Chemical World

Chemical World is a song by English alternative rock band Blur, featured on their second album Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993).

The song was commissioned by Blur's American record label, SBK Records, to increase the album's appeal for the American market.[4]The first version shown to SBK was a demo produced by the band. It was then re-recorded in a version produced by Stephen Street. This version was used for the UK version of the album but SBK preferred the demo which was 'reworked' by producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley and used for the US album. Although originally never labelled as such (with only the producer credits on the sleeves and labels showing which version is used), this version is now known as "Chemical World (Reworked)" which is how it appeared since the 1999 singles box set.

Lyrics
The pay-me girl has had enough of the bleeps

So she takes the bus into the country

Although she got herself rosy cheeks

She didn't leave enough money to pay the rent

The landlord says that she's out in a week

What a shame she was just getting comfy

Now she's eating chocolate to induce sleep

In a chemical world, It's very, very, very cheap

And I don't know about you But they're putting the holes in, yes, yes

It's been a hell of a do

They've been putting the holes in, yes, yes

Peeping Thomas has a very nice view

Across the street at the exhibitionist

These townies they never speak to you

Just stick together so they never get lonely

Feeling lead, feeling quite light-headed

Had to sit down and have some sugary tea

In chemical world, in a chemical world

It's very, very, very cheap

And I don't know about you

But they're putting the holes in, yes, yes

It's been a hell of a do

They've been putting the holes in, yes, yes (x3)

Until you can see right through (x3)

Track listings
7" 12" CD1 (live tracks from Glastonbury Festival 1992) CD2
 * 1) Chemical World  (Radio Edit)  – 3:54
 * 2) Maggie May (Rod Stewart and Martin Quittenton) – 4:05
 * 1) Chemical World (Reworked) – 3:46  (uncredited on sleeve that it is the reworked demo version)
 * 2) Es Schmecht – 3:38
 * 3) Young & Lovely – 5:04
 * 4) My Ark – 5:58
 * 1) Chemical World (Reworked)  (uncredited on sleeve that it is the reworked demo version)
 * 2) Never Clever (live) (Blur  (music and lyrics) )– 2:28
 * 3) Pressure on Julian (live) – 5:00
 * 4) Come Together (live) – 3:30
 * 1) Chemical World  (Radio Edit)  – 3:54
 * 2) Young & Lovely – 5:04
 * 3) Es Schmecht – 3:38
 * 4) My Ark – 5:58

Release dates and chart positions
UK: 28/6/1993  – Peak position: 28

US: 28/6/1993  – Peak position: 27