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. The gutturally nasal Northern machine gun verse of John Cooper Clarke, as full of vitriol as it is humour and irony, is as inimitably his own as the black hairspray explosion and 28 inch waist black drainpipes still omnipresent in his 70s (70s!). One of my all time favourite memoirs. The only person that I could ever point at that ever made a living out of poetry was Charles Baudelaire. They were speaking my language. The rest is history. His vocals from both of his Suns of Arqa tracks have been used on numerous remixes by the band ever since. Cant find it anywhere :-(. Donnie Sutherland on Sounds and After Dark:John Cooper Clarke reading his poem 'Twat' on Australian show After Dark in 1982.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donn. The punk poetry of John Cooper Clarke | Dangerous Minds I knew nothing about Clarke but had listened to his interview for Desert Island Discs. John Cooper Clarke - Haiku John reckons Jack has done a terrific job of maintaining Lytteltons air of lugubrious resignation. First shown: 05/02/1979If you would like to license a clip from this video please . (Play Loud)". Best line: I pleaded for mercy, I wriggled on the ground. Series 15: Episode 1", "Pointless Celebrities Next on BBC One", "BBC Radio 4 Desert Island Discs, John Cooper Clarke, poet", "BBC Two Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, Series 9, Episode 7", "John Cooper Clarke: The punk poet whose time has come again", "John Cooper Clarke Post-War Glamour Girl / Kung Fu International CBS UK S CBS 6541", "Movie Highlights | Interviews, Quizzes & More", "Various Short Circuit Live At The Electric Circus (Vinyl) at Discogs", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Cooper_Clarke&oldid=1142709900, People associated with the University of Salford, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, "Pity the Plight" (2012 Ill manors album Plan B), This page was last edited on 3 March 2023, at 23:42. Even his musical tastes were mine in those early days; Dylan and Captain Beefheart. Four of Clarke's five lots made a loss, giving a total loss of 233.54. [27], In November 2019 Clarke was a participant, alongside Phill Jupitus, in BBC's Celebrity Antiques Road Trip. British punk poet who set lyrics of rebellion to the music of lesser-known bands. What is John Cooper Clarke most famous poem? - Fuckbuttons.com John Cooper Clarke | Punk Poet | Punk | Afternoon plus | 1979 John Cooper Clarke's memoir 'I Wanna Be Yours' - the big talking points D r John Cooper Clarke, Salford's favourite son, arrives in the whitewashed upper room of St John near London's Smithfield meat market trailing a suitcase. "[19] His poem "I Wanna Be Yours" was adapted by Arctic Monkeys and frontman Alex Turner for the band's fifth album, AM, released on 9 September 2013. Some advice for you. They have one daughter, Stella.[15][29]. "Finding your perfect reading is like finding the most comfortable but beautiful pair of shoes you have ever worn. He has a great deal of respect for the tabloid hack who puts themselves in danger for a good story. It is far from gratuitous, take the swearing out and the poem would cease to function as such. Now you get children in them so you can't even swear in a pub anymore. In fact Im not sure what it actually is, stream of consciousness myth making? Leading line: People mention murder the moment you arrive. Are we still asking if you can wear black with blue? Dr John Cooper Clarke's 2019 autobiography, named after his most famous poem. Way back In 2012 As part of their Punk Britannia season, the BBC celebrated punk performance poet legend John Cooper Clarke through BBC4 documentary Evidently John Cooper Clarke with a month of Radio 6Music specials. This one is all about violence. "Evidently Chickentown" (recited by Christopher Eccleston) is featured in the made-for-television film Strumpet. He was known for his phrasing. His recorded output has mainly centred around musical backing from the Invisible Girls, which featured Martin Hannett . He enjoys cooking at home too, although hes a one pan guy. 