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
Silence
Pulp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could say
I could say or do
just whatever I liked
You would
you would not
You would not answer
that's alright
Oh
I can't believe in the morning of your silence
You will never cut
you will never cut the threads of our alliance
You can
you can deny
you can deny that I was anything to you
But I know
I know in my mind
I can see the scars
the scars I've left on you
I can't believe in the morning of your silence
You will never cut
you will never cut the threads of our alliance
When we are passed in the street
You can try and cover it up with whatever you like
Lipstick, mascara, that kind of thing
You won't fool me
you won't fool anyone
They'll take one look at you
and they'll know the kind of person they're dealing with
You can laugh about it
you can pretend that you weren't involved
But you know what went on in that room that night
You know what was said
and you know you'll never forget
I hate the sight of the face I have destroyed through our alliance
I won't forget how loved I once was and how much I loved your eyes
So the bedroom becomes a funeral parlour once again
See the corpse of former feeling laid out stiff and white for all to see
So
this is the end
But we'll still be good friends, won't we?
We'll still be good friends, won't we?
We'll still be good friends, won't we?
Goodbye.
The song "Silence" by Pulp is a melancholic reflection on a shattered relationship. The lyrics communicate a sense of hopelessness and resignation to the fact that the two people involved will never be able to mend what has been broken. The opening lines of the song suggest an initial period of bliss, where the singer feels free to say and do whatever they want. However, this feeling is temporary, and they are forced to confront the harsh reality that their partner is no longer interested in them. The chorus, "I can't believe in the morning of your silence," sums up this feeling of disbelief and confusion as the singer struggles to come to terms with what has happened.
The second verse reveals that the singer knows they have caused harm to their partner, even if the other person denies it. The scars left behind, both physical and emotional, are impossible to ignore. The song suggests that the singer is tormented by the memory of what they have done and the knowledge that they can never fully make amends. The final verse introduces a note of bitterness as the singer sees their former lover trying to move on with their life. The imagery of covering up with lipstick and mascara and pretending that nothing has happened only serves to highlight the futility of their attempts at denial. The song ends with the singer acknowledging that the relationship is truly over, but still holding out hope that they can remain friends.
Line by Line Meaning
At first
Initially, I had the freedom to do or say anything that I wanted.
I could say
I had the power to express myself freely.
I could say or do
I was able to act or speak without any restrictions.
just whatever I liked
I had complete control over my actions and words.
You would
You possessed a particular trait or characteristic.
you would not
You lacked a particular trait or characteristic.
You would not answer
You chose to disregard my words or actions.
that's alright
It is acceptable and not a problem.
Oh
An expression denoting surprise, excitement or lamentation.
I can't believe in the morning of your silence
It is shocking that you chose to remain silent in response to my actions or words.
You will never cut
You will not sever the bonds between us.
you will never cut the threads of our alliance
You will not break the connection between us.
You can deny
You have the ability to refuse to acknowledge the truth.
you can deny that I was anything to you
You have the power to deny my significance in your life.
But I know
I am aware and certain.
I know in my mind
I am confident in my thoughts and feelings.
I can see the scars
I am able to recognize the emotional wounds I have caused on you.
the scars I've left on you
The emotional pain and hurt that I have inflicted upon you.
When we are passed in the street
When we encounter each other in public.
You can try and cover it up with whatever you like
You can attempt to conceal your true feelings with various means.
Lipstick, mascara, that kind of thing
Cosmetics that are used for beautification or concealment purposes.
You won't fool me
You are not able to deceive or trick me.
you won't fool anyone
Your deception or facade is transparent to others.
They'll take one look at you
People will quickly assess and judge you based on your appearance or behavior.
and they'll know the kind of person they're dealing with
They will have a clear understanding of your character and tendencies.
You can laugh about it
You can find amusement or humor in the situation.
you can pretend that you weren't involved
You can feign ignorance or deny any responsibility in the matter.
But you know what went on in that room that night
You are fully aware of the events and conversations that took place in that specific setting and time.
You know what was said
You are knowledgeable of the words spoken in that particular context.
and you know you'll never forget
Your memory and recollection of the past events are indelible.
I hate the sight of the face I have destroyed through our alliance
I detest the image of the person I have harmed and ruined through our connection.
I won't forget how loved I once was and how much I loved your eyes
I will always remember the intensity of the love that we had for each other.
So the bedroom becomes a funeral parlour once again
The place where we once shared intimacy and tenderness now feels cold and quiet.
See the corpse of former feeling laid out stiff and white for all to see
The evidence of the dead emotions and affection is visible and exposed for everyone to witness.
So this is the end
This marks the conclusion or termination of our relationship.
But we'll still be good friends, won't we?
We will maintain a positive and supportive relationship despite the end of our romantic connection.
Goodbye.
A farewell expression signifying the end of our association.
Contributed by Cooper E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Moon Raven
it honestly sounds like someone singing at a wedding, but getting progressively more drunk and falling into a deep depression reflecting on his own life.
Wyrtha
I can think of no better way to wrap up Podquistion #100. Truly a masterpiece
Christopher Doty
Thank You, Jim Sterling, for getting this stuck in my head all day at work today (ㅎ_ㅎ) sigh… 😙
luis cardenas
this is a really great song by pulp...
brutalbunny
jesus christ, my taste in music is skewed as hell, i guess. i genuinely dig this song.
Jammish
i'm not overly fond of nightcore, but running this through a nightcore maker is amazing
Matt571
I quite like Silence and I was pleased when I finally heard it in 2009.
Pandy's Oubliette
I'm here because of Jim Sterling. I'd never heard of this track (Or anything before A Different Class)
Tarvu
@TAB CHANLE He mentioned it again on the latest Boston's Favorite Son (episode 44) as being the song he would take on Jonathan's podcast about bad songs.
TAB CHANLE
where did he mention this song?