2nd May 2020. John Cooper Clarke is an English performance poet, who first became famous as a "punk poet" in the late 1970s. I will say that I did miss some sort of lead up to his performances. 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. John Cooper Clarke - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia Dr John Cooper Clarke's 2019 autobiography, named after his most famous poem I Wanna Be Yours, (Macmillan), is a groundbreaking piece of literature. Leading line: Youre fucking lost and fucking found, stuck in fucking Chickentown. Ten years on Paul Evangelista updates the list to 12 of the best JCC poems with links! 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. But Clarke is one of a kind, and with this piece he redefined traditional ideas of poetry altogether. He released several albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and continues to perform regularly. Its at this point Clarke, then a local favourite in the working mens clubs and casinos of the North West, transforms in an instant into the nationally known poet laureate of punk hes still venerated as today. [2] He lived in the Higher Broughton area of the city and became interested in poetry after being inspired by his English teacher, John Malone,[3] whom he described as "a real outdoor guy, an Ernest Hemingway type, red blooded, literary bloke". He also starred in another 1982 film titled John Cooper Clarke Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt produced for the Arts Council of Great Britain and Channel 4. Authors; . I was not equipped psychologically to deal with any of this new reality, he writes. Hes even on the GCSE curriculum these days! 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. I am 53 and saw John many times.. and lover his warts and all adventures..not for everyone, but most working class boys or anyone who is not interested in average people and prepared to not to be told how to live..gets messy , but met all the rock n roll greats and all the people worth knowing who were on same path..his wit and compassion to fellow musicians in trouble would help emotionally never wandered..a good man knows a good man..first saw at Glastonbury..and said with paper they in hand look my divorce..not bad 50/50 on house she got the inside and I got the outside and pay for arrangements..I was hooked.. also part of the school curriculum (wanna be your washing machine). [10], Clarke appeared in a 1982 music documentary compilation Urgh! None of them were licensed. Instead we get perhaps John Cooper Clarkes hardest hitting poems. Theres a reason why John Cooper Clarke was dubbed the first punk poet: his words have long delivered an honest exposure of urban Britain. As the acclaimed punk poet turns 70 today, weve delved into his lyrical archives and sourced his best works. This developed from him stealing prescription amphetamines at school in the 50s and robbing pharmacies for opiates as an adolescent to eventually succumbing to heroin addiction under the pressures of celebrity, a habit that would eventually have a crippling effect on his work. My late great friend Barry Cryer used to say, Analysing humour is like dissecting a frog. Poems by John Cooper Clarke - YouTube 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. I never really understood that. Every Glastonbury poster and line-up since 1970, Soundtrack Of My Life: Ted Lasso star Phil Dunster, J-hope fulfils another fantasy with his J. Cole collab On The Street, Daisy Jones & The Six: backstage with the TV band everyones going to be watching, Final Fantasy 16 is a lavish RPG twist on Bayonetta and its all the better for it. I can see the worth of a Martin's meat and potato pie. And today he turns 70. Website. Dr John Cooper Clarke's 2019 autobiography, named after his most famous poem I Wanna Be Yours, (Macmillan), is a groundbreaking piece of literature. I wasn't a punk, but a signed-up drippy hippy, and the music I was into then Pink Floydian and trippy, but I rushed out quick and bought his Gimmix single, though with safety-pinned punks I had to mingle. I didn't get any encouragement. His unique poetry and delivery style was recorded and put to music by legendary producer Martin Hannett. Kae writes in a kind of language that I don't really use, addressing a public that I have no knowledge of. He has such a striking and inimitable presence, it's like seeing a Tim Burton character come to life. 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. If youre wondering how to deal with someone elses problems, the solution is right in this piece of poetry. Came across JCC through the Arctic Monkeys. This the man who first taught him that poetry should be heard, not read, and who managed to transform his classroom into a hothouse of proto-rap battles. Each performance seemed unique., Clarke got to know Arctic Monkeys in their early days at the Boardwalk in Sheffield. John Cooper Clarke: The punk poet whose time has come again 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'. Credit: Getty. Nothing ages you more than trying to look like you're 'down with all that'. he followed with my fat friend fell down the stairs last night..we thought eastenders had finished early.. not bad for a sickly Salford boy punk poet, who regularly appears on 9 out of ten cats enjoy cool countdownjust say graphic reference to hard drugs some will find