for. There is supposed to be a song out there called "Song," or "Song 1." I suppose that if anyone could find this song, it would lend more credibility to this idea.

Another reason I have heard was because it is 2 minutes and 2 seconds long?

Its actually two minutes long exactly and thats the reason for the name. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Qrimmer (talk • contribs) 14:44, 11 February 2008 (UTC)

I doubt the song length has anything to do with the title.

My understanding is that it was a "generic" grungy American song with vague, nonsensical ("generic" grunge) lyrics, so why not give it a generic title?

If it was track 3 it would be Song 3, etc... Ahubling (talk) 00:41, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

So I just happened to listen to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warum_geht_es_mir_so_dreckig%3F (the song, atm available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyazQPo9l2c), and it seemed somewhat familiar - hey, it's that Blur song! So I googled a bit and found this: "they actually stole that whole song from a German band called “Ton Steine Scherben”, the songs name being “Warum geht es mir so dreckig?”. As they couldn’t pronounce it and it was the second song on the Ton Steine Scherben LP they just called it song two. and never payed any royalties." http://qn5.com/discuss/viewthread/7366/#115374 But if that actually is the source for the song's name, there are probably no citable sources for it. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.216.50.44 (talk) 20:43, 17 July 2016 (UTC)

Strange section
I removed this section from the article

''During the recording of the Blur album, Damon Albarn is said to have been friends with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger. Song 2 has been rumoured to be the most obscure cover of the Rolling Stones track 'Out of Time' because it features heavily altered lyrics and music. the title 'Song 2' just refers to it as the second song/version of Out of Time.''

It seems like a wild rumour. Does anyone have a source to backup this claim? Husky (talk page) 15:57, 9 June 2006 (UTC)

More rumours
Graham Coxon has said that he is a fan of Swedish Band [Bob hund]. There is a persistant rumour in Sweden that Song 2 was written after the band had seen Bob Hund live, but I can't neither find anything to confirm or deny this. My personal guess is that the rimour is based solely on the similarities between the energetic style of bob hund and "Song 2", but if somebody has more info to dispell (or confirm) this it would be great. --81.57.180.153 14:50, 2 July 2007 (UTC)
 * There is a striking resemblance between the song and the intro for a 1979 Swedish children's programme called Fairy Tale Moment. Here is the YouTube for FTM:, and here's a mix between FTM and Song 2: . The fit is remarkable. /--Dunord (talk) 08:36, 30 September 2008 (UTC)

Stealth bomber controversy
From the link (#3) in the article:

BLUR SNUB NATO STEALTH BOMBER LAUNCH

Blur singer Damon Albarn refused permission for the US military to unveil their latest stealth bomber to the strains of the band's brilliant Song 2. The track, featured on their Blur album gave the band their biggest US hit and was even used in an      episode of the Simpsons.

But when the Pentagon asked to use the track and its famous "Wah-hoo" chorus at the launch of a new stealth bomber, the band refused.

"It was for the official unveiling of the Stealth bomber that      just got shot down in Serbia," says Albarn. "I like the idea of      some Serb going 'wah-hoo' after that!"

The aircraft lost in Serbia was a Lockheed F-117A, shot down on March 27, 1999. The F-117A was first delivered in 1982, and production was completed in 1990. The USAF first admitted the existence of the aircraft in November 1988, and the first examples were seen publicly in 1990. Clearly, Albarn is not familiar with the history of the F-117A. The only other Stealth aircraft flown by the USAF are the B-2 bomber, which first appeared in public in November 1988, and the F-22, which first flew (as the YF-22) in 1990. None of the dates match up to an "official unveiling" of any new stealth aircraft operated by the USAF in the time frame Albarn is discussing. So Albarn is clearly mistaken. Baclightning (talk) 22:37, 9 June 2008 (UTC)


 * This isn't a message board Doc StrangeMailbox Logbook 18:43, 6 July 2008 (UTC)


 * Nevertheless, the Wiki article contains the line, "Famously, the American military requested to use the track at the launch of a new stealth bomber [3], but the band refused to allow this, as Albarn is an anti-war campaigner." Wouldn't the fact that this is extremely unlikely to have happened as described be relevant to having an accurate article? Baclightning (talk) 02:20, 19 July 2008 (UTC)

