I Wanna Be Yours - John Cooper Clarke

Edexcel English Literature GCSE
Poetry Collection: Relationships

i wanna be yours - John Cooper Clarke
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I WANNA BE YOURS
John Cooper Clarke
Brief Summary
The poem features an unknown speaker addressing their lover, who is also unknown to the
reader. The speaker asks to be let into every aspect of their lover’s life by listing the different
mundane, everyday objects they want to replace. As well as asking to be needed and adored by
their lover, the speaker demonstrates their devotion to their lover and the consistency of their
affection. The exact relationship between the speaker and the object of their affection is
unknown, but it is clear that the speaker wants to be closer to the person they are addressing.
The poem is full of simplistic language, word play, and innuendo.
Synopsis
● The speaker is talking directly to an unknown subject and we never hear their response to
the speaker
● The speaker asks their lover if they will “let” them take the place of various everyday
objects in their life
● The speaker makes it clear that their lover is in control
● The only thing the speaker desires is to belong to their lover
● The list of mundane objects continues as the speaker makes it clear that they want to make
their lover’s life better and be with them everywhere
● The final stanza finishes with a grander, more metaphysical (deep) image than the mundane
objects previously used to show the extent of the speaker’s devotion
● The speaker concludes by clarifying they want no one else other than the lover they are
addressing in this poem
Context
John Cooper Clarke (1949 - present)

John Cooper Clarke was born in Salford, Lancashire, in the north of England. His Northern
heritage is an influential part of his work and poetical voice. He worked as a laboratory
technician while performing his early work at folk clubs in Manchester. These performances
introduced him to musicians who were involved in the punk scene. Touring with bands in the
late seventies resulted in a record label signing him to produce an album.
Cooper Clark is often referred to as “the original people’s poet” and “the bard of Salford”. These
nicknames illustrate how his northern, lower-class background and distinctive voice are key to
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the soul of his work. Another common name for Cooper Clarke is the “punk poet”, referring to
his strong involvement with the punk rock movement of the late seventies. During the height of
his career in the seventies and eighties, Cooper Clarke toured with bands such as Joy Division,
Duran Duran, the Sex Pistols, and
Buzzcocks. The values of this movement
can be seen in his work. Another
influence was the message of the
Beatnik movement in fifties New York,
an influence that shaped his self-image
as a young poet. The Beat movement
was all about spiritually, liberation, and
rejection of societal norms like
Capitalism and censorship.
In 1978, Cooper Clarke moved to New

York, drawn by its ties to the Beatnik
movement. New York also stayed with
the punk rock movement longer than Britain. Another appeal about New York, though, was the
city’s view on drugs: Cooper Clarke was a heroin addict, and this threatened his record deals
back in the UK. This addiction caused a decade-long break from writing starting in the eighties,
but by the nineties Cooper Clarke had returned to the stage.
In July 2019, he was a guest on the Radio 4 show, Desert Island Disks which provides an
interesting insight into his life and work. This is available to listen to here.
Punk Music and the Spoken Word

Cooper Clarke is known for being a performance poet. His poems are made to be spoken
aloud in his Northern accent. His performances are infamous for their musicality, his poems
delivered in dynamic, quick-fire a cappella. His poems, when recorded, are given musical
backing. Their likeness to lyrics has even led to them being adapted into songs: ‘i wanna be
yours’ was famously performed by the Arctic Monkeys.
Punk rock has a distinctive style and voice that can be

seen in Cooper Clarke’s work. Typically, the punk of the
seventies consisted of short, fast-paced songs. The
instrumentation was minimal and the harsh melodies. The
lyrics centred around the values of the movement: politics
and the anti-establishment. Punk prized a Do It Yourself
approach, establishing independent labels and rejected the
contemporary and mainstream. Another important value
was authenticity: truthfulness was expected above all else.
The Thatcher Years
Cooper Clarke was writing while Margaret Thatcher was prime minister of the UK. This era was
incredibly meaningful for the country, and is still recognised today for its significance in shaping
politics and class conflict. The era saw a rise in minority voices calling to be heard, and drew
attention to the challenges facing the working classes. The literary ‘underground’ grew, and
literature became more diverse and left-wing.
i wanna be yours (1983/4)

