The perennial musical question from the 90s remains Oasis or Blur, but what if we told you there was a third correct answer? It’s true. The answer is Pulp, who are coming to Cardiff this month on a rare tour. Whether you only know the hits or are a true Pulp nerd, this quintet of songs chosen by Joshua Williams will have you salivating for more from Jarvis Cocker and co.
Common People
Of course, Common People is here. This class-consciousness rager off 1995’s Mercury Prize-winning Different Class is a truly timeless anthem, clocking in at nearly six minutes long, and remains one of the most iconic Britpop bangers to this day. It’s a dead cert to pop up in Cardiff along with many others from Different Class, including the almost equally iconic Disco 2000: we can’t bloody wait.
Razzmatazz
Released in 1993, Razzmatazz is one of those songs that helped draw the public’s attention finally to some of Sheffield’s favourite mis-shapes and remains a fan favourite to this day. It’s one of Jarvis Cocker’s many songs featuring the story of a tragic woman living a pitiful life after our narrator walks out, as well as a “brother” / “mother” rhyme (no “lover” here though). There are themes here that run through so many of Pulp’s songs, likewise Jarvis’ solo releases, but Razzmatazz remains one of the best. Will it be played in Cardiff? Well, it’s appeared on this tour, so fingers crossed.
My Lighthouse
Did you know that Pulp had three whole albums before they hit the mainstream consciousness with 1994 LP His ‘n’ Hers? My Lighthouse was the band’s first ever single in 1983, with Cocker the only person to remain in the band from these distant days. It’s a sweet acoustic song about “love and then lighthouses” and, all things considered, will probably not make it into the CIA this month. Still, it’s a nice song.
It’s A Dirty World
Like many of their Britpop contemporaries, Pulp had a knack for writing very good B-sides, including the likes of Seconds, Like A Friend, and P.T.A. However, this brilliant track – which really encompasses the dark seedy vibe of 1998’s comedown album This Is Hardcore – didn’t make it out of the vaults until a deluxe edition of the album was released in 2006. It’s never been played live but if the band wanted to give it its debut in Cardiff… we wouldn’t complain. Top-tier dirty Pulp.
After You
The question on almost everyone’s lips with any sort of band reunion is whether there will be any new material, and 2012’s After You is the closest we’ve gotten so far. Initially leaked as a demo from the We Love Life sessions, the band pulled it out of the archives with the help of James Murphy’s production and it was initially released as a free download to attendees of Pulp’s massive hometown show in December 2012 before getting a wider release a month later. The song drips in funky synths of the highest order: we’re very glad it has made its way into the world, and into Pulp’s 2023 setlists.
Pulp, Cardiff International Arena, Wed 12 July.
Tickets: £42.50-£80 (sold out). Info: here
words JOSHUA WILLIAMS
