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Blur — This Is A Low
Album: Parklife
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1870









Released: 1994
Length: 5:04
Plays (last 30 days): 5
And into the sea
Goes pretty England and me
Around the Bay of Biscay
And back for tea
Hit traffic on the Dogger Bank
Up the Thames to find a taxi rank
Sail on by with the tide
And go to sleep
And the radio says

This is a low
But it won't hurt you
When you're alone
It will be there with you
Finding ways to stay solo

On the Tyne, Forth, and Cromarty
There's a low in the High Forties
And Saturday's locked away on the pier
Not fast enough, dear
And on the Malin Head
Blackpool looks blue and red
And the Queen, she's gone round the bend
Jumped off Land's End
And the radio says

This is a low
But it won't hurt you
When you're alone
It will be there with you
Finding ways to stay solo

This is a low
But it won't hurt you
When you're alone
It will be there with you

This is a low
But it won't hurt you
When you're alone
It will be there with you
Finding ways to stay solo
Comments (128)add comment
 Edweirdo wrote:

Blur weren't "Manchester" - they were London, as Damon Albarn's mockney accent attests.  In fact there was a confected rivalry between Blur and Manchester's Oasis (probably stoked by Liam Gallagher, who was never backward in coming forward).


Help a Yank out. What's mockney?
Putting on my glasses so I can hear blur better....
 timmus wrote:

Nice track... glad RP doesn't overlook the 90s "Manchester sound" classics.


Blur weren't "Manchester" - they were London, as Damon Albarn's mockney accent attests.  In fact there was a confected rivalry between Blur and Manchester's Oasis (probably stoked by Liam Gallagher, who was never backward in coming forward).
God! Make them STOP!
A thoroughly annoying cacophony of vocals and other sounds. PSD was made for this.
Nice track... glad RP doesn't overlook the 90s "Manchester sound" classics.
 Lazaerus wrote:

Reminds me of Porcupine Tree... Trains?



It came out years before "Trains" (2003)
No. This is a High.
blur all the feels… clearly
What a great song. Perfectly woven...
Reminds me of Porcupine Tree... Trains?
Brilliant tune and this album is fantastic… fuck you haters and especially Jelani
Favorite song of weather forecasters the world over.
Great guitar montage.
Don't need to change rating it's 10 already :-)
Some tasty, understated guitar work on here.  That Coxon fella knows his stuff.
My favourite Blur song.  I can't avoid singing 'black bullocks, blue and red' though
 d48m02h1918 wrote:
I LOVE BLUR!! 

Check out this entire album, you won't be disappointed!!!  Too bad they are only known in America for 1 song (Song 2).

Many brilliant songs in this band's catalog!! {#Angel} 


Beetlebum, Girls & Boys (oh my god it's trying to worm into my brain right now), and There's No Other Way were both pretty big over here IIRC.

But yeah, can't go wrong with the deeper cuts!
 Jota wrote:

The treatment of these dogs is shocking.



Incredible picture !  Captures their intensity quite well 
Near perfect tune.  Bridge needs some work but the chorus is heavenly.
Awful vocal sonics.
I want to like this just because of the cover. I'm a greyhound person. That's not enough though.
Doesn't get too close but approaches the Moody Blues
 mackenziecraiga wrote:

Spoken like a true American. They're known in the UK for a lot more than those 2 songs.
 
Your point you anti American jerk
Damon Albarn, what a musical genius, rarely does wrong. Not fair that so much talent is concentrated in one person! 
 TJOpootertoot wrote:
Not a big Blur fan but this is way better than the "woo hoo" song or the one where the guy talks about parks and stuff.
 
Spoken like a true American. They're known in the UK for a lot more than those 2 songs.
 be4con wrote:
Aweswome track, highpoint of a mixed bag of an album for me. My favourite Blur track by some considerable distance, though I suspect you have to be British to fully appreciate the Shipping Forecast references.
 
Absolutely, friend. Nice post.
 be4con wrote:
Aweswome track, highpoint of a mixed bag of an album for me. My favourite Blur track by some considerable distance, though I suspect you have to be British to fully appreciate the Shipping Forecast references.
 
We have maritime weather forecasting radio in the colonies, too 
Aweswome track, highpoint of a mixed bag of an album for me. My favourite Blur track by some considerable distance, though I suspect you have to be British to fully appreciate the Shipping Forecast references.
Magical.
Blur couldn't be more wrong. Superb song. Bit too tame for the Kylie fans though.
I never really registered this one at the time but It’s really grown on me over the years
There are about 50 other better Blur songs you could be playing...






very interesting........ :o)          Naugatuck Connecticut 
 TJOpootertoot wrote:
Not a big Blur fan but this is way better than the "woo hoo" song or the one where the guy talks about parks and stuff.

 
I am indifferent.  I just replied to keep your name alive.  


Not a big Blur fan but this is way better than the "woo hoo" song or the one where the guy talks about parks and stuff.
One of the most wonderful group like pink floyd or radiohad or the fun loving criminals or the arctic monkeys or the black keys
 LizK wrote:
When I was a teen, we had 2 greyhounds, non-racers..  The quality is more feline than canine, quiet, not aggressive.  Oh yes,  when they arrived, the people next door had chickens.  The birds did not last long.