The poem can be categorised as part of the ‘social realism’ genre due to its ability to convey
an everyday, unromanticised image of love. Social realism was a common approach to
literature in the eighties, as writers wanted to convey the struggles and perspectives of ‘the
everyman’. Similarly, the poem can be seen as an example of a ‘kitchen sink drama’. Kitchen
sink dramas featured protagonists who were disillusioned with modern society, known as ‘angry
young men’.
‘i wanna be yours’ can also be read from the postmodernist perspective and by comparing it to
other love poems the poem is certainly unconventional as far as love poetry is concerned. This
detour from typical views of love links to postmodernism, where writers were cynical (doubtful)
of traditional values and literary methods. Another message of postmodernism is that originality
is impossible. With this in mind, Cooper Clarke’s use of the mundane and everyday could be a
way to embrace the reality that his love is not special or unique, but it can be important to him all
the same.
NOTE
This resource uses the poem as presented in the Edexcel poetry anthology (which you can
find here). This version is slightly different from other versions found online so be careful to
study this version or you may get a surprise in your exam!
i wanna be yours
This opening line establishes The second person possessive
the poem as a work of desire let me be your vacuum cleaner establishes a strong bond
and hypotheticals. The speaker between the speaker and their
longs for things they cannot yet subject, and shows how they
have. The anaphora throughout breathing in your dust long to be close to their lover.
emphasises their urgency and
the endless, fixated workings of This bizarre, grotesque
their mind. let me be your ford cortina imagery shows the speaker’s
commitment to their lover.
This is an odd object to open a They crave every part of them.
romantic poem with, introducing
i will never rust The imagery is almost
the unconventional nature of the apocalyptic, portraying desire
work. if you like your coffee hot as toxic. This can also be read
as a sexual innuendo.
Iconic car from the 70’s/80’s
let me be your coffee pot The speaker asks permission
The certainty and promise in to be let into their lover’s life,
this metaphor highlights the showing respect for their
longevity of the speaker’s you call the shots wishes. They make it clear
commitment their lover is in charge,
i wanna be yours implying desire makes you
The speaker drops all pretences submissive. The speaker will
and cryptic metaphors, stating do whatever they ask if it
their intentions and desires means they can be close to
plainly. This is what the poem is them. By asking to be “let” in,
all about. This line closes all the speaker indicates their
three stanzas, an example of let me be your raincoat lover’s comfort is more
epiphora that makes the important to them than
speaker sound more and more intimacy.
desperate.
for those frequent rainy days
This metaphor shows that the
The wordplay shows how the let me be your dreamboat speaker wishes to provide their
speaker wants to be physically lover with relief in hard times.
attractive to their lover as well The raincoat can be interpreted
as wanting to be a refuge for when you want to sail away as the modern version of a
them in hard times. When they knight’s shield. This imagery is
want to escape reality, the a take on common pathetic
speaker wants to go with them, let me be your teddy bear fallacy to show how the
and even be the source of that speaker wants to help their
escape. take me with you anywhere lover with low mood.
This short line causes an abrupt A teddy bear connotes youthful

change in rhythm, emphasising i don’t care affection. The speaker wants to
the speaker’s disregard for rules be a source of comfort. It also
or details. It draws attention to implies immaturity.
the speaker’s only desire. They i wanna be yours
have no other expectations or
demands to complicate things. These references ground the
This could be read as a sign of poem in social realism. The
obsession. imagery of electricity conveys
let me be your electric meter heat and sparks, both symbols
The speaker doesn’t want to be associated with desire.
just any heater: they want to be
the one their subject needs the i will not run out The speaker reiterates their
most. They want to feel needed promise to never abandon their
and treasured. “Cold” connotes lover. Never-ending love is a
loneliness or being sexually i wanna be the electric heater motif in the poem.
‘frigid’, referring to what life will
be like without a lover. you’ll get cold without
let me be your setting lotion
Another play on words leads
hold your hair into an image of worship and
romantic intimacy. The speaker
The repetition of “deep” shows is in love with every part of
how the speaker’s love with deep devotion their subject.
shouldn’t be underestimated.
The apparently simplistic With a sudden broadening of
language and unconventional
deep as the deep perspective and more
imagery don’t mean they don’t conventional imagery, the
care. The elongated “ee” and atlantic ocean speaker shows that their love
the assonance in the stanza should be taken seriously. The
mimic their infinite love. ocean symbolises the power of
that’s how deep is my emotion nature, infinity, purity, and the
changing waters of time.
deep deep deep deep de deep deep The speaker becomes

incoherent and nonsensical, as
if driven insane by desire. This
i don’t wanna be hers line shows how Cooper
Clarke’s poetry is designed for
performance.
i wanna be yours
The title “i wanna be yours”
Perspective and Form
First Person Speaker

