Colin Zeal knows the value of mass appeal
He's a pedestrian walker, he's a civil talker
He's an affable man with a plausable plan,
Keeps his eye on the news, keeps his future in hand
And then he...
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again.
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again.
He's pleased with himself,
He's pleased with himself,
He's so pleased with himself, ah ah.
While sitting in traffic, Colin thinks in automatic
He's an immaculate dresser. He's your common aggressor.
Colin's the modern retard, with a love of bombast
Keeps his eye on the news, doesn't dwell on the past.
And then he...
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again.
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again.
He's pleased with himself,
He's pleased with himself,
So pleased with himself, ah ah.
He's pleased with himself,
He's pleased with himself,
He's so pleased with himself, ah ah.
And then he...
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again.
Looks at his watch, he's on time yet again.
He's pleased with himself,
He's pleased with himself,
He's so pleased with himself, ah ah.
He's pleased with himself,
He's pleased with himself,
He's so pleased with himself, ah ah.
[Through a megaphone simultaneous with chorus]
He's a modern retard, He's terminal lard
He's an affable man, With a carrotene tan
Because Colin Zeal's ill
He's pleased with himself
He's pleased with himself,
He's so pleased with himself, ah ah.
He's pleased with himself,
He's pleased with himself,
He's so pleased with himself, ah ah.
He's Colin Zeal and he knows.
Artist: Blur | Album: Modern Life is Rubbish | Track: 3
Notes:
- I had to copy the part sung through the megaphone. As many times as I've listened, I can't understand a single word of that section.
- The vocal melody is almost identical to The Teardrop Explodes song, "Sleeping Gas". I even listened to "Sleeping Gas" *just* to verify for all of you.
- The Teardrop Explodes lead singer is Julian Cope who is referred to in next song on the CD, Pressure on Julian.
- This appears to be the first album song to tell a story about a person. In my opinion (and I'm horrible at determining what songs or poems are about), Colin Zeal is an opportunist who believes himself better than others (because he is, for example, punctual) yet acts modest to ingratiate himself. Perhaps he is a politician. I welcome others opinions though.