difficult.. thanks John ever in Aylesbury there is a bed here always as room as kids are off to university my mind of man although many music differences, read it as in his own style has never left any associates out to dry and his will nice on the andy warhol factory goings on..lips willed although offers millions ever when doing at time.. solid.. spoiler.. just as good now freed from chain of addiction.. excellent narrated by himeslf he even second guesses you..as I say no matter where you are born, your dreams are valid.. thanks Johnny boy, your london mate..my life mirrowed yours without the talent and adventures..but now clean and boys working towards phd.. but I get slated I believe anything really worth knowing can never be taught, and if I was educated I would be a fool.. but spell I hear you.. a must listen..love to alo. Clarke was born in Salford, Lancashire, in 1949. A brief summary of his concerns: political turbulence, tacky holidays, people you cant help but hate, walking down streets of squalor and being a hopeless romantic. What's the difference? Some extracts taken from an interview with Punk Poet - John Cooper Clarke. His only prose work is I Wanna Be Yours, a memoir. 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'm seeing the value of pubs now because they've been banned. Simple and timeless, it addresses the realities of raw feelings as Clarke expresses a desire to be the electric heater youll get cold without. They have one daughter, Stella.[15][29]. I was tempted to count all the words in Pest and see what percentage of them actually began with P, but realised in the nick of time what kind of a nerd that would make me. Best Poems does not have poems published by this Poet yet. It's a terrific song. "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. 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. In addition, he published two poetry collections, Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt and The Luckiest Guy Alive. When I saw this show listed in the Fringe guide I initially thought "that's funny this guy has the same name as that crazy UK singer. Are You the Business? An exercise in acute alliteration that saw such excessive use of a plosive P that Clarke advised the first 16 rows of his audience to watch out. Seven things you didn't know about John Cooper Clarke His life is as extraordinary as youd expect and had me wondering if it is actually a privilege to be working class. John Cooper Clarke's memoir 'I Wanna Be Yours' - the big talking points I thought maybe I could get a job in advertising. Famous fans include Ben Drew, aka the aforementioned Plan B as well as Alex Turner and his Arctic Monkeys. In Majorca, he offers a playful perspective from Spains crowded holiday resorts, noting its hysteria but also kind of embracing it. Subscribe to Louder Than War and help keep the flame of independent music burning. In fact Im not sure what it actually is, stream of consciousness myth making? 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. The photographs of David Bailey, are quite rightly seen as a poetic take on the 60s. 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', British punk poet who set lyrics of rebellion to the music of lesser-known bands. The poem is also the inspiration behind the single's video, in which clowns brawl. Roger McGough Poet. With so much to see, its inevitable that we would [], 1984. (I Married A) Monster From Outer Space(I've Got A Brand New) Track Suit23rd36 hoursA Distant RelationAction ManApart From The RevolutionAre You The BusinessArts N' CraftsBeasley StreetBelladonnaBronze AdonisBunch Of TwigsBurnleyConcussionConditional DischargeCycle AccidentDay My Pad Went MadDay the World Stood StillDrive She SaidDumb Row Anybody with a pen and a piece of paper can do it. 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". 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 Punk poet John Cooper Clarke upset some of his fans with 'transphobic' content at a gig in Sheffield (Photo: Getty) Posting on Twitter, he said: "Walked out of @official_jcc gig. It could have been bearable if he wrote decent prose, and used it to create more than a dull account of things. So why pick on cigs? '''Twat"", one of his most famous poems. John Cooper Clarke - Slam Poetry I've never heard anybody with an Ordsall accent in employment in MediaCity.". It refers to macaronis who were kind of pre-Beau Brummel dandies from 200 years ago. [13][14] He described this period of his life: "It was a feral existence. John Cooper Clarke | Warwick Arts Centre I believe that all poetry is meant to be heard.. meet Salomey Maloney. The subject of the piece remains unnamed (lucky guy), but the ambiguity of the poem deems it one of the Salford lads finest pieces. The soundtrack of your life often reflects the time when you were a teenager, when everything sears into the memory, embeds itself deep in the psyche and remains with you. He believes The Guardian now pushes a narrow set of beliefs, insisting he was always more of "a red top guy. I've just realised that now after all these years.. John Cooper Clarke (born 25 January 1949) is an English performance poet, who first became famous as a " punk poet" in the late 1970s. I can only think of one instance where a poem has become a song. They have done me so much good those lads. Enter the Dragon, exit Johnny Clarke. [2] He returned to live performance in the 1990s, appearing again with Suns of Arqa in 1992 at The Witchwood in Ashton-under-Lyne. 