Live Bed Show Lyrics
But she doesn't want to stay in bed,
'cause it's changed from something comfortable,
To something else instead.
From the first time to the last,
The silences of now,
And the good times of the past.
From a shop just down the road,
Mind you, that was seven years ago,
And things were very different then.
The headboard banging in the night.
The neighbors didn't dare complain,
Oh everything was going right.
'Cause it never makes a sound.
Something beautiful left town,
And she doesn't even know its name.
Ooh ah ah,
Called pretending nothing's going wrong oh,
Oh but she knows,
If this show was televised,
No one would watch it,
Not tonight but seven years ago.
Now there's no need to complain,
'cause it never makes a sound,
Something beautiful left town,
And she never even knew its name.
But she doesn't want to stay in bed,
'cause it's changed from something comfortable,
To something else instead.

What a sad song. I'd say it's about a poor woman who's a bit past her prime and isn't getting any action. It reminds me of " The Rocking Chair" by The Beautiful South.

I have spent days listening to the Different Class CD over the years and most of the songs at one point or another have been my favourite. This one maybe more than most.
I don't think her lover has left, I think the "something beautiful" that's left town is more abstract and refers to what they used to have.
But then at other times I also thought that she might be a prostitute...?
Maybe sometimes we think to much, was it Freud who said sometimes a pencil is just a pencil?
Its a great song, Cocker writes some of the best lyrics around.
oooh.. never thought about the prostitute angle before.. a definite possibility! and i can echo your first paragraph to the letter :)
oooh.. never thought about the prostitute angle before.. a definite possibility! and i can echo your first paragraph to the letter :)

I always thought of it as an aged former prostitute. She doesn’t have to go to work anymore but she doesn’t want to stay in bed because it’s turned to something else instead (bad memory from all those years of sex work).
@Differentclazz Definite sex worker vibes; "She doesn't have to GO to work" (unlike the rest of us, she is already there) "But she doesn't want to stay in bed" - memories
@Differentclazz Definite sex worker vibes; "She doesn't have to GO to work" (unlike the rest of us, she is already there) "But she doesn't want to stay in bed" - memories
"And it only cost 10 pounds" what would be the point of alluding to the cost of the bed, but the act itself
"And it only cost 10 pounds" what would be the point of alluding to the cost of the bed, but the act itself
"The neighbours didn't dare complain" - afraid of the 'pimp'?
"The neighbours didn't dare complain" - afraid of the 'pimp'?
"she doesn't even know its name" - strangers who come and go
"she doesn't even know its name" - strangers who come and go
Also that no-one would watch this "Live Bed Show" - this is an obvious nod...
Also that no-one would watch this "Live Bed Show" - this is an obvious nod to the sex shows available to watch
Yes, she's lost her looks and consequently her customers. It is a very sad song, but in so many other ways than the obvious.

I agree. But the thing is "something beautiful left town": I've always assumed this meant her beauty/attractiveness/sexual allure. But today it struck me this could be a lover, the cause of her 'headboard banging'. So perhaps its a deceitfully romantic love song... Or it's just Pulp being Pulp.

I like the beautiful South. And Pulp.
Wish I had a bed.

The bitter taste of melancholy... mmmm! So sad to be stuck in yesterday instead of moving forward toward a better tomorow.

I thought it was a passionate relationship, which fel apart, and she pretends she dosn't mind, but she is all alone. Plup were the first band I ever saw live when I was 8.

Has anyone heard the extended live version? It's 8:46 and the extended music bits sound like "Like a Friend", very nice. I believe there's also an extra verse.

Da woman is not feelin her man nomore. Luv and passion has left town and da sex isnt even comfortable nomore. She gets out of da bed to go to work to avoid sex wiv him.
again in English, please? :P
again in English, please? :P