Mis-Shapes

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was written by Jarvis Cocker, probably in 1995, and released by Pulp in autumn 1995. A single in September or October (?) and on their Different Class LP of the same moment.

I have always found this song somewhat interesting. I wonder if anyone else agrees?

― the pinefox, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

1. It kicks off the LP and heralded it as 45; so has statement-of- intent status?

2. yet has been very overlooked - not as widely discussed or played as 'Common People' or 'Disco 2000' or even perhaps 'I-Spy';

3. the lyric is saying something about 90s British culture / society. But what? Maybe the words inside the sleeve (always liked that touch) can help us out?

― the pinefox, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

N.B. Please do not read the lyrics while listening to the recording.

― Sean, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I LOVE that ALBUM!!! Todd

― todd, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I just heard the whole record for the first time in a couple of years. It was playing in a Chapters bookstore, pretty loud too. It sounded very festive and Christmas-y and I sat in an armchair and flipped through cookbooks. "Underwear" seems much dirtier when you hear it over the PA in a bookstore.
"Mis-shapes" is a nice beginning to the LP, but "Sorted Out for E's and Wizz" has always appealed to me most. It's like a short story. "Is this the way they say the future's meant to feel/Or just 20,000 people standing in a field?" is the perfect deflation of the rave utopianism of the time.

― fritz, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

At mention of this I had to go and dig out my old cassette (back when I didn't buy cds!) and listen again. Fantastic. Got that album when I was quite young and it made me feel so cool, plus it was truly an album one could listen all the way through, which is always a rare find. The first words, the 3 time 'Mis' is a great intro. The song is fiery. Listening to it, I always imagined Jarvis in a pastoral setting leading a bunch of farmers over a hill to break down the door of the king's castle and interrupt his dinner. His lyrics and voice also fit so naturally with the music, always liked that "But we live round here too. Oh really?". Not from there so I can't really contribute on how it is relevant to 90's British society.

― Evangeline, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

"N.B. Please do not read the lyrics while listening to the recording.

Surely you mean "whilst"?

― OleM, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I've never heard it, so I can't comment. How frustrating.

― Peter Miller, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

OleM, I actually typed "whilst" and then changed it; I thought I was kind of embelishing it or something. Turns out I should have trusted my instinct!

― Sean, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I remember in the issue of VOX of the time it was released whoever was reviewing took the piss out of that track. I was annoyed at the time as I loved (still love, in fact) that song.

Can't remember exactly what it was they said, though.

― Chris Lyons, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

And has anyone ever explained why the band request for you not to read their lyrics while listening?

― Chris Lyons, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

bizarrely, I don't know the song, despite having flatmates who played the album to death.

I long ago decided that Pulp are essentially not much cop, despite having a few moments of unbelievable brilliance. must look for this track you are talking about, Mr Pinefox. is it true your first name is Tobit?

― DV, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I think that, after 'Do You Remember The First Time', this is Pulp's best song (yeah, yeah, 'Common People', blah blah). I love the way Jarvis sings the 'revenge is gonna be so sweet' line.

Not heralded despite being a single possibly because it was a AA with "Sorted...", which seemed more 'up to the minute' at the time - cf. the comment on said song by somebody above - and therefore got all the airplay?

(*an aside to PF, everyone else pl. ignore: Any chance you might do 'Light My Fire' next?*)

― Jeff W, Thursday, 20 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I want a Billy Bragg song next. I just nmention it in case it hadn't already registered.

― Peter Miller, Thursday, 20 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

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