After You
Pulp Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

On the last night on earth when the horses run free
The scriptures foretell of a party in Hackney
In a dimly lit room crammed with loathing and hate
They're selling their souls and I just can't wait

I shrivel inside at the sight of her beauty
I fall to the floor as she's shaking her booty
The rain makes me shiver, the wind turns me blue
Oh the things we get up to, to get through the night after you

I knew it was wrong, I began to suspect
When she reached over and pressed the eject
I was up to the gunnels against your advice
I felt so ashamed that I did it twice

From disco to disco, from Safeway to Tesco
We're shopping around from the cradle til death row
From Tesco it's down to the 7-11
To chase through the night time, to chase through the night after you
After you

I can't explain why I need to be free
But if you need to be naked that's alright by me
It's the fast track express to the graveyard, I know
So what are you waiting for? Hey ho, let's go

From disco to disco; from Safeway to tesco
We're shopping around from the cradle til death row
Don't stop til the train has pulled into the station
I'll hold the door for you no, I insist, after you




After you
After you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Pulp's song "After You" are filled with vivid and imaginative imagery that suggests a night of recklessness and abandon. The song begins by referencing the "last night on earth," a time when the horses are said to run free, and describes a party in Hackney that is filled with "loathing and hate." Despite the negativity that seems to surround this event, the singer is eager to attend as they believe that people at the party will be "selling their souls."


The second stanza introduces a female character that the singer finds captivating, but also intimidating. They explain that they "shrivel inside" at the sight of her beauty and "fall to the floor" when she starts to dance. The weather also gets increasingly harsh, with rain causing shivers and winds making the singer cold. Despite the discomfort, they seem willing to endure it all for the chance to be with this woman, even if it means engaging in some unsavory behavior to make it through the night.


The song's third stanza touches on themes of consumerism and seeking pleasure at any cost. The singer lists several locations, from discos to grocery stores, suggesting that they are constantly searching for something to fill the void in their life. They seem aware that this lifestyle is ultimately leading them to an early grave, but they are not willing to stop until they have attained some fleeting moment of satisfaction.


Overall, "After You" is a bleak yet strangely alluring depiction of a night spent pursuing pleasure and escape. It portrays a world where people are willing to do almost anything to avoid facing the emptiness of their existence.


Line by Line Meaning

On the last night on earth when the horses run free
On the final day of existence with no inhibitions


The scriptures foretell of a party in Hackney
Biblical texts described a gathering in a London borough


In a dimly lit room crammed with loathing and hate
A poorly illuminated space filled with disgust and animosity


They're selling their souls and I just can't wait
People sacrificing morals and principles for fun


I shrivel inside at the sight of her beauty
I feel small and inadequate upon seeing her attractiveness


I fall to the floor as she's shaking her booty
I am overwhelmed by her dancing and fall to the ground


The rain makes me shiver, the wind turns me blue
The weather causes me to feel cold and uneasy


Oh the things we get up to, to get through the night after you
The things we do to pass the time after being with you


I knew it was wrong, I began to suspect
I had an inkling that our actions were not morally right


When she reached over and pressed the eject
When she stopped the music abruptly by hitting the eject button


I was up to the gunnels against your advice
I went beyond what was recommended, and I regret it


I felt so ashamed that I did it twice
I was so embarrassed that I repeated my mistake


From disco to disco, from Safeway to Tesco
From one club to another, from one supermarket to another


We're shopping around from the cradle til death row
We're constantly looking for new experiences from birth to death


From Tesco it's down to the 7-11
From one supermarket chain to another


To chase through the night time, to chase through the night after you
To pursue something or someone throughout the night


I can't explain why I need to be free
I am unable to articulate why I desire freedom


But if you need to be naked that's alright by me
If being nude is what you need, I have no issues with it


It's the fast track express to the graveyard, I know
I am aware that living a reckless lifestyle leads to death


So what are you waiting for? Hey ho, let's go
Let's not waste any time, let's get going


From disco to disco; from Safeway to tesco
Continuing to explore various places


We're shopping around from the cradle til death row
We're constantly seeking new things from birth to death


Don't stop til the train has pulled into the station
Keep going until the journey is over


I'll hold the door for you no, I insist, after you
I'll let you go first, it's my pleasure


After you
Please go ahead




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Candida Doyle, Jarvis Branson Cocker, Mark Andrew Webber, Nick Banks, Stephen Patrick Mackey

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions