“Common People” is a song by Pulp, released in May 1995 with “Underwear” on the B-side as the lead single from their album Different Class. It is one of the defining songs of the Britpop era, blending sharp social commentary with catchy, anthemic indie rock. The song was written by the band members, Nick Banks, Jarvis Cocker, Candida Doyle, Steve Mackey and Russell Senior, and tells the story of a wealthy woman who wants to experience the life of working-class people for fun, without truly understanding the struggles they face.
Musically, “Common People” builds from a steady, spoken-word verse into a dramatic, soaring chorus, featuring jangly guitars, swirling keyboards, and a relentless beat. Cocker’s biting, sarcastic delivery adds to the song’s satirical tone, making it both politically charged and irresistibly danceable.
The lyrics critique class tourism, where privileged individuals romanticize poverty without facing its real hardships. The famous chorus—”I wanna live like common people, I wanna do whatever common people do”—highlights the disconnect between social classes and the frustration of those who don’t have the luxury of choice.
The music video, directed by Pedro Romhanyi, features Jarvis Cocker dramatically narrating the story, interspersed with scenes of everyday working-class life. The video features an appearance from English actress Sadie Frost. The club scenes were filmed inside Stepney’s Nightclub on Commercial Road in the East End of London.
“Common People” was a huge success, reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and becoming Pulp’s signature song. It remains one of the most critically acclaimed Britpop tracks, often cited as one of the greatest songs of the 1990s. Its mix of witty social critique, infectious energy, and indie charm ensures its lasting legacy as a working-class anthem.