Post Grunge?
Post Grunge?? doesnt sound anything like Post Grunge, and Post Grunge isnt about the date its more a Poppier sound of Grunge e.g. Nickleback. But this is pure Grunge, i will change this to Grunge and if you wish to say why i am wrong reply or i will keep adding! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.96.254.143 (talk) 18:01, 6 November 2009 (UTC)
 * Wikipedia doesn't usually allow this kind of WP:POV from editors, present a source to back-up your statement.-- 猛禽22 •• 18:25, 6 November 2009 (UTC)

Now look lets get to the point ok, this song is Grunge. Post Grunge is Nickleback, Foo Fighters ect.. this is more Grunge and now im getting sombody saying we dont usally allow this what its a opinion! Freedom Of Speech! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.96.254.143 (talk) 01:31, 7 November 2009 (UTC)
 * And somebody, such as me, can disagree, which is why we use sources to settle things. Non-backed up opinions is something Wikipedia doesn't take too kindly on.-- 猛禽22 •• 01:35, 7 November 2009 (UTC)

http://www.mojo4music.com/blog/2009/11/blur_1.html right there!!! and dont say Mojo isnt a reliable sorce! and also, i would like to see a sorce saying that it is Post Grunge!
 * You're treating me like I'm some sort of villain. My job is to improve articles, not destroy them. Yes, the source is reliable. You can add the genre along with the source for now.-- 猛禽22 •• 01:51, 7 November 2009 (UTC)
 * Other sources, such as Allmusic and Songfacts state that this song was meant to make a mockery out of the already declined grunge scene. I don't know if post-grunge would be the best way to describe the song, but Grunge clearly fallen in status around 1997. Update: Further looking into this, I think Britpop describes this song better. (Harris, John. "A shite sports car and a punk reincarnation." NME. April 10, 1993) stating how Blur was an anti-grunge band. Britpop seemed to be in response of the American Grunge movement. I won't change information present, but I would like to bring this up.-- 猛禽22 •• 02:12, 7 November 2009 (UTC)
 * Looking further into your source, the source you claim seems to lean more to Britpop than Grunge. Note how the source says "Damon Albarn believed Britpop was his to destroy". I might resolve this with a third-opinion.-- 猛禽22 •• 02:29, 7 November 2009 (UTC)

ok now do any of you have ears?? have you even listened to this song?? and anyway i think we can resolve this by putting Britpop, Grunge, Post Grunge and maybe everyone is happy then?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.96.254.143 (talk) 16:34, 7 November 2009 (UTC)
 * I'm having this resolved by third-opinion. There is no way these three genres can occupy space with each other.-- 猛禽22 •• 17:17, 7 November 2009 (UTC)

yeah good point, shall we just leave it at Britpop, Grunge?? because did you remove Post Grunge?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.96.254.143 (talk) 17:36, 7 November 2009 (UTC)
 * I took out post-grunge, because grunge and post-grunge can't occupy the same song. In addition, grunge was in focus of the dispute, and I really didn't see anything that backs up post-grunge.-- 猛禽22 •• 17:40, 7 November 2009 (UTC)

Ah cool, i was supporting just Grunge but Britpop, Grunge makes more sence. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.96.254.143 (talk) 22:29, 7 November 2009 (UTC)

genre issue?
Why is alternative rock genre i think more punk-style vocals with features a heavy and fast guitar riff all right! at grunge and alternative --125.24.81.75 (talk) 03:18, 22 March 2010 (UTC)
 * Genres in infobox need to be aimed for generality. Considering punk (or grunge) is a subgenre of alternative rock, alternative rock works fine.-- F-22 Raptör Aces High ♠ 14:13, 22 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Uh, no, other way around. Yes, grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock, but punk was around long before alt was. Also, while alternative rock did spring from the punk scene, it bears so little resemblence to it that it's hardly a subgenre. Having said that, Song 2 is far too riff-driven, solo-driven, and varied to be a punk song. The vocals are far too apathetic to be punk, and... wait, why does this argument come up on this page so often? 143.92.1.32 (talk) 01:22, 11 September 2012 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 18 August 2014
Add in grunge or post grunge as the genre, because even though it's not technically a grunge band, this song was intended to be a parody of American Grunge. Perhaps just a harmless add-in, to redirect/inform users of the background of this song, more than just "alternative''. Hope to hear from you guys soon. Thanks

