William Tenn was a science fiction writer with a vivid imagination. My fave story of his is Time in Advance, from 1958. This novella has the following premise: do a prison sentence in outer space and if you survive the harshest conditions known to humankind, you can come back and commit a crime. You’ve already done your bit of bird.

Pulp’s Disco 2000 was included on Mexican NOW! compilations in 1996. The song didn’t feel like a prison sentence on a mining asteroid, but gave me nostalgia in advance. The people I hang with, the person I fancy, where are they going to be in the future?

A lot of us who partook on Britpop foolishly thought Different Class was Pulp’s debut. It was their fifth, and it was such a joy to listen in its entirety I believe it was the right album at the right time. The video, with a clear love of kitchen sink dramas (that aspect ratio!) and cheekiness had an understated feeling of sadness. Which is the very essence of Pulp. It would take me a long time to trawl their back catalogue, and even longer to see them live, in 2023 (!) at Mexico’s Corona Capital Festival. Even if it was decades after I first heard of them, their live energy and the emotional rapture was immeasurable.

Pulp was also part of the Mission: Impossible soundtrack in 1996, with their understated, Harry Palmeresque I spy. Terrific song that makes you appreciate their less pop friendly side. I ended up buying Different Class much later in my life, at a CEX in Sheffield. When I had to leave in 2013, I sold my entire CD collection. I got 22 quid for all albums. The guy at the cashier was the same guy who sold me the album in 2008. “Now it’s my time to keep it” he said and I smirked.

Many Pulp fans I know prefer Common People to Disco 2000. I understand their argument but here’s where I’m going to draw my line on the sand: Common People is too condescending and haughty. I agree with the anger and the sentiment, but still, there should’ve been another way. A discussion for another day.

Is this my fave Pulp song of all time? For a while it was, until I revisited This is Hardcore and allowed the title track to brutally destroy my emotions. Their finest moment, no doubt.

-Sam J. Valdés López