Blur’s relationship with the United States was always… interesting. Modern Life is Rubbish, their unabashedly British second album (and one of the starting points of Britpop), was reportedly written out of the band’s dislike for the grunge wave sweeping the world at the time, and the desire to bring...
[Verse 1]
Good morning lethargy
Drink Pepsi, is good for energy
The bath's on, smoke in the bedroom
Sore throat and on my neck, a nasty bruise
And where it came from, well, I don't know
But we played last night, it was a good show
Got the play out, second rate chat show
It's a nationwide deal, so you gotta go
Chuck from the company says it'll be alright
Got an ad on KROQ and there's an in-store tonight
[Pre-Chorus]
Well, I build things up and then I let them go
Gotta get time share on the radio
[Chorus]
Look inside America
She's alright, she's alright
Sitting out the distance
But I'm not trying to make her mine
Looking for America
With its kooky nights and suicide
Where the TV says it's alright
'Cause everybody's hung up on something or other
[Verse 2]
Stepping off in 20, so the driver says
I should sleep tonight, but I think I'll watch videos instead
Annie Hall leaves New York in the end
Press rewind and Woody gets her back again
[Pre-Chorus]
And the whole world could pass through me
But I don't know if it means much to me
[Chorus]
Look inside America
She's alright, she's alright
Sitting out the distance
But I'm not trying to make her mine
I'm looking for America
With its kooky nights and suicide
Where the TV says it's alright
'Cause everybody's strung out on something or other
[Outro]
And the whole world could pass through me
But I don't know if it means much to me
Look Inside America was written by Graham Coxon & Dave Rowntree & Damon Albarn & Alex James.
Look Inside America was produced by Stephen Street.
Blur released Look Inside America on Mon Feb 10 1997.
It was ‘fuck off, Britpop. That’s why it had to be included [on the album]. “Look Inside America” is exactly what Britpop was urging you not to do.
—Alex James, via Q