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. Very sonorous, a kind of mezzo baritone. In October of 1981 Clarke appeared in episode 2 of series 3 of The Innes Book of Records (TV series), reciting "Evidently Chickentown". [27], In November 2019 Clarke was a participant, alongside Phill Jupitus, in BBC's Celebrity Antiques Road Trip. Kung Fu International I also recommend his love show! 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. "One of Britain . Contents John cooper clarke twat on after dark 1982 I was on drugs. I Wanna Be Yours, (Macmillan), is a groundbreaking piece of literature. 'It will provide some much-needed employment in a depressed area'. The band's Alex Turner has said he is very fond of Clarke's work and takes inspiration for lyrics from his poems. 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 do recognise that there's a lot of the hack in the way I write poetry. It was hand to mouth. 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. John Cooper Clarke Wiki & Bio Home Activity About Blog IQ Token FAQ He also charts his struggles with heroin addiction in the 1980s. John Cooper Clarke - Beasley Street (Old Grey Whistle Test 1980) 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.. One of his more upbeat musical compositions accompany this one, the delivery of which veers startlingly close to a sung melody. John Cooper Clarke: 'I draw the line at flapjack, falafel and tripe' A master wordsmith, his love of language and humour leaps from every page. On Sale POETRY QUOTE BLACK T-SHIRT. The most surprising influence of all, however, is the agony aunt section of his mothers Womans Own magazine, one of the first places he fell in love with the written word. Best line: The boys are on the wagon. Trochaic pentameter is an uncommon form of meter. I think she's great. 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". I think Mr Clarke was given too much freedom with this meandering diary with a tendency to show off. John Cooper Clarke - Poems They were all Coca Cola and amphetamines. He never does the same song the same way twice. At 5 feet 11 inches (32in chest, 27in waist), in trademark dark suit, dark glasses, with dark messed-up hair and a mouth full of gold teeth, he is instantly recognizable. Famous fans include Ben Drew, aka the aforementioned Plan B as well as Alex Turner and his Arctic Monkeys. 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. Are we still asking if you can wear black with blue? Running parallel with Clarkes rise to fame is a descent into serious drug addiction. Again we are presented with a nightmarish vision of the future that may sound unnecessarily alarmist these days, but as Tom Robinson once pointed out, just because it didnt go the way of military repression or fascists taking over the Conservative party, that doesnt mean to say it couldnt have done. The 70s were scary times and Clarke mirrored these concerns. His life and career spans a big timescale, and with his constant demons this is no mean feat. Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt Goldshaw began handling Clarke's affairs, and the two toured with the Mescaleros and several times supporting the Fall. You heathens! But I'm glad they don't. His vocals from both of his Suns of Arqa tracks have been used on numerous remixes by the band ever since. Crucially, he found the humour in these situations and used this extensively in his verse. The punk . Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt by John Cooper Clarke - Goodreads A serious note is being struck here and this poem looks at a life after revolution. It's 'mom' upside down. John Cooper Clarke - Wikiwand Get that monkey out of there!". John Cooper Clarke | John Peel Centre for Creative Arts Extra charming, in fact, because I clandestinely downloaded the audio book to hear the great poet's self-defined adenoidal Mancunian Yiddish and Cockney slang-laced voice reading his life to me. He was comparatively old - in his late twenties - by the time punk hit, but he looked and sounded every inch the punky malcontent, and he . BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, John Cooper Clarke, poet John reckons literacy has always been important in Manchester, the birthplace of The Manchester Guardian. 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". 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. Its what we all talk about in everyday conversation, but Clarke converts it to gritty poetry. Clarke also recorded a song with the band entitled "Dead Man's Shoes". John's 2018 poetry collection The Luckiest Guy Alive features 30 new poems including the favourites; I've Fallen In Love With My Wife and Get Back on Drugs you Fat F*ck. Alternative Wedding Readings - I Wanna Be Yours by John Cooper Clarke Hailed as Manchester's 'punk poet', he is a key figure of the punk rock era in the UK, from his biting prose to his famously Messy Hair. Benjamin Zephaniah Writer. John Cooper Clarke: a poet with a fondness for the f-word See Jim Moir aka Vic Reeves paintings for evidence of how broad his impact still is. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. 