Blur: 1 Hidden Gem On Every Album
7. Parklife - Badhead
Known during Britpop’s peak for his Ray Davies influenced character sketches, 13 saw Damon Albarn praised for his more direct and emotionally honest lyrics. Heartbreak anthem No Distance Left To Run felt particularly raw, written in the wake of his break up with Elastica’s Justine Frischmann.
Years earlier however, Badhead proved that even at the height of Britpop Damon could already pen an emotionally resonant break up song. Amid the bold, colourful pop of the Parklife album, Badhead offers something more introspective. An opening brass fanfare gives way to a gentle, understated guitar pop tune that sees a wistful Damon address an ex-girlfriend.
“So far I've not really stayed in touch, well, you knew as much, it's no surprise”. We’ve all had that relationship where you promise to remain friends, only to drift out of each other’s lives. Those post break blues are captured perfectly here.
Rather more matter of factly, Damon has previously introduced this song as being, “about hangovers”. Certainly, this song is a perfect accompaniment to morning-after fragility, a bacon sandwich and a couple of aspirin.