The similarities that pop up across Blur and Oasis' lyrics confound me sometimes. "They're so different, they're nothing alike!" Oasis' lyrics are optimistic, Blur would let the darkness in. Yet some of their more revealing/simplistic/dare I say, nonsensical lyrics would trade themes, some purely by coincidence I think (bc they were written around the same time).
The "morning glory" that shows up in both Blur's Country House as well as Oasis' song and entire album title What's The Story (Morning Glory)?
The references to star-shaped things on Blur's Star Shaped. Liam's star-shaped tambourine. Then Noel bringing the theme back on his solo songs a couple of times (Lock All The Doors and one more).
It's the simpler themes, the more childlike and reminiscent ones. D'Yer Wanna Be A Spaceman by Oasis (1994) and Thought I Was A Spaceman by Blur (2015).
It's the more revealing ones, for both, as their bands' demises drew near. “I’m waiting for that feeling, waiting for that feeling to come”, lamented Damon of a fading love on Tender; “I’m holding on, I’m waiting for the moment to find me”, sang Noel years later on If I Had A Gun. I think both songs stem from similar circumstances of interpersonal relationship breakdown.
Blur's Out Of Time (2003), on their (at the time) last album, one that even the NME surmised was Damon writing about his end with Graham. I'm Outta Time (2008), though written by Liam and not Noel, on the (for now?) last Oasis album with tensions running high between the brothers. No doubt each band at personal crossroads.
There are probably more but I don't care that much about either band to dig them out so I'll leave that to yous all to reblog and add more.
Oh, and how could I forget: both Noel and Damon immediately looked for comfort in childhood relationships after their respective 20+ year marriages fell apart and reunited their old Britpop bands. Went back to what and who they knew. Damon got divorced and within months, Blur were back with a new album for the first time in almost 10 years. He's pretty much said this in interviews. Going back to his childhood best friend Graham was what he needed when his world fell apart.
Noel too, I think, definitely found comfort in the familarity of being back with family, reunited with Liam for the first time in 15 years (if we're not being cynical and saying he's only doing it for the divorce bill money, which as time goes on, I am less inclined to believe). Now Oasis are back. We'll have to see if they can follow in Blur (and Pulp and Suede)'s footsteps and write an album together. If they do, I'd be curious to see what it's about, and if the parallels with Blur's The Ballad of Darren continue.
janainaart
yousharknotpass
theartofmadeline
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