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
My Erection
Pulp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I get lost I'm gonna follow my erection
I don't need no compass
I don't need no map
Just gonna follow Cyclops
Sat right here in my lap
When I get lost & can't find my direction
When I get lost I'm gonna follow my erection
The song “My Erection” by Pulp is a witty and tongue-in-cheek exploration of male sexuality and how it can be a guide when everything else fails. The lyrics speak to the idea that sometimes men can become lost, both metaphorically and literally, and that in those moments, their erections can become a compass of sorts, leading them down the right path. The song’s opening lines set the tone for what’s to come, with the singer proclaiming that when he gets lost and can’t find his way, he’s going to follow his erection. The line is a clear assertion of the fact that male sexuality can be a powerful driving force that can help men navigate the complexities of the world around them.
Throughout the rest of the song, the lyrics continue to play off this idea, with the singer declaring that he doesn’t need a compass or a map – all he needs is his erection. He even references the mythological character Cyclops, who famously only had one eye, comparing him to his own phallus. While the song is certainly humorous, it also speaks to a larger truth about the ways in which male sexuality can be a potent force in guiding men through life’s obstacles. Whether intentional or not, the song ultimately offers a subtle challenge to traditional notions of masculinity, suggesting that perhaps embracing one’s sexuality, and even following it when lost, can be a sign of strength and empowerment.
Line by Line Meaning
When I get lost & I can't find my direction
When I am unsure and lack guidance
When I get lost I'm gonna follow my erection
I will follow my carnal desires instead
I don't need no compass
I do not require a tool for navigation
I don't need no map
Nor do I need a route or course to follow
Just gonna follow Cyclops
I intend to pursue my one-eyed wonder
Sat right here in my lap
Which is currently at my fingertips
When I get lost & can't find my direction
When I am at a complete loss
When I get lost I'm gonna follow my erection
I will rely on my physical impulses
Contributed by David V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.