Mile End

Pulp's song 'Mile End' paints a vivid picture of life in a dilapidated urban environment, capturing the struggles and harsh realities faced by those living on the fringes of society. The lyrics describe the band's experience of squatting in a derelict high-rise building, highlighting the dire conditions they encountered. The opening lines set the scene with a sense of desperation, as the narrator recounts having nowhere to live or go until they find a place on Burditt Road. The imagery of prying off a boarded-up door and entering a foul-smelling, fly-infested apartment immediately conveys a sense of decay and neglect.

As the song progresses, the lyrics delve deeper into the grim details of their new living situation. The description of the lift being 'always full of piss' and the fifth-floor landing smelling of fish underscores the squalor and lack of basic sanitation. The mention of children engaging in violent behavior and the presence of a predatory figure in the community further emphasizes the sense of danger and moral decay. Despite these bleak circumstances, there's a dark humor in the line 'I'd never thought I'd live so high, just like Heaven (If it didn't look like Hell),' which juxtaposes the idea of living in a high-rise with the hellish reality of their surroundings.

'Mile End' also touches on themes of alienation and social exclusion. The narrator notes that 'nobody wants to be your friend 'cause you're not from round here,' highlighting the insular nature of the community and the difficulty of fitting in. The song's portrayal of Mile End as a place where one must hit rock bottom to truly understand the depths of human despair is both poignant and powerful. Pulp's raw and unflinching depiction of urban life in 'Mile End' serves as a stark reminder of the resilience required to survive in such harsh environments.