Top 10 Blur Songs

One of the last songs off of 1994's much heralded Parklife album, "This is a Low" is an ironic high within the Blur back-catalogue! Inspired by the British shipping forecast, Albarn's accented tones are especially patriotic in this one! Referencing all parts of the English coastline, the song proved to be a stand out of the respective album and quickly became a fan favorite. This track certainly wasn’t a low for Blur in the long run!

The 2010s have not been Blur's most prolific decade in terms of new releases, but when Albarn, Coxon, James and Rowntree teamed up to pen this emotional effort in aid of War Child, they rewound the years and then some! Much more than a fan-pleaser, "Under the Westway" is rightly held as one of the group's most notable records. Another England-centric song, the title refers to a major road that can be found in west London. Alex James summed it up most effectively - 'it's a stand-still and cry your eyes out sort of job'!

In terms of anthems, this is certainly one of Blur's finest! For once though, Damon Albarn isn't the main attraction - as English actor Phil Daniels speaks the comedic, cockney verses. Daniels was drafted into the record after Albarn had attempted to assume the all-out London character, but didn't feel as though he could do the role justice. A light-hearted song and an exact inspection of a specific rung on the British class system, "Parklife" is perfectly playful!

The final single from the fourth studio album, Damon Albarn has previously described "Charmless Man" as 'the end of British pop' for Blur. The record is ridiculously catchy, and also quite heavy on the pop culture references. The high pitched choruses and 'na na nas' make it a great live record, whilst the lyrical originality bring the tune to a whole other level. It’s no wonder it peaked at number 5 on the U.K singles chart!

Another anthemic offering, "Girls & Boys" is a highlight to any Blur gig! If ever a song summed up the dance craze of the '90s, then it's this one! "Girls & Boys" encapsulated the 18-30s party culture and the sexual variance in a way that no song has managed to do since! It proved one of Blur's most successful commercial efforts, and has since been named one of the best songs of the 90s. Radiohead's Thom Yorke famously said that the one song he wished he had written, is this one! High praise for one helluva tune!

If "Charmless Man" was the 'end of British pop' for Blur, then "Beetlebum" was the start of something completely different! An alt-rock masterpiece, the sound is much more distorted, and the lyrics are much more dangerous! A record about heroin use, the title refers to the 'chasing the beetle' method of consuming the drug. There are no gimmicks here though... The words are moody, the video is smoky, and the entire thing is appropriately 'blur'ry! The instrumental ending is especially euphoric!

Addiction is again the inspiration for our next track - this time it's Graham Coxon and alcohol. The guitarist takes lead vocals on "Coffee & TV", a record which recalls his experiences giving up the booze! There's a return to the clean-cut sound of Blur's early years here, with a stylishly subdued feel that pulsates from start to finish. The video accompaniment is another fine achievement... Directed by legendary music video filmmaking duo Hammer & Tongs, the milk carton character is as original as he is awesome!

Never afraid to reinvent their sound, "Tender" was another triumph for the band! Albarn and Coxon collaborate for the lyrics on this one, with the guitarist taking the iconic 'oh my baby' refrain. Inspired by Albarn's break up from Elastica's Justine Frischmann, this hit was only kept off of the top spot in the UK chart by the Britney Spears megahit "... Baby One More Time"! "Tender" contains some of Blur’s greatest moments, such as guitars matched with a gospel choir, and Albarn's signature accent! It's an epic, and it's on our podium!

'Woo-hoo'ing its way to the silver medal, "Song 2" is Blur's biggest hit in America, and one of their most recognisable tracks worldwide! Conceived to mimic US grunge music, it was an ironic success in the states, as heavy distortion won the band a brand new following! The second track and second single off the band’s self-titled album, “Song 2” is a two minute rock anthem that never fails to get a crowd going.

But, before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

"There's No Other Way"
Leisure (1991)

"Country House"
The Great Escape (1995)

"You're So Great"
Blur (1997)

"Stereotypes"
The Great Escape (1996)

"Fools' Day"
Single release (2010)

Is it optimistic? Is it pessimistic? Whatever it is, it's our winner! "The Universal" is Blur at their most prophetic, detailing a dystopia that 'really, really could happen', through its lyrics and highly acclaimed video accompaniment. For all the promise that the future holds, for Albarn and co. there is much to fear as well. It's a song that addresses the technological age, and does so using some seriously majestic orchestral work. It's a video that's clinically and criminally clean all at once. The future may be bleak, but "The Universal" is brilliant!

Do you agree with our list? What's your favourite Blur song? For more best of British top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.