After being played by Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon at Brixton Academy as part of a charity performance for War Child,[2] speculation rose as to "Under the Westway"'s release.

Discounting limited releases which did not chart, "Under the Westway" was Blur's lowest peak placement since their debut single, "She's So High".

Upon hearing the song, the public and critics suggested influences ranging from The Beatles' "Hey Jude" to David Bowie.

Bass player Alex James told the BBC afterwards it was "a classic Blur ballad" and "a stand still and cry your eyes out sort of job".

Unbothered by any pan-global musical influences, or snarky cartoon characters making an appearance, this is a mournful piano ballad.