Cooper Clarke writes in the first person, making the poem seem intimate and private. Though
the speaker is addressing someone, the use of first person could mean the poem is an internal
monologue. The poem shows the speaker admitting their greatest desires, and it is possible
they are too afraid to confess their feelings aloud to their lover. The poem reads as a love letter
or the daydreams of a lonely lover.
Direct Address
There are only three people mentioned in the whole poem: the speaker, their lover, and “her”.
The speaker’s subject (who the poem is about) is the focus of the entire poem, just as they are
the focus of the speaker’s life and thoughts. There is no room for anyone or anything else,
conveying the speaker’s commitment and devotion. It could also show how the speaker is
consumed by their desire, distracted by thoughts of their lover throughout their day-to-day life.
➔ The frequent repetition of “i” and “you” supports the interpretation that the speaker is
highly fixated on their lover. Any mention of the speaker is accompanied by a mention of
their lover, showing how the speaker is focused on how the two of them could fit
together, if given the chance. Alternatively, the narrow perspective of the poem could
imply a speaker with an unhealthy obsession, conveying the toxicity of desire.
A third person is mentioned only once, in the line “i don’t wanna be hers”. The reader isn’t
provided with any information about this woman. Her
anonymity could mean the line doesn’t refer to anyone in
particular; rather, she is a universal character,
representing all the other people in the world the speaker
could potentially be in love with. Her exact identity is
irrelevant and insignificant to the speaker. The speaker
only wants the person they are addressing.
Dramatic Monologue
The poem features the thoughts or speech of a character in
first person, so can be seen as a form of dramatic
monologue. As the speaker addresses their lover, the
reader can infer the personality and characteristics of the
speaker, as well as the nature of the relationship discussed.
➔ You could interpret the poem as the love letter of a
devoted partner, or the desperate pleas of an
obsessive stalker.
➔ The reader never hears from the lover, so it is
impossible to decide for certain whether the
speaker’s interest is welcome or not.
➔ The use of first person creates an unreliable narrator, as is typical of dramatic
monologues. Cooper Clarke exploits this ambiguity to show how there is a thin line
between undying love and toxic obsession.
Lyric Poem
A lyric poem is where a character, written in the first person, expresses their feelings and
emotions. Specifically, an ode is a lyric poem that addresses a particular subject. “i wanna
be yours” is therefore a type of ode. Lyric poems allow feelings to be expressed that would
otherwise have to remain unsaid, as they provide freedom of expression through poetry.
Cooper Clarke shows how desire needs an outlet, as his speaker is caught in the throes
(struggles) of unresolved desire.
Stylistic Choices
The poem is notably written all in lowercase and without punctuation, showing a disregard for
literary conventions and grammar rules. One interpretation of this stylistic choice by Cooper
Clarke is that it supports the idea that this poem is an internal monologue. The poem reveals
the inner workings of the speaker’s mind: when we think, we do not think in capital letters or
punctuation marks. Alternatively, Cooper Clarke suggests that works of love shouldn’t be
restricted by rules or tradition. Confessions of love should be uncomplicated, not concerned with
superficial (surface-level) features such as capital letters. This break away from convention
places Cooper Clarke’s work in the postmodern and punk rock eras.
The Opening
let me be your vacuum cleaner

breathing in your dust
let me be your ford cortina
i will never rust
The first four words in the poem echo the message of the title: the speaker wants to belong to
their lover, and is asking permission to do so. This demonstrates how the title summarises
completely the one and only purpose of the poem. The poem opens with no preamble or
introduction, instead going straight to the point. The obvious, uncomplicated purpose conveys
the speaker’s devotion, even implying their existence is dependent on their lover.
These opening lines establish the main themes and methods in the poem, summarising the
rest of the work. The first line introduces the speaker and their lover, showing how this poem will
speak to someone who holds the speaker’s affections.
Unconventional imagery
The speaker dives into using bizarre, unconventional imagery immediately: the “vacuum
cleaner” is, perhaps, one of the weirdest metaphors used.
➔ Vacuum cleaners are associated with dirt and household chores. They are man made,
which would typically imply emotional coldness.
➔ However, the following line “breathing in your dust” transforms them into a romantic
symbol. This unexpected turnaround, from the grotesque to the intimate, implies the
speaker’s love has driven them
to the point where everything
reminds them of their lover.
By opening with this comparison,
Cooper Clarke implies the speaker is
already desperate for intimacy before
they have even begun. The poem
starts from a position of longing and
urgency. Possibly, the unusual
comparison to a “vacuum cleaner”
could be interpreted as a sign of
insanity. Moreover, this opening
establishes the speaker’s approach to list various everyday objects as a way to prove their
devotion.
The speaker continues with another unconventional metaphor. A “ford cortina” is a type of
car, therefore another man made, mechanised object. Typically, romantic language is
concerned with the natural world, but Cooper Clarke brings his romance into the modern day.
This down-to-earth approach shows how the speaker wants to be directly involved with their
lover.
Natural imagery or hyperbole, common

