Different Class
Pressing Play
Hello you. Make a cup of tea, put a record on. Welcome to The A to Z of Britpop, your introduction to the bands, music, and characters that defined the most exciting genre of the 1990s. In this article, we explore Different Class by Pulp, a record that captured the tension and triumph of ordinary lives during the Britpop era.
Britpop was built on personalities, fierce rivalries, soundbites, and, of course, the music that defined a decade. It captured the restless energy of the country and signalled a wave of optimism across the UK that had been missing for years.
Each entry in this series is a fact file, giving you the key details: the story behind the band, their biggest moments, and their legacy. It’s the perfect starting point for revisiting the era if you were there or figuring out why your mum or dad keeps going on about it.
Overview
Released: 30 October 1995
Artist: Pulp
Genre: Britpop, art rock, pop
Label: Island Records
Producer: Chris Thomas
Singles: Common People, Mis-Shapes, Sorted for E’s & Wizz, Disco 2000, Something Changed
Personnel: Jarvis Cocker – vocals, guitar / Russell Senior – guitar, violin / Candida Doyle – keyboards / Steve Mackey – bass / Nick Banks – drums / Mark Webber – guitar, keyboards
The Making of Different Class
Recorded at The Townhouse in London from January to July 1995. The sessions balanced Pulp’s sharp social commentary with dynamic arrangements.
Producer Chris Thomas, known for working with the Sex Pistols and Elton John, brought a polished edge to the band’s sound.
The album’s title was inspired by a phrase from a club night, symbolising British class structures and the record’s uniqueness.
The Story Behind Different Class
Released at Britpop’s peak, Different Class followed the success of His 'n' Hers and cemented Pulp’s place in the movement.
Tracks like Common People and Sorted for E’s & Wizz sparked cultural discussions, with Common People becoming an anthem for working-class frustration.
The customizable album cover gave fans the chance to personalise their purchase, reflecting Pulp’s playful ethos.
Rise to Prominence
Different Class debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and remained in the Top 10 for weeks.
Lead single Common People reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, becoming an enduring Britpop classic.
The album’s 1996 Mercury Prize win marked a high point in Pulp’s career.
Commercial Success and Critical Reception
Certified quadruple platinum in the UK, selling 1.33 million copies domestically by 2020.
Widely acclaimed, with NME praising it as “funny, phenomenally nasty, genuinely subversive, and hugely POP!”
Retrospective accolades include a place at number 162 in Rolling Stone’s 2020 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Legacy and Influence
A defining release of the Britpop era, often compared to Blur’s Parklife and Oasis’s (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
Themes of class, love, and alienation continue to resonate with new generations.
Tracks like Common People and Disco 2000 remain fixtures in Britpop retrospectives.
Notable Facts
The customizable cover design was a novel approach for its time.
In Japan, Different Class was released as Common People to reflect the success of the lead single.
Sorted for E’s & Wizz sparked controversy due to its references to rave culture, igniting debates in the UK press.
Defining Lyric
"Pretend you never went to school." - Common People (1995)
Tracklist
Mis-Shapes – 3:46
Pencil Skirt – 3:11
Common People – 5:50
I Spy – 5:55
Disco 2000 – 4:33
Live Bed Show – 3:29
Something Changed – 3:18
Sorted for E’s & Wizz – 3:47
F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E – 6:01
Underwear – 4:06
Monday Morning – 4:16
Bar Italia – 3:42
Essential Listening
"Common People" (1995): A biting critique of privilege and an anthem of working-class frustration.
"Disco 2000" (1995): A nostalgic tale of unfulfilled longing wrapped in infectious pop.
"Sorted for E’s & Wizz" (1995): A bittersweet reflection on rave culture and its aftermath.
Why You Should Be Listening to Different Class Now
Nearly three decades later, Different Class still stands as a timeless reflection of its era. Jarvis Cocker’s wry observations and the band’s lush arrangements capture the essence of Britpop while addressing universal themes of love, identity, and belonging. It’s a masterclass in wit and melody, proving that great music transcends time.
See you on down the road.