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. Leading line: People mention murder the moment you arrive. John Cooper Clarke (known as Alice Cooper) has this important message about heroin addiction, saying the best prevention is never starting. To me, it depends on the artist. He released several albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and continues to perform regularly. I am but I don't like to analyse it too much. [2] Rabid also released his debut LP O est la maison de fromage'? Site by. For decades it was seen as corny. 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. I Wanna Be Yours by John Cooper Clarke is available to buy now from all good book shops. By 1978, he was opening for the Sex Pistols and the Buzzcocks, and . Manchesters hidden musical treasures: who knew? John Cooper Clarke, poet, shares the eight tracks, book and luxury he would want with him if cast away to a desert island. Dr John Cooper Clarke - I Wanna Be Yours However, I laughed out loud and thoroughly enjoyed the book once he started performing. John Cooper Clarke is a different breed of the poet. What it sounds like is the most important part of any poem. Fact: I Wanna Be Yours is a metaphorical masterpiece. The combative stage persona he developed with his formative gigs at Bernard Mannings Embassy Club meant that shows in front of these viscious, drunken, delinquent, blocked-up punks held no terrors for me, and his sharp stage get-up was perfectly suited to the scene. (For adults and teenagers). John Cooper Clarke - Haiku John Cooper Clarke: Fans walk out of Sheffield gig over 'transphobic It was heavily weighted toward the early years and away from his poetry. 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. 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. Clarke is also very keen on lists: there are a lot of them. I wanted to enjoy this more, having seen JCC twice,once in his heyday when he was more poet than standup or celebrity,the second time he was slower,less shocking. There's a reason why John Cooper Clarke was dubbed the first "punk poet": his words have long delivered an honest exposure of urban Britain. Where was the editor? S lycklig ver att vara samtida med John Cooper Clarke. 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. Sort of rave kids. All the things that didn't use to be crimes. Dr John Cooper Clarke: I Wanna Be Yours with special guests I wanted to know more about his writing but this isn't that sort of memoir. Introduction to the English rock singer and poet, Sir John Cooper Clarke, and reading of two poems "I wanna be yours" & "I've got. The worlds defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking whats new and whats next since 1952. In July 2019 Clarke was the guest for BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. I didn't want to work for a living when I was a teenager. A RIOT OF OUR OWN BY JOHNNY GREEN & GARRY BARKER. I was going to preface this by saying its not really a poem, but it would be better to say it isnt a poem at all. 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. 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. Few and far between, we say. 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. You can finesse the way you approach any part of the song. Leading line: Its a sociologists paradise. johncooperclarke .com. I'm seeing the value of pubs now because they've been banned. Grab one of the last remaining tickets for John Cooper Clarke at The Bridgewater Hall here. The often divisive production that Martin Hannett brought to John Cooper Clarkes poetry works to best effect here, complimenting the dark undertones and careful alliteration of in an X certificate exercise ex-servicemen excrete. . The projected track list included The Beat Goes On by Sonny and Cher, Love is Strange by Mickey and Sylvia, Welcome Home by Peters and Lee, I Just Want to Stay Here by Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorm, and Thanks for the Memory by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross. JCC featured on BBC Radio 4's Chain Reaction in August 2011 being interviewed by none other than New Order's Peter Hook. 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. Bob Mortimer has shared a new lockdown poem in the style of John Cooper Clarke - watch it below . I've got to check them out. British Performance Poet - Dr John Cooper Clarke - YouTube We practised at home, and got to be pretty good, Clarke claims. Best line: If you like your coffee hot, let me be your coffee pot. 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. If youre an Arctic Monkeys fan, youll probably recognise this one, as Alex Turner used its lyrics for a leading number on the bands 2013 album, AM. Lifestyle. Article What is Baroque? It is through you visiting Poem Analysis that we are able to contribute to charity. For me it will be The Clash, The Slits, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Blondie, Siouxsie and the Banshees and of course, The Saints. 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. It is an immensely engaging memoir that fizzes with wit, and it is simultaneously a chronicle of a lifetimes worth of extraordinary culture. A five star no-brainer for me, but I really wonder how others not having a similar background might feel about it. I do love a circular conversation.. The term I'm looking for here is the common touch. Bob Mortimer parodies John Cooper Clarke in new lockdown poem