A fat book by a thin man that I felt didn't get to the heart of the matter, and I was left not knowing if I like him, knowing he wouldn't give a fuck about what I think. But, yeah, actors just sound like twats when they get all high and mighty trying to shame talk TV hosts, I give you that. If youre wondering how to deal with someone elses problems, the solution is right in this piece of poetry. I'll give you an example whereby I've tried to stay true to myself while dealing with the modern world. He released several albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and continues to perform regularly. His musical albums include Snap, Crackle & Bop; Zip Style Method; Disguise in Love; and Walking Back to Happiness. Theres a whole wide world in those two words; it calls up an emotional response. I've just realised that now after all these years.. The lists of people he knows and has worked with is impressive, from Bernard Manning to Gil Scot-Heron, from The Clash to Nico, from Plan B to Chuck Berry to list a very few. This poem may be tailored towards a past decade, but its atmospheric despair still rings today. So glad Majorca is on the list utter genius and my favourite! But what they refuse to see is the absolute madness of it all. A lesser known Clarke number but amongst his most literary and witty, Are You the Business? Benjamin Zephaniah Writer. meet Salomey Maloney. "Evidently Chickentown" (recited by Christopher Eccleston) is featured in the made-for-television film Strumpet. Apart from the revolution, its another working day.. As the acclaimed punk poet turns 70 today, weve delved into his lyrical archives and sourced his best works. At the same time, you had people like Wordsworth, waxing lyrical about the Lake District. (Play Loud)". His career has been more as a performer, though he insists that its important to write the poems down, saying, You've got to learn the words somehow. Weve all either experienced or observed one sat by the pool in what looks like a plastic hotel, looking on to the hysteria of other families as they squabble to make full use of water inflatables, alcohol, dinner specials of the day and just the overall package deal that theyve paid for. But of all the times when we might consider poetry to have been encouraged, the punk explosion of 76/77 would likely not be included. Last time he came to Manchester he enjoyed a bit of zhuzhed up marrowbone at The Bull & Bear but dont worry, hes still a man of the people, I'm a fussy eater but I'm not snobbish about it. It draws on his childhood perceptions specifically, the poverty he came across on the streets of Salford while Britains backdrop was entirely Thatcherite. Every single person that visits Poem Analysis has helped contribute, so thank you for your support. There have been times when poetry was very much in vogue. What can I say, the 70's and 80's were a weird, weird, gloriously outrageous, wonderfully fun, utterly ridiculous era. On three separate occasions Clarke has to be resuscitated from the point of death. It refers to lines of verse that contain five sets of two beats, the first of which is stressed and the second is unstressed. Show more Download Higher quality (128kbps) Lower. But little do I care. I was in it to win it so I always wrote with a kind of loosely specified audience. The subject of the piece remains unnamed (lucky guy), but the ambiguity of the poem deems it one of the Salford lads finest pieces. I'm seeing the value of pubs now because they've been banned. The first half of the book acts as a social history of Salford and Manchester in the 50s and 60s and it's a fascinating read and it flew by. He shot to cultural prominence in the Seventies, producing and performing poetry that tackled real-life matters with zero fear and total vibrance. He is a wonderful writer and storyteller but I would have swapped the first 100 pages about his childhood for a longer reflection on his most recent years. Children. John then interviewed Kevin Eldon a week . Trochaic pentameter is an uncommon form of meter. They've all turned into takeaways, secondhand shops, estate agents. You can divide I Wanna Be Yours into two distinct sections: before and after the legendary Sex Pistols gig at Manchester Free Trade Hall in 1976. He reckons the parts of Salford he grew up in havent changed and he doesnt think MediaCity counts. Leading line: Time flies slides down the wall. It's a good example of going in the opposite direction, rather than trying to fit in with the yoot'. They were speaking my language. The rest is history. When you hear his version of Lost In Music you realise that even when Sister Sledge did it, it was always a Fall tune.. