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
Whiskey In The Jar
Pulp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I met Captain Farrell and his money he
Was countin'
I first produced my pistol and then produced my wager
I said stand and
Deliver or the devil he may take ya
Oh ring dumb a doo dumb a da
Wept for my daddy-o
Wept for my daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar-o
I took all of his money and it was a
Pretty penny
I took all of his money and I brought it home to Molly
She swore that
She'd love me, never would she leave me
But the devil take that woman 'Cause you know she
Tricks me easy
Oh ring dumb a doo dumb a da
Wept for my daddy-o
Wept for my daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar-o
Being drunk and weary I went to Molly's chamber
I lay
Down on the bed and I never knew the danger
For about six or maybe seven in walked
Captain Farrell
I jumped up, grabbed hold of my pistols and I shot him with both barrels
Oh ring dumb a doo dumb a da
Wept for my daddy-o
Wept for my daddy-o
There's whiskey
In the jar-o
Now some men like fishin' and some men like a fowlin'
And some men like
Ta hear a cannon ball a rollin'
Me I like sleepin' specially in my Molly's chamber
But
Here I am in prison, here I am with a ball and chain yeah
Oh ring dumb a doo dumb a da
Wept for my daddy-o
Wept for my daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar-o
Ahlalalala,
Lalala...
The song "Whiskey in the Jar" by Pulp is a cover of an old Irish traditional song. It tells the story of a man who meets Captain Farrell while crossing the Cork and Kerry mountains. After a conversation with the captain, the singer robs him of his money and takes it home to his lover Molly. However, the singer is double-crossed by Molly and is subsequently captured and imprisoned for killing Captain Farrell. The chorus "Wept for my daddy-o, wept for my daddy-o, there's whiskey in the jar-o" repeats throughout the song, indicating the singer's grief for his lost freedom and the comfort of whiskey.
The lyrics of this song are steeped in Irish folklore and culture. The phrase "whiskey in the jar" is a reference to an old Irish custom, where people would hide whiskey in jars to keep it safe from tax collectors. The song also includes Irish dialect and includes phrases such as "Ring dum-a-do dum-a-da". The story of the song has been adapted and reinterpreted by several artists, including Thin Lizzy, Metallica, and Grateful Dead.
Line by Line Meaning
As I was goin' over the Cork and Kerry mountains
I was crossing over the Cork and Kerry mountains
I met Captain Farrell and his money he Was countin'
I ran into Captain Farrell who was counting his money
I first produced my pistol and then produced my wager
I pulled out my gun and bet Captain Farrell he'd be dead soon
I said stand and Deliver or the devil he may take ya
I told Captain Farrell to hand over his money or he'd die
Oh ring dumb a doo dumb a da
Singing a nonsense refrain
Wept for my daddy-o
Crying over my father
There's whiskey in the jar-o
I have whiskey in my jar
I took all of his money and it was a Pretty penny
I stole all his money, it was a lot
I took all of his money and I brought it home to Molly
I took the money to my lover, Molly
She swore that She'd love me, never would she leave me
Molly promised to love me forever
But the devil take that woman 'Cause you know she Tricks me easy
But she easily deceives me, I curse her
Being drunk and weary I went to Molly's chamber
Drunk and tired, I went to Molly's bedroom
I lay Down on the bed and I never knew the danger
I didn't suspect anything wrong as I lay down
For about six or maybe seven in walked Captain Farrell
Captain Farrell unexpectedly appeared in the room
I jumped up, grabbed hold of my pistols and I shot him with both barrels
I quickly stood up, took out my guns, and shot him twice
Now some men like fishin' and some men like a fowlin'
Some like to fish, others prefer hunting
And some men like Ta hear a cannon ball a rollin'
And some prefer the sound of a cannonball
Me I like sleepin' specially in my Molly's chamber
I, instead, like sleeping in Molly's room
But Here I am in prison, here I am with a ball and chain yeah
But now I'm incarcerated, punished for my actions
Ahlalalala, Lalala...
Continuing the song with a nonsensical melody
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Philip Parris Lynott, Eric Bell, Brian Michael Downey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind