Pulp has unveiled a moody and sultry cover of Johnny Cash’s classic, ‘The Man Comes Around,’ recorded for the drama series The Hack.
This fresh take showcases Jarvis Cocker and the band adding their own unique twist to Cash’s latter-day hit, which plays a key role in the series that explores the 2011 phone hacking scandal that led to the closure of The News of the World.
Rough Trade shared the cover on Instagram, with Cocker stating, “‘The Man Comes Around’ is a cover of a song by another JC: Johnny Cash, no less.” While Cash’s original has a stripped-down country feel, Pulp’s version brings a more ambient and expansive sound, featuring Cocker’s vocals presented in a spoken-word style.
In The Hack, the song is featured at a pivotal moment when the public becomes aware of the scandal, especially relating to the case of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler. Director Lewis Arnold sought to include this track at that specific moment due to its powerful themes of judgment and accountability, opting for a British artist’s rendition to better align with the series’ essence.
Screenwriter Jack Thorne, known for his work on Adolescence and National Treasure, pushed for Cocker’s involvement, calling him his “hero” and citing Pulp’s performance of ‘Common People’ as one of his favorites.
The series, which is currently available to watch, spans from 2002 to 2012 and follows investigative journalist Nick Davies, played by David Tennant, as he reveals the evidence of phone hacking at a prominent British newspaper. The cast also features Robert Carlyle and Toby Jones, produced by the team behind Mr. Bates vs The Post Office.
For Pulp, this cover comes on the heels of announcing a one-off headline show in Manchester’s Wythenshawe Park next summer, as well as being confirmed to headline the End Of The Road festival in 2026 alongside CMAT and Mac DeMarco.
Earlier this year, the band released their first album in 24 years, More, which earned them a spot on the shortlist for the 2025 Mercury Prize and featured a surprise performance at Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage.
Since then, Pulp has also performed at NPR’s Tiny Desk concert, and it was recently revealed that Jarvis Cocker will host a special festive event on BBC Radio 6 Music next month.
