Why a song about class tourism became the defining anthem of the Britpop era

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Pulp's 1995 hit Common People is a biting satire of the wealthy romanticizing poverty. Born from a chance encounter at art school, the track evolved from a simple keyboard melody into a massive, anthemic critique of class voyeurism that continues to resonate with audiences across the globe today.

The song originated from a real-life encounter Jarvis Cocker had around 1988 while studying film at London's Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. During a sculpture course, he met a Greek art student who expressed a desire to move to Hackney to live like the common people. Cocker, who had been attracted to her, found the sentiment patronizing and later transformed the experience into a song. He embellished the narrative for dramatic effect, notably reversing the reality where he had been the one interested in her, rather than the other way around.

Musically, the track was built on a small Casiotone MT-500 keyboard purchased in Notting Hill. While most of the band was initially unimpressed, keyboardist Candida Doyle recognized its potential. Under the guidance of producer Chris Thomas, the group recorded the song at The Town House, utilizing all 48 studio tracks to create a dense, anthemic sound. The lyrics serve as a scathing rebuke to the notion that poverty is glamorous, highlighting that while a wealthy person might play at being poor, they can always rely on their family's resources to escape the reality of a struggling life.

Released in May 1995, the single reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and became a defining track of the Britpop movement. Its cultural impact has been immense, with listeners frequently voting it the greatest song of the era. The song's reach expanded significantly in 2004 when William Shatner released a Ben Folds-produced cover, introducing the narrative to new audiences. Despite various theories about the identity of the woman who inspired the lyrics—ranging from Danae Stratou to Katerina Kana—Cocker has kept the specific subject private, ensuring the song remains a universal critique of class tourism.

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