William Shatner does something unspeakable to Pulp's Common People

by Suw on July 22, 2004

You remember James T Kirk… er, I mean, William Shatner's last foray into musical endeavour? His stunning – and that's 'stunning' in the same way that a sharp blow to the head is stunning – rendition of The Beatles' Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds? Think that's the depths of JT Hooker… er, I mean, Shatner's depravity?
Think again.
Shatner has teamed up with Ben Folds, of Ben Folds Five, to record a slew of new tracks. According to XFM, the new album, ‘Has Been', will be released on the Shout! Factory label this September.
Earlier today I heard Shatner's cover of Pulp's Common People, and I can assure you, it will blow… you… a… way…, featuring as it does Shatner's thespy spoken-word vocals and Joe Jackson, (yes, that Joe Jackson), doing the wail-y impaled art student bits.
You really, really do need to listen to this. You absolutely must. I have scoured the web for a link to a full length version, but all I can find is this (fairly substantial) snippet. (Quicktime. Other formats available.)
You'll get the gist.
I must beg you, though – if anyone gets hold of the full length version, please, for the love of all that's right in this world, send it to me.
UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who emailed me about this. You can now here this abomination, er, I mean, stroke of genius on the NME site.
UPDATE 2: Thank you to everyone who has, over the last nearly two years, sent me a copy of this song. It's very kind of you. To new visitors – fret not, I now have this song in my collection.

Anonymous July 22, 2004 at 8:43 pm

That is awesome. 🙂 Can't wait to hear the rest!

Anonymous July 22, 2004 at 10:15 pm

Oh…My…God…
…My…Ears…Are…Bleeding…
…Ow…

Anonymous July 24, 2004 at 2:22 pm

Henry Rollins talked about this during his last tour where Shatner wanted to team up to do a piece called “I can't get behind that!” (obvious corny rock-inflection missing)
Can't wait.

Anonymous July 26, 2004 at 2:16 pm

Thanks so much for this Suw – brightened up my Monday afternoon!! 🙂
mark (markbrady.co.uk)
markbrady.co.uk

Anonymous August 14, 2004 at 2:07 pm

His version of Mr Tambourine Man from the 60s is awe inspiring. And too think people say that grass is stronger today, than it was then? Oh yeah, they did have acid for breakfast back then though 🙂 Worth a search on Kaaza et al. Smiling Crow

Anonymous November 16, 2004 at 5:47 pm

winamp.com has the entire album streaming.

Anonymous December 16, 2004 at 11:23 am
Anonymous May 24, 2005 at 4:02 pm

This song is SOOOO bad it makes me want to chew my arm off when hearing it.
Why take a perfectly good song and turn it into a publicity stunt? The singer (Joe Jackson?) is pretty good with the chorus but Shatner sounds like a tire deflating with the lyrics. It was bad enough when the BBC played it but I just heard an Israeli station play it too..
PLEASE don't give this song anymore airtime. FOR The love OF GOD!!!
Thanks,
ben
bensch256@yahoo.com

Anonymous October 19, 2005 at 3:05 am

Heard it on XM (Channel 47 – Ethel) Liked it. For some reason it works in a self-depricating way.

Anonymous December 7, 2005 at 6:01 am

I think the song, and the rest of the album, is brilliant. Shatner deftly pokes fun at his own bombast, and makes it clear that he's just having fun.
And he gives a touching, mature tribute to his recently deceased wife.

Anonymous July 11, 2007 at 5:53 pm

It sounds like a worth hearing piece. If not for it's artistic depth then for the laughter of it. It's too bad none of the links are working. So if anyone could tell me a valid link for this I would appreciate it.

Anonymous August 23, 2007 at 2:52 pm

Say what you will about WS's inability to sing. This song rocks!!! And is F'n hilarious. You have to appreciate the humor. Image JTK pickin' up a rich chick at a bar! I LMFAO and almost fell outta my chair when I hard this song. I LOVE it!!!

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