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Leading line: I cant go back to Salford, the cops have got me marked. May he rest in peace. [21] In October 2020 Clarke published an autobiography which took its title from his poem I Wanna Be Yours. Manchesters hidden musical treasures: who knew? Are You the Business? 2023 Louder Than War. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . What made it easy to remember was the sonorous language of poetry. Introduction to the English rock singer and poet, Sir John Cooper Clarke, and reading of two poems "I wanna be yours" & "I've got. Endless name dropping and lists of songs, even ad jingles. With Lauren Laverne. I asked him what they were called, and he said The Arctic Monkeys. I Wanna Be Yours, (Macmillan), is a groundbreaking piece of literature. His life and career spans a big timescale, and with his constant demons this is no mean feat. Beasley Street- a punk poem by John Cooper Clarke Far from crazy pavements - The taste of silver spoons A clinical arrangement On a dirty afternoon Where the fecal germs of Mr Freud Are rendered obsolete The legal term is null and void In the case of Beasley Street In the cheap seats where murder breeds Somebody is out of breath Beasley Street (John Cooper Clarke) | Jon Kutner I do recognise that there's a lot of the hack in the way I write poetry. In addition, he published two poetry collections, Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt and The Luckiest Guy Alive. How so? Best line: Poverty and pollution have all swept away. Around this time, he performed on stage with several punk and post-punk bands and continues to perform regularly. If it's got some kind of lasting value, you say it's poetic. I think it was on Sky Arts. Nico and Clarke famously lived in south London together in the 80s. With so much to see, its inevitable that we would [], 1984. The Luckiest Guy Alive by John Cooper Clarke | Goodreads "Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt", Vintage . John Cooper Clarke: 'I've made a living out of dirty language' [28], Clarke has lived for nearly 20 years in Colchester, Essex, with his second wife, Evie, who is French. John Cooper Clarke Poetry - Poem Analysis For decades it was seen as corny. A newspaper is answerable to libel laws for a start.. Unusually, I was more interested in reading this biography for the company the man kept, rather than the man himself. Article What is Baroque? John Cooper Clarke (born 25 January 1949) is an English performance poet who first became famous during the punk rock era of the late 1970s when he became known as a "punk poet". [6] He began his performance career in Manchester folk clubs, where he began working with Rick Goldstraw and his band the Ferrets. [1] In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he released several albums. Poetry and I have a difficult relationship. He laughs as he remembers The Vault, a room many pubs had with a dartboard, no carpet and no women - a room where swearing was allowed. There's a bit where I'm in it, reciting Chickentown in an Irish Pub but I wrote this poem especially for it called Pity The Plight of Young Fellows. Like a lot of Brits, he has a clear dislike of someone, but, unlike a lot Brits, he manifests that into angry, firing verses that make for a condemning rant. Sort of rave kids. Nothing ages you more than trying to look like you're 'down with all that'. Lets just say its a lot. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. The 2023 GQ Food & Drink Awards shortlist. So witty and clever, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of fashion, music and pop culture. John Cooper Clarke | Rock Music Wiki | Fandom My late great friend Barry Cryer used to say, Analysing humour is like dissecting a frog. John Cooper Clarke is an English poet who is regarded as a "punk poet." He became famous in the late 1970s and released several albums. With more and more millennials beginning to search for political clarity through poetry, sales of Clarkes work are currently soaring high. Give it a name. His working class roots are clear and make a fascinating tale. Clarke's poem "Out of Control Fairground" was printed inside the Arctic Monkeys' 2007 single "Fluorescent Adolescent" CD. It's the only thing I ever had a natural aptitude for. And, now, I will have to go and buy some of his poetry! Poem Solutions Limited International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct,London, EC1A 2BN, United Kingdom, Discover and learn about the greatest poetry ever straight to your inbox, Discover and learn about the greatest poetry, straight to your inbox. "Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt (film)", John