 

Beautiful dogs. I encountered two of them when they were skylarking and went racing past me at close quarters. As the owner apologized, one of them came up and sniffed his quivering apologies. All skin and bones...and only three legs. Lost one to cancer but he could still move. 
I bought this on CD during my first ever visit to the US. I was so excited to be there in Florida, visiting all the theme parks. It was Summer '94. We watched OJ slow-speed down the highway and my first-born son was conceived in our dinky hotel room in Kissimee.

I just love this.
Before Radiohead, this filled the bill quite nicely... Still sounds killer-good after all these years, too! Seems to embody that period well...
 Dave_Mack wrote:
Reminds me of some early Pink Floyd. I think.

 
Yeah, I wouldn't have said so without prompting, but I kinda sorta get a Saucerful of Secrets vibe from it.
 coloradojohn wrote:
There is something really amazing about this song! I was craving hearing it all day long, and — now it comes and hits perfectly solid!

 
Yes ColoradoJohn,  I feel the same but can't really explain why. Maybe nostalgia is kicking in and it reminds me of a time that on the one hand is not so long ago but also of a time in our lives that we will never get back,

 
When I was a teen, we had 2 greyhounds, non-racers..  The quality is more feline than canine, quiet, not aggressive.  Oh yes,  when they arrived, the people next door had chickens.  The birds did not last long.
There is something really amazing about this song! I was craving hearing it all day long, and — now it comes and hits perfectly solid!
Reminds me of some early Pink Floyd. I think.
The treatment of these dogs is shocking.
 Aud wrote:
Don't go to one. They're big in Texas and Florida.
Instead, have a retired racer as a pet.
Greyhounds are very sweet dogs known as the 45 mile an hour couch potatoe.

 
Dog racing is big in England, particularly in London and the South where there are scads of dog tracks. They are closely associated with dodgy practices and local crime organisations, and (at least when I was in the betting industry, 20 years ago) you were as likely to see the Second Coming as an honest dog race.

A friend of mine had a retired racer as a pet, Bobby, and he was sweet and great fun. One day I was taking him out for walkies at a local park, he ran off and did his running round in circles at Mach 2 for a few minutes, then just dropped dead. Just like that. I was crushed, as was my friend, but at least he went quickly. Greyhounds: live fast, die young.
I've got $10 to win on the black dog. I saw him take a dump right before the race!
Britpop at its zenith.
Superb song, well produced,  I think.
My fave Blur song. Top tune.
 Aud wrote:


Don't go to one. They're big in Texas and Florida.
Instead, have a retired racer as a pet.
Greyhounds are very sweet dogs known as the 45 mile an hour couch potatoe.

 
Two of them raced up to greet me one hot summer day in Montrose Park. One minute I'm reading a book about a cholera outbreak, the next I'm hearing a stampede about to trample me. When I look up a three-legged greyhound is offering to rub its wet nose with mine. They were lovely dogs and shyly affectionate. You could see why they're used for racing with those nervous twitching bodies pared down to papery skin and bone, though. 
 Aud wrote:


Don't go to one. They're big in Texas and Florida.
Instead, have a retired racer as a pet.
Greyhounds are very sweet dogs known as the 45 mile an hour couch potatoe.

 
I was gonna say, the black one looks like my Dakota. She doesn't race anymore. You're lucky if you can get her to move at all. 
 ziakut wrote:
Pleasantly unexciting. Unbelievably blah. I mean...Blur. I don't know, this is just not moving me much and it has definite potential, but never actually gets to the place I'd like it to go.

 
I used to like them, but not so much anymore...they have that "not quite there" quality you observed
Wow, I remember really liking this song way back when, but I had to hear it here to realize that this song is probably why I like Gorrilaz so much. Very cool.
Blur. Awesome song full of incredible diversity and just perfect balance.
 
Pure and unexpected nostalgia for me. Thanks for this.
I LOVE BLUR!! 

Check out this entire album, you won't be disappointed!!!  Too bad they are only known in America for 1 song (Song 2).

Many brilliant songs in this band's catalog!! {#Angel} 
 Jack_Jefferson wrote:

Never been to a dog track before.  I don't think there are any in Ohio.

 

Don't go to one. They're big in Texas and Florida.
Instead, have a retired racer as a pet.
Greyhounds are very sweet dogs known as the 45 mile an hour couch potatoe.
Pleasantly unexciting. Unbelievably blah. I mean...Blur. I don't know, this is just not moving me much and it has definite potential, but never actually gets to the place I'd like it to go.
 Tana wrote:
How did I miss this band? Maybe because there was no RP back then.
 
Albarn is a creative marvel.  Seek him out...enjoy. 
 RadioDoc wrote:
Man, I had forgotten just how good these guys were.  8.

By the way, I've got $10 on dog 5.

 
same!
First time exposure to Blur (so I think). Nice tune. Never hear it before.
 Tana wrote:
How did I miss this band? Maybe because there was no RP back then.
 
