Common People

Introduction of a woman from Greece with a thirst for knowledge.

She studied sculpture at Saint Martin's College.

Transition to the narrator's perspective.

The narrator caught her eye.

She reveals her wealthy background.

The narrator suggests having a rum and coca-cola.

She agrees.

After a short time, she expresses a desire to live like common people.

Expressing the desire to experience life as common people do, including sleeping together.

I want to do whatever common people do,

I want to sleep with common people,

I want to sleep with common people,

Like you.

The narrator considers the request.

The narrator takes her to a supermarket to start the experience.

The reason for choosing a supermarket is unclear.

The narrator reflects on the need to start somewhere and begins the experience at the supermarket.

But I had to start it somewhere,

So it started there.

Encouraging her to pretend to have no money and observing the reality of the situation.

She just laughed and said,

""Oh you're so funny.""

I said ""Yeah?

Well I can't see anyone else smiling in here.

Reiterating the desire to live like common people and questioning her commitment.

You want to see whatever common people see,

You want to sleep with common people,

You want to sleep with common people,

Like me.

She doesn't fully understand but smiles and holds the narrator's hand.

She just smiled and held my hand.

Listing actions to emulate a common lifestyle, with a hint at the privilege of being able to call the father for help.

Cut your hair and get a job.

Smoke some fags and play some pool,

Pretend you never went to school.

But still you'll never get it right,

'Cause when you're laid in bed at night,

Watching roaches climb the wall,

If you called your Dad he could stop it all.

Reinforcing the idea that she'll never truly be common, and highlighting the monotony of the lifestyle.

You'll never do whatever common people do,

You'll never fail like common people,

You'll never watch your life slide out of view,

And dance and drink and screw,

Because there's nothing else to do.

Encouraging participation in the common experience, despite the ridicule.

Sing along and it might just get you through.

Laugh along with the common people,

Laugh along even though they're laughing at you,

Criticizing the romanticization of poverty.

Because you think that poor is cool.

Warning about the dangers of trying to fit into a different social class.

They will bite you and never warn you,

Look out, they'll tear your insides out.

Expressing dislike for tourists who find poverty amusing.

Especially one who thinks it's all such a laugh,

Yeah and the chip stain's grease,

Will come out in the bath.

Reflecting on the stark contrast between the common people and those observing from a privileged position.

How it feels to live your life

With no meaning or control

And with nowhere left to go.

You are amazed that they exist

And they burn so bright,

Whilst you can only wonder why.

Repetition of the earlier advice on living like common people, with a reminder of parental support.

Cut your hair and get a job

Smoke some fags and play some pool

Pretend you never went to school,

But still you'll never get it right

'Cause when you're laid in bed at night

And watching roaches climb the wall,

If you called your dad he could stop it all

Confirmation of the difficulty in truly living like common people.

Final restatement of the desire to live with common people.

You'll never do what common people do

You'll never fail like common people

You'll never watch your life slide out of view

And then dance and drink and screw

Because there's nothing else to do

I want to live with common people like you.....