Cooper Clarke performs Beasley Street at Hammersmith Palais, "John Cooper Clarke interview: 'Poetry is not something you have to retire from', "John Cooper Clarke On Life In Higher Broughton", "John Cooper Clarke: 'It's diabolical how poor I am', "Plan B's Ill Manors set to hijack charts in Olympics opening week", "John Cooper Clarke honoured by University of Salford", "Does Rock 'N' Roll Kill Braincells?! In a way it kind of cramps my style.. He released several albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and continues to perform regularly.His recorded output has mainly centred around musical backing from the . JCC goes into . There was little of the 'poet in the making' insight. In January 2018 Clarke appeared as a contestant on an academic version of BBC One's Pointless Celebrities partnered with historian Suzannah Lipscomb; they reached the head-to-head round. Best line: The fucking scene is fucking sad, the fucking news is fucking bad, the fucking weed is fucking turf, the fucking speed is fucking surf. He kicked me in the balls and said something profound. I'll mither my daughter to Goggle [sic] them on her Skyper. I Wanna Be Yours An odd staple of many wedding ceremonies, I Wanna Be Yours was the first John Cooper Clarke poem to make the GCSE syllabus in 2002, and introduced a young Alex Turner to the art of the well crafted verse. Website. With kind-of-terrible, kind-of-hysterical comments Like a nightclub in the morning, youre the bitter end every claim is unleashed like a bomb. Another speciality is clothing and fashion, something he takes very seriously. Not in the smoothest sense, though: Clarke makes a lot of claims concerning death, unemployment and the passage of time. He believes The Guardian now pushes a narrow set of beliefs, insisting he was always more of "a red top guy. He might consider himself relegated to the realm of the old fashioned but at 73, John Cooper Clarke is as relevant and influential as ever. But I don't want to overanalyse what I do. Around this time, he performed on stage with several punk and post-punk bands and continues . Everybody else has been teachers, librarians or whatever. We have a small favour to ask. John Cooper Clarke rose to fame as a 'people's poet' in the 1970s, and is one of Britains best known spoken word artists (Photo: Paul Wolfgang Webster) By Louise Rhind-Tutt October 13, 2017. 4. Cooper Clarke spent some time in the 80s sharing an apartment in Brixton with notorious femme fatale Nico - famous for singing in The Velvet Underground with rock legend Lou Reed. Dr John Cooper Clarke | King's Lynn Corn Exchange I can imagine how it went in the meeting when they were discussing the construction of MediaCity. I've never heard anybody with an Ordsall accent in employment in MediaCity.". John Cooper Clarke is an English poet who is regarded as a punk poet. He became famous in the late 1970s and released several albums. I Wanna Be Yours (2020) Is the autobiography of erstwhile punk poet - now peoples poet Dr John Cooper Clarke - the book title itself taken from one of Clarkes most popular poems of the same name. Immediately were giggling like old pals. [2], Clarke has attributed his early success in part to the influence of the English poet Pam Ayres. Poems covered in the Educational Syllabus. In. John Cooper Clark Offers 3 Simple Words on Heroin: "Don't Do It". His set is characterised by lively rapid-fire renditions of his poems, usually performed a cappella. John Hegley Poet. Instead we get perhaps John Cooper Clarkes hardest hitting poems. I ask John what he thinks of modern poets like Kae Tempest who he says he likes and describes as "a river to [their] people". Read More. Please continue to help us support the fight against dementia with Alzheimer's Research Charity. JCC featured on BBC Radio 4's Chain Reaction in August 2011 being interviewed by none other than New Order's Peter Hook. Any amateur review cannot do justice to the genius of JCC, so I just urge you to read it! In addition, he published two poetry collections, Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt and The Luckiest Guy Alive. Sinatra sings it. John Cooper Clarke: a poet with a fondness for the f-word I can write blank verse, but where's the groove? John Cooper Clarke (known as Alice Cooper) has this important message about heroin addiction, saying the best prevention is never starting. [1] He released several albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and continues to perform regularly. John Cooper Clarke - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia Even his shambolic attempts to form a Beatles-inspired band in the 60s meant we were punk rockers before that became