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
Have You Seen Her Lately?
Pulp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now he's moved inside your head.
And he directs all the dreams you are dreaming.
I saw a friend of yours today,
she called me over just to say,
"I dunno if you've seen her lately but God she's looking rough".
No don't go round to see him tonight,
Find something else to do with your time,
and do it quickly while you've still got the chance.
Do you think he'll fall apart?
Do you think you'll break his heart?
If you leave him on his own.
You are dreaming.
'cause he can fasten all his clothes,
tie his laces,
blow his nose.
It's time to teach him how to walk,
yeah, teach your baby how to walk away.
No don't go round to see him tonight,
he's already made such a mess of your life.
Find something else to do with your time,
and do it quickly while you've still got the chance.
You're not his mother,
you're not sister & brother.
He's not even your lover.
He's just a piece of luggage you should throw away.
No don't go round to see him tonight,
he's already made such a mess of your life.
Find something else to do with your time,
and do it quickly while you've still got the chance.
No don't go round tonight,
you'll never make it right.
He's already made such a mess of your life.
Find something else to do with your time,
and do it quickly while you've still got the chance.
The song "Have You Seen Her Lately" by Pulp is a cautionary tale of a woman who has become involved with a man who is toxic and controlling. The first few lines indicate that the man has managed to infiltrate the woman's thoughts and dreams, indicating that he has a significant hold over her. The singer then mentions a friend who has seen the woman recently and noted that she is not doing well, presumably due to the relationship. The chorus then repeats the message of warning to the woman not to go see the man tonight and to find something else to do with her time.
The second verse suggests that the woman may be considering leaving the man but is perhaps worried about how he will fare without her. The singer dismisses this concern as the man is capable of taking care of himself and performing basic tasks such as dressing himself and blowing his nose. The final verse offers a final push for the woman to leave the man behind, as he is not family nor a true romantic partner and is better off leaving behind.
Overall, the song offers a powerful warning against getting involved with people who have the potential to bring chaos and negativity into one's life. It can be interpreted as a warning to women to be wary of men who attempt to control them, as well as a reminder that it is important to prioritize one's own well-being and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
First you let him in your bed.
You allowed him into your most intimate space.
Now he's moved inside your head.
He has taken up a permanent residence in your thoughts.
And he directs all the dreams you are dreaming.
He is controlling your subconscious and influencing your desires.
I saw a friend of yours today, she called me over just to say, "I dunno if you've seen her lately but God she's looking rough".
Someone who cares about you is worried about your well-being and appearance because of the impact this relationship has on you.
No don't go round to see him tonight, he's already made such a mess of your life. Find something else to do with your time, and do it quickly while you've still got the chance.
It's best to avoid him because he has caused irreparable harm in your life. Focus on other activities before it's too late.
Do you think he'll fall apart? Do you think you'll break his heart? If you leave him on his own. You are dreaming.
Don't be fooled into thinking he can't handle life without you or that you'll hurt him by leaving. He's not your responsibility.
'cause he can fasten all his clothes, tie his laces, blow his nose. It's time to teach him how to walk, yeah, teach your baby how to walk away.
He's capable of taking care of himself, so it's time to cut him loose and teach him how to live without depending on you.
You're not his mother, you're not sister & brother. He's not even your lover. He's just a piece of luggage you should throw away.
You don't have any familial or romantic obligation to him. He's just excess baggage that needs to be discarded.
No don't go round tonight, you'll never make it right. He's already made such a mess of your life. Find something else to do with your time, and do it quickly while you've still got the chance.
There's no fixing what he's done to you, so don't bother trying. Focus on moving on and finding happiness elsewhere before it's too late.
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