Help the Aged (song)

Last updated

"Help the Aged"
Pulp Help the Aged.jpg
Single by Pulp
from the album This Is Hardcore
Released11 November 1997
Recorded1997
Genre Alternative rock
Length4:28 (album version)
Label Island
Songwriter(s) Nick Banks, Jarvis Cocker, Candida Doyle, Steve Mackey and Mark Webber
Producer(s) Chris Thomas
Pulp singles chronology
"Something Changed"
(1996)
"Help the Aged"
(1997)
"This Is Hardcore"
(1998)
Music video
"Help the Aged" on YouTube

"Help the Aged" is a song by British alternative rock band Pulp from their 1998 album, This Is Hardcore . Written as a sarcastic reflection of Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker's ageing, the song was disliked by Pulp guitarist Russell Senior who left the band before the song's release and sought to prevent it from being released as a single.

Contents

"Help the Aged" was released as the first single from This Is Hardcore in November 1997, reaching number eight in the UK. The song has since seen positive critical reception, with many critics praising the song's lyrics for their wit and compassion.

Background

"Help the Aged" was written as a self-deprecating reflection of Cocker's increasing age. Cocker explained at the time, "It tackles personal issues because I'm now 34 years old. And I have been aware of the ageing process for a couple of years now. ... It's not a heartfelt plea to help people cross the road." [1] Cocker summed up the song as "just me whining on about getting old."

The song was one of the first written for This Is Hardcore, alongside "Northern Souls" (which would ultimately appear on the album as "Glory Days"). [1] Pulp guitarist Russell Senior left the band prior to the single's release, citing his dislike for the song as a reason for his departure. He recalled, "'Help the Aged' I didn't like and didn't feel involved with and tried to avoid being released. Jarvis was very keen on it and I guess we had musical differences." [1]

During Da Ali G Show , Jarvis Cocker performed the song, which soon transitioned into a distinctly more urban take on things, added by Ali G, with lines such as "help the motherfuckin' aged". [2]

Release

"Help the Aged" was released as the first single from This Is Hardcore in November 1997. Cocker explained, "That was the oldest song and I was beginning to feel like if we didn't get it out soon, it'd be past its sell-by date." [1]

The single charted at number eight in the UK, becoming the band's fifth consecutive top ten single. [3] Pulp drummer Nick Banks said of the reaction to the single, "I think the general feeling from the critics was kind of 'It's good, but, ooh, it's not "Disco 2000" is it?' ... They didn't quite understand it." [1] Cocker reflected on the single's performance, "I was really pleased when it got to number eight. Maybe we overestimated people's willingness to confront their own mortality in a pop record, but I'm proud that we got a record about getting old and dying into the Top Ten." [4]

B-side "Tomorrow Never Lies" was intended to be used as the theme to the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies . The song was ultimately rejected in favour of a song by Sheryl Crow, and was renamed after the film's working title for copyright reasons. [1] The original version of the song, with the name "Tomorrow Never Dies", is featured on the LP version of the album, even though it is listed as "Tomorrow Never Lies". It surfaced on the bonus disc of the This Is Hardcore special edition in 2006.

Critical reception

"Help the Aged" has generally seen positive critical reception. Larry Flick from Billboard commented, "And rest assured that gloriously happy is precisely the emotion you'll be experiencing by the close of this richly textured, deliciously introspective rock ballad. Jarvis Cocker is at his vocally ravaged best here, swimming through an arrangement that gradually builds from a quiet piano/guitar opening into a collision course of clanging guitars, layered harmonies, and pounding beats. No need to handicap the future of this gem. Just prepare for a saturating rock radio run." [5] David Browne of Entertainment Weekly wrote that the song "deftly leaps from an after-hours fragility to arena roar," [6] while Steve Hochman of The Los Angeles Times wrote, "In 'Help the Aged,' sentiments that might sound cynical from someone else ('One time they were just like you, drinking, smoking cigs and sniffing glue') are full of compassion and the simple knowledge that we all get older." [7] Rolling Stone's Greg Kot wrote that, in the song, "Pulp reach out to the inevitable with a mixture of resignation, compassion and humor, and package it all in a mirror ball of florid strings, helium-enriched vocal harmonies and shimmering guitars." [8] Nick Hornby of Spin Magazine stated, "By the climax ... the song is breaking your heart in ways you couldn't have anticipated." [9]

Music video

"Help the Aged" was accompanied upon release by a music video produced by Hammer & Tongs filmed in the Stoke Newington Town Hall. [1] The video features Pulp performing in an old folks' home, while young men dressed up to look elderly seduce young women. Cocker recalled,

