Common People
Common People

Pulp - Common People Lyrics

An acerbic commentary on social class disparities, this song delves into the superficial attitudes of the privileged toward the working class. It narrates the encounter between a wealthy woman and a man, juxtaposing her romanticized view of the "common"… Read more

Rock
Oct 30, 1995
410
Common People Music Video

Common People Lyrics

She came from Greece, she had a thirst for knowledge
She studied sculpture at Saint Martin's College
That's where I
Caught her eye
She told me that her dad was loaded
I said, "In that case, I'll have a rum and Coca-Cola"
She said, "Fine"
And then in thirty seconds time, she said

I wanna live like common people
I wanna do whatever common people do
Wanna sleep with common people
I wanna sleep with common people
Like you
What else could I do?
I said, "I'll, I'll see what I can do"

I took her to a supermarket
I don't know why
But I had to start it somewhere
So it started there
I said, "Pretend you've got no money"
She just laughed and said
"Ha, you're so funny"
I said, "Yeah? Ha
I can't see anyone else smiling here
Are you sure?"

You wanna live like common people
You wanna see whatever common people see
Wanna sleep with common people
You wanna sleep with common people
Like me
But she didn't understand
She just smiled and held my hand

Rent a flat above a shop
Cut your hair and get a job
Smoke some fags and play some pool
Pretend you never went to school
Still you'll never get it right
'Cause when you're laid in bed at night
Watching roaches climb the wall
If you called your dad, he could stop it all, yeah

You'll never live like common people
You'll never do whatever common people do
Never fail like common people
You'll never watch your life slide out of view
And then dance and drink and screw
Because there's nothing else to do, ow

Woo, woo, ch-ch

Sing along with the common people
Sing along and it might just get you through
Laugh along with the common people
Laugh along even though they're laughing at you
And the stupid things that you do
Because you think that poor is cool, oh

Like a dog lying in a corner
They will bite you and never warn you
Look out, they'll tear your insides out
'Cause everybody hates a tourist
Especially one who thinks it's all such a laugh
Yeah, and the chip stains and grease
Will come out in the bath

You will never understand
How it feels to live your life
With no meaning or control
And with nowhere left to go
You are amazed that they exist
And they burn so bright
Whilst you can only wonder why

Rent a flat above a shop
Cut your hair and get a job
Smoke some fags and play some pool
Pretend you never went to school
But still you'll never get it right
'Cause when you're laid in bed at night
Watching roaches climb the wall
If you called your dad, he could stop it all, yeah

Never live like common people
Never do what common people do
Never fail like common people
Never watch your life slide out of view
And then dance and drink and screw
Because there's nothing else to do

Wanna live with common people like you
Wanna live with common people like you
Wanna live with common people like you
Wanna live with common people like you
Wanna live with common people like you
Wanna live with common people like you
Wanna live with common people like you
Oh, la-la-la-la
Oh, la-la-la-la
Oh, la-la-la-la
Oh, la-la, la-la-la-la-la
Oh yeah

Writer(s): Candida Mary Doyle, Jarvis Branson Cocker, Nick Banks, Russell Senior, Stephen Patrick Mackey
Copyright(s): Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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What is the Meaning of Common People?

An acerbic commentary on social class disparities, this song delves into the superficial attitudes of the privileged toward the working class. It narrates the encounter between a wealthy woman and a man, juxtaposing her romanticized view of the "common" lifestyle with the harsh realities such individuals face. The woman’s naive desire to "live like common people" contrasts sharply with the protagonist's life, filled with struggle and devoid of any safety net that her wealth provides. The lyrics expose the futility of trying to understand or emulate the hardships of the working class without genuinely experiencing their challenges. The song ultimately critiques the trivialization of poverty as a fashionable, transient experience for the affluent. #ClassStruggle #SocialCommentary #EconomicInequality #RealLifeRealities

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who wrote the song 'Common People' by Pulp?

    The song 'Common People' was written by Pulp band members Jarvis Cocker, Candida Doyle, Nick Banks, Steve Mackey, and Russell Senior. Jarvis Cocker is often credited with the primary lyrical composition of the song.

  2. What inspired Jarvis Cocker to write 'Common People'?

    Jarvis Cocker was inspired to write 'Common People' after an encounter with a Greek art student he met while studying at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. She expressed a desire to live like common people, which sparked the concept for the lyrics.

  3. How did 'Common People' perform on music charts?

    'Common People' reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and became one of Pulp's most successful songs. Despite its popularity and critical acclaim within the Britpop movement, it never reached No. 1 due to being outsold by another single at that time.

  4. What themes are explored in 'Common People'?

    'Common People' explores themes of class disparity and cultural voyeurism. It criticizes those from higher social classes who romanticize living like the working class without understanding the true hardships faced by them.

  5. Where was the music video for 'Common People' filmed?

    The music video for 'Common out at Stepney's Nightclub on Commercial Road in East London. The video features Sadie Frost and includes scenes that capture a typical nightlife setting interspersed with visual effects.

  6. Has 'Common People' been covered by other artists?

    'Common People' has seen various covers, including a notable version by William Shatner produced by Ben Folds in 2004, which introduced a unique spoken-word style over a mix of Britpop and indie rock sounds.

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