2601:8:9800:64C:129A:DDFF:FEAA:BDF6 (talk) 03:45, 18 August 2014 (UTC)


 * Please supply a WP:Reliable source saying that the song is in the genre of grunge or post-grunge. Binksternet (talk) 05:50, 18 August 2014 (UTC)

http://books.google.com/books?id=lh5Uoe8hX7sC&pg=PA214&lpg=PA214&dq=blur+song+2+genre+grunge&source=bl&ots=SKXAjK94U-&sig=RguTTiRFNU4zmFbNUFjMmIo-yZk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=f9LyU72yK4f1oASHzIDIAg&ved=0CCUQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=blur%20song%202%20genre%20grunge&f=false "the incorporation of stylistic elements from grunge (“Song 2” from Blur, 1997);" In that respect it can be considered post grunge, or grunge-derived at the very least.

also " "Song 2" was timed perfectly. Grunge had fallen by the wayside in early 1997, but it still could win a teenage audience, thanks to the loud guitars. "Song 2" managed to be reminiscent of grunge, but was fresh, due to its brevity and songcraft. " http://www.allmusic.com/song/song-2-mt0004234986 This is more leaning towards post grunge, but you get the idea, i hope. Read more in the allmusic article and you'll find that Song 2 integrated itself into American culture, used in ads, video games soundtracks, and general successful sales. 2601:8:9800:64C:129A:DDFF:FEAA:BDF6 (talk) 04:34, 19 August 2014 (UTC)


 * The book An Eye for Music is a very good source, published by Oxford. The author says that "Song 2" includes "the incorporation of stylistic elements from grunge". So the question is whether "stylistic elements" is enough to say it is the genre. I'm reminded of another popular song that was described as having stylistic elements of gospel music, but the song was not a gospel song. Binksternet (talk) 05:22, 19 August 2014 (UTC)

And what song would that be. I don't know, it couldn't hurt. But looking at the other source i feel that post grunge describes Song 2 perfectly. I mean, those "stylistic elements" combined with the fact that this was intended to be a grunge parody qualify it to be under the post grunge category, at least in my opinion. Especially since one of their angles was that grunge had been rendered obsolete at the time 2601:8:9800:64C:129A:DDFF:FEAA:BDF6 (talk) 05:40, 19 August 2014 (UTC)


 * But where is the source that actually says the genre is "post-grunge"? You arrived at that determination by way of a personal calculation, a kind of analysis and conclusion, because there are "elements of grunge" yet the song is a parody of grunge. WP:V must be satisfied. Binksternet (talk) 16:13, 23 August 2014 (UTC)

Graham Coxon denies Song 2 is a "parody of grunge"
The Wiki page states Song 2 was intended as "parody of grunge", but the source doesn't seem very respectable, and Blur guitarist denied the grunge interpretation here: http://www.vblurpage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2975 — Preceding unsigned comment added by Phillennium (talk • contribs) 00:09, 6 October 2017 (UTC)

Other Uses: St. Louis Blues
Can a line be added to the other uses about the St. Louis Blues of the NHL use Song 2 as their home victory song since 2016? There is a reference to this on the St. Louis Blues page under the Traditions heading. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Djmarquart (talk • contribs) 23:07, 5 January 2018 (UTC)

Is it grunge or not?
Looking at source 9 in the article, this song is a parody of grunge, especially the use of the guitars to give it a "dirty" sound, a characteristic of the genre, so does that make it grunge or not? Donny (talk) 02:15, 28 January 2018 (UTC)


 * I'm going to repeat verbatim what I said when I removed it. A parody of grunge does not make a song grunge. And that goes for any and every other genre that could've happened to as well.  danny music editor  Speak up! 03:47, 28 January 2018 (UTC)


 * Okay then. Donny (talk) 03:18, 4 February 2018 (UTC)

Expired Links
Alot of expired and/or broken links that redirect you to HTTP 404 pages, can someone fix it and replace them with Internet Archive links? אקסינו (talk) 09:29, 22 August 2021 (UTC)

Fifa 98
Why no reference to its use in fifa 98? gitts (talk) 08:50, 31 December 2023 (UTC)