We decided it'd be better to use young people made up to look old than to use actual old people, as if, for some reason, looking old had become trendy. ... I think the blokes in the video look really good—in fact, I went up to the person who styled the video after, who got the clothes, and ordered a few. They had a nice kind of cardigan with a tie waste on it! [1]

The video also featured Cocker singing while riding a Stannah stairlift up to a space-esque location—Stannah rejected the initial plan of riding the stairlift to Heaven on the grounds that they did not want to be associated with death. [1]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Nick Banks, Jarvis Cocker, Candida Doyle, Steve Mackey and Mark Webber

CD / 7" and Cassette (UK)
No.TitleLength
1."Help the Aged"4:31
2."Tomorrow Never Lies"4:49
3."Laughing Boy"3:49

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1998)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [10] 85
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [11] 100
Scotland (OCC) [12] 12
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [13] 56
UK Singles (OCC) [14] 8

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pulp (band)</span> English rock band

Pulp are an English rock band formed in Sheffield in 1978. At their critical and commercial peak, the band consisted of Jarvis Cocker, Russell Senior, Candida Doyle (keyboards), Nick Banks, Steve Mackey (bass) and Mark Webber. The band's "kitchen sink drama" lyrics, coupled with its references to British culture, led to Cocker and Pulp becoming reluctant figureheads of the Britpop movement.

<i>Different Class</i> 1995 studio album by Pulp

Different Class is the fifth studio album by English rock band Pulp, released on 30 October 1995 by Island Records.

<i>This Is Hardcore</i> 1998 studio album by Pulp

This Is Hardcore is the sixth studio album by English rock band Pulp, released on 30 March 1998. Following the success of Different Class (1995), friction grew in the band, culminating in the notable departure of guitarist and violinist Russell Senior; frontman Jarvis Cocker left for New York alone to decompress and write in isolation from the rest of the band. These new songs took a much more art rock approach and glam rock influence from its predecessor. After reconciling with the band, work on the album began in November 1996 and finished in January 1998. Lead single "Help the Aged" was released on 11 November 1997, followed by the album's title track on 16 March 1998. After the album's release on 30 March, two more singles were released; "A Little Soul" on 8 June and "Party Hard" on 7 September.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common People</span> 1995 single by the band Pulp

"Common People" is a song by English alternative rock band Pulp, released in May 1995 by Island Records as the lead single from their fifth studio album, Different Class (1995). It reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming a defining track of the Britpop movement as well as Pulp's signature song. In 2014, BBC Radio 6 Music listeners voted it their favourite Britpop song in an online poll. In a 2015 Rolling Stone readers' poll it was voted the greatest Britpop song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earth Song</span> 1995 single by Michael Jackson

"Earth Song" is a song by the American singer Michael Jackson. It was written by Jackson and produced by Jackson, David Foster and Bill Bottrell. It was released by Epic Records on November 7, 1995, as the third single from Jackson's ninth studio album, HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sorted for E's & Wizz</span> 1995 single by Pulp

"Sorted for E's & Wizz" is a song written and performed by the English band Pulp for their 1995 album Different Class. Based lyrically on a phrase that lead singer Jarvis Cocker overheard at a rave, the song features lyrics examining the hollow and artificial nature of drug culture. Because of its subject matter, the song sparked controversy in the UK, where several tabloids attacked the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Is Hardcore (song)</span> 1998 single by Pulp

"This Is Hardcore" is a song by English rock band Pulp, released as the second single from their sixth album, This Is Hardcore (1998). Written as a commentary on fame using pornography as an analogy, the song includes a sample of the Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra's "Bolero on the Moon Rocks." Released as a single in March 1998, the song reached number 12 in the UK and became a top-40 hit in Finland, Iceland, and New Zealand. It has since seen critical acclaim, as has its music video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mis-Shapes</span> 1995 single by Pulp

"Mis-Shapes" is a song written and released by English alternative rock band Pulp from their 1995 album Different Class. Lyrically inspired by Cocker's experiences socializing in Sheffield as an outcast, the song features lyrics that call for misfits to unite and take over. This lyrical theme would make Cocker uncomfortable with Pulp's growing popularity with "townies" after the song's release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Something Changed</span> 1996 single by Pulp

"Something Changed" is a song by Britpop band Pulp, released on their 1995 album, Different Class. Written much earlier in the band's existence but revived for the Different Class sessions, "Something Changed" features lyrics that focused on the random nature as to how important events happen in life. The song also features a guitar solo performed by guitarist Mark Webber.

