PULP – Help the Aged (live) | Glastonbury (1998)

“Help the Aged” is a song by British alternative rock band Pulp from their 1998 album, This Is Hardcore. Written as a sarcastic reflection of Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker’s ageing, the song was disliked by Pulp guitarist Russell Senior who left the band before the song’s release and sought to prevent it from being released as a single.

“Help the Aged” was released as the first single from This Is Hardcore in November 1997, reaching number eight in the UK. The song has since seen positive critical reception, with many critics praising the song’s lyrics for their wit and compassion.

Help the aged, One time they were just like you Drinking, smoking cigs and sniffing glue Help the aged Don’t just put them in a home Can’t have much fun when they’re all on their own Give a hand, if you can Try and help them to unwind Give them hope and give them comfort ‘Cause they’re running out of time

In the meantime we try Try to forget that nothing lasts forever No big deal, so give us all a feel Funny how it all falls away When did you first realize? It’s time you took an older lover, baby Teach you stuff, although he’s looking rough Funny how it all falls away

Help the aged ‘Cause one day you’ll be older too You might need someone who can pull you through And if you look very hard Behind those lines upon their face You may see where you are headed And it’s such a lonely place, oh

In the meantime we try Try to forget that nothing lasts forever No big deal so give us all a feel Funny how it all falls away When did you first realize? It’s time you took an older lover baby Teach you stuff although he’s looking rough Funny how it all falls away

You can dye your hair but it’s the one thing you can’t change Can’t run away from yourself, yourself, yours-s-s-s-self

In the meantime we try Try to forget that nothing lasts forever No big deal, so give us all a feel Funny how it all falls away. When did you first realize? It’s time you took an older lover, baby Teach you stuff, although he’s looking rough Funny how it all falls away Oh, it’s funny how it all falls away Funny how it all falls away Oh, it’s funny how it all, how it all falls away So help the aged