techniques in romantic poetry, are not realistic
and so don’t interest them. Finally, the claim “i
will never rust” is a promise to their lover.
“Rust” is caused when objects are rained on, a
symbol for difficulty or sadness, or when they
are left abandoned. Cooper Clarke argues that
love should never sour or run out (“rust”), no
matter how much hardship or time it is put
through. Lovers should never abandon each
other. This vow to never let their lover down is a
motif that continues throughout the poem, as the
speaker seeks to prove their devotion and swears
to bring their lover happiness.
The Ending
deep as the deep

atlantic ocean
that’s how deep is my emotion
deep deep deep deep de deep deep
i don’t wanna be hers
i wanna be yours
The speaker takes a sudden diversion from their list of everyday objects. The ending of the
poem resembles more closely conventional love poetry, suggesting there are some aspects of
love that are universal and timeless. As there is no slow transition between the everyday and
the huge, powerful “ocean”, Cooper Clarke may be implying there is no difference between
them, despite what society thinks.
➔ A “vacuum cleaner” is as important and beautiful as the “ocean” - at least, this is true
in the eyes of the lover.
➔ The abruptness of the change could, alternatively, reflect the speaker’s fragmented
mind. They are easily distracted and easily wound up, as desire has changed the way
their mind works.
Historically, the “ocean” is a symbol of timelessness, birth, power, and the ups and downs of
life. Changing from everyday objects to such a recognisable, impressive symbol changes the
tone of the poem as it ends.
➔ This change could suggest the speaker is growing more and more desperate.
➔ Alternatively, the speaker proves that their love is not just physical or material: it has ties
to worldly forces.
Furthermore, the reference to “how deep is

my emotion” implies they are discovering
more about themself with time. By using the
metaphor of the “ocean”, the speaker
states that their love is complex and
chaotic, with good and bad aspects. What
they want to express to their lover the most,
though, is that they have infinite love to give.
Their love will not run out or get boring.
Another interpretation could be that Cooper
Clarke is arguing that love is as old as earth
itself. It is applicable to the natural world -
the “ocean” - as it is to the modern world -
the “vacuum cleaner”.
The repetition of “deep” in the third to last line takes the disregard for rules and order to
another level. The line is unlike any other in the poem, as if the speaker is suddenly overcome
by passion. The line could resemble the incoherent babbling of the obsessive.
‘Her’
The penultimate line “i don’t wanna be hers” is, in its own way, also unlike any other line in the
poem. As explored in the ‘perspective’ section, this line contains the only reference to a
character outside the speaker and their lover. It takes until the end of the poem for the speaker
to consider the outside world again. Even when they do finally think of someone other than their
lover, it is only to dismiss them.
➔ The line could be a reference to a conflict between the couple, for example if the
subject of the poem thinks the speaker is in love with someone else, showing how love
can be threatened by outside influences.
➔ On the other hand, the anonymity of this ‘other woman’ implies she is just a symbol for
other possibilities. The speaker doesn’t want to settle for anyone else: they know who
they want to be with.
i wanna be yours
Finally, with the closing line of the poem, Cooper Clarke
uses the title in full. He suggests that, though love can be
expressed through imagery and metaphor and other
complex means, it can also be put simply and directly. The
clarity of the line, as well as its repetition of the title, brings
resolution to the poem. This makes the declaration sound
truer than the rest of the poem, showing how love should
be uncomplicated and honest.
Cooper Clarke demonstrates that, though the speaker’s

