Song 2 by Blur
Few tracks capture sheer, unfiltered exhilaration like Blur's 'Song 2'. At just over 2 minutes, it's a perfect storm of distortion, speed and chaos-a joyful explosion that barrels through the senses with reckless abandon.
The beauty of track from Blur's 1997 eponymous fifth album lies in its sheer simplicity: jagged guitar riffs, pounding drums and frontman Damon Albarn's effortlessly cool, yet utterly unhinged vocals. There's no pretence here, just pure energy, as Albarn launches into the iconic 'Woo-hoo!' refrain, a cry that feels both euphoric and anarchic.
The track doesn't meander. It hits like a runaway freight train, revelling in its messy, flannel-shirted aesthetic. Yet, beneath the noise, there's a sharpness, a knowing wink. Originally conceived as a parody of grunge, 'Song 2' ironically became one of Blur's biggest international hits, embraced for the very qualities it sought to exaggerate. It's fast, loud and exhilarating, but never hollow. It embodies raw power not just in volume, but in attitude. Almost 30 years on, 'Song 2' remains an untamed beast, a track that demands to be blasted at full volume. It's the sound of unfiltered joy, rebellion and people having the absolute time of their lives.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
2 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Watch: Winston Peters, Judith Collins speak on Israel-Iran conflict from RNZAF base
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins are about to make an announcement regarding the Israel-Iran conflict from the Royal New Zealand Airforce Base in the Auckland suburb of Whenuapai at 3pm. The announcement that the ministers would speak on the conflict came before it was revealed the US performed military strikes against three Iranian nuclear sites, including uranium enrichment facility Fordow. Trump said on Truth Social: "We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter." Peters has previously said the provocative behaviour by both Israel and Iran was to be criticised, and New Zealand did not take sides in a conflict of this nature. "There are no innocent parties in this conflict," he said. It was a tragedy that civilians were being killed, Peters said. "The people who are innocent ... that tragedy is just awful and I think New Zealanders understand that with clarity," Peters said. "That's why we try to help where we can, but we are a long way from this conflict." While Peters said we should avoid making judgement without all the information, he noted the conflict in the Middle East has been going on for years. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Herald Sun
3 minutes ago
- Herald Sun
Backroom Baz: Bev McArthur, Nicole Werner learn fate over poo prank stunt
You get slapped with a ban on bringing guests into Parliament House. So found out Liberal MP Bev McArthur who caused a stink after she was referred to the parliament's privileges committee, alongside Warrandyte MP Nicole Werner, amid allegations they helped organise the gift wrapped cow patty to be left at Jacinta Allan's office in protest to the government's new fire services levy. Baz is told the matter has now been settled, with no further action to come, and the only sanction was that which was slapped on McArthur – nothing for Werner. Not that it had much of an impact, McArthur just used party room chums Moira Deeming and Joe McCracken to sign guests in on her behalf, meaning all was well in Bev's world and she could hold court at lunch as anyone who has frequented one of the parliament's cafes knows she so loves to do. The ban runs out at the end of the month. Premier avoids the plunge but chips in for great cause Baz loves seeing pollies get along, particularly when they are as ideologically opposed as the Nationals and the Greens. Political staffers, business figures, journos and a host of MPs from across politics gathered in the parliament gardens for the spectacle in support of MP Emma Vulin, who is living with Motor Neurone Disease. While couch-bound Deputy Liberal leader Sam Groth pulled out at the last minute, 11 other pollies from all sides of the chamber were left shivering and shaking after the epic dunking. The inaugural FREEZE Parliament event was a huge success, with donations surpassing the $50,000 target before the dunkings even started. Despite Deputy Premier Ben Carroll's best efforts, Strictly Ballroom star turned Labor MP Paul Mercurio snatched the fundraising crown by just $300, bringing in $11,000 out of a total $56,000. Premier Jacinta Allan declined a dunking but was among the top donors, chipping in $1000, alongside former Labor MP Philip Dalidakis. Maybe she'll take the plunge next year? Great Debate pits pollies against journos Spring St's newest annual event, the Great Debate between pollies and journalists, returned for the second time this week. And it was bigger and better than last year's inaugural event. Parliament's legislative assembly was packed to the rafters on Thursday to see the unlikely coalition of MPs Gabriellie Williams, Jade Benham and David Hodgett, take on the ABC's Raf Epstein, the AFR's Sumeyya Ilanbey and 3AW's Tom Elliott arguing that MPs should be replaced by AI versions. Singing speaker Sammy J made a comeback as adjudicator, with thousands raised for Need for Feed to support drought-stricken farmers. The media team took home the cup this year. