Top 20 Pulp song, probably top 15, could even be top 10. Mark Sturdy doesn't like it and Owen Hatherley doesn't like it and fair enough, but honestly, fuck me, I think the band outdid themselves.
Look, I know it's all "oh woe is me, I have to do domestic chores, I'm so #relatable and such a responsible man" but that's part of the irony of it! That's intentional!
And it's brilliant! It's such a soothing song. I love its faux-aspirational bullshit: "Aren't you happy just to be alive / Anything's possible". I love that aspect of This Is Hardcore generally. I love Jarvis taking his Voice-Of-The-People status and using it to parrot meaningless bullshit (like in 'Glory Days' and 'Sylvia' and 'The Day After...'). He's using platitudes, knowing they're platitudes, but saying them seriously because well what else is there he CAN say? Nothing, really! Nothing will really help! So keep believing etc...
It's utterly heartbreaking. And I adore it! I love the instrumentation. It's one of Pulp's best melodies, its twinkly Mark solo is unbelievable, plus the little fuzzy guitar in the chorus, everything that's happening, the signature Candida touches... it comes together so nicely. It feels so complete as a sentiment that it ought to be at the conclusion of the album, but it's the second song in, and that's amazing to me.
Best song on Hardcore bar Hardcore itself, and a worthy song to mark the reunion with. I'm so glad I was there at Bridlington to witness it played again.
It sometimes seems so divisive let's show Dishes some love!
Oh, I love it. My favourite Pulp song to play on the piano (second-favourite Jarvis one after "Tearjerker" - wish there was sheet music for more of his/their catalogue).
Its a perfect song, i'm not sure its that much ironic though, much more like a take on masculinity as a whole.
Of course its Jarvis so there's always double meanings. But i see it more as back to earth song, i'm not a star, i'm just like you and i do the dishes (although he probably didn't)
Its a song that resonated very much for me when it was released, though i was just 17, and still does. Like : know who you are and don't try be above everyone else.
Musically its also the perfect example of the melodist Jarvis is. Over very simple chords sequences, he manages to deliver a complex melody.
This is Hardcore is a work of art.
-- Edited by andy on Friday 4th of October 2024 01:29:53 PM
May i add that i think its not an ironic song because few years later he also wrote On Man Show on a similar topic. Just struck me listening to his solo album that the tone is very similar.
Dishes is Jarvis going back to reality and telling the world about it One Man Show is Jarvis living this "normal boring" life for a few years, not long before his divorce
Is "One Man Show" available.... anywhere? No trace on Youtube or my "usual" sharing sites. Wasn't aware of it until now but getting a copy of the 7" from discogs to where I am right now would be ludicrously slow and expensive.
Is "One Man Show" available.... anywhere? No trace on Youtube or my "usual" sharing sites. Wasn't aware of it until now but getting a copy of the 7" from discogs to where I am right now would be ludicrously slow and expensive.
i dont think so. I managed to get rips of it and Big Stuff back in the day but other than that, its not on streaming services anywhere
Both deserved to be on the record, just like Loss Adjuster (full version)
It never even occurred to me that Soulseek still existed, never mind was still active. I think I last used it 15 years ago. I checked and... you're right! I found it and it's a banger. Along with some other stuff I'd been looking for. Nice one.
