'We wanted to write a song that would be fantastic forever'

Thirty years ago, a song called Common People was released by the British band Pulp, and it quickly became a significant part of music history. The lead singer, Jarvis Cocker, shared that the inspiration for the song came from his experiences when he moved from Sheffield to London. He noticed many changes in society and wanted to express those feelings through music. Common People is a song that shines a light on class differences and the political landscape of Britain in the 1990s. The song lasts for five minutes and fifty-one seconds, and its catchy melody has made it a favorite among listeners even today. When the band was working on the song in early 1995, they faced some challenges. Some members initially dismissed the song's main riff as 'a bit rubbish. ' However, Jarvis believed in its potential. He had written the keyboard part the previous year, and while he thought it was catchy, he did not see it as a masterpiece at the time. Only Candida Doyle, the keyboardist, recognized its greatness right away, saying it was 'great straight away. ' The band struggled to find the right tempo during rehearsals. Drummer Nick Banks explained that they kept speeding up, which made it difficult to maintain a steady rhythm. When they tried to slow it down, the song became 'slow and ponderous,' and the band members found themselves bored. Eventually, they decided to embrace the changes in speed, which added excitement to the song. Nick described it as 'building like a runaway train,' which became a key element of its success. The energy and driving force of Common People are part of what has made it an enduring hit. The lyrics tell a compelling story that resonates with many listeners. The song begins with a girl from Greece who has a thirst for knowledge and studies sculpture at St Martin's College. Jarvis wrote the song shortly after moving to London, and he reflected on the differences between life in the north and the south of England. He observed the presence of wealth and the struggles of working-class life. The muse for the song was a Greek student named Danae Stratou, who was the only Greek student of sculpture at St Martin's College at that time. Despite its popularity, Common People did not reach number one on the charts. Instead, it was beaten by Robson Green and Jerome Flynn's rendition of Unchained Melody. Nick Banks recalled the moment they learned they were number two while waiting backstage at a live BBC Radio One chart rundown. As the rain poured down, they waited for their turn to perform, and when they were announced as number two, Jarvis, wearing high heels, slipped and fell while trying to perform. It was a humorous moment that highlighted their close call with the top spot. Music historian Jonathan Rice noted that Common People is among a list of hit singles that never reached number one but have stood the test of time. He stated that the song defined a generation and captured the feelings of young people during that era. The song mixed celebration with anger, reflecting the mood of the country at the time. It was a period when people were tired of the government and wanted change. The catchy beat and powerful chorus made it memorable. Nicola Dibben, a music professor, emphasized that Common People captures the essence of being poor and critiques 'class tourism. ' Jarvis's clever lyrics draw listeners into the story, making it relatable. The song gained even more fame when Pulp performed at Glastonbury, a major music festival. They stepped in to replace another band and delivered an unforgettable performance. Jarvis addressed the massive crowd, encouraging them to believe in their dreams. Now, thirty years later, Pulp is preparing to tour again, and Nick Banks believes that Common People remains a great song that energizes listeners. He stated that it still sounds fresh and serves as a valuable social commentary. Reflecting on the song's enduring success, Candida Doyle remarked, 'I wish we could write a song that would be fantastic forever, and then I thought, 'Oh, we have.