feelings can be explored and elaborated on, everything they
want to say can be summed up in one line. Also, note that
Cooper Clarke chooses “i wanna be yours” rather than “i
want you to be mine”. The former shows submission,
while the latter demands power. Therefore, he argues that
love is about sacrifice. A lover should worship their
partner, not crave domination over them. As this is the final line, this message is what the
reader is left with.
Structure
The poem has a bookended structure: the title opens it with “i wanna be yours”, and the
poem concludes with the same line.
Cooper Clarke uses anaphora, with each stanza opening “let me be”, and epiphora, with each
stanza ending with “i wanna be yours”. This structure is cyclic, mimicking how the speaker’s
thoughts always return to thoughts of their lover and their desire. The bookending, accompanied
by the consistent repetition of “be your[s]” throughout, conveys love’s stability and
endurance. It is the force that supports the poem and keeps it going.
Repetitive structure
The poem has quite a repetitive structure and layout. Each everyday item the speaker
mentions is followed by a short explanation of how it’s a symbol for their love: for example, “let
me be your teddy bear / take me with you anywhere” and “let me be your setting lotion /
hold your hair with deep devotion”. Each metaphor is initially confusing and cryptic (hard to
understand) because of its unconventional subject matter, but the justification that follows
provides clarity. This helps the reader get into the mindset of the speaker, and suggests that
there is a method to the madness. The way
Cooper Clarke exploits the reader so that they go
from confusion to understanding could mimic the
disorienting effect of passion.
Stanza structure
The first two stanzas are very similar. They both
consist of the speaker listing common household
objects, as they hope to serve the poem’s subject
in the same way as the items they mention. The
speaker doesn’t stray from this structure until the
end of the third stanza.
The consistency of the majority of the poem could

be used to convey how the speaker’s mind is
endlessly taken up with the ways they could be
close to their lover. They don’t run out of ways to
be useful. The poem fixates on this structure in
the same way that the speaker fixates on their
lover: a sign of the obsessive mind.
The repetition implies the speaker wants to be

present in all aspects of their lover’s life, and the
repetition of “your” shows the speaker cares little about themself. All three stanzas begin with
“let me be your” and end with “i wanna be yours”, signalling that the poem is all about desire
and longing for intimacy.
In the final stanza, the speaker’s thoughts are expanded upon with the alliterative repetition of
“devotion” and “deep”, showing how the speaker’s love extends beyond the material. The
consonance of “d” could mimic the beating of the speaker’s heart as they are overcome with
passion.
Short lines
Cooper Clarke uses short lines for his poem, with some only two words long. This increases
the pace and builds the rhythm of the delivery, adding urgency to its tone. The short
sentences also help the reader get an insight into the speaker’s heated, passion-driven mind.
They are unable to maintain one line of thought for long, though the central idea remains the
same.
The lack of punctuation in the poem means the whole work reads as one long sentence. Each
line runs into the next with enjambment. This heightens the speaker’s sense of urgency or
mania as a result of their growing desire and passion. The enjambment also makes the poem
feel more like a piece of internal monologue, giving the reader insight into the speaker’s
uncontrolled, uncensored mind.
Language
Register
Cooper Clarke uses an informal register (level of
formality) in the poem. For example, the speaker
uses slang and colloquial (used in ordinary, relaxed
conversation) turns of phrase like “wanna” and
“dreamboat”. The slang “wanna” is the main focus
of the poem as it is used the most times, suggesting
you don’t have to be formal or proper in order to
express your feelings. Cooper Clarke argues it is the
intention that matters, not the way this intention is
delivered.
The informal register helps build up the reader’s picture of the speaker, providing a defined
character with a strong voice that the reader can relate to and empathise with. Moreover, using
an informal register gives the poem a casual atmosphere, making the moment feel more
private and familiar. Cooper Clarke ensures reading the poem is a shared, universal experience.
Everyday Objects
The use of everyday objects instead of romantic icons (typical, well-known symbols of
romance) to create unusual metaphors and confessions of love is the most notable part of this
poem. It sets the poem apart from other works of romance and, again, helps give Cooper
Clarke’s speaker a distinct voice. By featuring unexpected comparisons and breaking
conventions (traditions), Cooper Clarke offers his readers a unique perspective on love. He
may be trying to express how love, though a universal emotion, differs from person to person.
He demonstrates that there is no ‘right’ way to love.
The speaker mentions items that cover many aspects of

