Intertextual Reference between Blur's 'The Universal' and the opening from 'A Clockwork Orange'

Left: A Clockwork Orange | Right: Blur's The Universal

A Clockwork Orange was released in 1971 in the USA, and in 1972 in the UK. The film features many references to drugs, violence and sexual abuse, and Blur chose to make many intertextual references in their music video of The Universal.

Blur replicated a scene from the opening of A Clockwork Orange, with four people gathered around, looking into the camera. The band replicated the make up of the actors in the film, whilst adding a few differences into the shot, such as the white background, and the high angle shot.

The intertextual reference is effective in the music video, as people who know about The Clockwork Orange will be able to link back to the film, whilst those who don't know of A Clockwork Orange will still enjoy the video.

The Universal - Lyrics

This is the next century
Where the universal's free
You can find it anywhere
Yes, the future has been sold
Every night we're gone
And to karaoke songs
How we like to sing a long
Although the words are wrong

It really, really, really could happen
Yes, it really, really, really could happen
When the days they seem to fall through you, well just let them go

No one here is alone, satellites in every home
Yes the universal's here, here for everyone
Every paper that you read
Says tomorrow is your lucky day
Well, here's your lucky day

It really, really, really could happen
Yes, it really, really, really could happen
When the days they seem to fall through you, well just let them go

Well, it really, really, really could happen
Yes, it really, really, really could happen
When the days they seem to fall through you, well just let them go

Just let them go

The plot of A Clockwork Orange means that the main characters unintentionally get involved with drugs, violence and sexual abuse, leading them to get into trouble with the police. This eventually leads them to go to prison for 14 years, but is released after two weeks, after police find that he has overcome his violence. He then gets attacked once released, and ends up in hospital, where he undergoes psychological tests.

The lyrics of Blur's The Universal, which can be seen above, suggest that perhaps the events in A Clockwork Orange could happen to anyone. Therefore, although anybody would enjoy the song, people who have watched A Clockwork Orange, and who understand the plot and intertextual reference, would gain greater enjoyment.