a good thing.. You can no more take the politics out of Kathe Kolwitz, Sue Coe, or Brecht than you could take the words out of poem. . I saw people like John Lee Hooker, The Animals, The Who. It's not a place for a first date, is it? 7 alternative places to go for Valentine's Day in Manchester, Department: the most beautiful shop on Barlow Moor Road, Manchester Architecture: A History. [22], 2015 saw Clarke present a documentary on Thomas De Quincey's Confessions of an English Opium-Eater in the BBC's second series of The Secret Life of Books. I was eagerly anticipating this and got it within a few hours of release; went for the audiobook version because JCC has one of the most characterful and listenable voices in showbusiness. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I've got to check them out. S. Eliot was an English poet and critic. John Cooper Clarke is a phenomenon: Poet Laureate of Punk, rock star, fashion icon, TV and radio presenter, social and cultural commentator. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Fascinating for anyone interesting in recent history, music history, fashion and pop culture. Best line: The carpet was monotonous, its pattern gave the impression of small animal crapping at regular intervals.. He layers them over melodies, relaying a sort of spoken song that makes his compositions an outpour of awareness rather than just forms of entertainment. And, no, I will not burn my copy of "Ou est la Maison de Fromage," for I love you live and solo as you are best heard. So hes still out there wild mane and grungy tailored look intact soon set to embark on his 2019 British tour. John Cooper Clarke | John Peel Centre for Creative Arts SNAP, CRACKLE & BOP CD. There are pharmacy-robbing brothers Angie and Marcel, and there is moustachioed jazz aficionado Spanish Fred, dressed with psychotic attention to detail in a pinstripe suit with his hair slicked back. Among poets, John Cooper Clarke is the closest thing to a rock star our contemporary times can offer. Wise words from punk poet John Cooper Clarke, Kurt Cobain's sunglasses taught a whole generation of kids how to be cool, Mark three years without David Bowie by listening to his best songs, James McAvoys lowkey watch is a people's champion, Meet the men paying to have their jaws broken in the name of manliness, 10 of the best GQ-approved first watches money can buy. In fact, theres a lesson to be taken from these 36 hours: he may announce lifes many depressing elements, but he also aspires to address them through some commentary and a spot of dark humour. They're already selling a range of poisons. Clarke writes about his English teacher, Mr. Malone, with affection. From music hall and working mens clubs to punk and post-punk, whether as an observer or participant, Clarke has done it all. With a song, you can hold notes on. For many, Arctic Monkeys cover of Clarkes 1982 poem I Wanna Be Yours, the closing track on AM, was the gateway into the bard of Salfords work. Credit: Getty. . Goldshaw began handling Clarke's affairs, and the two toured with the Mescaleros and several times supporting the Fall. Short and simple, Apart From the Revolution is nonetheless packed with a mixture of pathos and hope. John Cooper Clarke (born 25 January 1949) is an English performance poet who first became famous during the punk rock era of the late 1970s when he became known as a "punk poet". Here we present some of his best work, which will go some way to explaining why he has become, of all things, a national treasure. Seminal tracks such as Beasley St and Evidently Chickentown featured on the album Snap Crackle and Bop, one of 4 hit 70/80s album releases. He eats out a lot more these days than in the throes of his well-documented drug addiction where he survived on sugary cakes and pastries. Ellie-Jo meets Heather Linnitt in Chorlton to check out the modern vintage marvel that is Jonathan Schofield and the epic tale of Manchester architecture, Jonathan Schofield gazes down from an impossible angle at the 'old city', Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt by John Cooper Clarke - Goodreads Features 30 new poems, including the favourites; I've Fallen In Love With My Wife and Get Back on Drugs you Fat F*ck. Could anyone, I ask, with enough time and dedication, learn how to be a poet or is it something youre born with? I was surprised that the reviews and descriptions made no mention of Clarke's addictions. The frog dies and nobody laughs. I couldn't put it better than the late Baz.. The constant use of the word fucking functions as a hammer, used to drive the points home. He was known for his phrasing. Interspersed with the most unlikely offerings that came with the disco era. Clarke often seemed to bear beats in mind when writing and performing, possibly indicating there is a frustrated rock star hiding under the poetic exterior. Is solo dating the most romantic act of all? The only two things I disagree with him on are a) Genesis (dude, you've confused them with the Grateful Dead--that's the band with the 30 minute guitar solos) and b) that an artist should never avow their politics. He still performs, and appeared on AM on "I Wanna Be Yours." Near the end hes given up drugs, married and has a grown up daughter. 