Something Changed
"Something Changed" is a song by the English rock band Pulp, serving as the seventh track on their fifth studio album, Different Class, which was released on October 30, 1995, by Island Records.[1] Written by frontman Jarvis Cocker in 1984 during his school years, the track was not recorded until over a decade later, evolving from an early demo version featuring different lyrics sung by Cocker's sister.[2] Issued as the album's fourth and final single on March 25, 1996, it peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart and was promoted with two distinct CD single covers—a "boy" version depicting a suggestive image of unzipped jeans and a "girl" version showing a woman's cleavage in a red bra—to appeal to different audiences.[3][4] The lyrics of "Something Changed" explore themes of romantic serendipity and the profound impact of chance meetings, with Cocker narrating a narrative of writing the song just before encountering a life-changing partner, underscoring how small decisions can alter one's path.[2] Backed by the B-side "Mile End," which later appeared on the soundtrack to the 1996 film Trainspotting, the single contributed to Pulp's commercial breakthrough during the Britpop era, following hits like "Common People" and "Sorted for E's & Wizz."[4] Critically, the song has been praised for its witty storytelling and infectious melody, remaining a staple in Pulp's live performances, including their reunion tours in the 2020s and 2025 activities commemorating the 30th anniversary of Different Class, such as a deluxe reissue.[5][6]Background
Writing process
"Something Changed" originated during Pulp's nascent indie years in the early 1980s, specifically in 1984, when the band was still finding its footing after forming in 1978. At that time, Pulp operated on the fringes of Sheffield's music scene, with sporadic activity and an unstable lineup of school friends and local musicians, far from the polished Britpop sound they would later develop. Jarvis Cocker, the band's founder and primary songwriter, composed the song as an early demo during this period of obscurity—written shortly before a chance meeting that inspired its themes—before the arrival of key members who shaped their breakthrough era.[2][7] An initial version of the track featured different lyrics and was recorded with Cocker's sister providing vocals, though it remained unused and largely forgotten amid the band's lineup changes and limited output. In a 1996 Melody Maker interview, Cocker recalled: "It was originally written about 12 years ago. My sister sang an early version, but it had different words. It never got used, and then I just remembered it." This early incarnation captured Cocker's budding songwriting style but did not align with Pulp's evolving identity.[2][7] The song lay dormant until 1995, when it was revived during recording sessions for Pulp's breakthrough album Different Class. By then, the band had matured into a central force in the Britpop movement, with a stable lineup including Cocker alongside Candida Doyle, Nick Banks, Steve Mackey, and Russell Senior, allowing for a reworking that infused the track with their signature orchestral pop flair and reflective lyricism. Cocker adapted the demo with new words, transforming it into a meditation on serendipity, inspired by a real-life chance encounter in a nightclub that profoundly altered his path—"If I hadn’t gone out and met this particular person in this particular nightclub, and formed a relationship with her, how different would my life have been?"[2][4][7] This revival decision highlighted Cocker's practice of mining his extensive backlog of ideas, bridging Pulp's indie roots with their 1990s commercial ascent. The anecdote embedded in the lyrics—"I wrote this song two hours before we met"—further underscores the song's roots in contemplating pivotal relationships, though its themes of chance are explored more deeply elsewhere.[2]Inspiration and themes
"Something Changed" draws inspiration from a personal chance encounter in Jarvis Cocker's life, specifically a meeting with a significant other at a nightclub in 1984, prompting reflections on how such random events can profoundly alter one's trajectory.[7] Cocker recalled writing an early version of the song shortly before this meeting, later reviving it for Pulp's 1995 album Different Class while contemplating the "what if" scenarios of that pivotal moment, evoking a "sliding doors" sense of alternate life paths.[7] At its core, the song explores themes of randomness and fate in romance, emphasizing spontaneity over predestination as small, unplanned events—such as deciding to go out despite fatigue—lead to unexpected connections that upend carefully planned lives.[7] Cocker explicitly distinguished this from fatalism, stating, "So it’s not really about fate, it’s more about the randomness of things. Which I like," highlighting a preference for life's unpredictability amid the constraints of schedules and routines.[7] These ideas contrast the serendipity of romantic encounters with the rigidity of everyday existence, underscoring how trivial choices can spark transformative relationships. The track carries philosophical undertones of regret and reflection, inviting contemplation on missed opportunities and life's contingencies, which align with Britpop's broader working-class narratives of aspiration, frustration, and introspection in post-industrial Britain.[8] In Pulp's context, such themes often reflect the uncertainties faced by those navigating limited social mobility in places like Sheffield, where Cocker grew up.[8] Cocker has noted the song's lasting romantic resonance, observing couples embracing and singing along to it during Pulp reunion concerts, which surprised him given Pulp's typically more acerbic tone but affirmed its enduring appeal as a love anthem often featured at weddings and intimate celebrations.[9]Recording and production
Studio sessions
The recording of "Something Changed" occurred in 1995 at Townhouse Studios in London, as part of the broader sessions for Pulp's fifth studio album, Different Class. These sessions took place primarily from June to July, capturing the track alongside others like "Mis-Shapes" and "Sorted for E's & Wizz" in a focused environment that emphasized live rhythm tracking and subsequent overdubs.[10][11] Produced by Chris Thomas, known for his work with acts like the Beatles and Pink Floyd, the sessions unfolded during the summer of 1995, a period when Pulp was gaining significant momentum after the May release of their breakthrough single "Common People," which had propelled them into the Britpop spotlight. Thomas's approach involved meticulous layering of elements to enhance the album's sonic depth.[11][12] "Something Changed" was positioned as the seventh track on the Different Class tracklist, following high-profile singles such as "Common People" and "Mis-Shapes," whose promotions had heightened anticipation for the album. This placement allowed the song to serve as a pivotal moment in the record's sequencing, bridging more upbeat anthems with subsequent material. In 2025, for the 30th anniversary edition, the album was remastered by Geoff Pesche at Abbey Road Studios, overseen by Jarvis Cocker and Mark Webber.[13][14]Personnel
The personnel for "Something Changed" primarily consisted of the core members of Pulp during the recording of their 1995 album Different Class, with additional contributions from production staff and session musicians.[15]- Jarvis Cocker: Lead vocals, guitars (including Vox Marauder and Ovation 12-string), keyboards (Roland SH-09, Mellotron), piano.[16]
- Nick Banks: Drums (Yamaha), percussion.[15]
- Steve Mackey: Bass guitar (Musicman Sabre).[15]
- Russell Senior: Guitars (Fender Jazzmaster), violin, backing vocals.[16]
- Mark Webber: Guitars (including Gibson ES-345 for the notable solo), keyboards (Fender Rhodes, Roland Juno 6).[15]
- Candida Doyle: Keyboards (Farfisa organ, Minimoog, Ensoniq ASR-10), tambourine.[16]