Originally called "Arabicus Pulp" (although they shortened it to Pulp within a year), the band achieved sudden success some thirteen years after their formation and became known during the Britpop era as much for their music as for frontman Cocker's antics (notably conducting a stage invasion during Michael Jackson's performance of Earth Song at the 1996 BRIT Awards).
Achieving little success off the back of a Peel session in 1981, Pulp were finally able to release their debut album, It, in 1983. This album and its 1986 follow-up, Freaks, showcased a Pulp keen on Nick Drake (notably on the It single, My Lighthouse), with strong folk roots and little sign of the tendencies for storytelling and acid house music which would eventually bring forth success.
After the release and commercial flop of "Freaks", the band disbanded for a year, but reformed a year later to record a third album, Separations. Delayed for three years after its recording, Separations showed Cocker's increasing exposure to acid house, featuring multiple synths, and a hit single, My Legendary Girlfriend, which helped Pulp's career start to rocket.
Their next single, Babies, which would eventually feature on their 1994's commercial breakthrough His 'n' Hers, and it was the first example of the Pulp-sound most listeners associate with the band--cheap synths, rolling guitars, and Cocker's deadpan vocals telling a story. "His 'n' Hers" in sound, was lumped in with the Britpop movement of the time, receiving commercial and critical acclaim. However, it was the 1995 single Common People, which finally saw them become known, eventually charting at number 2 in the UK charts. Awash with Britpop guitars, catchy keyboard lines and that trademark Cocker vocal performance it has remained a favorite. A successful appearance at Glastonbury that summer cemented their fame, and their success was subsequently confirmed by the release of Different Class, which arrived at the peak of the Britpop movement and featured this song and other UK hits as Disco 2000 and Sorted for E's & Wizz.
Their last two albums, 1998's darker This Is Hardcore, -an album that marked the end of the Britpop era- and 2001's more downbeat We Love Life were commercial successes, but Pulp were no longer as famous or trendy as they had been in the height of Britpop. Following their curation of a music festival, Auto, in 2002, the band announced that they would be embarking on an "indefinite hiatus".
In 2003, Jarvis Cocker released an album as Relaxed Muscle and then two solo efforts, 2006's Jarvis and 2009's Further Complications.
On 8th November 2010, it was announced that the band with its most relevant lineup will reform to play a series of gigs in summer 2011.
Discography:
It 1983
Freaks 1986
Separations 1992
His 'n' Hers 1994
Different Class 1995
This Is Hardcore 1998
We Love Life 2001
Official website:
http://www.pulppeople.com
Mis-Shapes
Pulp Lyrics
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Raised on a diet of broken biscuits, oh
We don't look the same as you
And we don't do the things you do
But we live around here, too, oh really
Misshapes, mistakes, misfits
We'd like to go to town but we can't risk it, oh
'Cause they just wanna keep us out
You could end up with a smack in the mouth
Just for standing out, now, really
Brothers, sisters, can't you see?
The future's owned by you and me
There won't be fighting in the street
They think they've got us beat
But revenge is going to be so sweet, oh-oh-oh
We're making a move, we're making it now
We're coming out of the sidelines
Just put your hands up, it's a raid, yeah
We want your homes, we want your lives
We want the things you won't allow us
We won't use guns, we won't use bombs
We'll use the one thing we've got more of
That's our minds
Check your lucky numbers
That much money could drag you under, oh
What's the point in being rich
If you can't think what to do with it?
'Cause you're so bleeding thick
Oh, we weren't supposed to be
We learnt too much at school
Now we can't help but see
That the future that you've got mapped out
Is nothing much to shout about, oh-oh-oh
We're making a move, we're making it now
We're coming out of the sidelines
Just put your hands up, it's a raid, yeah
We want your homes, we want your lives
We want the things you won't allow us
We won't use guns, we won't use bombs
We'll use the one thing we've got more of
That's our minds
And brothers, sisters, can't you see?
