I’m Not That Good But I’m Not That Bad

Blur “On Your Own”

If Damon Albarn had written “On Your Own” for Parklife or The Great Escape it could have fit in just fine with the sort of fussy ultra-British arrangements he was using at the time: dial down the garage rock, dial up the music hall. But the arrangement Blur arrived at for the song on their self-titled album is far more inspired, particularly the odd guitar effects that Graham Coxon put on the main riff to make the end of the melodic phrase sound stuttered and broken. Everything in the song sounds like it’s been blasted out just beyond limits, like the band are kids playing too rough with their toys because they’re having too much fun in the moment to show any caution.

As with everything else on the record, it’s an expertly built tune dressed up in a carefully crafted simulation of carefree messiness. Coxon is going wild with his tone, but it’s all just-so, and the big shouty sing along chorus feels weirdly spontaneous despite being the crux of the song. The biggest reason this feels so loose and free isn’t entirely because Albarn and Coxon know how to make something sound this way, but mostly because the joy they’re bringing to this music isn’t something that can be faked. “On Your Own” describes tasteless scenes and embarrassing moments, but also expresses the pleasures of letting go of your ego and embracing stupid fun. When Albarn sings “my joy of life is on a roll, and we’ll all be the same in the end because then you’re on your own,” it’s just a more wordy way of saying “YOLO.”

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