my favorite too - not an expert but the song is about a river that runs through Sheffield, a grim South Yorkshire steel town which has seen better days. Right next to Sheffield is the fantastic countryside of the Peak National Park. To me this song is a about escape from the grim city but also from a grim past. The river flows from the city into the surrounding countryside as a sign of there being an escape. My wife comes from near Sheffield and there was indeed a sweet factory that burnt down. Like so many of Pulp's songs this seems very factual - it paints a grim picture of urban decay, which sums up Sheffield well, but there is always the glimmer of hope just off in the distance
my favorite too - not an expert but the song is about a river that runs through Sheffield, a grim South Yorkshire steel town which has seen better days. Right next to Sheffield is the fantastic countryside of the Peak National Park. To me this song is a about escape from the grim city but also from a grim past. The river flows from the city into the surrounding countryside as a sign of there being an escape. My wife comes from near Sheffield and there was indeed a sweet factory that burnt down. Like so many of Pulp's songs this seems very factual - it paints a grim picture of urban decay, which sums up Sheffield well, but there is always the glimmer of hope just off in the distance