The year was 1997. Like any other uncommonly white middle schooler from the suburbs I was consumed by all things hip-hop. Big egos, big asses, and of course Biggie; the mid 90’s had it all. But there were still fumes of rock and roll love left in this burgeoning thug’s tank. Today I acknowledge one track that I could never give up.

“Song 2,” the two minute sensory assault from English indie-rockers Blur, commands your consciousness from the first tap of the hi hats, through the intensity of the distorted bass, until the last woo-hoo leaves you spent. Originally intended as a simple send-up of the grunge-rock that pervaded early 90’s radio, the London foursome’s biggest US hit would garner them huge crossover appeal and lasting pop culture notoriety.

Think of any sports, beer, car, video game brand over the last twenty years and I guarantee you they’ve used or at least thought about using “Song 2” in one of their ad campaigns. It’s the combination of raw ferocity and magnetic melody that’s suited well for ad execs trying to shill their latest contrivance.

But don’t let its media over-saturation cloud your judgment. “Song 2” is still a motherfucking barrage of badassery.