modern life, including a “vacuum cleaner”, “coffee pot”,
“teddy bear”, and “electric meter”. This broad
perspective expresses how the speaker wants to be fully
involved in their lover’s life, leaving no part - even the
‘ugly’ parts - unseen. A “teddy bear” suggests youth and
naivety, while an “electric meter” shows the
responsibilities of adulthood. This contrast shows how the
speaker is invested in every part of their lover’s past,
present, and future.
Hypothetical metaphors
Another curious feature of this poem is that the speaker’s
metaphors are all hypothetical. Seeking permission they
“wanna be” these things, rather than claiming to “be”
them, which is what a typical metaphor would do. The lack
of certainty in these loose metaphors may mirror the
speaker’s own struggle as they long for what they don’t have. Certainty comes in the final lines,
with the simile “deep as the deep / atlantic ocean” and the statement “that’s how deep is
my devotion”. This shows how the speaker cannot be certain of how their lover feels about
them, but they can be sure of their own feelings.
Motif
You can interpret Cooper Clarke’s use of this motif (recurring imagery) in a variety of ways.
Firstly, using everyday objects could suggest that the speaker sees their lover in everything they
come across, making it impossible to carry out their day-to-day duties without thinking of them
and daydreaming. In this case, Cooper Clarke portrays love as an overwhelming,
all-consuming emotion. Additionally, he shows that love allows beauty to be found in
everything, even in the most obscure and unusual of items.
Alternatively, the motif could show how love is about home, comfort, and familiarity, rather than
the grand, unearthly force that typical romantic poetry presents. There is no point having a love
“as deep as the deep / atlantic ocean” if you cannot appreciate the small things. Cooper
Clarke suggests the everyday is full of small miracles and signs of intimacy.
Worship
Cooper Clarke presents a speaker who worships their lover in an almost religious way. This is
accompanied by language that alludes to religion and worship. For example, the imagery
“breathing in your dust” evokes an apocalypse or calamity (think of Radioactive by Imagine
Dragons). This allusion to death suggests the speaker will lose themself in their passion, or in
their lover. Furthermore, it could imply they are willing to sacrifice themself for their love, just like
a religious sacrifice.
➔ The line “you call the shots” shows how the subject will be in control over the
completely obedient speaker, in the same way that a god or cult leader rules over their
followers.
➔ The sensual image “hold your hair / with deep devotion” gives a typical depiction of
lovers in an intimate embrace.
The speaker implies there is nothing their lover could do that will stop their love. The reverent
(deeply respectful) way they outline the ways
they will demonstrate their love transforms
everyday acts into religious rituals. Cooper
Clarke’s semantic field of worship implies a
relationship relies on respect and selflessness.
You should be completely devoted to your
partner, and care only about giving them what
they want and making sure they know how much
you love them.
At the same time, though, Cooper Clarke

presents an obsessive, submissive form of
love. The speaker emphasises how their lover is
in charge, making them vulnerable to exploitation. Love should be selfless, but this makes you
unarmed against cruelty. The reader can also identify signs of dependency in the poem as a
result of the speaker’s worship, such as the command “take me with you anywhere”.
Longevity / Eternity
The speaker isn’t concerned with the present: they are focused on the future, what could be.
Moreover, they make bold, hyperbolic (exaggerated) promises about the strength of their love.
The poem is littered with allusions to eternity, such as “i will never rust”, “i will not run
out”, and “deep as the deep / atlantic ocean”. This is used to convey the endurance of love.
Cooper Clarke suggests love is the driving force behind life, as it provides the speaker with the
energy to never “run out”. Furthermore, Cooper Clarke implies love transcends (goes beyond)
death and time, as the speaker makes impossible claims that imply they will never die.

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Edexcel English Literature GCSE

Poetry Collection: Relationships

This work by PMT Education is licensed under https://bit.ly/pmt-cc

John Cooper Clarke (1949 - present)

In 1978, Cooper Clarke moved to New

Punk Music and the Spoken Word

Punk rock has a distinctive style and voice that can be

i wanna be yours (1983/4)

This short line causes an abrupt A teddy bear connotes youthful

deep deep deep deep de deep deep The speaker becomes

The title “i wanna be yours”

First Person Speaker

let me be your vacuum cleaner

Natural imagery or hyperbole, common

deep as the deep

Furthermore, the reference to ​“how deep is

Cooper Clarke demonstrates that, though the speaker’s

The consistency of the majority of the poem could

The ​repetition​ implies the speaker wants to be

The speaker mentions items that cover many aspects of

At the same time, though, Cooper Clarke

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