Country House (song) - Definition and Overview

"Country House" is a song by the band Blur. It was released as a single in 1995 and was also on the album The Great Escape. It was the first of Blur's singles to reach #1 in the UK singles chart (a feat only achived once more by the band, with "Beetlebum"). The song is about a man who lives a boring life in his expensive Country House.

The video for the single was directed by Damien Hirst and featured Keith Allen and Matt Lucas. It was nominated for Best Video in the 1996 Brit Awards.

Blur vs. Oasis

The song received a great deal of attention when it was released because its release date happened to be the same as Oasis' "Roll With It". The British media had already reported an intense rivalry between the two bands and this clash of releases was seen as a battle for the number one spot. "Country House" won Blur the batlle ("Roll With It" coming in at #2) but they lost the war as The Great Escape was beaten by Oasis' album (What's the Story) Morning Glory on sales. Incidentally, "Country House" features the lines "He's got morning glory/But that's a different story" which may well have been a jab at Oasis.

Single track listings

7" / Cassette tape

1. "Country House"
2. "One Born Every Minute"

CD1

1. "Country House"
2. "One Born Every Minute"
3. "To The End (with Françoise Hardy)"

CD2

1. "Country House (Live)"
2. "Girls & Boys (Live)"
3. "Parklife (Live)"
4. "For Tomorrow (Live)"

Recorded at Mile End Stadium, 17 June, 1995