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. The constant use of the word fucking functions as a hammer, used to drive the points home. All rights reserved. Rhythm machines at the ready, his cultural performance is about to kick off Theres a real sense of artistic perception when Cooper Clarke is on stage, because he doesnt just stand there and read lines of words. [12], Clarke released Zip Style Method in 1982, but thereafter performed his live act less frequently, spending much of the 1980s mired in heroin addiction, living in a "domestic partnership" with singer and fellow addict Nico. Give it a name. on 14 August 2015[24] and again on 7 January 2022.[25]. Alternative Wedding Readings - I Wanna Be Yours by John Cooper Clarke Depressing, we know, but the acclaimed slapstick of his poetic creations doesnt waver. Around this time, he performed on stage with several punk and post-punk bands and continues to perform regularly. Throughout the 60s, he was a member of a comically inept beat combo whose Spinal Tap-style career is worthy of its own book. It come across as a noir origin story, people with outrageous characters and ending with Clarke himself emerging from the story as a poet ready to take on the world. This brings us to our shared love of specialised languages like Yiddish, which Inotice John lends from a lot, and Polari. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! His unique poetry was put to music by producer Martin Hannett and a band of Mancunians The Invisible Girls.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. 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. Interspersed with the most unlikely offerings that came with the disco era. Maybe it's a limitation in me. Article What is Baroque? Leading line: Time flies slides down the wall. Ten years on Paul Evangelista updates the list to 12 of the best JCC poems with links! Feargal Kinney gave us his top 10 John Cooper Clarke poems. Evie. After 20 years of performing the same material, Clarke re-established contact with guitarist Rick Goldstraw, who had founded Blue Orchids and played with The Fall and Nico. But really it is another example of Clarke having fun with the written word. John Cooper Clarke Discusses Struggles of Heroin Use and Quitting the girls are on the shelf. His working class roots are clear and make a fascinating tale. He still performs, and appeared on AM on "I Wanna Be Yours." He never relies on style. British punk poet who set lyrics of rebellion to the music of lesser-known bands. He's like Edward Scissorhand's older and more sensitive brother. Of all the artists who appear in the book, The Fall, Clarke says, were the best of the best. When I asked about the last time he said his favourite word wow, he says it was in response to his wifes confit duck. City curiosities: an alternative tour of Manchester Part One, Mundane Magic: Oxford Road, River Medlock and a Frenchman. You never meet an artist who isn't a fan [of Mark]. I Wanna Be Yours by John Cooper Clarke is available to buy now from all good book shops. I didn't want to work for a living when I was a teenager. Best line: Im not your psychoanalyst, Id rather talk to mice.. "Sheffield" By Dr. John Cooper Clarke - Vinyl Me, Please He completely dismantles it sometimes and puts it back together. 14.00 GBP. There was a cut off in the 80s where people like me were just rendered completely old fashioned. John Otway is not exactly a household name. 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. I also recommend his love show! John Cooper Clarke: 'I draw the line at flapjack, falafel and tripe' I've just realised that now after all these years.. Toppermost of the poppermost. What can I say, the 70's and 80's were a weird, weird, gloriously outrageous, wonderfully fun, utterly ridiculous era. Since my main imperative was now the acquisition of ever-increasing amounts of heroin, there was always something better to do than write poetry. I Wrote the Songs [2], Clarke has attributed his early success in part to the influence of the English poet Pam Ayres. (Sept. 26, 1888 Jan. 4, 1965) Famous Poets; Langston Hughes; Carl Sandburg; John Keats; Walt Whitman; "Id been halfway out the door when the proprietor told me that some young men in a band wanted a word because theyd done my poetry at school. It's 'mom' upside down. John Cooper Clarke - Wikipedia [4] He also duetted with Reverend Jon McClure at a Reverend and the Makers concert at London's Spread Eagle, performing the poem "Last Resort", which would later be released as the B-side for the band's single "Heavyweight Champion of the World". With a song, you can hold notes on. 