I'm aware this page is a bit pathetic at the moment as it's not been worked on or updated since I started the site in 1997. Hopefully, I'll have the time to breathe a bit of life into the page later this year...
Back In LA
Details available shortly
The Boss
Another track cruelly hidden from our ears, possibly due to the band being unhappy with it in its finished state, rather than its lyrical content (as
was the case with 'Live On'.) It lasts about 2 minutes 30 and is wonderfully upbeat and fast. The song is propelled forward by the" ma ma
ma ma's" you hear in Live On, and comparing it to the theme tune music they play on those regional TV news programmes would probably not be far
from the mark. Musically it would probably fit in well on Separations, although since it sounds less electronic that the Separations tracks, I
would say it sounds more like something from the Gift era - O.U perhaps? I've only ever heard the track from a copy of the Salford University gig
which was performed only weeks after the Island 'Fallout Shelter' Demo (7 May 1992) which is the first listing of 'The Boss' recorded in a studio.
The Boss was played at other concerts in 1992, mostly around the time of the O.U tour in May.
The Boss: Lyrics
Wearing a shirt that was trying too hard. Pissed on a train and he's falling around. And then I turned round you were out of sight. And now
there's nowhere for me to stay tonight. And then I walked around town just to catch you out. I thought I'd lost myself somewhere in the night. Oh is
he bigger? And does he make you laugh? Ma ma ma ma ma... let it go.
I could never do anything else. 'Cause what am I going to do with myself? I saw him kiss you in the afternoon. 'Cause I was next door in a
double room. Oh I was listening through the wall as he laid you down. I don't know what you did but I heard a sound. Oh is he better? And does he make you scream? Ma ma ma ma ma... let it go. Let it go.
You've got to tell me now if he's better than me. I need to know. Oh, can't you see? Something strange is getting stronger. I can't hang on any longer. Don't you know I want to go away? Oh Jesus Christ I know I'm gonna lose the game. I've only got myself to blame. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. All right.
I'm going to leave town. I'm going to catch a train. I'm going somewhere where I can start again. I'm going to let go-go just like you said. I'm waiting for someone else who can take the blame. And is he younger? And can he make you laugh? Ma ma ma ma ma... let it go. Oh let it go.
After seven years down a dead end road. I'm going to get off here. I'm going to let it go. Let it go.
Cousins
Dirty World
One of the This Is Hardcore set of songs that was abandoned by the band.
May appear as a future B side.
Everybody's Problem
Released as a 7" single in September 1983. Also available on the Cherry Red re-issue CD of 'It', both of which are now very rare. The song is a
surprisingly good second single driven forward by up-beat vocals, fast drumming and Trumpet fanfares. The fact that it sounds the most
commercially 'Pop' sounding song of their work at the time is no surprise as this was the track that was the outcome of manager Tony
Perrin's persuasion to Jarvis to try and write songs like Wham. Vocally, Jarvis sounds exceptionally young, which he is of course, and compared to
the vocally superior B side 'There Was', he sounds pretty refreshing and confident. You'd probably pay around £30 - £40 for a mint copy, so
those who want to hear it are probably better off getting a tape recording of it or buying one of the Cherry Red compilation CDs.
Everybody's Problem: Lyrics
Standing there before you defences thrown aside. I thought I heard you laughing but when I asked you said you'd cried. I wanted to believe you.
Yes I wanted to feel strong. But looking at my picture I realised I must be wrong.
Sounds so weak. It sounds so fey. It doesn't sound like what I meant to say. I speak to you with a borrowed tongue. Shall I stop right now, or
blindly carry on?
It's everybody's problem, but I'm not everyone. I only have one viewpoint - don't talk to me of right or wrong. And didn't I often tell you, oh
didn't I often say that something in your manner that really takes my breath away?
It's not weak to show I care. I know of those who wouldn't even bear. The fact remains I feel a need. Is it love or is it simply greed?
It's not weak to show I care. I know of those who wouldn't even bear. The fact remains I feel a need. Is it love or is it simply greed?
You choose what you believe in as far as I'm concerned. But one thing I can tell you is innocence cannot be learned. I wish you'd stop me
talking, oh I wish you'd shut my mouth. Well the reason why I tell you is I think that you could help me out. And if you do then there's no doubt
that all my problems won't just fly away.
Grandfather's Nursery
Info appearing soon...
Grandfather's Nursery: Lyrics
This used to be a garden, now it's a national tragedy
Oh lady of glass houses, where is the flower that will cover the stench of the city?
Well, it's lying in tatters among cellophane wrappers
And I have to get out of this nursery - yeah that would be a first for me
And maybe I'll find her and lay down beside her in fields of green and wait for the rain...
This used to be a forest, now it's a whiskey distillery
Oh lady of glass houses, where is the drink that will bring back my senses to me?
Well I search for the tree that she mentioned to me
But it's no good cause they all look the same - see I never learnt their names at school
And maybe I'll find her and lay down beside her in fields of green and wait for the rain...
