Disco 2000

This is probably the saddest song I know. To me it's about everything you lose growing up. All the possibilities that not only vanish but mutate into something discomforting and strange.

I disagree with those who hold out hope at the end. I take "what are doin' Sunday, baby?" as a last absurd nail in the coffin. She's married and has kids. She has a life now that couldn't have less room for him if she tried.

The hope is all in the tone. It's not that things will get better. It's that the way he's singing about it, he knows that it's just how life works.

This song is completely crushing, it's the classic story of how two people were so close together, but when the time to make plans and decisions in their lives (popularity, dating), they went in opposite directions. Later, though they come to talk to each other occasionally: "I used to walk you home sometimes but it meant Oh, it meant nothing to you, cause you were so, popular "

Later he talks to her again, and they agree to make a pact to meet up in the year 2000 at "2 o'clock, by fountain down the road". Sadly, she's gotten married, and had a baby, without ever realizing his unrequited love for her. It could have been him with her, but fate had different plans, leaving him to probable bachelordom for the rest of his life do to his sadness and yearning for Deborah. The song never states it, but the reference to the baby and "what're you doin' Sunday baby" may mean that Deborah and her husband have split, and that a new beginning might hstart between the two. Or at least that's what I like to think. :)

if i was deborah, i would be kicking myself to death to have passed up a chance to be with jarvis cocker.

Sad indeed. I especially find touching the implication that while once upon a time he was obsessed with her and had childish fantasies about marrying her, etc., in adulthood he's mellowed and is so nostalgic, and perhaps his life is so empty now, that it would blow his mind just to see her for an hour over tea.

I hate to tell you that the 'fountain down the road', at least the one that most fans assume Jarvis Cocker was talking about, no longer exists. It was demolished and paved over before the year 2000. This is the first song I ever loved and Jarvis is returning to Sheffield this week to gig his new solo album. :D

The song is about Jarvis Cocker's childhood friend Deborah Bone. When Deborah was 10 she moved from Sheffield to Letchworth but she remained friends with Cocker, who sang the song at her 50th Birthday party.

Bone was also an award-winning British mental health nurse who received an MBE for her work for "her services to children’s mental health" in 2015.

Unfortunately she was affected by the bone marrow cancer multiple myeloma. She died at home on 30 December 2014, the day her MBE was announced.

She was only 51 years old.

She is survived by her husband Colin and daughters, Pollyanna (who also works for the National Health Service) and Jem, and a grandson, with a granddaughter on the way.

She and Cocker may never have been more than friends but their friendship was strong and every time I hear this song I stop for a minute and think about this woman and how Cocker must feel every time he hears or performs this song.

disco 2000 is up there with the few most beautiful and saddest songs i have ever heard - it makes me cry, with the lyrics and then the meaning added on to it - it's all so sad.

deborah sounds like a right asshat

IMO the best part of the song is where he says he remembers every single thing, then asks her if she remembers the small house/woodchip again, as if it's the only shared memory she might possibly remember.

Sad indeed.

Have a look at my blog mymyelomajourney.wordpress.com from the real Deborah in Disco 2000 just had a great party together!