Yeah, I can imagine he's been asked to do this a lot over the years. Good to see him be as humble as ever in the interview. While, as often is the case, the interviewer's fawning/misjudging Jarvis' personality ''Tell us about the kinship you feel with Larkin''... and seeing Jarvis almost visibly squirm is quite amusing.

Faber are doing something similar on Nicky Wire of the Manics (more photo-related) and I think Brett Anderson has done something similar. Among his contemporaries Jarvis surely merits a project like this more than most.

I think it's also the nearest we'll ever get to a Cocker auto-biog. No purging of the soul for him like Morrissey has apparently been doing for his life-story (on F&F aswell?). It will be interesting to see what songs he puts in (a commentary on the inspiration to the songs to go with the lyrics would be great too...how likely is that I wonder?). Presumably this will extend to his solo work, otherwise I think brand ''Pulp'' would possibly feature in the title/subtitle.

Oh and the rhyming words of the title...how often has it (or at least two of the words) come up in Pulp songs? Death Comes To Town, Razzmatazz, Have You Seen Her Lately, Seconds, Disco 2000....quite a few then. Any more?

Should be interesting. But I'm a bit surprised, Jarvis himself has noted that song lyrics don't neccessarily work well when written as poetry.

NB: Please do not read the lyrics whilst listening to the recordings

 

Eamonn wrote:

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Oh and the rhyming words of the title...how often has it (or at least two of the words) come up in Pulp songs? Death Comes To Town, Razzmatazz, Have You Seen Her Lately, Seconds, Disco 2000....quite a few then. Any more?

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 Sheffield: Sex City, Don't Lose It

 

For some reason I feel kind of sad about this. Pulp enter the realm of glossy coffee table publications for grown-ups. It's the same thing with the new Owen Hatherley book (and to an even greater extent, the review on the 3am website) - the excerpts I've read are absolutely excellent and kind of sum up why Pulp meant so much to me than better than I ever could, whilst making some very valid and insightful criticisms. Yet isn't there something a bit disspiriting about seeing a band you grew up loving unconditionally now being subject to clinical academic dissection?

Oh well. That's the passing of time for you.

I'm pretty sure over the years that Jarvis has said 'No' to a lot more to things where money can be made from than he has agreed to. He's clearly flattered to have been asked by a prestigious label like FF even if they're perhaps not so exclusive and select in their publication choices these days.

As for Pulp being subject to academic discussion...well, when you write lyrics as well-observed and with some thought put into them like Jarvis did, it's not surprising that they prompt discussion among well-educated people. There's nothing wrong with that, indeed it's a compliment if anything. At times I do feel it's a bit OTT when you consider the amount of content in their songs that are largely about, and are inspired by, sex and base desires.

Steve Devereux wrote:

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It certainly means I can't put the site back up in its original form :)

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 Not sure anyone's browser would be old enough to view it if you did 

Am I missing the point of this book? What is there to be gained by popping them into a book when all the lyrics are completely accessible anyway? If you want the lyrics listen to the songs, or read the sleevenotes (but NOT at the same time of course - goes without saying). I wonder who this is marketed at?

-- Edited by anet on Thursday 30th of June 2011 09:56:05 PM

I really do understand - and myself feel - the "quite sad" nagging feeling of letting this all slide into the literati annals and domain, but making the most of the moment: I'm all for it!

I see it as a good sign: of Pulp finally realising their worth, and how they are missed, and pushing forwards using marketing and exposure, rather than keeping it at arm's length.

Pulp may well have finally (re)discovered their value, the art of marketing, and making the most of their position. If so, then we're in for a good few months (I hope years!), I reckon. So I view this a good shift in how things may pan out. Whilst vindication isn't (hopefully) on any agenda, this is a far more appealing prospect than number 76 in the album charts, nay?

And yep! That's my rule about posting on a forum after having a drink broken. Again!

-- Edited by Ste on Thursday 30th of June 2011 11:26:14 PM

I actually am an academic! Don't knock us all - I'm absolutely passionate about what I research and write about and not clinical at all. And, as a historian, my work is all about the everyday, class, longings and aspirations, which is one of the reasons why I love Pulp so much! I think faber is a great choice if the book is produced in the beautifully simple, pared down form of the classic faber poetry list.

Ste wrote:

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I see it as a good sign: of Pulp finally realising their worth, and how they are missed, and pushing forwards using marketing and exposure, rather than keeping it at arm's length.

Pulp may well have finally (re)discovered their value, the art of marketing, and making the most of their position. If so, then we're in for a good few months (I hope years!), I reckon. So I view this a good shift in how things may pan out. Whilst vindication isn't (hopefully) on any agenda, this is a far more appealing prospect than number 76 in the album charts, nay?

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 Strongly agree with all of this! Here in the U.S., Pulp/Jarvis were seemingly all but forgotten in the period between the belated release here of We Love Life and the belated release of Jarvis' first solo album. Very happy to see their/his stock has risen.

Could have sworn I saw a post earlier by FussFree on this thread saying something about needing to keep Camille fed...did I imagine it?!

Don't delete your posts man, have the courage of your convictions! The more bitter the better

Sorry but I'm not buying it. I have cds, sleevenotes and the internet. It doesn't give the lyrics anymore weight or loftiness by sticking them in a nicely bound book. I think it does the reverse and sterilises them.