This song is based on a dream Jarvis Cocker had where a young girl was kidnapped and murdered while waiting to see him DJ. According to Cocker,
Yeah, this song Minnie Timperley is about a murder, but having said that, all my songs are autobiographical! I have never committed a murder – honest, guv....
"There's a light that shines on everything and everyone
And it shines so bright, brighter even than the sun"
That's what Minnie thinks as she walks to meet her brother
Who is nearly two years older on a Saturday night
He's DJing at some do on the edge of town
On the night that Minnie Timperley died
It's such a beautiful world
You're such a beautiful girl
So much that you want to try
The world wants to sleep with you tonight
But Minnie, Minnie if I could
I would give you the rest of my life
How can a girl have sex with these pathetic teenage wrecks?
Oh, football scarves, the girls drink halves and her brother's crying 'cos he has lost his decks
Outside the air was cool, an older guy sitting in his car
Asked if Minnie needed a ride
He thought he was still dangerous, paunchy, but dangerous
On the night that Minnie Timperley died
It's such a beautiful world
You're such a beautiful girl
And he only did what he did
'Cos you looked like one of his kids
But Minnie, Minnie if I could
I would give you the rest of my life
Oh, Minnie I can feel the pain
Oh, Minnie I can feel the pain
Oh, Minnie I can feel the pain
The pain, the pain, the pain, pain, pain, yeah
The Night That Minnie Timperley Died was written by Mark Webber & Steve Mackey & Nick Banks & Candida Doyle & Jarvis Cocker.
The Night That Minnie Timperley Died was produced by Peter Walsh & Scott Walker.
Pulp released The Night That Minnie Timperley Died on Mon Oct 22 2001.