1995년 발매된 펄프의 싱글이자 5집 Different Class의 수록곡.
오아시스의 Wonderwall, 버브의 Bitter Sweet Symphony 등과 함께 브릿팝을 상징하는 곡으로 손꼽힌다. NME 선정 90년대 최고의 곡 1위, 피치포크 미디어 에서 뽑은 90년대 명곡 순위에서 2위를 차지하는 기염을 토했다. 1994년 8월 레딩 페스티벌에서 선공개되었고[2] 후에 싱글로 발매 되었는데 '롭슨 앤 제롬'의 'Unchained Melody/White Cliffs of Dover'에 밀려 2위에 올랐다.
서민들처럼 되고 싶어하지만 서민을 이해하지 못하는 부잣집 소녀를 서민인 화자가 신랄하게 디스하는 곡이다. 이 곡은 코커가 센트럴 세인트 마틴스 예술학교에서 영화 공부할 때 만났던 조각 전공 여학생에게서 영감을 받았다고 알려져 있다. 코커 본인 말로는 별일 없었고 단지 만났을 때 그녀가 했던 "런던 이스트엔드에서 살고 싶다."는 말에서 영감을 받았다고.
워낙 이 곡이 유명해졌던지라 언론에서 곡에 나오는 여성에 대하여 조사에 나섰는데 유력한 후보로는 2015년부터 뜨거운 감자였다가 잘린 그리스 재무장관 야니스 바루파키스의 부인이자 설치미술가인 다나에 스트라토우가 있다. 다나에는 가사처럼 그리스에서 온 부잣집 딸이었고 코커가 학교를 다니던 1988년에 같은 학교에서 조각을 전공하고 있었다. 하지만 다나에 본인은 자비스만이 가사의 인물을 알고 있을 거라고 말하며 부정. 자비스는 가사의 그녀는 다니에가 아니라고 부정하면서 가사 자체가 그저 자신의 상상력에서 나온 산물이라며 언론의 관심을 불쾌하게 생각했다. 가사 내용이 신랄하기 그지없어서 실제 모티브가 된 인물이 누구인지 인정해버리면 그 사람을 먹칠하는 꼴이 되버리기 때문이다.
1995년 글라스톤베리에서 보여준 퍼포먼스가 유명한데, 당시 메인 스테이지에 서기로 했던 스톤 로지스가 존 스콰이어의 갑작스러운 부상으로 공연을 취소하면서 땜빵으로 서게 되었지만 최고의 퍼포먼스를 선보이면서 이후 해당 페스티벌 다큐멘터리에도 삽입된다. 음원에는 없는 화려한 비올라 연주와 자비스 코커 특유의 격정적인 막춤이 특징.
가사
Common People
She came from Greece she had a thirst for knowledge
그녀는 그리스에서 왔었고 지식에 대한 갈증이 있었지
She studied sculpture at Saint Martin's College
그녀는 세인트 마틴 대학에서 조각을 공부했었어
That's where I
난 거기서
Caught her eye
그녀의 눈길을 사로잡았지
She told me that her dad was loaded
그녀는 아빠가 매우 부자라고 내게 말했어
I said, in that case, I'll have rum and Coca-Cola
난 말했지 "그럼 난 럼주와 콜라를 섞어서 마실래"
She said fine
그녀는 좋다고 말했어
And then in thirty seconds time she said
그리고 잠시 뒤에 그녀는 말했지
I wanna live like common people
나는 평범한 사람들처럼 살고 싶어
I wanna do whatever common people do
나는 평범한 사람들이 하는 일을 하고 싶어
Wanna sleep with common people
평범한 사람과 자고 싶어
I wanna sleep with common people
난 평범한 사람과 자고 싶어
Like you
너 같은
Oh what else could I do
오, 내가 뭘 할 수 있었겠어
I said I'll, I'll see what I can do
난 내가, 내가 뭘 할 수 있을지 알아 본다고 말했지
I took her to a supermarket
나는 그녀를 슈퍼마켓에 데리고 갔어
I don't know why
왜인지는 모르겠지만
But I had to start it somewhere
어디서엔가는 시작을 해야 했으니까
So it started there
거기서 시작을 한거지
I said pretend you've got no money
난 돈이 없는 것처럼 행동하라고 말했고
She just laughed and said
그녀는 그저 웃으면서 말했어
Oh you're so funny
오, 너 정말 재미있구나
I said yeah
난 "그래?"