This used to be a playground, now it's your Grandfather's nursery
Oh lady of glass houses, show me the plant that I can bring back my true love to me
Well she sailed down the river, now I long to go with her
I must find her before she reaches the sea - or it's the end for me
Oh maybe I'll find her and lay down beside her and plant a seed and wait for the rain...
And here comes the rain
And here comes the rain
And here comes the rain (here comes the rain, here comes the rain)
Yeah here comes the rain (here comes the rain, here comes the rain)
And here comes the rain (here comes the rain, here comes the rain)
Yeah here comes the rain (here comes the rain, here comes the rain)
Here comes the rain (here comes the rain, here comes the rain)
Yeah here comes the rain (here comes the rain, here comes the rain)
And here comes the rain
Live On
"This song is just about shit things... either you get depressed by shit things or you just have to make a joke of them. And I try to make a joke
of them even though sometimes it's quite hard. But in the end you just have to live on." [Jarvis: Salford University concert 28 May 1992]
Another one of those hidden classics that was eventually shelved due to the personal nature of the lyrics - so Jarvis reckons.
Nevertheless, it's still a blindingly passionate (if not spiteful) song, made even more interesting because of the sensative subject matter. 'Live
On' is pretty easy to find too since it was often inserted into live sets around 1991 - 1993. A special Radio 1 session recording of it also exists
from 1992 which is particulary amazing to listen to and worth tracking down.
Live On: Lyrics
I woke up in the morning I was still alive. The mirror says I'm fifty-five years old. If I don't look his way, I'm gonna do okay.
I'm gonna last another day without your love ( Ma ma ma ma ma ma) Last another day without your love. Oh now no one lives
alone for more than half a year. That's what a friend of mine once said to me. There's more things in the world than holding
hands and kissing girls. You've got to last another day without your love (ma ma ma ma ma ma) Last another day without your
love (ma ma ma ma ma ma) Last another day without your love.
Oh but I dreamt (or thought) of you last night. And the world split into two - I tried to listen to some records but they were all
singing about you. I can't live on never knowing where my soul is going when I die. I can't last another day without your love (ma ma
ma ma ma ma) I can't last another day without your love (ma ma ma ma ma ma) I can't last another day without your love.
Oh yeah, well I realise I should think about somebody new instead. That's what I tried to do, but the ones I liked looked just like you - Gotta last
another day without your love ( ma ma ma ma ma ma) Last another day without your love (ma ma ma ma ma ma) Last another day without your
love.
Oh but I dreamt (or thought) of you last night. And the world split into two. I tried to listen to some records but they were all singing about
you. I can't live on never knowing where my soul is going when I die. I can't last another day without your love (ma ma ma ma ma ma) I can't last
another day without your love (ma ma ma ma ma ma) I can't last another day without your love.
It's okay, I'm not a kid anymore. I can last another day without your love. If I focus all my thoughts on something stupid, I can last another
day without your love. Ooh gonna last another day, last another day, last another day, last another day, last another day, last another day, last
another day, Good god!
Oh but I dreamt (or thought) of you last night. And the world split into two I tried to listen to some records but they were all singing about
you. I can't live on never knowing where my soul is going when I die I can't last another day without your love (ma ma ma ma ma ma) I can't
last another day without your love (ma ma ma ma ma ma) I can't last another day without your love.
Morning Dew
My First Wife
Recorded from the audience by Mark Webber at the
Barracuda Club, Nottingham, 15 July 1987, and released later that
year along with 'Don't You Want Me Anymore' on the "Oozing Through The
Ozone Layer" Cassette. Thanks to Mark
Sturdy for details.
Nights Of Surburbia
Recorded live at the Octagon Centre, Sheffield on 1 September 1985 at the Dolebusters Festival. Eventually released on the Dolebusters compilation tape in 1987 called "See You Later Agitator" which also featured Steve's pre-Pulp band 'Trolley Dog Shag'. The song is different to Styloroc: Nites Of Suburbia which was first recorded for the Island Demo in 1992. However, the lyrics for Styloroc: Nites Of Suburbia first appeared in the "See You Later Agitator" tape booklet which is reproduced in the latter half of the Pulp People Scrapbook Volume 1. Thanks to Mark Sturdy for details
Paula
Demo recorded for the Different Class sessions sometime between 5 - 12 June 1995.
Paula: Lyrics
Hey hey Paula, I never thought we'd last this long. Your voice annoys me and your hair's all wrong, so wrong. Oh and Paula - I don't like any of
your friends. Yes, and horoscopes just send me fast asleep. Oh funny how we still spend the night together, oh even though we don't see one thing
the same. But we still do it again. Oh yeah we do it again. Oh Paula, I just can't get it through my head how you can look so bad and be so good
in bed. So good. Oh funny how we still spend the night together, oh even though we don't see one thing the same. But we still do it again. Oh
yeah we do it again, yeah. Oh funny how we still spend the night together, oh even though we don't see one thing the same. And we still do
it again. Oh yeah we do it again, yeah. Oh now Paula. I think it's time that you should go. Until tonite at least, then we can go to bed. Let's
go to bed. Ooooooo. Lalalalalala (etc). Oh.
Repressive Forkout
Shakespeare Rock
Silence
Snow
Srpski Jeb
Take You Back
Lyrics and details shortly...
