Pulp disbanded in 2002 (although they have reformed on a number occasions since), but Cocker has been busy. In 2003, he re-emerged to promote a new album A Heavy Nite With... for his new band, Relaxed Muscle. 2005 then brought Cocker briefly back into the limelight with his contribution to the soundtrack for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. He also collaborated with and wrote lyrics for Nancy Sinatra's and Charlotte Gainsbourg's comeback albums.
Cocker embarked on a solo career under his own name with an album entitled Jarvis (2006). His sophomore effort Further Complications (produced by Steve Albini) was released in 2009.
Cocker released an album called Room 29 (2017) with Chilly Gonzales and then started a new band called Jarv is..., with which he released the critically acclaimed and very successful album Beyond the Pale (2020).
2021 saw the release of Chansons d'Ennui Tip-Top, which served as a companion release to the soundtrack for Wes Anderson's 2021 film, The French Dispatch. Cocker sang the songs in film character, the name of this character being Tip-Top, which explains why the album is sometimes simply referred to as Chansons d'Ennui, formally credited to Tip-Top.
More film music followed in 2022, as Cocker recorded the original soundtrack to the film This Is Going To Hurt. This where it gets complicated: the band name Jarv is... can be spotted on the artwork of This Is Going To Hurt (Original Soundtrack), but the score is listed on streaming platforms such as Spotify under Jarvis Cocker. As a matter of fact, the band name Jarv is... seems to have been dropped altogether, as all Jarv is... albums are now also listed under Jarvis Cocker.
Leftovers
Jarvis Cocker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I make no bones about it
I said if you wish to study dinosaurs,
I know a specimen whose interest is undoubted
Trapped in a body that is failing me
Well, please allow me to be succinct
I wanna love you whilst we both still have flesh upon our bones
That's what I told her: I wanna be your lover
And then I told her twice: I wanna be your lover
Well, he says that he loves you like a sister
Well I guess, I guess that's relative
He says that he wants to make love to you
Well instead of "to", shouldn't that be "with"?
Oh, I told you once: I wanna be your lover
And now I've told you twice: I wanna be your lover
And so I come to you filled with guilt and self-loathing
And I am praying that you could make me good
And so I fall upon your neck just like a vampire
Yeah, like a vampire who faints at the sight of blood
And I told you once: I wanna be your lover
I'm gonna say it again
And then I told you twice: I wanna be your lover
Well this is my CV and I've got no one else to blame
So I will state, state my case, I will state it again
Come and help yourself to leftovers
Got a little surplus love and affection
And getting cuddly, so won't you cuddle me?
I could be your teddy bear... oh yeah
I know I ain't no eligible bachelor
This is no mouthwatering proposition
Make no mistake, you're in big trouble, little lady
If we start a-hugging and a-kissing
And a-kissing, are you listening?
'Cause I told you once
And then I told you twice
And now I told you three times
And at the risk of repeating myself
I'm gonna say it again
Yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I wanna be your lover
The song Leftovers by Jarvis Cocker tells a story of a man who meets a woman at the museum of paleontology and tells her he wants to love her while they both still have flesh on their bones, before they both become extinct. He expresses his desire for her repeatedly. The lyrics are playful, with a touch of humor and a hint of desperation. The man presents himself as flawed, filled with guilt and self-loathing, and longs for the woman to make him good. He compares himself to a vampire who faints at the sight of blood, and at times he is uncertain, as he asks the woman if she is listening.
The song is an exploration of the human need for connection and companionship, the fear of being alone, and the inevitability of mortality. It also reflects Cocker's signature style of witty, observational lyrics and vivid storytelling.
Line by Line Meaning
I met her in the museum of paleontology
I first encountered this person in a place that deals with historical creatures and remnants.
And I make no bones about it
I am not hiding the fact that I am attracted to this person.
I said if you wish to study dinosaurs,
I know a specimen whose interest is undoubted
I suggested that instead of being fascinated by ancient creatures, they focus on a present-day individual who is definitely interesting.
Trapped in a body that is failing me
Well, please allow me to be succinct
I wanna love you whilst we both still have flesh upon our bones
Before we both become extinct
I am expressing a sense of urgency towards forming a romantic relationship with the individual before we grow old and die.
That's what I told her: I wanna be your lover
And then I told her twice: I wanna be your lover
I made it clear that I want to be more than just friends with this person, and I repeated my desire for emphasis.
Well, he says that he loves you like a sister
Well I guess, I guess that's relative
He says that he wants to make love to you
Well instead of "to", shouldn't that be "with"?
I am questioning the intentions of someone who claims to love the individual like a sibling but then expresses a sexual interest in them.
Oh, I told you once: I wanna be your lover
And now I've told you twice: I wanna be your lover
I am reiterating my desire for a romantic relationship with the individual.
And so I come to you filled with guilt and self-loathing
And I am praying that you could make me good
And so I fall upon your neck just like a vampire
Yeah, like a vampire who faints at the sight of blood
I approach this person with feelings of shame and the hope that they could somehow help me be a better person. I then express my affection for them through a vampire metaphor.
