Jarvis Cocker of the influential English rock band Pulp has released a 13-minute spoken-word poem over music that addresses the tragedy that occurred in Paris on November 13. The singer premiered the recording on BBC Radio 6's Sunday Service, alongside other Paris and French-themed tracks. Among the artists Cocker chose to play were Serge Gainsbourg and Françoise Hardy.
Cocker speaks from his own perspective, echoing the banality of everyday life that was interrupted by the tragic news. In the poem, he writes, "I was going to bed, when a friend rang and told me to turn on the TV. I was worried about my son. I rang the friend's house, but his parents were not home yet. They'd gone to the theatre. I didn't want to panic them. I listened to the radio through the night. In the morning, I rang the friends house, and my son had left to catch the metro half an hour earlier. I was worried. He arrived home. We went to buy a new phone and some trainers, but all the shops were closed. I ended up buying a book about Kate Bush..."
It is extremely hard to put into words how one feels when such terrible events occur. Powerless, confused and scared, the world is often hard-pressed to find the right words to express its feelings in the wake of such terror. Cocker recognizes this, and tries to provide a voice to all those who could not make sense of the carnage.
The poem continues, "...a friend said the strongest statement of resistance is to just keep going," and, "We're all free to mess up in our own way. I love the way that you're doing it. I love the way that you're free." Cocker goes on to describe details of the aftermath of the attack, and concludes with the sentiment, "Paris, I love you."
According to NME, Cocker discussed the possibility of new material from Pulp, saying earlier this year, "We're very cloak and dagger about that—well, it isn't cloak and dagger, we just don't know! We're not being mysterious, we're just not very together."
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