<i>The Peel Sessions</i> (Pulp album) 2006 live album by Pulp

The Peel Sessions is a double live album by Pulp released on 23 October 2006, containing the recordings the band made for John Peel's Radio 1 show and live performances which had been broadcast by the BBC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Babies (song)</span> 1992 single by Pulp

"Babies" is a song written and released by British rock group Pulp. Featuring lyrics about a boy spying on his friend's sister from a wardrobe, the song features a guitar riff that drummer Nick Banks had played for Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker. Though poppier and lighter than much of the band's earlier material, the band was pleased with the song and was released as a single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do You Remember the First Time?</span> 1994 single by Pulp

"Do You Remember the First Time?" is a song by British rock band Pulp, taken from their fourth studio album, His 'n' Hers (1994). With lyrics loosely based on Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker's loss of virginity, the song saw some controversy for its sexual topic. Released as the second single from His 'n' Hers, the song reached number 33 in the UK, becoming the band's first top-40 hit in that country. The single was accompanied by a lengthy music video featuring celebrities discussing how they lost their virginity. The song has since become one of the band's most famous songs and has seen critical acclaim. The track also notably served as the band's opening song on their reunion tour setlist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lipgloss (song)</span> 1993 single by Pulp

"Lipgloss" is a song by British rock band Pulp from their fourth album, His 'n' Hers (1994). With lyrics written by Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker about the deterioration of social skills that comes with a relationship in the context of a breakup, the song was the first that the band worked on for their new record company, Island Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Razzmatazz (song)</span> 1993 single by Pulp

"Razzmatazz" is a song written and released by the British rock group Pulp. Featuring lyrics written by Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker about an ex-girlfriend, the song sees the narrator mock his ex-girlfriend for leading a dull life after dumping him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Little Soul</span> 1998 single by Pulp

"A Little Soul" is a song by British alternative rock band Pulp, from their 1998 album, This Is Hardcore. It was released on 8 June 1998 as the third single from the album, charting at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Party Hard (Pulp song)</span> 1998 single by Pulp

"Party Hard" is a song by British alternative rock band Pulp. Featuring David Bowie-inspired vocals, the song lyrically was inspired by the band's dissatisfaction and exhaustion with clubbing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bad Cover Version</span> 2002 single by Pulp

"Bad Cover Version" is a song by British rock band Pulp, from their 2001 album We Love Life. It was released 15 April 2002 as the second single from the album, charting at number 27 in the UK Singles Chart. It was the band's last single before their eight-year hiatus, which ended in 2011. CD1's B-sides appear as bonus tracks on the US release of We Love Life. The B-sides to CD2 are cover versions of Pulp songs performed by other artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disco 2000 (song)</span> 1995 single by Pulp

"Disco 2000" is a song by British band Pulp, included on the band's fifth album, Different Class (1995). Featuring a disco-inspired musical performance, the song was based on Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker's childhood memories of his friend Deborah Bone, who he had "fancied" in his youth but could never impress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarvis Cocker discography</span>

The solo discography of Jarvis Cocker, an English musician, consists of five studio albums, six singles and numerous collaborations with other artists. He is best known as the founder, frontman and songwriter for the band Pulp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Trees (Pulp song)</span> 2001 single by Pulp

"The Trees" is a song by British rock band Pulp, from their 2001 album We Love Life. Featuring a string sample from the Otley soundtrack song "Tell Her You Love Her," "The Trees" explores what Cocker describes as the "impassivity" of trees to witnessing the "drama" that can occur in the woods.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Sturdy, Mark (2009). Truth And Beauty: The Story of Pulp. Omnibus Press. ISBN   978-0-85712-103-5.
  2. Help the Aged (Ali G remix) lyrics
  3. "Pulp | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  4. Dalton, Stephen. "Talking Lewd!". NME. Acrylic Afternoons. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  5. Flick, Larry (22 November 1997). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard . p. 96. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  6. Browne, David (13 April 1998). "This Is Hardcore". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  7. Hochman, Steve (5 April 1998). "Pulp 'This Is Hardcore' Island". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  8. Kot, Greg (23 March 1998). "Pulp: This Is Hardcore". Rolling Stone . No. 784. Archived from the original on 3 June 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  9. Hornby, Nick (May 1998). "People's Poet". Spin . 14 (5): 133. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
  10. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 226.
  11. "Pulp – Help the Aged" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  12. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  13. "Pulp – Help the Aged". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  14. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 December 2021.