I can't see anyone else smiling in here
"여기서 웃고 있는 사람은 한 명도 안 보이는데" 라고 말했지
Are you sure?
너 진심이야?
You wanna live like common people
네가 평범한 사람들처럼 살고 싶은거
You wanna see whatever common people see
네가 평범한 사람들의 눈높이로 세상을 보고 싶어하는 거 말이야
Wanna sleep with common people
평범한 사람과 자고 싶니?
You wanna sleep with common people
너는 평범한 사람과 섹스하고 싶은 거지
Like me
나 같은
But she didn't understand
하지만 그녀는 내 말을 이해하지 못했어
She just smiled and held my hand
그녀는 그저 웃고는 내 손을 잡았지
Rent a flat above a shop
상점위에 집을 빌리고
Cut your hair and get a job
머리를 자르고 일자리를 구해봐
Smoke some fags and play some pool
담배도 피고 당구도 치면서
Pretend you never went to school
학교는 다니지도 않았던 것처럼 행동해 봐
But still you'll never get it right
그래도 넌 제대로 이해 못 할 거야
'Cause when you're laid in bed at night
왜냐면 네가 자려고 침대에 누웠을 때
Watching roaches climb the wall
벽을 기어 올라가는 바퀴벌레를 보게되면
If you called your dad he could stop it all, yeah
아빠한테 전화할거고 아빠는 모든걸 다 끝나게 해줄테니 말이야, 그래
You'll never live like common people
넌 절대 평범한 사람들처럼 살 수 없어
You'll never do whatever common people do
넌 절대 평범한 사람들이 하는 일을 할 수 없을거야
You'll never fail like common people
넌 절대 평범한 사람들처럼 실패해 볼 수 없어
You'll never watch your life slide out of view
넌 네 삶이 엇나가는 걸 경험할 일도 없을거고
And you dance and drink and screw
넌 그저 춤이나 추고 술이나 마시고 떡이나 치겠지
Because there's nothing else to do
왜냐하면 그거 말곤 할 짓도 없을테니까
Sing along with the common people
평범한 사람들과 함께 노래를 불러봐
Sing along and it might just get you through
노래하면 그것이 너를 버틸 수 있게 해 줄 거야
Laugh along with the common people
평범한 사람들과 함께 웃어봐
Laugh along even though they're really laughing at you
같이 웃어봐, 그들은 널 비웃고 있는 것일 뿐이겠지만
And the stupid things that you do
네가 멍청한 짓을 하는 것도 포함해서 말이야
Because you think that poor is cool
왜냐하면 넌 가난이 멋지다고 생각하니까
Like a dog lying in a corner
구석에 앉아 있는 개처럼
They will bite you and never warn you
그들은 너를 물거고 절대 경고하지도 않을 거야
Look out, they'll tear your insides out
조심해, 그들이 너를 갈기갈기 찢어 버릴 거야
'Cause everybody hates a tourist
왜냐면 사람들은 관광객을 싫어하거든
Especially one who thinks it's all such a laugh
특히 모든걸 웃음거리로만 생각하는 사람을 말이야
Yeah and the chip stains and grease
그래, 과자 얼룩이나 기름때는
Will come out in the bath
목욕 한 번이면 사라지잖아
You will never understand
넌 절대로 이해 못 할 거야
How it feels to live your life
이런 삶을 산다는 것이 어떤 기분인지
With no meaning or control
의미도 통제할 방법도 없고
And with nowhere left to go
딱히 어딘가로 갈 곳도 없는 삶
You are amazed that they exist
너는 그런 사람들이 존재한다는 것과
And they burn so bright
그들이 소리소문없이 사라지는 것을 놀라워했지
Whilst you can only wonder why
왜 그런지 궁금증만 가지면서 말이야
Rent a flat above a shop
상점위에 집을 빌리고
Cut your hair and get a job
머리를 자르고 일자리를 구해봐
Smoke some fags and play some pool
담배도 피고 당구도 치면서
Pretend you never went to school
학교는 다니지도 않은 것처럼 행동해 봐
But still you'll never get it right
그래도 넌 제대로 이해 못 할 거야