Well this is my CV and I've got no one else to blame
So I will state, state my case, I will state it again
I am taking responsibility for my past actions and presenting my case for why the individual should give me a chance.
Come and help yourself to leftovers
Got a little surplus love and affection
And getting cuddly, so won't you cuddle me?
I could be your teddy bear... oh yeah
I am offering the individual the opportunity to be with me romantically, despite my flaws, and suggesting that we could be affectionate partners.
I know I ain't no eligible bachelor
This is no mouthwatering proposition
Make no mistake, you're in big trouble, little lady
If we start a-hugging and a-kissing
And a-kissing, are you listening?
I am acknowledging that I am not the most desirable romantic partner and warning the individual that they may get more invested in me than intended if we engage in physical affection.
'Cause I told you once
And then I told you twice
And now I told you three times
And at the risk of repeating myself
I'm gonna say it again
I am emphasizing my desire for a romantic relationship with the individual and repeating it for emphasis.
Yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I wanna be your lover
I am expressing my strong desire to be with the individual romantically through a repeated chorus.
Contributed by Lauren Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Talk Show Host
I met her in the museum of paleontology
And I make no bones about it
I said if you wish to study dinosaurs
I know a specimen whose interest is undoubted
Trapped in a body that is failing me
Well, please allow me to be succinct
I wanna love you whilst we both still have flesh upon our bones
Before we both become extinct
That's what I told her: I wanna be your lover
And then I told her twice: I wanna be your lover
Well, he says that he loves you like a sister
Well I guess, I guess that's relative
He says that he wants to make love to you
Well instead of "to", shouldn't that be "with"?
Oh, I told you once: I wanna be your lover
And now I've told you twice: I wanna be your lover
And so I come to you filled with guilt and self-loathing
And I am praying that you could make me good
And so I fall upon your neck just like a vampire
Yeah, like a vampire who faints at the sight of blood
And I told you once: I wanna be your lover
I'm gonna say it again
And then I told you twice: I wanna be your lover
Well this is my CV and I've got no one else to blame
So I will state, state my case, I will state it again
Come and help yourself to leftovers
Got a little surplus love and affection
And getting cuddly, so won't you cuddle me?
I could be your teddy bear... oh yeah
I know I ain't no eligible bachelor
This is no mouthwatering proposition
Make no mistake, you're in big trouble, little lady
If we start a-hugging and a-kissing
And a-kissing, are you listening?
'Cause I told you once
And then I told you twice
And now I told you three times
And at the risk of repeating myself
I'm gonna say it again
Yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I wanna be your lover
pjorodogg
so we can realize that jarvis is one of the best musicians ever
Michael Mireles
Jarvis the Poet! he´s one of the best lyricists ever!
randomstuffandy
Gotta love Jarvis lyrics. I wonder how he feels years later? Probably the same! Good man.
Nadège Bidart
Such a great talent! Jarvis I love you ( in a friendly manner obviously !) I "know" you since PULP back in the 90's when ,as I a student, I first settled in GB and then I never stopped listening to you. You are so poetic, melancholic and your melodious ryhtm in your songs just pop it all !! I love it ! keep going; Your album with Chilly Gonzales is just fabulous. Jarvis, YOU ARE THE Artist !!
Steven B ́Ayron
And at the risk of repeating myself this Song is brilliant
Talk Show Host
I met her in the museum of paleontology
And I make no bones about it
I said if you wish to study dinosaurs
I know a specimen whose interest is undoubted
Trapped in a body that is failing me
Well, please allow me to be succinct
I wanna love you whilst we both still have flesh upon our bones
Before we both become extinct
That's what I told her: I wanna be your lover
And then I told her twice: I wanna be your lover
Well, he says that he loves you like a sister
Well I guess, I guess that's relative
He says that he wants to make love to you
Well instead of "to", shouldn't that be "with"?
Oh, I told you once: I wanna be your lover
And now I've told you twice: I wanna be your lover
And so I come to you filled with guilt and self-loathing
And I am praying that you could make me good
And so I fall upon your neck just like a vampire
Yeah, like a vampire who faints at the sight of blood
And I told you once: I wanna be your lover
I'm gonna say it again
And then I told you twice: I wanna be your lover
Well this is my CV and I've got no one else to blame
So I will state, state my case, I will state it again
Come and help yourself to leftovers
Got a little surplus love and affection
And getting cuddly, so won't you cuddle me?
I could be your teddy bear... oh yeah
I know I ain't no eligible bachelor
This is no mouthwatering proposition
Make no mistake, you're in big trouble, little lady
If we start a-hugging and a-kissing
And a-kissing, are you listening?
'Cause I told you once
And then I told you twice
And now I told you three times
And at the risk of repeating myself
I'm gonna say it again
Yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I wanna be your lover
Yuffie13
Awesome song. The lyrics are absolutely profound.
Tom Wittmann
I met her at the museum of paleontology, and I made no bones about it! 😂 Amazing line!
Izaak Bakker
hilarious parodious tribute to the artificial way that lou reed wrote <3
aetherealism
what an attractive man.