2HB

Infobox Song
Name = 2HB
Artist = Roxy Music
Album = Roxy Music
Released= June 1972


track_no = 5
Recorded = 24 March 1972 at Command Studios, London
Genre = Art/Glam-rock
Length = 4:30
Writer = Bryan Ferry
[ Label = ]
Producer = Peter Sinfield
prev = Virginia Plain
prev_no = 4
next = The Bob (Medley)
next_no = 6

"2HB" is a song written by Bryan Ferry and included on Roxy Music's eponymous debut album. He also recorded a version for his 1976 solo album Let's Stick Together.

The title is a pun - the song is not in fact about the European nomenclature of pencil leads, but actually dedicated to Hollywood film star Humphrey Bogart. ("2HB" = "to Humphrey Bogart".) In particular, it references the Bogart classic Casablanca.

The song is gentle and mellow in tone, evoking a smoky cabaret atmosphere and classic black and white films.

The instrumentation on the Roxy Music recorded is dominated by Ferry's Hohner Pianet N electric piano, and features a saxophone solo in the middle where MacKay's playing is treated with tape echo effects by Brian Eno.

Cover versions

This song was covered for the film Velvet Goldmine by supergroup The Venus in Furs, made up of Bernard Butler, Clune, Jonny Greenwood, Paul Kimble, Andy MacKay, and Thom Yorke.

Trivia

English band Madness made a tribute song 4BF (for Bryan Ferry) on their album The Madness.

ong Musicians

* Andy MacKay — tenor saxophone.
* Bryan Ferry — vocals, Hohner Pianet N.
* Eno — tape echo effects
* Graham Simpson — bass guitar
* Paul Thompson — Drums