i was talking to b today when she asked what got me started on music, and there could only be one answer to that – blur. the expanding, bloating and later self-imploding brit-pop scene was what i was immersed in at that time, rooted in a culture that was anything but my own. in 1992, “popscene” was all prepped to be blur’s first single in a year and due to usher in their modern life is rubbish album, but in a case of bad timing and even more atrocious press, it failed so miserably that the band took it off the album. “if you didn’t f**king want it in the first place, you’re not going to get it now”, quipped now-estranged guitarist graham coxon. and so “popscene” became blur’s lost single. some might have regarded it a pity, but i think leaving an explosive, blaring gem like this under the covers might just have been the best thing to do, a testament to the contradictions and ironies of our music industry today, perfectly hidden for every new fan to stumble upon.
mp3: blur – popscene
2 responses so far ↓
matt // October 2, 2008 at 12:18 pm |
if memory serves, there used to be a club in san francisco called ‘popscene’ named, of course, after this song.
nice to see some love for the older stuff. i think this is one of blur’s finer songs, lost single or otherwise. the video is nuts!
wakingupto // October 3, 2008 at 2:24 am |
haha you know i very nearly named this blog popscene as well!
and i noticed the new tracy jacks header too!