Beetlebum
by Blur

Album: Blur (1997)
Charted: 1
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  • Lyrics currently unavailable Writer/s: Damon Albarn, David Rowntree, Graham Coxon, Steven Alexander James
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Comments: 13

  • Cheststripe from EnglandThis has it so backwards since Blur will always be associated with the Britpop era, and it's literally impossible to separate the two.
  • Robin D.rich from The EtherNothing to do with Spike Jones' "William Tell" then.
  • Annie from United StatesI always thought it had something to do with The Beatles I Think It has a Beatlesque sound to it
  • A Heroin Addict from United StatesI just have to comment on this because it bugs the hell out of me whoever wrote this blog doesn't know about Heroin he says smoking is "Less wasteful of the drug" No!! It's not infact you waste ALOT more of it that way because most of it goes up in the air as to where if you melt it down and put it in a syringe and shoot it It takes alot less and gets you alot higher So shooting heroin is the most affective way to do it. If your going to talk about a drug atleast get your facts straight I suppose if you dont live the life of an addict You wouldn't understand but if you don't Then don't talk about it like you know what it's like Smoking Heroin isn't a good way to ruin your life but if you pick up a needle... Well say goodbye to your hopes and dreams Be safe everyone! Dont Chase The DRAGON
  • Mark from United StatesThe reason many singers seem to hide their accents when they sing is because they have to accentuate certain sounds or words. They stretch the vocal chords in a way that makes them all sound "American" so to speak. It's not because they choose to, rather it just kinda happens.
  • Tomislav from Split, CroatiaWell Guillermo, you're forgeting Robert Smith of the Cure who was really really recogniseable for his accent
  • Phil from Guernsey, United Kingdomblur rule, beetlebum is quality, i always thought it was a bit of a slow song but have matured alot towards music
  • Jack from Bristol, United KingdomTo my ear, Damon keeps his accent when singing... but there ARE many Brits who just revert to the American accent. Odd. As a Brit, I have no clue as to why.
  • K from Baton Rouge, LaChasing the beetle? Matt, did you read the quote that said "I'm not sure what a Beetlebum is. It's just a word I sang..."??



    Apparently not.
  • Shannan from Portland, OrI actually have never, ever heard of "chasing the beetle" as a euphemism for smoking heroin. Maybe it is an English thing. But even when I Google it the only references are those in Matt's comments here and elsewhere.
  • Matt from Carlisle, United KingdomI'm sure you are aware of the phrase "Chasing the Dragon"? "Chasing the Beetle" is another phrase regarding smoking heroin.

    A "Beetlebum" is simply someone who sits around smoking heroin. Listen to the lyrics - it makes sense...further sense when you have smoked it.
  • Ian from Larksville, PaIronic indeed. Alot of people overlook true talent like this and go for the mainstream (e.g. Song 2).
  • Guilliermo from New York, NyKind of ironic that pop song #2 is Blur's most recognized song over here when it resides in that uniquely American genre of "Jock Rock." Beetlebum was my first exposure (and a perfect one at that) to America's most overlooked Englishmen since Clement Atlee. Can someone tell me why apart from Damon, or the late Syd Barret, British accents disappear when singing rock and roll?
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