'Cause when you're laid in bed at night
왜냐면 네가 자려고 침대에 누웠을 때
Watching roaches climb the wall
벽을 기어 올라가는 바퀴벌레를 보게되면
If you called your dad he could stop it all
아빠한테 전화할거고 아빠는 모든 걸 다 멈추게 해줄테니까 말이야
Yeah
그래
Never live like common people
절대 평범한 사람들처럼 살 수 없어
Never do what common people do
절대 평범한 사람들이 하는 일을 할 수 없을거야
Never fail like common people
절대 평범한 사람들처럼 실패해 볼 수 없어
You'll never watch your life slide out of view
넌 네 삶이 엇나가는 걸 경험할 일도 없을거고
And then dance and drink and screw
그저 춤이나 추고 술이나 마시고 떡이나 치겠지
Because there's nothing else to do
그거 말곤 할 짓도 없을테니까
Wanna live with common people like you
너 같은 평범한 사람들과 살고 싶어
Wanna live with common people like you
너 같은 평범한 사람들과 살고 싶어
Wanna live with common people like you
너 같은 평범한 사람들과 살고 싶어
Wanna live with common people like you
너 같은 평범한 사람들과 살고 싶어
Wanna live with common people like you
너 같은 평범한 사람들과 살고 싶어
Wanna live with common people like you
너 같은 평범한 사람들과 살고 싶어
I wanna live with common people like you
너 같은 평범한 사람들과 살고 싶어
Oh, la, la, la, la
Oh, la, la, la, la
Oh, la, la, la, la
Oh, la, la, la, la
Oh yeah
Common People
Pulp
[Verse 1]
She came from Greece, she had a thirst for knowledge
She studied sculpture at Saint Martin's College
That's where I
Caught her eye
She told me that her Dad was loaded
I said "In that case, I'll have rum and Coca-Cola"
She said "fine"
And then in thirty seconds time she said
[Chorus 1]
"I wanna live like common people
I wanna do whatever common people do
Wanna sleep with common people
I wanna sleep with common people like you."
Well, what else could I do?
I said "I'll... I'll see what I can do"
[Verse 2]
I took her to a supermarket
I don't know why but I had to start it somewhere
So it started there
I said, "Pretend you got no money"
And she just laughed and said, "Oh, you're so funny"
I said, "Yeah...
Well, I can't see anyone else smiling in here"
Are you sure"
[Chorus 2]
You wanna live like common people
You wanna see whatever common people see
Wanna sleep with common people
You wanna sleep with common people like me?
But she didn’t understand
And she just smiled and held my hand
[Bridge]
Oh, rent a flat above a shop
And cut your hair and get a job
And smoke some fags and play some pool
Pretend you never went to school
But still you'll never get it right
'Cause when you're laid in bed at night
Watching roaches climb the wall
If you called your dad he could stop it all, yeah
[Chorus 3]
You'll never live like common people
You'll never do what ever common people do
Never fail like common people
You'll never watch your life slide out of view
And then dance, and drink, and screw
Because there's nothing else to do
Oh!