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, health minster Mary-Anne Thomas and Nationals leader Danny O'Brien were among a host of MPs turning out to support the event. Secret Service makes their mark on Spring St It's not often you see the United States Secret Service marching around Spring St. They briefly took over the hallways this week during a visit from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer who was in town to strengthen business ties, and tout her state's industry sectors. Sources close to Premier Jacinta Allan said the pair hit it off, 'like a house on fire'. Hardly surprising, ahead of their meeting Whitmer tweeted about her plans to build affordable housing all across Michigan 'revitalising communities and helping more families make it in Michigan.' Right up JA's alley. Baz will be keeping watch to see which homes get built faster. Regional revolt against Premier from the regions She might be a Premier from the regions, but that hasn't stopped the regional revolt against Jacinta Allan. Complaints about her government's tardy response to the drought crisis alongside the threat of the new fire services levy- which has been paused for 12 months but will increase fees for farmers by up to 200 per cent in some cases if resumed next year – have made her somewhat of a target regionally. Take the Willaura Bakery in western Victoria, where the Premier has been unceremoniously banned. Which means no award-winning vanilla slices for her. Locals say the slices are the best in the state. Don't they all say that? Guess who? Which minister quietly celebrated their 40th birthday this week? Overheard 'I loathe laziness and those who are just intellectual pygmies.' – Finance Minister Danny Pearson attacking shadow treasurerJames Newbury.
Herald Sun
3 minutes ago
- Herald Sun
‘One for the ages': UFC rocked as icon retires on the spot
Don't miss out on the headlines from UFC. Followed categories will be added to My News. Jon Jones, regarded as the greatest mixed martial arts champion of all time, has retired, UFC CEO Dana White announced on Sunday morning Australian time. White said that 37-year-old Jones informed the UFC of his decision to retire the day prior. A heavyweight title unification bout between Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall had been touted, but Jones' decision elevates Aspinall to undisputed champion. UFC 317 Topuria vs. Oliveira | SUN 29 JUN 12PM AEST | One of the biggest fight cards of the year has arrived. Spain's Ilia Topuria looks to capture the vacant lightweight title against former champion, Charles Oliveira | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. 'Jon Jones called us last night and retired,' White said at a press conference in Azerbaijan. 'Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC.' White went on to say that the UFC will work with Aspinall on finding him his first title defence, but Jones is yet to comment publicly on the announcement. The American (28-1) moved up from the light heavyweight division to become the heavyweight champion in 2023. Jon Jones took the heavyweight belt. Photo by Sarah Stier / Getty Images via AFP. He defended his belt once during his time on top, against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November last year, and had repeatedly played down talk about an impending fight against Aspinall. The potential matchup would have been one of the biggest in UFC history, but Jones continually suggested it would not change his legacy. Fans accused him of ducking the 32-year-old Englishman, and there was so much outrage that an online petition to strip Jones of the title collated more than 200,000 signatures. 'I obviously feel bad for Tom that he lost all that time and money, but we'll make it up to him,' White said. 'Tom Aspinall is a good guy. He's been incredible through this whole process that we've gone through. 'He's been willing to do anything — fight him anywhere and anytime and do this, and now he's like, 'I'll fight anybody. You tell me who, and I'll fight him'. 'So Aspinall has been great. He's going to be a great heavyweight champion for us, and I'm excited to work with him.' White's words came as Khalil Rountree Jr. dominated former champion Jamahal Hill in a five-round decision in their light heavyweight bout in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Baku, Azerbaijan. Jones became the youngest ever UFC champion at just 21 years of age, and he went undefeated in championship fights with a 16-0 record despite taking on more of them than anyone else. He is one of only fighters to boast titles in multiple weight classes, and his 22 wins are the equal fifth most in UFC history. Jones also attracted plenty of attention outside of the Octagon. He was arrested and charged for a hit-and-run in 2015 after he fled the scene of a vehicle accident which injured a 25-year-old pregnant woman. The following year, Jones was banned from competition for one year as a result a positive drug test, but he has long maintained that the positive result was due to contaminated legal supplements. Originally published as 'One for the ages': UFC rocked as icon retires on the spot