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. Part of me dies under my overalls. Kae writes in a kind of language that I don't really use, addressing a public that I have no knowledge of. All mixed up with drug taking anecdotes. What made it easy to remember was the sonorous language of poetry. Often referred to as "the bard of Salford",[9] he usually refers to himself on stage as "Johnny Clarke, the name behind the hairstyle". The term poetic is often used to describe all manner of art: movies, paintings, photographs. When gangsters were no longer cool thanks to early 1960s TV series The Untouchables, they changed their name to The Vendettas, then again to The Chaperones after a line-up change, and then again to The Lovely Flowers in a doomed attempt to cash in on the whole horticultural vibe of the late 60s, and for which he assumed the stage name Brett Vandergelt Junior. Yes, he's a bit superficial with all his accent on style and clothes, and, sure, rhyming poetry is old hat in a way, and he uses the same meter in most all of his poems, and he's so much better without musical backing (despite the talents of Martin Hannett and Vini Reilly, two musicians I otherwise revere unreservedly), but, damn! A master wordsmith, his love of language and humour leaps from every page. I Wanna Be Yours by John Cooper Clarke | Goodreads But what they refuse to see is the absolute madness of it all. 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. After a 40 odd year career, its perhaps surprising that John Cooper Clarke has only actually released two books of poetry. 7 alternative places to go for Valentine's Day in Manchester, Department: the most beautiful shop on Barlow Moor Road, Manchester Architecture: A History. Best line: The carpet was monotonous, its pattern gave the impression of small animal crapping at regular intervals.. He explains in an interview . Oh, those tragic Brit holidays. Dr John Cooper Clarke - I Wanna Be Yours - The Alban Arena At the same time, you had people like Wordsworth, waxing lyrical about the Lake District. His recorded output has mainly relied on musical backing from the Invisible Girls, which featured Martin Hannett, Steve Hopkins, Pete Shelley, Bill Nelson, and Paul Burgess. It's consciously antediluvian., Hes a fan of rap music though, How could I possibly complain? Wait hang onit IS that crazy singer! You heathens! I Wanna Be Yoursis very different from a lot of the poems that have been analyzed on Poem Analysis. On a 1980s Australian tour, meanwhile, his encore consisted of cover of Lady Godivas Operation with none other than New Order as his backing band. 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. It is through you visiting Poem Analysis that we are able to contribute to charity. Looks like Clarkes not the only one feeling entrapped this is a classic piece of poetry. Confidentials Manchester, Dublin weekend: history, seafood, literature and shiny chests. I've never heard anybody with an Ordsall accent in employment in MediaCity.". John Cooper Clarke: 'My trousers? River Island or M&S. The skinniest 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'. Sinatra's a case in point. My all-time favourite, Sean Locke was the funniest guy alive. The name of a group is important and that one is unforgettable. My late great friend Barry Cryer used to say, Analysing humour is like dissecting a frog. Is solo dating the most romantic act of all? Enter the Dragon, exit Johnny Clarke. Like having a cig and a pint at the same time and being able to swear about current events. But I don't want to overanalyse what I do. Linton Kwesi Johnson Poet. John Cooper Clarke up against Damo Suzuki and Georgia Ruth. John Cooper Clarke shot to prominence in the 1970s as the original 'people's poet'. About John Cooper Clarke. It's a good example of going in the opposite direction, rather than trying to fit in with the yoot'. I Don't Wanna Be Nice "One of the more upbeat compositions made to accompany Clarke's poetry, the delivery of the recorded version of "IDon't Wanna Be Nice' veers startlingly close to a sung melody. They sound like my sort of band. JCC goes into . I'm from an industrial city. Why pull the ladder up? With Lauren Laverne. It is not Clarke that embraced punk, however, but the other way around. There is the PE teacher Mr Durcan who arranged for arguing students to duke it out, Marquess of Queensbury style in the ring after school. His set is characterised by lively rapid-fire renditions of his poems, usually performed a cappella. A lesser known Clarke number but amongst his most literary and witty, Are You the Business? 