[Instrumental Interlude]
[Chorus 4]
Sing along with the common people
Sing along and it might just get you through
Laugh along with the common people
Laugh along, even though they're, they're laughing at you
And the stupid things that you do
Because you think that poor is cool
[Verse 3]
Like a dog lying in a corner
They will bite you and never warn you
Look out, they'll tear your insides out
'Cause everybody hates a tourist
Especially one who, who thinks it's all such a laugh
Yeah, and the chip stains and grease will come out in the bath
You will never understand
How it feels to live your life
With no meaning or control
And with nowhere left to go
You are amazed that they exist
And they burn so bright whilst you can only wonder why
[Bridge]
Rent a flat above a shop
Cut your hair and get a job
And smoke some fags and play some pool
Pretend you never went to school
But still you'll never get it right
'Cause when you're laid in bed at night
Watching roaches climb the wall
If you called your dad he could stop it all, yeah
[Chorus 5]
Never live like common people
Never do what common people do
Never fail like common people
Never watch your life slide out of view
And then dance, and drink, and screw
Because there's nothing else to do
[Outro]
Wanna live with common people like you
Wanna live with common people like you
Wanna live with common people like you
Wanna live with common people like you
Wanna live with common people like you
Wanna live with common people like you
Wanna live with common people like you
A la la la la la
Ooooh, la la la la
Ooooh, la la la la
Ooooh, la la-la-la-la la, oh yeah
[Intro]
C Csus4 C
[Verse]
C
She came from Greece she had a thirst for knowledge
She studies sculpture at St. Martins College
G
That's where I caught her eye
C
She told me that her dad was loaded
I said "In that case, I'll have a rum and coca-cola"
G
She said "fine" and in a thirty seconds time she said
[Chorus]
F
"I want to live like common people
C
I want to do whatever common people do
I want to sleep with common people
G
I want to sleep with common people like you"
C
Well, what else could I do? I said "I'll see what I can do"
[Verse]
C
I took her to a supermarket
G
I don't know why but I had to start it somewhere - so it started there
C
I said "Pretend you've got no money"
She just laughed and said "Oh, you're so funny"
G
I said "Yeah, well I can't see someone else smiling in here
[Chorus]
F
Are you sure you want to live like common people
C
You want to see whatever common people see
You want to sleep with common people
G
You want to sleep with common people like me"
C
But she didn't understand, she just smiled and held my hand
[Bridge]
C
Rent a flat above your shop, cut your hair and get a job
G
Smoke some fags and play some pool, pretend you never went to school
C
But still, you'll never get it right, 'cos when you're laid in bed at night
G
watching roaches climb the wall, if you called your dad he could stop it all
[Chorus]
F
You'll never live like common people
C
You'll never do whatever common people do
You'll never fail like common people
G
You'll never watch your life slide out of view
C
And dance and drink and screw because there's nothing else to do
[Instrumental]
C G
C G
[Chorus]
F
Sing along with the common people,
C
Sing along and it might just get you thru
Laugh along with the common people
G
Laugh along even though they are laughing at you
And the stupid things that you do
C
Because you think that poor is cool
[Verse]
C
Like a dog lying in a corner, they will bite you and never warn you
G
look out, they'll tear your insides out
C
'Cos everybody hates a tourist especially one who thinks that it's all
G
Such a laugh
and the chip stains and grease will come out in the bath
F
you will never understand how it feels to live your life
C
With no meaning or control and with nowhere left to go
G
You are amazed that they exist and they burn so bright
C
Whilst you can only wonder why
[Bridge]
C
Rent a flat above your shop, cut your hair and get a job
G
Smoke some fags and play some pool, pretend you never went to school
C
But still, you'll never get it right, 'cos when you're laid in bed at night
G
watching roaches climb the wall, if you called your dad he could stop it all
[Chorus]
F
You'll never live like common people
C
You'll never do whatever common people do
You'll never fail like common people
G
You'll never watch your life slide out of view
C
And dance and drink and screw because there's nothing else to do
I want to live with common people like you
I want to live with common people like you