Blur Set to Return With New Song on Record Store Day

In what could the biggest Record Store Day exclusive yet, the reunited Blur will release a 7'' single to independent shops on April 17th featuring a newly recorded song. The track will be the first new music from Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon and Co. since 2003's Think Tank. "Initially, Damon had no intention of going back into the studio with Blur. He's been very busy with Gorillaz," a source told U.K.'s The Sun. "But he couldn't resist seeing if the magic was still there with his old chums. And it was." A spokesperson for Blur confirmed to the Guardian that the band recorded a new song for Record Store Day but stopped short of saying more new material was in their future.

"We want independent record stores to continue. They're an important part of our musical culture. Music is a simple way for Blur to show our support and we hope people like it," Albarn told The Sun. Only 1,000 copies of the unspecified song will be printed, and unfortunately for U.S. fans, it seems like the 7'' singles will only be available across the pond. The U.S. hasn't seen much of Blur since their reunion, but as Rolling Stone previously reported, Americans will be the beneficiaries of a Gorillaz headlining set at next weekend's Coachella festival.

This isn't the first time Blur has surprised independent record store shoppers with new vinyl: Prior to Think Tank, Blur dropped an extremely limited-edition white-label vinyl with the non-album track "Don't Bomb When You're the Bomb." As Rolling Stone reported earlier this week, Record Store Day in the States will feature exclusive releases by the Rolling Stones, Sonic Youth, Flaming Lips and many more.

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Song Stories

“Tonight's the Night”

The Shirelles | 1960

The lead cut and title track from this girl group's debut album, "Tonight's the Night" was written by 19-year-old bandmember Shirley Owens, who sings lead, and producer Luther Dixon. The band from Passaic, New Jersey met in high school, first calling themselves the Pequellos. The song's frank thoughts about sexual and emotional surrender was racy for the time, but that didn't stop the Chiffons from cutting a similar version immediately after the original came out. "We were the first female group to write some of our own material," band member Beverly Lee recalls. "We did have some say-so in our writing."

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