THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

285-Pulp-Common People.

1995-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 4.38. A lyrical fanfare for the common man.

‘Common People’ was the first of four singles released from ‘Different Class,’ which was the fifth studio Album by Pulp, (see also best songs 605) from October 1995, the songs writing was credited to all five band members at that time, with the production being by Chris Thomas (see also best songs 721-576-316-92 and 27.) Pulp were not an overnight success as ‘Common People’ was their 15th single release, and their first to break into the UK top 10. It was already a big hit before the other 11 tracks from ‘Different Class’ had been written, but the success of ‘Common People’ would inspire the band, and give them confidence, for the discography of Pulp, see best songs 605.

Jarvis Cocker has explained in detail over the years how ‘Common People’ came to fruition. ‘It all started with me getting rid of a lot of Albums at the ‘Record and Tape Exchange’ in Notting Hill. With the credit I went into the second hand bit and bought this Casio keyboard. When you buy an instrument, you run home and want to write a song straight away. So I went back to my flat and wrote the chord sequence for ‘Common People,’ which isn’t such a great achievement because it’s only got three chords, I thought it might come in handy for our next rehearsal.’ It is said that when Jarvis Cocker first played the melody to the rest of the band, the bass player Steve Mackey burst out laughing, saying, ‘It sounds like Emerson Lake and Palmer’s ‘Fanfare for the Common Man (1977- UK Number 2.) On the writing of the songs lyrics, Jarvis Cocker has said, ‘I always thought the word ‘common’ was an interesting thing. It would be used in ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’ as this idea of the noble savage, whereas it was a real insult in Sheffield (Cocker’s hometown) to call someone common. That set off memories of this girl that I met at college. She wanted to go and live in Hackney and be with the common people. She was from a well-to-do background, and there was me explaining that that would never work. I hated all that cobblers you got in films and magazines in which posh people would ‘slum it’ for a while. Once I got that narrative in my head it was easy to write, lyrically.’

Jarvis Cocker had met the girl who had given him the idea for the songs lyrics at St Martin’s College, London, when they were both on a sculpture course around 1988. Cocker has said that he was having a conversation with the girl at the bar at college because he was attracted to her, although he found some aspects of her personality unpleasant. He remembered that at one point she had told him she ‘Wanted to move to Hackney and live like common people.’ In 2012 the ‘BBC’ set about locating the woman who had inspired the song, but they couldn’t find her. In 2015 the Greek newspaper ‘Athens Voice’ suggested that the woman who inspired the song is Danae Stratou, the wife of a former Greek Finance minister, Stratou had studied at St Martins between 1983-1988, and is the eldest daughter of a wealthy Greek businessman. Stratou has said, ‘I think the only person who knows for whom the song was written is Jarvis himself.’

Jarvis Cocker was born Jarvis Branson Cocker, on September 19th, 1963, in Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, he is a
singer, musician, songwriter, radio presenter, and is the one constant member of the ‘Britpop,’ ‘Art Rock,’ and ‘Indie Pop’ group Pulp. His father Mac Cocker (1941-2016) left the family and moved to Sydney, Australia, when Cocker was seven, and had no contact with his son or daughter, Saskia, until Jarvis was in his thirties. Mac Cocker was a radio DJ in Sydney, with Double J (later renamed Triple J) in the 1970’s and 1980’s. By the time of his son’s visit, Mac Cocker had moved to a hippie commune in Darwin, Northern Territory. Jarvis Cocker said he forgave his father for abandoning them, saying, ‘I don’t feel any bitterness towards him at all. I feel sorry for him.’

Jarvis Cocker made the front pages of the newspapers after invading the stage at the ‘1996 Brit Awards’ with a former member of Pulp, Peter Mansell. Cocker was incensed by Michael Jackson’s (1958-2009) (see also best song 812-511-249-191 and 137) performance of his hit song ‘Earth Song,’ while surrounded by children and a rabbi. Cocker invaded the stage ‘mooning’ Jackson, although Cocker denied it, saying that he merely waved his (clothed) bottom. Cocker was detained and interviewed by the police on suspicion of assault, and later released without charge. Cocker said ‘My actions were a form of protest at the way Michael Jackson sees himself as some kind of Christ-like figure with the power of healing. I just ran on the stage. I didn’t make any contact with anyone as far as I recall.’ Cocker also clarified that his actions were nothing personal against Jackson and he was even a fan of his music. Michael Jackson said, ‘I’m sickened, saddened, shocked, upset, cheated and angry, but immensely proud that the cast remained professional and the show went on.’

As a solo artist Jarvis Cocker has released six studio Albums between 2006-2022, and 12 singles between 2006-2021, there are also two extended plays, (EP’s) and one remix Album available. In the UK, three of his solo Albums have reached the top 40, with ‘Beyond the Pale,’ from 2020 peaking the highest at Number 11, while his only top 40 solo hit single is ‘Don’t Let Him Waste Your Time,’ which made Number 36 in 2007. Jarvis Cocker has never charted in America on Billboard.

Anyone who has read about a number of the songs in this countdown will know that I am a great believer that nothing in ‘Pop Music’ is totally original. I urge you to take a listen to the 1988 song by the Spanish Pop band Mecano, called ‘Los amantes,’ it’s similarity to ‘Common People’ will raise your eyebrows high.

‘She came from Greece she had a thirst for knowledge. She studied sculpture at St Martins College, that’s where I caught her eye.’