Master of the Universe
by Pulp

Album: Freaks (1987)
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Songfacts®:

  • Cocker described the song in less than positive tones for a 1994 Record Collector interview: "Fire put out the 'Master Of The Universe' single off Freaks, which I find intensely embarrassing. My voice - I don't know what the hell I was thinking of. That was written as I was recovering from the window incident, and I got bought some 'Masters Of The Universe' shampoo."

    The "window incident" he refers to was in November 1985 when he fell out of a first-floor window whilst trying to impress a girl with his Spider-Man impression. Unsurprisingly, he had to use a wheelchair for several months afterwards when appearing at concerts.
  • The band's relationship with Fire Records was tempestuous to say the least, and Cocker mentioned in the same Record Collector interview as above that 'I never saw "Master Of The Universe" in a shop. I never even got sent a copy, so it was obvious the relationship between us and Fire wasn't great.'

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