Bar Italia
by Pulp

Album: Different Class (1995)
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Songfacts®:

  • In May 1995, Vox magazine interviewed Pulp during the recording sessions for Different Class, which would be released in October of that year. Whilst there, they got an exclusive preview of "Bar Italia," and described it as being "about the mixed delights of heading out into the dawn chorus in that ungodly hour before the milkman whistles his merry tune, nursing the after-effects of a good night out on the E or whatever in search of a reviving cappuccino."

    The 'E' reference links across to one of their most popular singles of the period, "Sorted for E's and Wizz."
  • There is a real-life Bar Italia located on 22 Frith Street in Soho, London, and it is likely that this is where songwriter Jarvis Cocker got the title for the song from.
  • The song remained both a band and fan favorite, and remained in the band's live repertoire on and off right through their first breakup and successful reunion in the late 2000s - it was the penultimate song in the regular set of their "farewell" show on December 8th at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield, their hometown.

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