A couple of years ago, inspired by our love of music and words, we gathered together stories written by lots of talented people to curate the Stories from Songs project, a collection of short stories inspired by lyrics from songs, a zine of the stories, and an event where talented musicians performed covers of the songs and actors performed and read aloud.
To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the release of Pulp’s Different Class we asked people to do the same with some of Jarvis Cocker’s finest songs.
Jarvis Cocker’s lyrical genius, acerbic wit and perceptive eye are one of the elements that enabled Pulp to connect so well back in the nineties, and continue to transcend the vagaries of time to communicate with individuals so acutely.In his book Mother, Brother, Lover Jarvis (as well as acknowledging that his lyrics are ‘alright’) states that his songs are always about narrative. It’s the story that matters.
Songs may be a story about a character. The lyrics could be shrewd and perceptive observations that make a comment on life. Or they may be an interesting blend of words and phrases that trigger an emotional response in you. You may see a tale within the tune. Or one which goes beyond its final chords. Explore what happens to the character once the song ends. Take the title and spin your own fantasy from it.
Or something else entirely.
This is the result. This is Pulp Fiction.
Have you got a vague wordcount in mind?
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More than 300 words, less than 3000?
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Look forward to reading your story!
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I started it this morning – what’s the deadline?
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Meh, we are a little (too) laid back with this. Next few weeks would be nice?
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Will see what I can do!
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This is crazy! I’ve actually written an entire novel based on Common People and entitled, imaginatively, “Common People”. But, at around 130,000 words, it’s a little over your word count for this…
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No way, this sounds amazing! Perhaps send us an excerpt? Where I can I read this novel?!
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The novel now only exists on my hard drive, as it’s completely unpublishable. (This is what happens when you quote an entire song, several times: no publisher will go anywhere near it! I wish someone had mentioned this…) I’ll dig it out and see if I can find an excerpt that sort of stands alone… Would love to be part of this!
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I just had the exact same idea!!! 🙂 I think the concept of a novel with each chapter based on a song is amazing. From the beginning where a maverick outcast is trying to make his way in a world of prejudice and fear, through a series of love affair`s where he takes it in turns to be a dirty little secret/ have a dirty little secret. The realization that the world is a enemy so strong it doesn’t even need to fight, to an unexpected riproaring victory. The question is if you can’t beat them, do you have to join them?
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I love that idea – I guess that is what an album is, a chapter of the writer’s life maybe?
You can do both! Give us a taster to share then pull them in with your novel!
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Submitted! (I think…)
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Yes! Thank you!
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So I just submitted but all the format and my nifty little icons (integral to the story) got lost in translation. Can I email instead?
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Just seen your flyer in Rough Trade – hope this is still happening and I have time for inspiration and then writing and etc!?!?
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Yes!! Can you get something to us by the end of November please? Hurrah!!
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Are you still open for submissions?
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Yes – tentatively until the end of the year, but let’s see how we’re going! x
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