The shortest song in the Pulp discography and therefore something of an anomaly. Despite its brevity, “Boats and Trains” is one of the finest entries on It and an early inkling of Jarvis’ subversive writing abilities. (It’s also a testament to the arranging skills of Simon Hinkler, the ’83-era Pulp member who would later join The Mission.) Acoustic guitar, organ and (uniquely for Pulp) mandolin gently make their way through an ingenious set of chords. Jarvis softly warbles about his secret fears and the futility in revealing them. “You’d be sure to leak it/ You couldn’t keep it inside/ No matter how hard you tried/ On Boats and Trains and/ And Boats and Trains and/ Funny things and…” Are the boats and trains (and funny things) a way for him to imagine his private thoughts spreading far beyond the relative safety of his Sheffield home? Already, the paranoia that would infiltrate many a Pulp album has begun to set in.
Boats and Trains (It)
Boats and Trains
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About the author
Michael Pelusi’s music writing has appeared in places such as The AV Club, Philadelphia City Paper, and MAGNET Magazine. He has also worked as an editor and content expert for numerous fields, including health and human services, licensing examinations, and civic technology. He lives in Philadelphia, PA, with his wife and their three cats. Learn more at michaelpelusi.com.
Music From a Bachelor's Den 