The estimable Jarvis Cocker is mostly preoccupied these days with the victory lap for his old band Pulp. But a few short years ago, he decided it was finally time to launch a solo career. And on his first solo album, entitled Jarvis, of course, he delivered one of the most profound pop songs I've ever heard. It's called "Don't Let Him Waste Your Time," and it was originally written for Nancy Sinatra, but Cocker's own version of the song is an energizing return to form. The video is another matter completely. Ever the trickster, Jarvis plays the role of the wise cabbie, too busy advising his female passenger on her love life to watch the road. Watch it twice: Once for the deadpan performances, and a second time to hear searing truth, distilled to its very essence.

On iTunes: Jarvis Cocker/"Don't Let Him Waste Your Time"