Following the success of Oasis' (What’s The Story) Morning Glory, Blur (particularly Damon) were humiliated by the press and perceived as an “inauthentic middle class pop band”. This song appears to be about the band’s perspective on their position during this time, with references to the ridicule they faced (“Oh England, my love, you lost me, made me look a fool”) and Graham’s struggles with alcoholism (“Put a new shirt on, wash my face in beer”, “We’re too hung over to be bash out”)