R.I.P. Deborah Bone, Inspiration Behind Pulp's "Disco 2000"

BY Sarah MurphyPublished Jan 2, 2015

A British mental health nurse — and the inspiration behind a classic Britpop anthem — has passed away at the age of 51 from bone marrow cancer.
 
An accomplished worker who pioneered ways for young people to cope with high stress and anxiety, Deborah Bone was slated to receive an MBE on New Year's Day for her contributions to children's mental health. She passed away on December 30.
 
In addition to important work in her field, Bone was also the subject of Pulp's 1995 single "Disco 2000." The song appeared on the Sheffield band's album Different Class and immortalizes Bone in musical form.
 
In the song, frontman Jarvis Cocker makes reference to his lifelong relationship with Bone and the close friendship between their mothers, singing: "Well, we were born within one hour of each other. Our mothers said we could be sister and brother. Your name is Deborah, Deborah. It never suited ya."
 
And while she didn't meet Cocker at "2 o'clock at the fountain down the road," and she did indeed get married, the two remained acquainted, with Cocker reportedly singing "Disco 2000" to Bone at her 50th birthday party last year.
 
Bone is survived by her husband Colin and their daughters Pollyanna and Jemima.
 

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