For Tomorrow
Encyclopedia
"For Tomorrow" is a song by English alternative rock
band Blur
. It is the lead track to their second album, Modern Life Is Rubbish
(the title appears in the lyrics). Released 19 April 1993 as the first single from the album, "For Tomorrow" charted at number 28 in the UK Singles Chart
. The Visit To Primrose Hill Extended version of "For Tomorrow" was included in the band's compilation albums, Blur: The Best of
, (being the only song from Modern Life Is Rubbish to be featured) and Midlife: A Beginner's Guide to Blur
.
and audiences were not receptive to their music. After that tour lead singer Damon Albarn
started to write songs with a very British feel. This was one such song, written on Christmas Day 1992 at the family piano in his parents' house. David Balfe
, the head of the band's record company, commissioned this song as the original album did not have any hit singles. The single cover of the two World War II
fighter planes was used by the band as a sense of Britishness.
". This was the third lowest chart position the band reached in the UK, the previous single "Popscene
" had reached #32 and "She's So High" in 1990 didn't make the Top 40, charting at #48. The song did not chart in any other countries.
Much like the band's next single "Chemical World", the CD1 contained a big Compac-Plus box for both CD1 and CD2 to go in, but CD2 was sold separately.
The song received many more popular reviews than "Popscene".
, a hill in the borough of Camden
, North London. From there one can see the whole of central London before them. The complete phrase from the song says "Take a drive to Primrose Hill // It's windy there, and the view's so nice". Part of the promotional video was also filmed at Primrose Hill.
The ending of the song has lyrics about a man, Jim, entering his house in Emperors' Gate, SW7 (Kensington
). When Albarn's parents first moved to London, they lived in a flat nextdoor to The Beatles
. In a 2005 interview Damon Albarn stated that he used Emperors' Gate in the lyrics because of this (13 Emperors' Gate was the first London-based home for the Lennons
; they lived there in 1964 ). He found it "romantic" that his parents lived right next to these people.
magazine chose this song in their "50 Greatest British Tracks Ever" list. In a blurtalk.com vote, For Tomorrow was voted fifth out of all of the band's singles, despite being the third lowest charting on its release.
, was filmed in a classic black and white style. The video was shot entirely in London. Some repeated scenes include:
The video ends with Albarn rolling down Primrose Hill with a girl.
, Graham Coxon
, Alex James
and Dave Rowntree
CD1
CD2
12"
Cassette
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band Blur
Blur (band)
Blur is an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing...
. It is the lead track to their second album, Modern Life Is Rubbish
Modern Life Is Rubbish
Modern Life Is Rubbish is the second album by English alternative rock band Blur, released in May 1993. Although their debut album Leisure had been commercially successful, Blur faced a severe media backlash soon after its release, and fell out of public favour...
(the title appears in the lyrics). Released 19 April 1993 as the first single from the album, "For Tomorrow" charted at number 28 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The Visit To Primrose Hill Extended version of "For Tomorrow" was included in the band's compilation albums, Blur: The Best of
Blur: The Best of
Blur: The Best Of is a greatest hits compilation album by English Britpop band Blur, first released in late 2000 and is the final Blur album by Food Records. It was released on CD, cassette tape, MiniDisc, double 12" vinyl record, DVD and VHS. The CD album includes 17 of Blur's 23 singles from 1990...
, (being the only song from Modern Life Is Rubbish to be featured) and Midlife: A Beginner's Guide to Blur
Midlife: A Beginner's Guide to Blur
Midlife: A Beginner's Guide to Blur is a two-disc compilation album by Blur, released by EMI Records on . Designed as a sampler for casual listeners, and with a greater focus on the band's career highlights rather than their hit singles, it is Blur's second retrospective collection, succeeding...
.
Single background
In this period the band had gone on a tour of the USA which they greatly detested, especially as the country was the home of grungeGrunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
and audiences were not receptive to their music. After that tour lead singer Damon Albarn
Damon Albarn
Damon Albarn is an English singer-songwriter and record producer who has been involved in many high profile projects, coming to prominence as the frontman and primary songwriter of Britpop band Blur...
started to write songs with a very British feel. This was one such song, written on Christmas Day 1992 at the family piano in his parents' house. David Balfe
David Balfe
David Balfe is most notable for playing keyboards with The Teardrop Explodes, founding the Zoo and Food record labels, signing Blur and for being the subject of their number one hit - "Country House".-Biography:...
, the head of the band's record company, commissioned this song as the original album did not have any hit singles. The single cover of the two World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
fighter planes was used by the band as a sense of Britishness.
Release and reception
The single was released without a 7" vinyl format, possibly to emphasise the importance of the six minute long 'Visit to Primrose Hill extended' version which appears on the 12" vinyl, cassette and CD1. CD2 however did feature the shorter 'single version'. The song charted at #28 in the UK in its first week of release, a position matched by Blur's next single, "Chemical WorldChemical World
"Chemical World" is a song by English alternative rock band Blur, featured on their second album Modern Life Is Rubbish . It was released on 28 June 1993 as the second single from that album, equalling their previous release "For Tomorrow" at number 28 in the UK Singles Charts...