14.00 GBP. City curiosities: an alternative tour of Manchester Part One, Mundane Magic: Oxford Road, River Medlock and a Frenchman. Take a tip from John Cooper Clarke In memory of Bernard Nyland who has finally got to He released several albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and continues to perform regularly. Unfortunately, the latter half is a repetitive and often boring account of all the numerous ways of taking heroin at various times and locations. I Wrote the Songs [citation needed]. John Cooper Clarke was born in Manchester in 1949. I listened to it as an audiobook, and Clarke is so engaging and skilled at storytelling that this book could've been twice as long and it still wouldve felt like no time at all. Most of his poems are set to music and feel very contemporary. He might not be a pub man but John loves a good restaurant. I mean, crikey! [2] Rabid also released his debut LP O est la maison de fromage'? He first encountered Mark E. Smith when the late singer was a schoolboy, and Clarke ended up becoming an unofficial uncle to the future Fall frontman you know, the type of uncle who doesnt give a fuck what you get up to, as he puts it. "My paternal grandfather had been a regular soldier in India until 1948, and bore an uncanny resemblance to Mahatma Ghandi (who apparently suffered from corns and bad breath, in other words a supercallousedfragilemysticplaguedwithhalitosis, as Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke almost sang).". Hes even on the GCSE curriculum these days! A light hearted look at songs that could have been famous, this is Clarke at his most whimsical as he lists songs with titles that are almost familiar, such as Some Enchanted Afternoon and Greasy Kind Of Love. His wife Evie, whos French, is the better cook. I don't think that songs are poetry but I think that a good song has something poetic about it. The first half of the book is an exercise in nostalgia as Clarke details growing up in the 1950's, 60's and early 1970's and the social and cultural developments in Britain during those decades with a welter of information about his favourite films, books, comics, songs, bands and much more. "Sheffield" By Dr. John Cooper Clarke - Vinyl Me, Please was John Cooper Clarke, a skinny punk from up north, from whose mouth down south this poem poured forth. Yeah, I think you can learn to be a poet to a greater or lesser extent. John Cooper Clarke - Haiku. Well bet that when you listen to its leading lines, youll naturally prescribe a name in your head. Its really my only skill. Salford poet John Cooper Clarke has certainly led a fascinating life and documents it in - a lot of - detail in this memoir. Grab one of the last remaining tickets for John Cooper Clarke at The Bridgewater Hall here. I Wanna Be Yoursis very different from a lot of the poems that have been analyzed on Poem Analysis. This is perhaps a reflection of his upbringing in Salford which he describes in a way that highlights the fact that it is a dirty, grimy area this can often inform his poetry. It's an alarmingly ridiculous idea. I Dont Want To Be Nice Its lines are pretty abrupt and evoke a lot of cynicism Im not your psychoanalyst and Disgust is just his dumb disguise first spring to mind but thats what Clarke is all about. Idiot. The language is old fashioned - even for me. Come my old age, my nursing home will have a very different soundtrack to the Hits of the Blitz that the grandparents favoured. Though he needs no such affirmation, it cements Clarkes status as one of the most distinctive voices in pop cultural history its impossible not to hear him read every word aloud in your head with that unforgettable Manc drawl and reveals much about a remarkable life and career. It doesnt say much, but it goes to great lengths to say it. One of the greatest and coolest things I've always been able to tell people is that, not only do I live in the town where Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Humpty Dumpty were written, but that the captivating individual that is John Cooper Clarke lives here. "For many years as well - this is