A bonus track from the 2012 reissue, “Sink or Swim” is an outtake from It. Like the songs from that album, it’s dominated by soft crooning from Jarvis. Unlike those other songs, there’s a prominent synth part, making it something of a bridge between the sound of the band’s first Peel Session in 1981, and the sound of the band they would become in the ‘90s.
Although “Sink or Swim” is a mellow affair, it shares key elements with more immediately gripping Pulp songs. In a 1994 interview, Jarvis summarized the song’s theme as “standing on the threshold of life.” Maybe in a quiet way, this is Jarvis’ vow to avoid an easy conventional life, diving instead into uncertainty for the sake of art, and his dreams. Like, say, “Countdown” or “Monday Morning,” it deals with the struggle and fear that comes with trying to live a worthwhile life.
Sink or Swim
Sink or Swim
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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.
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