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
Weeds
Pulp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wound up in some holding camp somewhere outside Leeds.
Because we do not care to fight, my friends - we are the weeds.
Because we got no homes they call us smelly refugees.
We are weeds, vegetation, dense undergrowth.
Through' cracks in the pavement: there weeds will grow
The places you don't go.
This cut-price dairy produce that turns our bones to dust.
You want some entertainment?
Go on, shove it up me - if you must.
Make believe you're so turned on by planting trees & shrubs
But you come round to visit us when you fancy booze 'n' drugs.
We are weeds, vegetation, dense undergrowth.
Through' cracks in the pavement: there weeds will grow
The places you don't go.
If you think it's a crime
We'd like to get you out of your mind.
It's just a matter of time, yeah
We'd like to get you out of your mind.
Gonna cut you down in your prime, yeah
We'd like to get you out of your mind.
For a little time: for all time.
Weed.
The song "Weeds" by Pulp starts with a description of the singer's journey across the North Sea to an unknown location, possibly outside Leeds, where he finds himself in a holding camp along with his fellow refugees. The group is identified as "weeds" because they are unwanted, neglected, and seen as a nuisance. They are compared to the vegetation that grows in the cracks of the pavement, in remote and abandoned areas that receive no visitors.
The second verse denounces the poor quality of the food that is served in the camp, which is responsible for the refugees' poor health and weakened state. The singer then addresses the listener directly, challenging their hypocrisy and lack of empathy. He accuses them of pretending to care about the environment and humanity, while in reality, they only come around to the refugee camp to indulge in vices.
The chorus reiterates the idea that the refugees are like weeds, and that they are perfectly content with their state. The song concludes with a somewhat menacing repetition of the phrase "We'd like to get you out of your mind", as if the singer wants to turn the tables on his audience and expose their inner demons.
Line by Line Meaning
We came across the North Sea with our carriers on our knees
We travelled across the North Sea with our luggage, with little comfort.
Wound up in some holding camp somewhere outside Leeds.
We ended up in a detention camp posted away from Leeds.
Because we do not care to fight, my friends - we are the weeds.
We are passive and choose not to engage in any conflict, therefore, we are the ignored and unwanted.
Because we got no homes they call us smelly refugees.
Since we do not have a place to call home, they refer to us as unpleasant refugees.
This cut-price dairy produce that turns our bones to dust.
The cheap dairy products we consume weaken our bones, bringing us closer to death.
You want some entertainment?
Are you looking for some fun?
Go on, shove it up me - if you must.
If you feel the need, then proceed to do so. It does not matter.
Make believe you're so turned on by planting trees & shrubs
Pretend that planting trees and shrubs excites you.
But you come round to visit us when you fancy booze 'n' drugs.
You only visit us when you want to indulge in alcohol and drugs.
If you think it's a crime
If you deem it unacceptable.
We'd like to get you out of your mind.
We wish to change your perspective.
It's just a matter of time, yeah
It will not take long.
We'd like to get you out of your mind.
Once again, we hope to change your mindset.
Gonna cut you down in your prime, yeah
We will destroy you when you least expect it and at the peak of your power.
We'd like to get you out of your mind.
We reiterate our wish to change your thinking.
For a little time: for all time.
Even if it only lasts for a short while, it will be forever ingrained in your memory.
Weed.
A single affirmation of being nothing more than weeds, unwanted and ignored.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JARVIS BRANSON COCKER, STEPHEN PATRICK MACKEY, NICK BANKS, CANDIDA DOYLE, MARK ANDREW WEBBER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind