"Beetlebum" is a song by English band Blur and was released as the lead single from the band's eponymous fifth album, Blur (also known as The Blurred Album). The single became Blur's second to reach the number one spot in the UK Singles Chart (after "Country House"). The song's title, "Beetlebum", is said to be a stab at Liam Gallagher, lead singer of rival band Oasis, for his over-idolising of world-famous British band The Beatles. The song is also rumoured to be about heroin, which has led many to believe it is about Damon Albarn's ex-girlfriend and her battle with drugs and how it affected him, who at the time was also combating substance addictions.

The band has also mentioned alternately in interviews, that musically the song was inspired by the song "All Together Now" by The Beatles, "Ain't Love Grand?" by The Opd (themselves named after a reference to The Beatles), and Guided By Voices.

"Beetlebum" is very highly regarded by fans of Blur. In a vote on blurtalk.com, it was voted Blur's best single, far outpacing competitors such as "Coffee & TV", "The Universal", and "Popscene". The band also seems to consider the song one of their best, as it served as the opening track on Blur and The Best of.

Track listings

In the UK

• 7" FOOD89

1. "Beetlebum"
2. "Woodpigeon Song"

• CD1 CDFOOD89

1. "Beetlebum"
2. "All Your Life"
3. "A Spell (For Money)"

• CD2 CDFOODS89

1. "Beetlebum"
2. "Beetlebum" (Mario Caldato Jr. Mix)
3. "Woodpigeon Song"
4. "Dancehall"

In Japan/Australia

• CD TOCP-40021 released 16 January 1997 by Toshiba-EMI (Japan), CD 83576-2 by Capitol Records (Australia)

1. "Beetlebum"
2. "All Your Life"
3. "Woodpigeon Song"
4. "A Spell (For Money)"

In the US

• Virgin Records Promo DPRO-12777

1. "Beetlebum" (radio edit) - 3:59
2. "Beetlebum" (album version) - 5:05
3. "Call Out Research Hook #1" (guitar)
4. "Call Out Research Hook #2" (vocal)

Image:Blur beetlebumCD1.png|UK (CD1) Image:Blur_Beetlebum_CD1.jpg|UK (CD2), Japan, US

Music video