Tender
Tender is the twentieth single release, and the first track off Blur’s sixth album, 13. It would be released on February 17th, 1999, and would reach number two on the UK Singles Chart. "Tender" is about both a lost and rediscovered love.
History
“Tender” begun as a folk tune, with Graham writing “Oh my baby” later on from his own demo - both demos were in the same key, so the song merged together.[1] From there, the band spent an afternoon with the Gospel. Damon would state: "The duality of the song is probably why it works, the fact it's very uplifting but it's also very... sad."[2] Alex James would recite his own tale:
| “ | I remember walking into the studio feeling like shit, for reasons I won't go into, and hearing the vocal to 'Tender' and feeling better again. That's the anodyne quality of some music, assuaging your feelings of guilt and horror. Fortunately, we had it nailed early on. And that makes a really big difference when you've got an obvious global number one. That takes the pressure off. | „ |
"Tender" has been a regular staple of Blur setlists throughout the years, being played 232 times.
Music Video
"Tender" would originally have a music video directed by Sophie Mueller on the 1st and 2nd of February, surrounding a campfire in the desert with aliens and ponies. It would ultimately be scrapped with the band not enjoying the final product, and thus, the second version [recorded on the 27th] would be a live recording at The Depot in black-and-white. This version would be directed by Grant Gee and produced by Jody Levitus.
Track listings
- UK CD1:
- “Tender” – 7:41
- “All We Want” – 4:33
- “Mellow Jam” – 3:56
- UK Enhanced CD2:
- “Tender” – 7:41
- “French Song” - 8:19
- “Song 2” - 2:02
- “Song 2” (video)
- AUS Enhanced CD:
- “Tender” – 7:41
- “All We Want” – 4:33
- “Mellow Jam” – 3:56
- “Song 2” (video)
- Japanese CD single:
- "Tender"
- "Swamp Song"
- "Mellow Jam"
- "French Song"
- Cassette and limited-edition 7-inch blue vinyl single:
- “Tender” – 7:40
- “All We Want” – 4:32
Credits
Blur
- Damon Albarn – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Graham Coxon – electric guitar, co-lead vocals, percussion
- Alex James – double bass, backing vocals
- Dave Rowntree – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Additional personnel
- William Orbit – producer on "Tender", "Mellow Jam", "French Song" and "Swamp Song"
- Stephen Street – production on "All We Want" and "Song 2"
- Additional backing vocals by the London Community Gospel Choir on "Tender"
Trivia
- Both Dave and Graham would play percussion through the use of banging planks on the floor.
- According to Orbit, this was Graham's idea.
