‘Common People’, created by the alt-rock band Pulp was released in 1995.
In 1995 there would have been zero chance that I would have ever, ever been exposed to it…zero.
10 years later however…
I would discover it on William Shatner’s ‘Has Been’ album,
which makes far more sense.
Produced and arranged by Ben Folds, spoken word by Shatner and vocals by Joe Jackson.
The song kills.
By the end of it you’ll be on your feet, punching the air and playing it again, and again, and again…
William Shatner
‘Common People’
Has Been
2004
She came from Greece
She had a thirst for knowledge,
She studied sculpture at Saint Martins College
That’s where I
Caught her eye.
She told me that her dad was loaded
I said, “Well, in that case I’ll have a rum and Coca-Cola”.
She said, “Fine”
And then in thirty seconds’ time, she said
“I want to live like common people
I want to do whatever common people do
I want to sleep with common people
I want to sleep with common people like you.”
Well, what else could I do?
I said “Oh, 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.”
And she just laughed and said, “Oh, you’re so funny.”
I said “Yeah?
Well I can’t see anyone else smiling in here.
Are you sure?
You want to live like common people
You want to see whatever common people see
You want to sleep with common people
You want to 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.
But still you’ll never get it right,
‘Cos when you’re laying 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
You’ll 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.
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.
Like a dog lying in a corner
They will bite you and never warn you
Look out
They’ll tear your insides out.
‘cos 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
‘Cos when you’re laying in bed at night
Watching roaches climb the wall
If you called your Dad he could stop it all.
You’ll never live like common people!
You’ll never do what common people do!
You’ll 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!
I want to sleep with common people like you
I want to sleep with common people like you
I want to sleep with common people like you