I was just thinking about "Master of the Universe", it was released as a "sanitised version" where two incredibly offensive words were altered. We know that the "Freaks" tracks were recorded in June 1986 but I'm wondering when the sanitised version was recorded. Was "Master of the Universe" earmarked for single release right from the start so they recorded both versions in 1986 or did they go back in the studio in 1987 when the single was decided and record the less incredibly offensive version then? There is no documented record of Pulp going into the studio in 1987 until they did the FON recordings and given the fact that "it was obvious the relationship between [Pulp] and Fire wasn't great at this time", I think it's unlikely that they would have paid for them to make the alterations having not long paid for them to record "Freaks". Anyone?
Hmm
..if the Sturdster wasn't currently snorkeling around the dryer parts of Leeds I'm sure he'd recommend part of his book in this topic...but I can't remember specifics.
I can, however, recommend the Premspeak interview included on the wiki for download (and more in full on the subsequent Portfolio edition) where Russell talks about the vaguely imminent release of motu as a single.
Finally, whoever transcribed the relevant bit of my interview with Russell can feel free to share the relevant extract. I don't have it in front of me atm but we did discuss a bit about its release.
MotU was one of the tracks they remixed in September 1986 so maybe they did it then. Or maybe it was in the main album sessions, a possible single being on their minds at that early poi.
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"Yes I saw her in the chip shop / so I said get yer top off"
In the Premspeak interview Russell seems more excited about the MOTU release than about anything else suggesting that, for him at least, it had been long hoped to really 'do something with it'?