". This was the third lowest chart position the band reached in the UK, the previous single "Popscene
Popscene
"Popscene" is a song by English alternative rock band Blur. It was released 30 March 1992 as a single. The low chart placing came as a confidence blow for the band, who were struggling financially at the time...
" had reached #32 and "She's So High" in 1990 didn't make the Top 40, charting at #48. The song did not chart in any other countries.
Much like the band's next single "Chemical World", the CD1 contained a big Compac-Plus box for both CD1 and CD2 to go in, but CD2 was sold separately.
The song received many more popular reviews than "Popscene".
Lyrical themes
The lyrics of the song are about London, and especially Primrose HillPrimrose Hill
Primrose Hill is a hill of located on the north side of Regent's Park in London, England, and also the name for the surrounding district. The hill has a clear view of central London to the south-east, as well as Belsize Park and Hampstead to the north...
, a hill in the borough of Camden
London Borough of Camden
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough were already developed and had a total population of 96,795. This continued to rise swiftly throughout the 19th century, as the district became built up; reaching 270,197 in the middle of the century...
, North London. From there one can see the whole of central London before them. The complete phrase from the song says "Take a drive to Primrose Hill // It's windy there, and the view's so nice". Part of the promotional video was also filmed at Primrose Hill.
The ending of the song has lyrics about a man, Jim, entering his house in Emperors' Gate, SW7 (Kensington
Kensington
Kensington is a district of west and central London, England within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. An affluent and densely-populated area, its commercial heart is Kensington High Street, and it contains the well-known museum district of South Kensington.To the north, Kensington is...
). When Albarn's parents first moved to London, they lived in a flat nextdoor to The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
. In a 2005 interview Damon Albarn stated that he used Emperors' Gate in the lyrics because of this (13 Emperors' Gate was the first London-based home for the Lennons
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
; they lived there in 1964 ). He found it "romantic" that his parents lived right next to these people.
Increase in stature
Like Modern Life is Rubbish, the album this song appears on, "For Tomorrow" has increased in stature since its release. The song charted at number 15 in a Time Out poll about the best songs about London, the magazine labelled the track as an "indie anthem". In addition, MojoMojo (magazine)
MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
magazine chose this song in their "50 Greatest British Tracks Ever" list. In a blurtalk.com vote, For Tomorrow was voted fifth out of all of the band's singles, despite being the third lowest charting on its release.
Music video
The video, directed by Julien TempleJulien Temple
Julien Temple is an English film, documentary and music video director. He began his career with short films featuring the Sex Pistols, and has continued with various off-beat projects, including The Great Rock And Roll Swindle, Absolute Beginners and a documentary film about Glastonbury.-Temple...
, was filmed in a classic black and white style. The video was shot entirely in London. Some repeated scenes include:
- The band at Trafalgar SquareTrafalgar SquareTrafalgar Square is a public space and tourist attraction in central London, England, United Kingdom. At its centre is Nelson's Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. There are a number of statues and sculptures in the square, with one plinth displaying changing pieces of...
- Shots of Nelson's ColumnNelson's ColumnNelson's Column is a monument in Trafalgar Square in central London built to commemorate Admiral Horatio Nelson, who died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The monument was constructed between 1840 and 1843 to a design by William Railton at a cost of £47,000. It is a column of the Corinthian...
- Albarn leaning out of a London bus
- The band flying kites atop Primrose HillPrimrose HillPrimrose Hill is a hill of located on the north side of Regent's Park in London, England, and also the name for the surrounding district. The hill has a clear view of central London to the south-east, as well as Belsize Park and Hampstead to the north...
The video ends with Albarn rolling down Primrose Hill with a girl.
Track listings
All songs credited to Damon AlbarnDamon Albarn
Damon Albarn is an English singer-songwriter and record producer who has been involved in many high profile projects, coming to prominence as the frontman and primary songwriter of Britpop band Blur...
, Graham Coxon
Graham Coxon
Graham Leslie Coxon is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and painter. He came to prominence as the lead guitarist, backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of rock band Blur, and is also a critically acclaimed solo artist, having recorded seven solo albums...
, Alex James
Alex James (musician)
Professionally known as Alex James is an English musician, songwriter, journalist and cheesemaker. He is best known as the bass player and occasional vocalist of band Blur...
and Dave Rowntree
Dave Rowntree
David Alexander De Horne Rowntree is an English solicitor, musician, animator, and political activist. He is best known as the drummer of the alternative rock band Blur...
CD1
- "For Tomorrow" (Visit to Primrose Hill extended)
- "Peach"
- "Bone Bag"
CD2
- "For Tomorrow" (single version)
- "When the Cows Come Home"
- "Beachcoma"
- "For Tomorrow" (acoustic)
12"
- "For Tomorrow" (Visit to Primrose Hill extended)
- "Into Another"
- "Hanging Over
Cassette
- "For Tomorrow" (Visit to Primrose Hill extended)
- "Into Another"
- "Hanging Over"
External links
- [ 12"], [ CD1], [ CD2]" – "For Tomorrow" single reviews at Allmusic