Released on this day – 30th October 1995
By the autumn of 1995, Pulp had gone from being Sheffield’s best-kept secret to the band that defined British life in the mid-90s. Jarvis Cocker — gangly, awkward, funny, and a little bit filthy — was suddenly a national icon. He’d conquered Glastonbury, confused the tabloids, and made being the odd one out look cool.
Then came Different Class, and everything just clicked.
This isn’t just my favourite Pulp record — it’s probably my most listened-to album of all time. I’ve played it to death, and it still sounds fresh. It’s got everything: heart, humour, lust, boredom, and the kind of kitchen-sink honesty that made the 90s feel like something worth remembering.
“Mis-Shapes” kicks things off with a call-to-arms for the weird kids, the ones who never quite fit in. “Pencil Skirt” oozes sleaze, “I Spy” is pure theatre, and “Common People” — well, that’s the national anthem for the rest of us. Still gives me goosebumps nearly thirty years later.
And then there’s “Disco 2000.”
That song is part of my DNA. My karaoke go-to. Every time it comes on, I’m up — pint in one hand, mic in the other, convinced I’m Jarvis Cocker for four glorious minutes. I can’t hit half the notes, but that’s never stopped me. The nostalgia, the longing, the ridiculous optimism of it all — it’s unbeatable.
The rest of the album is just as sharp. “Underwear” breaks your heart quietly, “Something Changed” still turns up at weddings, “Sorted for E’s & Wizz” captures a whole generation in one hazy weekend, and “Bar Italia” is the perfect Sunday-morning comedown.
It’s funny, grubby, romantic and real — just like life was back then. And somehow, it still hits exactly the same way now.
The Album
Final thought
Different Class is still the perfect reminder that being ordinary doesn’t mean being dull. It’s about the moments that stick — the nights out, the bad decisions, the people you’ll never quite forget. Every time “Disco 2000” kicks in, I’m right back there — 90s optimism, dodgy shirt, and a belief that the next chorus could fix everything.