The future's owned by you and me
There won't be fighting in the street
They think they've got us beat
But revenge is gonna be so sweet
We're making a move, we're making it now
We're coming out of the sidelines
Just put your hands up, it's a raid, yeah
We want your homes, we want your lives
We want the things you won't allow us
We won't use guns, we won't use bombs
We'll use the one thing we've got more of
That's our minds, yeah
And that's our minds, yeah
Pulp's "Mis-Shapes" is a powerful anthem that speaks to the experiences of those who are viewed as misfits, outcasts, or outsiders due to their perceived differences from the majority. The song highlights the impact of societal norms and prejudices on those who fall outside of them, as well as the potential for resistance, rebellion, and revolution in the face of oppression.
The lyrics describe the misshapes, mistakes, and misfits who have been raised on a diet of broken biscuits, or less than ideal circumstances. They don't look or act like the norm, but they still live in the same community as everyone else. However, they face exclusion and violence simply for being different, and are unable to fully participate in the society they live in. The song calls on these outsiders to unite and recognize their power to shape the future, to rise up against those who would keep them down, and to use their minds as a weapon instead of resorting to violence.
The song's message is a call to action for anyone who has ever felt like they don't quite fit in, as well as a condemnation of the forces that marginalize and bully them. By framing this experience in the context of a broader struggle for social justice, "Mis-Shapes" offers a message of hope and solidarity to those who feel isolated or powerless.
Line by Line Meaning
Misshapes, mistakes, misfits
We are the outsiders, the ones who don't fit in, who have made mistakes and feel like we don't belong
Raised on a diet of broken biscuits, oh
We have grown up with less, with things that are broken and imperfect
We don't look the same as you
We don't fit the mold of what society thinks we should look like
And we don't do the things you do
We don't conform to society's expectations and norms
But we live around here, too, oh really
Despite being different, we live in the same place and want to be treated with respect and acceptance
We'd like to go to town but we can't risk it, oh
We are afraid to go out and be ourselves because we fear being attacked or excluded
'Cause they just wanna keep us out
Society wants to exclude us and keep us from being equal members of the community
You could end up with a smack in the mouth
If we stand out too much, we might be physically attacked or verbally abused
Just for standing out, now, really
Being different shouldn't make us targets for discrimination or violence
Brothers, sisters, can't you see?
We are all in this together, and we need to stand up for our rights and fight for a better future
The future's owned by you and me
We have the power to create the future we want, and we can do it together
There won't be fighting in the street
If we work together and fight for our rights, we can create a better future without violence
They think they've got us beat
Those in power think they have control over us and can keep us down, but we will not be defeated
But revenge is going to be so sweet, oh-oh-oh
Our revenge will be proving them wrong and creating a better future for ourselves and those who come after us
We're making a move, we're making it now
We are taking action and making changes happen now
We're coming out of the sidelines
We are no longer content to sit back and watch from the sidelines, we are stepping up and taking control
Just put your hands up, it's a raid, yeah
We are staging a protest, a movement to fight for our rights and demand change
We want your homes, we want your lives
We want equality, justice, and the same opportunities as everyone else
We want the things you won't allow us
We want the same rights and freedoms that others take for granted
We won't use guns, we won't use bombs
We will use peaceful methods to achieve change and progress, not violence or destruction
We'll use the one thing we've got more of
Our minds and the power of our collective voice and action to effect change
That's our minds
Our power and strength come from our minds and our ability to think, create, and change the world
Check your lucky numbers
People who focus only on material possessions and wealth may miss out on the important things in life
That much money could drag you under, oh
The pursuit of wealth and money can lead to unhappiness, stress, and negative consequences
What's the point in being rich
Being rich doesn't necessarily bring happiness or fulfillment
If you can't think what to do with it?
The wealth that someone has may not bring them any meaningful purpose or direction in life
'Cause you're so bleeding thick
People who focus solely on material possessions are missing out on the important things in life and may be seen as ignorant or foolish
Oh, we weren't supposed to be
Society has a narrow view of who is supposed to succeed and who is supposed to fail
We learnt too much at school
We have education, knowledge, and insight that others may not have or value
Now we can't help but see
We have a greater awareness and understanding of the world around us, and it motivates us to make change
That the future that you've got mapped out
The future that those in power have envisioned is not one that we want to be a part of, and we demand a different future
Is nothing much to shout about, oh-oh-oh
The future that we are promised is bleak and uninspired, and we want more for ourselves and future generations
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Candida Doyle, Jarvis Branson Cocker, Mark Andrew Webber, Nick Banks, Russell Senior, Stephen Patrick Mackey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind