Pulp’s first release of 1984 came via a compilation cassette entitled Company Classics 3. The lead singer of “Coy Mistress” is not Jarvis Cocker, but a new guitarist/violinist named Russell Senior, who would prove to be a key band member both sonically and visually for the next 10-plus years.
Like Jarvis, Russell was a budding Sheffield musician influenced by punk and post-punk. He liked the original, Peel Sessions-era Pulp, but very much did not care for the gentle It incarnation of the band. In due course, he and Jarvis would move the band (now including Magnus Doyle on drums and Peter Mansell on bass) into much darker territory, heavily influenced by the Velvet Underground, and perhaps Joy Division and The Fall as well.
This new direction is only somewhat indicated by “Coy Mistress,” Pulp’s shortest song. Backed by churchly organ, occasional xylophone bursts, and crashing explosion sounds, Russell recites a slight rewrite of some verses from Andrew Marvell’s poem “To His Coy Mistress.” The song later appeared on another cassette comp, 1986’s Beware the Bacon Slicer. As befitting such an obscure song, “Coy Mistress” is one of the band’s artier, more obtuse explorations.
Coy Mistress
Coy Mistress
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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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