There Was
The wonderfully soothing B side to 'Everybodys Problem'. At its simplest, it is made up of a repetitive guitar playing through Jarvis' smooth voice,
backed up by a female voice (not at all unlike the songs that Saskia and others provided vocals for on 'It'). Out of this summery hazyness come
some excellent cheesy organ 'beep beeps' which make you feel like you're sailing down a river out to the sea. If you try hard enough you can
even see the Seagulls squarking around the Lighthouse. Very 'It' like indeed, and Jarvis' vocals are superb - unlike 'Everybodys Problem, it's
seems like the past one and a half decades have not changed his voice at all. Love it!
There Was: Lyrics
We're talking again. Smiling and laughing. Ignoring the past. Well I hope you're happy.
I know there was something. Please don't let it die away. I know what you're thinking. I know what you want to say.
I won't give it names for names have no uses. Just shots in the dark or easy excuses.
I know there was something. Please don't let it die away. I know what you're thinking. I know what you want to say. Lala-lala (x13).
I know there was something. Please don't let it die away I know what you're thinking. I know what you want to say.
Watching Nicky
Recorded for Island in the 'Fallout Shelter' Demo on 7 May 1992.
Watching Nicky: Lyrics
Watching Nicky turn from a girl into a wife is like watching all the life drain out of Nicky. Seventeen last June, thirty-four this May. What else can I say about you, Nicky?
Oh no she's not painting any more. Spends the evenings locked indoors, and now, something's just not going right for Nicky. Oh yeah. Her mother said she'd mind the kid, and when it came she never did. Now you're not smiling anymore, no Nicky. Oh no no no no no no Nicky.
I remember we went out and got stuck under a bridge. The kids were throwing stones at me and Nicky. If I could see her now, I'd shout across and say, "Hey Nicky - run away, do it now Nicky."
Because she's not painting any more. She spends her evenings locked indoors, and now, something's just not going right for Nicky. Oh yeah. Her mother said she'd mind the kid, but when it came she never did. Now you're not smiling anymore, no Nicky. Oh no no no no no no Nicky. Oh Nicky. Oh Nicky. Nicky. Mamamama (etc).
Oh she's not painting any more. Spends the evenings locked indoors, and now, something's just not going right for Nicky. Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
yeah Nicky. Ma ma ma ma ma ma Nicky. Oh whoa whoa whoa whoa oh Nicky. Ma ma ma ma ma ma Nicky. Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah. Nicky.
We Can Dance Again
As far as I know this song was only played once at the London Theatre Royal Concert at christmas 1994. A possible contender for inclusion on
Different Class gives it much interest. Some have compared it to Disco 2000 but I can't personally see much resemblance. The lyrics seem pretty
one dimentional and bland and the music doesn't seem that great - possibly because it was a poor tape recording I listened to or possibly
because it wasn't played too well on the night. The track eventually surfaced as a cover version on a 4 track EP (Mintel Rock Steady Vol. 1) by
a Liverpool band called 'Chevette'.
Whiskey In The Jar
A 'Thin Lizzy' cover version that Pulp played as a one off for the Black Sessions broadcast on French radio (30 October 1995). The track is widely
available on audio copies of the session, or if you prefer to have it on CD, it is available on both the Childline CD and on the french promo
CD of 'Common People'. It has since been played on only two other occasions (to my knowledge) at the Chelmsford Hylands Park (V96 festival)
soundcheck (17 August 1996), and at the special Holsten Pils private concert at the Teatre Grec Ampitheatre, Barcelona (24 August 1996)
Other Rare Pulp Items...
His 'n' Hers US promo paperback book
Issued to promote the His 'n' Hers LP in America.
ISLBN 314-524 006 214
Part One: The Words
Part Two: The Facts
Part Three: The Biography
Part Four: The Discography
Epilogue
Common People Comic Book
A fantastic promo item issued by Island in France which was included with some copies of the Common People CD. The comic illustrates the lyrics to the song Common People and also includes a Pulp discography. From what I've seen at CD fairs, it can sell for anything from 4 to 25 pounds, so watch out if you're trying to buy a copy of it - you'll also have to pay more for a shrink wrapped copy which includes the Common People CD. Here's the introduction that was written to educate the French masses about the wonders of Pulp:
"They're part of melodic continuum that began in
England's dance hall during WW1. More recent points on that timeline
have included The Kinks, Roxy music, Bowie (Diamond Dogs era), The Smiths and Blur. Pulp's songs present a very English slice of life, garnished with bathos, wit and humor. The melange includes guitars, bass, drums, violin, a very cheesy Farfisa organ (how retro!) ans [sic] the inimitable vocal stylings of Mr Jarvis Cocker. Pulp have been around for almost 15 years as a loose entity with a mottled indie past. Pulp's Island Records signing and subsequent release of their album, "His 'n' Hers" marked their major label debut. With "Different Class", they triggered a real Pulpmania. As a tribute to the single "Common People", the Tank Girl cartoonist, Jamie Hewlett, specially drew a cartoon, illustrating the lyrics."
Click here to see the cartoons...
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