Blue Is the Colour
by The Beautiful South
Released: October 21, 1996
Alternative rock, pop rock
Why This Album Matters
This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Breakthrough.
The Album
"Blue Is the Colour" is the fifth studio album by the Beautiful South, released in October 1996 through Go! It followed the singles "Pretenders to the Throne" and "Dream a Little Dream," which weren't included in any album until the second greatest hits collection, Solid Bronze, in 2001. The album maintains the melancholic tone of its predecessor, Miaow, and is often seen as the band's darkest effort, reflecting Paul Heaton's life experiences at the time.
Interesting Facts
Discs and in America through Ark 21 Records
Discs and in America through Ark 21 Records.
On "Liars' Bar," Heaton's vocals intentionally mimic Tom…
On "Liars' Bar," Heaton's vocals intentionally mimic Tom Waits, and "Alone" features a bass line that alludes to his style.
Essential Tracks
Mirror
This is evident in tracks like "Liars’ Bar," which addresses alcoholism; "The Sound of North America," a sarcastic critique of capitalism; "Mirror," which deals with prostitution; "Blackbird on the Wire"; "Have Fun," noted by Heaton as his saddest song; and the aptly titled "Alone." The album produced four singles, starting with "Rotterdam," which peaked at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart in September 1996.
Blackbird On The Wire
This is evident in tracks like "Liars’ Bar," which addresses alcoholism; "The Sound of North America," a sarcastic critique of capitalism; "Mirror," which deals with prostitution; "Blackbird on the Wire"; "Have Fun," noted by Heaton as his saddest song; and the aptly titled "Alone." The album produced four singles, starting with "Rotterdam," which peaked at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart in September 1996.
The Sound Of North America
This is evident in tracks like "Liars’ Bar," which addresses alcoholism; "The Sound of North America," a sarcastic critique of capitalism; "Mirror," which deals with prostitution; "Blackbird on the Wire"; "Have Fun," noted by Heaton as his saddest song; and the aptly titled "Alone." The album produced four singles, starting with "Rotterdam," which peaked at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart in September 1996.
Have Fun
This is evident in tracks like "Liars’ Bar," which addresses alcoholism; "The Sound of North America," a sarcastic critique of capitalism; "Mirror," which deals with prostitution; "Blackbird on the Wire"; "Have Fun," noted by Heaton as his saddest song; and the aptly titled "Alone." The album produced four singles, starting with "Rotterdam," which peaked at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart in September 1996.
Liars' Bar
On "Liars' Bar," Heaton's vocals intentionally mimic Tom Waits, and "Alone" features a bass line that alludes to his style.
Explore the Album
The Beautiful South - Blue Is the Colour
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Reception
This is evident in tracks like "Liars’ Bar," which addresses alcoholism; "The Sound of North America," a sarcastic critique of capitalism; "Mirror," which deals with prostitution; "Blackbird on the Wire"; "Have Fun," noted by Heaton as his saddest song; and the aptly titled "Alone." The album produced four singles, starting with "Rotterdam," which peaked at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart in September 1996. The album debuted at No. 1 on the UK album chart on November 2, 1996, and went on to sell over 1.5 million copies, making it the group's best-selling studio album. This was followed by "Don't Marry Her," reaching No. 8 in December, "Blackbird on the Wire," which peaked at No. 23 in March 1997, and "Liar's Bar," which did not reach the top 40 in June.
The Complete Album Story
"Blue Is the Colour" is the fifth studio album by the Beautiful South, released in October 1996 through Go! Discs and in America through Ark 21 Records. It followed the singles "Pretenders to the Throne" and "Dream a Little Dream," which weren't included in any album until the second greatest hits collection, Solid Bronze, in 2001.
The album maintains the melancholic tone of its predecessor, Miaow, and is often seen as the band's darkest effort, reflecting Paul Heaton's life experiences at the time. This is evident in tracks like "Liars’ Bar," which addresses alcoholism; "The Sound of North America," a sarcastic critique of capitalism; "Mirror," which deals with prostitution; "Blackbird on the Wire"; "Have Fun," noted by Heaton as his saddest song; and the aptly titled "Alone."
The album produced four singles, starting with "Rotterdam," which peaked at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart in September 1996. This was followed by "Don't Marry Her," reaching No. 8 in December, "Blackbird on the Wire," which peaked at No. 23 in March 1997, and "Liar's Bar," which did not reach the top 40 in June. On "Liars' Bar," Heaton's vocals intentionally mimic Tom Waits, and "Alone" features a bass line that alludes to his style. The album debuted at No. 1 on the UK album chart on November 2, 1996, and went on to sell over 1.5 million copies, making it the group's best-selling studio album.
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