where Ive been ploughing the lonely furrow - rhyming was seen to be a capital offence. Clarke lost much of the 1980s to a heroin addiction, when he lived in a flat in Brixton with Nico, the late singer and muse of the Velvet Underground; he dislikes any attempt to glamorise that. It was hand to mouth. The saddest of all, however, is when he realises that an emaciated, greasy heroin dealer is in fact Chet Baker, once jazzs handsome, charismatic Prince of Cool, now a shadow of his former self. I Wanna Be Yours by John Cooper Clarke is available to buy now from all good book shops. Im relieved. TWAT."". Dr John Cooper Clarke's 2019 autobiography, named after his most famous poem I Wanna Be Yours, (Macmillan), is a groundbreaking piece of literature. Evidently John Cooper Clarke - a poem by OldCodger - All Poetry [26] He has also been a panellist on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. These days, hes a showbiz guy who often brings his Mancunian wit to daytime TV shows like Eight Out Of Ten Cats Does Countdown, filmed at MediaCity - where he bemoans the irony that you cant buy a newspaper. John Cooper Clarke on Apple Music Best line: Did Bob Marley like the odd smoke? You can finesse the way you approach any part of the song. If you get one of them early in the day from a branch of Martin's straight out of the oven. Among the revelations of I Wanna Be Yours, however, is the fact that the two distinctly voiced flatmates came extremely close to recording an album of duets under the name Nico And Johnnie. It also contains the line 'Keith Joseph smiles and a baby dies, in a box on Beasley Street'. The band's Alex Turner has said he is very fond of Clarke's work and takes inspiration for lyrics from his poems. It is not Clarke that embraced punk, however, but the other way around. I was watching a programme about Motown. Dr. John Cooper Clarke - I Wanna Be Yours SOLD OUT Then right at the end, in 2004, hes buying crystal meth. Suspended Sentence What it sounds like is the most important part of any poem. They sound like my sort of band. [13][14] He described this period of his life: "It was a feral existence. 9.50 GBP. I didnt want the 15+ hours of this to end, and had I the time, Id listen to it again right away. . He might consider himself relegated to the realm of the old fashioned but at 73, John Cooper Clarke is as relevant and influential as ever. Beasley Street Enter the Dragon, exit Johnny Clarke. And when you happen to see him, in these very ordinary settings, it's a bit like magic. Poet Laureate of Punk, fashion icon, TV and radio presenter, social and cultural commentator. Felt wrong listening to it at my usual 1.5 speed so I set it at normal pace and 15 hours in John's company later I'm going to start again at the beginning. Mmm!. That's the one thing I miss about living in Manchester. John Cooper Clarke - Wikipedia Clarke was born in Salford, Lancashire, in 1949. Having an idea to write such a poem is one thing, but to create such a masterfully crafted text is quite another. Clarke's recording of "Evidently Chickentown" from his album Snap, Crackle & Bop was also featured prominently in the closing scene of The Sopranos episode Stage 5. John Cooper Clarke punk poet, bard of Salford has had a chequered life, from growing up in post-war austerity Britain, through hardcore drug abuse, to being a kind of national treasure. 'It will provide some much-needed employment in a depressed area'. I asked him what they were called, and he said The Arctic Monkeys, Clarke remembers. A master wordsmith, his love of language and humour leaps from every page. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Now I can add John Cooper Clarke's I Wanna Be Yours to make a list of two. The worlds defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking whats new and whats next since 1952. Finally, we get back onto the subject of Radio Four and another shared love:Im Sorry, I Havent a Cluewhich has survived many personnel changes from the deaths of Willie Rushton and Barry Cryer as well as long time presenter, Humphrey Lyttelton making way for Jack Dee. He toured with Bill Nelson's band Be-Bop Deluxe in 1978 and was signed by Epic Records, who issued the studio album Disguise In Love, produced by Hannett, in 1978. I used to think trees were dirty, because when I was a kid in Salford you'd climb them and come off filthy, it was like you'd been up a chimney and even if you got a stretch of park you just had to scrape the grass and there were, like, cinders underneath it was horrible[5], His first job was a laboratory technician at Salford Tech. None of them were licensed. Well, I'm a fan so I found this autobiography super charming.