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I Wanna Be Yours

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I Wanna Be Yours

By: John Cooper Clarke
Narrated by: John Cooper Clarke
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About this listen

This is a memoir as wry, funny, moving and vivid as its inimitable subject himself. This audiobook, read by the author, will be a joy for both lifelong fans and for a whole new generation.

John Cooper Clarke is a phenomenon: Poet Laureate of Punk, rock star, fashion icon, TV and radio presenter, social and cultural commentator. At 5 feet 11 inches (32in chest, 27in waist), in trademark dark suit, dark glasses, with dark messed-up hair and a mouth full of gold teeth, he is instantly recognizable. As a writer his voice is equally unmistakable and his own brand of slightly sick humour is never far from the surface.

I Wanna Be Yours covers an extraordinary life, filled with remarkable personalities: from Nico to Chuck Berry, from Bernard Manning to Linton Kwesi Johnson, Elvis Costello to Gregory Corso, Gil Scott Heron, Mark E. Smith and Joe Strummer, and on to more recent fans and collaborators Alex Turner, Plan B and Guy Garvey. Interspersed with stories of his rock and roll and performing career, John also reveals his boggling encyclopaedic take on popular culture over the centuries: from Baudelaire and Edgar Allan Poe to Pop Art, pop music, the movies, fashion, football and showbusiness – and much, much more, plus a few laughs along the way.

 Art & Literature Authors Entertainment & Celebrities

Critic Reviews

This is not a ‘ponderous trudge through the turgid facts of an ill-remembered life’ but the kind of autobiography Rimbaud might have written if he had been a Mancunian stand-up comedian. (Graham Robb)
The bookshop shelves have been clogged up for years by musicians and artists who made their debuts in the sulphurous days of 1976-7, but I Wanna Be Yours, the autobiography of the "punk poet" John Cooper Clarke, aka "the Bard of Salford", knocked most of the competition into a cocked hat.
Any autobiography that features both Bernard Manning and Nico is unlikely to disappoint; even less so when it’s written with such brilliantly Dickensian vigour by the Bard of Salford, John Cooper Clarke . . .this fast, funny book catches his life in its lines
Manchester punk poet John Cooper Clarke takes a rather different approach to heroin addiction, treating it as a source of humour in his sharply observed, entertaining memoir . . . “Relentless tragedy is always hilarious,” he notes of his eventual recovery. “At some point the laughter has to stop.”
[I Wanna Be Yours] might be the funniest book published this year. Few memoirists have had better material to work with: heroin addiction, years living in a squat with Nico, endless love affairs and a TV appearance with the Honey Monster. Talk about getting the most out of life.
The godfather of British performance poetry
John Cooper Clarke is one of Britain’s outstanding poets. His anarchic punk poetry has thrilled people for decades and his no nonsense approach to his work and life in general has appealed to many people including myself for many years. Long may his slender frame and spiky top produce words and deeds that keep us on our toes and alive to the wonders of the world. (Sir Paul McCartney)
I say to people, have you heard of John Cooper Clarke and if they say, yes, yeah he's an absolute genius and you just go, 'oh - ok, you've saved me a lot of time (Steve Coogan)
John Cooper Clarke uses words like Chuck Berry uses guitar riffs melody and anger, humour and disdain in equal measure. He's the real deal, really funny and really caustic, the velvet voice of discontent. (Kate Moss)
...nothing short of dazzling (Alex Turner)
There are a legion of new young poets who rightly pay homage to Cooper Clarke (Julian Hall)
It’s impossible not to hear Clarke’s voice, rhythmic & deadpan, while reading his memoir. Like his poetry,his prose style is wry and dry . . . Mad anecdotes & whimsical gags abound, but wisdom often lurks beneath the wordplay.
All stars
Most relevant
Its always special to have the author narrate. Really honest account if the times and the poet. Loved it.

Poetry, punk and fashion

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Dr John Cooper Clarke lived a life so we don’t have to. Thanks for your genius and your wonderful turn of phrase.

Luxury. Unadulterated luxury!

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John C C's style, method of delivery allows the biography to be accessible not only to ardent fans, but to most anyone, such is the power of his narration. It helps massively to have known of the times when punk and post punk were dominant but definitely not a prerequisite to have been a solid fan of it to seriously enjoy this book.
I can fully attest to that, having my own musical immersion firmly entrenched in 70s rock magnificence, and seeing so much live music of the greats.
I saw John perform while at Sheffield University in the mid 80s, and have long enjoyed the work of this great poetic raconteur - impossible to not recommend this hugely funny, entertaining brilliantly narrated book....you will not be disappointed. You'll know that we'll enough if you're familiar with Cooper-Clarke, but if not, don't allow that to deny you the pleasure of this gem.

The Bard of Salford recounts a life well-lived

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great book read brilliantly. now that it's finished I'm left wondering what will compare

so good

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