Okay, I’m done. Oh, no I’m not! I love him. Love the shit out of him.

And I would echo Bob’s comments re: “Cocaine Socialism,” which is the song that outlines the close of the Britpop era. It’s based on (real life) events that occurred when Tony Blair, just after becoming PM, invited many Britpop luminaries to Downing Street, allegedly to request that they use their own influence to help him achieve his initiatives… because he was “one of them.” With the exception of Oasis, who always seemed to enjoy being part of the establishment, this newfound role so horrified many of the other musicians that Britpop (and the “Cool Brittania” movement it spawned) self destructed in a pile of guilt and shame. The song makes Blair look like an utter toolbag and makes some rather serious allegations of cocaine use that may or may not be true, but it’s one of the most savage, biting songs ever written. It was originally scheduled to be the first single from “This is Hardcore” but Jarvis Cocker pulled it from the album altogether last minute because he felt it was too mean-spirited.

Also, yes, Joe Jackson has become a very, very ugly man.