I've missed so many bands because of limited radio programming.  Fortunately I worked in record stores often from 1974 until 1995, so I could catch some stuff.  But now, I rely on internet radio. 

Never been to a dog track before.  I don't think there are any in Ohio.


ordinary mash
7 -> 8!
I wonder if Doves listened to these guys {#Think} Nice, 8.

How did I miss this band? Maybe because there was no RP back then.
first hear for me - LOVE it!
 helgigermany wrote:
Nice!!
 
It started out that way but I'm not sure now.....they can't seem to decide when to end it.  Much better.

Nice!!
True. Period. 
 
iscoot4peace wrote:
People have carried the Blur vs. OASIS debate since they both formed up.  I am a fan of both.  But Blur wins best of show because they invented new sounds even while honoring their influences, and they wrote lyrics that had meaning.  
 


People have carried the Blur vs. OASIS debate since they both formed up.  I am a fan of both.  But Blur wins best of show because they invented new sounds even while honoring their influences, and they wrote lyrics that had meaning.  
 RadioDoc wrote:
Man, I had forgotten just how good these guys were.  8.

By the way, I've got $10 on dog 5.
 
I put 10 on the rabbit. . . I win!

We saw them at Glasonbury this year. . . we loved it and they did too. 
This is a high....from the Blur catalog.
Man, I had forgotten just how good these guys were.  8.

By the way, I've got $10 on dog 5.

I wonder when this came out, because I'm hearing David Hallyday.
IMHO, their best album. Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon at their lyrical best.

Enjoyed this one for a while...but then it lost the plot
Very cool choice @ 5:50am on the east coast! Thanks! OScar
...sound & fury signifying nothing...
Appropriate song title.
Great song, great album.
No. Anything that manages to combine BMW and Madonna, now that is junk. Ugh. Talk about an unwelcome flashback to the early 90s, I was actually having a pretty good day til you mentioned that. Zepplock wrote:
the best blur song is the one in BMW Madonna Commercial. This is junk.
bookhead wrote:
Absolutely great song. One of the best that Blur (or Damon Albarn) have ever done.
I wouldn't give Damon Albarn all the credit for Blur. Their one album without Graham Coxon was an absolute stinker. They wouldn't have gone anywhere without those catchy guitar hooks (and nice solos, to boot).
Nice, flowing, melodic. I like it!
dionysius wrote:
I agree with the song's title.
Well, if you look at it that way, then these guys are exhibiting their artistic talent by playing LOW and since they can do both HIGH and LOW, I'd say that true artistry. I like it....actually I have liked most I have heard from this group.
the best blur song is the one in BMW Madonna Commercial. This is junk.
Argh! Turn it off! Noise, noise, noise!
bookhead wrote:
Absolutely great song. One of the best that Blur (or Damon Albarn) have ever done.
Very true.....
Absolutely great song. One of the best that Blur (or Damon Albarn) have ever done.
I agree with the song's title.
Never heard this one before. Love it.
lets hear some Coxon solo stuff
slowhand wrote:
This tune trancended all demographics...When it came out if you were black,white, young or old your radiostation played this. All dug it...What artist/tunes do that today?
dbenwen wrote:
You must have exposure to some great radio stations...
Damn. Ditto that.
i get to see damon with 'the good, the bad, and the queen' at coachella this summer. ain't going to be the same as getting to see blur though :(
I like!!
Good stuff.
ronforchette wrote:
Let's give it up for guitarist Graham Coxon. Great guitar playing!!
Graham Rocks! Blur aint so bad either......
slowhand wrote:
This tune trancended all demographics...When it came out if you were black,white, young or old your radiostation played this. All dug it...What artist/tunes do that today?
You must have exposure to some great radio stations...
This tune trancended all demographics...When it came out if you were black,white, young or old your radiostation played this. All dug it...What artist/tunes do that today?
This is a drag.
meh. Chorus is annoying
ca ni ge tawha t what?
Great song, nice bite on the guitars.
Jacksonstat wrote:
Awesome - please play more Blur!!
YESSSS - How about "She's so High" or "There's no other way"?? I get goosebumps just thinking of these....
aaaaah...... the years of the high school..... the first concert with my band.... such a nice time!
Remember the Blur vs. Oasis thing last decade? Oasis may have more records sold, but Blur is so much better.
The CD notes had the guitar chords for all the songs - I always thought that was a cool touch. So I always used to play along to this (very badly)...
Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap (my foot)
Makes me want to sit under a tree and look up at the dappled sun through the leaves...
One of the best songs they ever did. It seemed totally against what they normally produced at the time. Good stuff.
The Gorillaz are great, but they couldn't pull this off.
5. Give me Ride, My Bloody Valentine, The Charlatans, Lush or just about any of the other Brit-Pop bands from their era over Blur any day.
Oh hell yes.
pyxxel wrote:
Not from the best Blur album (that was the one with the fancy bath cap :D name escapes me) but still this song is up there!! TY RP.......
Hate to disagree, but in ranking the Blur albums, I have to put this as tops on my list. Its a close call, though....
Awesome - please play more Blur!!
Let's give it up for guitarist Graham Coxon. Great guitar playing!!
Yes. Yes, it is.