9.50 GBP. Contents 1 Quotes 1.1 BBC Four - Evidently.John Cooper Clarke (30 May 2012) 1.2 BBC Radio 4 - Dr John Cooper Clarke at the BBC (Nov 2016) 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. Few and far between, we say. He believes The Guardian now pushes a narrow set of beliefs, insisting he was always more of "a red top guy. Now I can add John Cooper Clarke's I Wanna Be Yours to make a list of two. 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. Johns thrilled that people too young to remember punk rock may have discovered him on a compulsory basis when his poems were added to the GCSE syllabus in the 90s. With so much to see, its inevitable that we would [], 1984. [20] On their 2020 eponymous debut album, English band Working Mens Club pays homage to the poet in the track John Cooper Clarke, referencing his poem "Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman" and book The Luckiest Guy Alive. Keywords Fashion GQ Style Magazine. [1] In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he released several albums. When I saw the book in my local bookshop on Christmas Eve, I grabbed it. We have a small favour to ask. Dr John Cooper Clarke's 2019 autobiography, named after his most famous poem I Wanna Be Yours, (Macmillan), is a groundbreaking piece of literature. John Cooper Clarke | John Peel Centre for Creative Arts Upon receipt, Clarke commented: "Now I'm a doctor, finally my dream of opening a cosmetic surgery business can become a reality. Around this time, he performed on stage with several punk and post-punk bands and continues . Clarke's recording of "Evidently Chickentown' was also used in the penultimate closing scene of one of modern TV's most famous and respected television shows, "The Sopranos". I believe that all poetry is meant to be heard.. (catalogue number NOZE 1), which was a collection of live recordings, demos and rehearsals. Benjamin Zephaniah Writer. 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. The most striking thing about hearing this poem performed live is the staccato call-and-response nature of the delivery. 2023 Best line: The pandemonium prompted the police, who patrolled the precinct in panda cars, to pull up and peruse the problem, while pickpockets picked pockets in pairs.. That's the one thing I miss about living in Manchester. 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. Evidently John Cooper Clarke - a poem by OldCodger - All Poetry [11] The film featured live performances of mainstream artists (the Police, the Go-Go's, XTC, Devo) as well as more obscure bands (Pere Ubu, Invisible Girls, the Alley Cats, Athletico Spizz '80, Chelsea) using concert footage from around the world. Clarke is unashamed to tell it like it was (for him), to drop names, to joke and tease, and even to give some clever and interesting social perspective to the post war years in terms of style and the way his generation and mine (boom and Blank--he's got about 12 years on me) absorbed and carried on our culture through film, TV, music, and then style and books. Bob Mortimer parodies John Cooper Clarke in new lockdown poem He's met the fish man on the way. With more and more millennials beginning to search for political clarity through poetry, sales of Clarkes work are currently soaring high. I digress. First book of 2021. Australian Premiere/UK] THE POPEYE, FEB 27, 2023. The book is also an at times bleak account of his descent into heroin addiction, always written with a lightness of touch, but never swerving in its mission to bare all. Kung Fu International Unfortunately, the latter half is a repetitive and often boring account of all the numerous ways of taking heroin at various times and locations. John reckons literacy has always been important in Manchester, the birthplace of The Manchester Guardian. Igr kvll underhll han hela Hammersmith Apollo med sin legendariska performancepoesi och den dr clarkeska deadpanhumorn. [6] He began his performance career in Manchester folk clubs, where he began working with Rick Goldstraw and his band the Ferrets. Best line: Poverty and pollution have all swept away. Instead we get perhaps John Cooper Clarkes hardest hitting poems. Beasley Street (John Cooper Clarke) | Jon Kutner Not all of his groups were such a shambles, however. Looks like you might have an AdBlocker on. Poetry and I have a difficult relationship. John Cooper Clarke Poetry - Poem Analysis