Lyrically, the album encompasses subjects for which Pulp were to become well known, including sexual encounters, social class and voyeurism. Robyn Strachan retrospectively describes the opener "Joyriders" as setting the tone for the album with "acerbic observation and lurking seediness and decay". "She's a Lady" takes much of its musical inspiration from Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive". The album closer, "David's Last Summer", is notable as being one of Pulp's most narrative songs, delivered entirely in spoken word apart from the chorus despite being an uptempo track.
The CD edition of the album included a new remixed version of the song “Babies”, the original version of which was previously released as a single in 1992. The album was preceded with two singles: "Lipgloss" and "Do You Remember the First Time?". The new mix of "Babies" was also released as a single as part of the Sisters EP. The album was a long-awaited breakthrough for Pulp in the UK becoming their first charting album reaching #9 and later certified Gold. A CD Deluxe edition of His 'n' Hers was released on 11 September 2006. It contained a second disc of B-sides, demos and rarities. The vinyl version of the Deluxe edition was released in 2012.
Joyriders
Pulp Lyrics
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Past the Leisure Center, left at the lights.
We don't look for trouble,
But if it comes we don't run.
Looking out for trouble,
Is what we call fun.
Hey you, you in the Jesus sandals,
Wouldn't you like to come
Over and watch some vandals smashing up someone's home?
We can't help it, we're so thick we can't think,
Can't think of anything but shit, sleep and drink.
Oh, and we like women;
"Up the women" we say,
And if we get lucky,
We might even meet some one day.
Hey you, you in the Jesus sandals,
Wouldn't you like to come
Over and watch some vandals smashing up someone's home?
Mister, we just want your car,
'Cause we're taking a girl to the reservoir.
Oh, all the papers say,
It's a tragedy, but don't you want to come and see?
Mister, we just want your car,
'Cause we're taking a girl to the reservoir.
Oh, all the papers say,
It's a tragedy, but don't you want to come and see?
Mister, we just want your car,
'Cause we're taking a girl to the reservoir.
Oh, all the papers say,
It's a tragedy, but don't you want to come and see?
Mister, we just want your car,
'Cause we're taking a girl to the reservoir.
Oh, all the papers say,
It's a tragedy, but don't you want to come and see?
The song "Joyriders" by Pulp captures the hedonistic and reckless lifestyle of a group of young people who find fun in driving around at night, looking out for trouble, and getting drunk. The lyrics describe their weekend adventures, driving past the leisure center and not seeking out any trouble but not running from it when it comes. In fact, they claim that looking for trouble is what they consider to be fun. The lyrics specifically reference one person, identified as wearing Jesus sandals, inviting them to come along and watch some vandals smashing up someone's home. The song is not glamorous, and the singer admits that they can only think about a few basic things: "shit, sleep, and drink," but they also like women and hope to meet some someday.
The lyrics take a darker turn in the chorus, where the young people in the car apparently spot a man with a car and decide to steal it to take a girl to the reservoir. They offer the man an invitation to come and see the "tragedy" in hopes of making light of the serious crime they are committing. The lyrics are written from the perspective of the young people involved in the joyriding, and they portray a sense of youthful recklessness, boredom, and desperation for excitement that leads them to take risks and do dangerous things.
Overall, "Joyriders" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of meaningless rebellion and the consequences of thoughtless behavior. The song reminds its listeners that youthful recklessness can sometimes have serious consequences and that there is real danger in seeking out trouble.
Line by Line Meaning
We like driving on a Saturday night,
We enjoy driving around on Saturday nights.
Past the Leisure Center, left at the lights.
We usually drive past the Leisure Center and turn left at the lights.
We don't look for trouble,
We are not intentionally looking for trouble.
But if it comes we don't run.
But if we encounter trouble, we won't back down from it.
Looking out for trouble,
Actively seeking trouble.
Is what we call fun.
We actually enjoy getting into trouble.
Hey you, you in the Jesus sandals,
Hey, you with the religious-looking sandals,
Wouldn't you like to come
Wouldn't you want to join us
Over and watch some vandals smashing up someone's home?
To watch some people destroying someone's property?
We can't help it, we're so thick we can't think,
We can't help it, we're not very intelligent people.
Can't think of anything but shit, sleep and drink.
We are not capable of much thought beyond basic bodily functions and alcohol consumption.
Oh, and we like women;
We are also attracted to women;
"Up the women" we say,
We have a crude saying about women.
And if we get lucky,
And if we are fortunate enough
We might even meet some one day.
We might even find a woman to have relations with someday.
Mister, we just want your car,
Excuse me, we are interested in taking your car,
'Cause we're taking a girl to the reservoir.
Because we are planning on taking a girl to the reservoir in your car.
Oh, all the papers say,
Though news reports state
It's a tragedy, but don't you want to come and see?
It's a tragic situation, but don't you want to witness it?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Candida Doyle, Jarvis Branson Cocker, Nick Banks, Russell Senior, Stephen Patrick Mackey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind