Do You Remember The First Time? by Pulp Lyrics Meaning – Exploring Nostalgia and Bitter Romance
Lyrics
‘Cause he’s sitting on his own again this evening
I know you’re gonna let him bore your pants off again
Oh, now it’s half past eight
You’ll be late
Oh, you say you’re not sure
Though it makes good sense for you to live together
Still you bought a toy that can reach the places he never goes
Oh, now it’s getting late
He’s so straight
Do you remember the first time?
I can’t remember a worse time
Oh, but you know that we’ve changed so much since then
Oh, yeah
We’ve grown
Now I don’t care what you’re doing
No, I don’t care if you screw him
Just as long as you save a piece for me
Oh, yeah-yeah ooh
You want to go home
Well, at least there’s someone there that you can talk to
And you never have to face up to the night on your own
Jesus, it must be great
To be straight
Do you remember the first time?
I can’t remember a worse time
Oh, but you know that we’ve changed so much since then
Oh, yeah
We’ve grown
Now I don’t care what you’re doing
No, I don’t care if you screw him
Just as long as you save a piece for me
Oh, yeah-yeah ooh
You want to go home
Oh yeah, you want to go home
Oh yeah, you want to go home
Yeah, you want to go home
Hey
Do you remember the first time?
I can’t remember a worse time
Oh, but you know that we’ve changed so much since then
Oh, yeah
We’ve grown
Now I don’t care what you’re doing
No, I don’t care if you screw him
Just as long as you save a piece for me
Oh, yeah-yeah
Do you remember the first time?
I can’t remember a worse time
Oh, but you know that we’ve changed so much since then
Oh, yeah
We’ve grown
Now I don’t care what you’re doing
No, I don’t care if you screw him
Just as long as you save a piece for me
Oh, yeah-yeah ooh
You want to go home
Unearthing the depths of the human heart, Pulp’s ‘Do You Remember The First Time?’ stands out as a New Wave anthem that delves into the complexities of love, longing, and the inescapable persistence of memory. The track, taken from their 1994 breakthrough album ‘His ‘n’ Hers’, encapsulates the existential musings of the band’s iconic frontman, Jarvis Cocker.
With its catchy hooks and candid lyricism, the song evokes a peculiar blend of nostalgia and cynicism. Yet, scratching beyond the surface, ‘Do You Remember The First Time?’ is a multi-layered composition that reflects on personal growth, the pain of unrequited love, and the mundane compromise of companionship devoid of passion.
Nostalgia Wrapped in Sheets of Sarcasm
At its core, ‘Do You Remember The First Time?’ is a vessel for nostalgia, harkening back to memories of past romances and youthful indiscretions. The title itself sets the tone for introspection, daring listeners to recall their own emotional beginnings and the vivid sensations that accompany them.
Cocker’s sharp storytelling pulls the listener into a semi-sweet reminiscence, but the sarcasm embedded within the lyrics paints a picture of a past love that perhaps isn’t worth the pedestal it’s been placed upon. It’s a reminder that sometimes the past is glorified not because of the beauty it held, but because of the lessons it imparts upon reflection.
An Anthem for Unrequited Passions
The narrator’s indifference in the chorus (‘Now I don’t care what you’re doing…’) initially comes off as a cold detachment. However, this claim is juxtaposed against the plea to ‘save a piece for me’, suggesting a complex emotional state where indifference is perhaps a shield for ongoing affection, or maybe a coping mechanism for unrequited love.
Cocker articulates this inner conflict with finesse, allowing listeners to feel the tension between moving on and the unwillingness to let go completely. Each refrain becomes a bittersweet affirmation of both despair and hope—a dance between what is and what could have been.
Decoding the Song’s Hidden Meanings
Beyond the veil of apparent romantic woes, ‘Do You Remember The First Time?’ subtly explores the societal expectations of relationships and sexual maturity. The ‘first time’ is not merely a trip down memory lane; it doubles as a metaphor for the pressures to conform to certain life scripts—the ‘shoulds’ and ‘should nots’ that govern our romantic lives.
As the lyrics reveal a character torn between a stale, secure partnership and the yearning for deeper connection, Pulp challenges the listener to question the very nature of intimacy, authenticity, and emotional fulfilment within the context of conventional adult relationships.
Memorable Lines and Melancholic Echoes
Within the song, certain lines etch themselves deeply into the listener’s consciousness and become a repository for their own mirrored heartaches. ‘You want to go home, but at least there’s someone there that you can talk to’ speaks to the universal fear of loneliness—accepting the mediocre simply to avoid the solitude that haunts us.
‘Oh, but you know that we’ve changed so much since then… we’ve grown’ serves as an admission of personal evolution, conveying the inevitable transformations that take place over time, for better or worse.
A Timeless Tale of Emotional Turmoil
‘Do You Remember The First Time?’ endures as a piercing depiction of emotional struggle that transcends its Britpop roots to touch on the timeless themes of love and loss. This song is not a simple retelling of romanticized first encounters; it’s a nuanced examination of the human condition that captures the listener, regardless of their own ‘first times’.
The dual sense of attachment to and detachment from those formative experiences is what gives the song its haunting pull, resonating with the dichotomy of remembering and forgetting that is intrinsic to our nature. As Jarvis Cocker drawls out the melody, listeners are invited to ponder not just on the loves they’ve had, but also the people they’ve become in the wake of those relationships.
