Song 2 | Chords + Lyrics (tune down 1/2 step)
Intro
||: N.C :|| x4
||: F#5 E5 | A5 B5 C#5 :|| Clean
||: F#5 E5 | A5 B5 C#5 :|| x4 Distorted
||: Woo-hoo :|| x4
Verse 1
||: F#5 E5 | A5 B5 C#5 | F#5 E5 | A5 B5 C#5 :||
I got my head checked, by a jumbo jet.
It wasn’t easy, but nothing is. No.
Chorus 1
||: F#5 E5 | A5 B5 C#5 :||
(Woo-hoo) When I feel heavy metal.
(Woo-hoo) and I’m pins and I’m needles.
(Woo-hoo) well I lie and I’m easy.
| F#5 | A | D5 | D5 |
All of the time but I’m never sure why I need you. Pleased to meet you!
Instrumental
||: F#5 E5 | A5 B5 C#5 :||
Verse 2
I got my head done, when I was young.
It’s not my problem, it’s not my problem.
Chorus 2
(Woo-hoo) When I feel heavy metal.
(Woo-hoo) and I’m pins and I’m needles.
(Woo-hoo) well I lie and I’m easy.
All of the time but I’m never sure why I need you. Pleased to meet you!
Outro
||: F#5 E5 | A5 B5 C#5 :||
||: Yeah, yeah :|| x3
| F#5 N.C |
Oh, yeah.
Song 2 Chords: The Power of Simplicity
Song 2 mainly relies on 5 chords (power chords), creating a forward-moving loop by positioning the I and VI chords at the end of each bar. This approach ensures the progression never feels settled.
The primary progression is just two bars long: in the first bar, we move from F#5 (II) to E5 (I), while in the second bar, it shifts from A5 (IV) to B5 (V) and C#5 (VI).
Because these are all 5 chords, it’s not always clear which are major or minor, adding to the ambiguity and energy of the progression.
At the end of the chorus, we step outside the key with a transition from F#5 (II) to A (IV), before landing on D5 (bVIIx). The final D5 creates significant tension, and when the loop restarts, it delivers a satisfying release.
Here’s the chord chart.
Song 2 Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro
Download the chart as a PDF or in the iReal pro format:
Song 2: From Joke to Anthem
At the close of the Britpop era, Blur released Song 2 to an adoring U.K. press and eager punters in 1997.
Originally written as a joke by the band, they were shocked when their A&R man instantly embraced it, insisting it be released as a single.
This turned out to be the right call, as Song 2 went on to top the charts in 8 countries, becoming the best-performing single from the band’s self-titled fifth album.
Decades later, Song 2 remains a go-to hit for cover bands—especially in England. As long as your bass player has a fuzz pedal or you’re equipped with a fuzz/octave pedal, Song 2 is the perfect way to get any party started.
To stay true to the original key and preserve the sound, tune down a semitone or use a Digitech Drop pedal.
Song 2 Chords | Related Pages
Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics
