#40 - Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc.

A satirical anthem blending infectious grooves with commentary on consumerism and escapism.

Story Behind “Feel Good Inc.” by Gorillaz

Released in 2005 as the lead single from Gorillaz’s second album, Demon Days, Feel Good Inc. became one of the band’s most iconic tracks. The song’s infectious bassline and genre-blurring sound captured listeners worldwide, while its lyrics provided a biting critique of consumerism, isolation, and the false promises of modern entertainment.

Damon Albarn (as 2D) delivers hauntingly melodic verses, juxtaposed with De La Soul’s dynamic rap interjections, representing the chaotic, hedonistic allure of the fictional “Feel Good Inc.” The track’s duality—a dreamy acoustic refrain set against a sinister, driving beat—symbolizes the conflict between genuine connection and manufactured joy.

The accompanying music video, directed by Jamie Hewlett, depicts the Gorillaz characters in a dystopian tower of indulgence, contrasting with the idyllic floating windmill that symbolizes freedom and authenticity. This visual metaphor underscores the song’s themes of escapism and the hollow nature of superficial happiness.

---

Technical Details

Notes About “Feel Good Inc.” by Gorillaz

• Release Date: March 9, 2005

• Album: Demon Days

• Duration: 3:41

• Key: E minor

• BPM: 139

• Genre: Alternative Hip-Hop, Funk, Trip-Hop

• Writers: Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett, David Jolicoeur, Vincent Mason, Kelvin Mercer, Jason Cox, and Danger Mouse

• Producers: Gorillaz, Danger Mouse

Album Details

• Album: Demon Days

• Release Date: May 23, 2005

• Label: Parlophone, Virgin Records

• Recording Location: Kong Studios, London

• Producer(s): Danger Mouse, Gorillaz

Band Members/Personnel

• Damon Albarn (2D) - Vocals, Keyboards

• Jamie Hewlett (Art/Concept) - Visuals, Storytelling

• De La Soul - Rap Vocals

• Cass Browne - Drums

Album Production Notes

Demon Days marked a darker, more introspective turn for Gorillaz, with Danger Mouse’s innovative production contributing to the album’s distinctive sound. Feel Good Inc. exemplifies this approach, blending live instrumentation with electronic beats and sampling to create a track that feels both futuristic and grounded.

Interesting Facts about the Song and the Album

• The track won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals in 2006.

• Feel Good Inc. became Gorillaz’s most commercially successful single, reaching the top 10 in multiple countries.

• The windmill imagery from the music video reappears in later Gorillaz lore, symbolizing purity and escape from the corrupt “Feel Good Inc.” tower.

• The song’s themes were influenced by Damon Albarn’s observations of societal obsession with materialism and entertainment as escapism.

---