The individual desired to reside in Hackney among the ordinary populace, which they linked to their encounters at a pub and the creation of Pulp's enduring hit "Common People," a song that significantly impacted Jarvis and the band.
In the vibrant music scene of 1995, Pulp, a British band hailing from Sheffield, made a significant impact with their fifth studio album, Different Class, and its lead single, "Common People." Released in May of that year, the track quickly became a cultural phenomenon, peaking at Number Two on the UK Singles Chart.
The genesis of "Common People" can be traced back to 1994, when frontman Jarvis Cocker penned the lyrics after an encounter with a posh girl during his studies at St Martin's. The song, which explores the idea of "poverty tourism," was inspired by a conversation they had about her desire to live among the "common people" in a grittier part of London.
The band, who had already scored their first Top 40 hit in 1994 with "Do You Remember The First Time?," realised they might have a huge hit with "Common People" as soon as they had finished recording it. The infectious, irresistible hook was, indeed, the biggest thing Pulp had done yet.
Recording took place at Town House Studios in London with Chris Thomas, a renowned producer who had worked with the Sex Pistols and the Pretenders. The melody and chord pattern of "Common People" were so straightforward that some of the band members had trouble understanding it.
Pulp pleaded with their label to release "Common People" immediately, believing it to be prescient. Their pleas were heeded, and the single was released over five months before the album Different Class. The song arrived at a time when Suede, Blur, and Oasis were also pushing for success, creating a competitive yet exciting atmosphere in the music industry.
The mystery woman who inspired the song remains unnamed, despite rumors and claims over the years. In interviews, Jarvis Cocker has not explicitly named her, maintaining a certain air of mystery around the track. In 2011, someone showed him a picture that they believed was the girl he wrote the song about, but he did not ask for the picture and cannot remember who showed it to him.
In 1995, Pulp played an era-defining headline set at Glastonbury, further cementing their place in British music history. The song's themes of social fracture and the concept of "common people" as viewed by those from different backgrounds resonated with audiences, making "Common People" a timeless anthem.
Jarvis Cocker has expressed his distaste for "patronizing social voyeurism" in an interview, citing Blur's Parklife as an example. He approaches the topic with a nuanced understanding, subtly criticising the superficial exploration of working-class culture that was prevalent in some contemporary music.
Despite its success, "Common People" remains a complex and thought-provoking track that continues to resonate with audiences today, offering a unique perspective on social class and the divide that exists within society.
- Following their first Top 40 hit in 1994, Pulp anticipated another success with their upcoming single, "Common People," after finishing its recording at Town House Studios in London.
- Chris Thomas, a legendary producer known for his work with the Sex Pistols and the Pretenders, oversaw the recording process for "Common People."
- Jarvis Cocker, the frontman of Pulp, penned the lyrics for "Common People" after an encounter with a posh girl during his studies, a conversation that sparked the idea of "poverty tourism."
- Released five months before their album Different Class, "Common People" arrived at a competitive yet thrilling time in the music industry, with bands like Suede, Blur, and Oasis also vying for success.
- In an era-defining headline set at Glastonbury in 1995, Pulp further solidified their place in British music history, with "Common People" expressing themes of social fracture and the divide that exists within society.
- The mysterious woman who inspired "Common People" remains unnamed, despite speculation and claims over the years, with Jarvis Cocker preserving an air of enigma around the song.
- Jarvis Cocker shares his disdain for "patronizing social voyeurism" in an interview, openly criticizing the superficial exploration of working-class culture that was prevalent in some contemporary music, including Blur's Parklife.
- "Common People" continues to resonate with audiences today, offering a thought-provoking, unique perspective on social class, and the divide that still exists within society.
- As a timeless anthem, "Common People" showcases the prowess of Pulp in the vibrant music scene of 1995, where independent, alternative, prog, rock, and pop-culture merged, creating a dynamic and memorable phase in entertainment history.
