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PJ Harvey — We Float
Album: Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2369









Released: 2000
Length: 5:54
Plays (last 30 days): 3
We wanted to find love
We wanted success
Until nothing was enough
Until my middle name was "excess"

And somehow I lost touch
When you went out of sight
When you got lost into the city
Got lost into the night

I was in need of help
Heading to blackout
Till someone told me "Run on in, honey,
Before somebody blows your goddamn brains out"

You shoplifted as a child
I had a model's smile
You carried all my hopes
Until something broke inside

But now we float
Take life as it comes
We float
Take life as it comes

So will we die of shock
Die without a trial
Die on Good Friday
While holding each other tight

This is kind of about you
This is kind of about me
We just kind of lost our way
We were looking to be free

But one day, we'll float
Take life as it comes
We'll float
Take life as it comes

But one day, we'll float
Take life as it comes
But one day, we'll float
Take life as it comes

Oh, one day...
Comments (208)add comment
I love the harmonies in this song; it has dissonance in all the right places. Tension resolving into beautiful tension. I need to listen with some sort of instrument in my hands and figure out what is going on here.
So...if you go to a dictionary and look up the word "chameleon", you will see a photo of Polly Jean. 

Who is this woman? 

I bet it would be a blast at a bar, with her...drinking cocktails...staring out the window, watching the day go by, talking about  all kinds of crazy stuff.    
This is the first PJ Harvey song that hasn't had me reaching for the PSD button, on which grounds I'll give it a good 7.  I like the way she creates tension and dynamics without being too obvious about it.
This whole album friggin' ROCKS!
More i hear her the more i am impressed LLRP
Love Harvey, and this song. I didn't like her right away.  Always a good sign for me.
Bands that grow on me generally have greater longevity.
 unclehud wrote, 9 years ago:

Man oh man is this good!  Grim lyrics and eerie melody, then the bass plugs in and everything seems to be fine.  I vote 8 ...


Stopped spreadsheet creation to comment, and -- lo and behold! -- I'd already commented.  Somehow the antique  8 vote had been upgraded to a 9.

Also, when the bass stops, the attitude changes back to grim. 
 lizardking wrote:

Who was the brightest show you ever heard?  ;-) 

Thanks for the review - I'll jump at the opportunity to see and hear her when she's near here (Seattle) - this one tune changed my mind about her  completely cuz it's fucking amazing!  Solid 9.  LLRP!!



Hi Seattle! Also, I would really like to see PJ in concert.
 tm wrote:

I have seen PJ several times and she is fucking amazing… The first time I saw her - it was the loudest show I have ever seen.


Who was the brightest show you ever heard?  ;-) 

Thanks for the review - I'll jump at the opportunity to see and hear her when she's near here (Seattle) - this one tune changed my mind about her  completely cuz it's fucking amazing!  Solid 9.  LLRP!!
I have seen PJ several times and she is fucking amazing… The first time I saw her - it was the loudest show I have ever seen.
 sjccroquet wrote:
IT-clown

When you're down here, you'll float too...


Hi, Ya, Georgie!!!!
Way down deep....I'm really superficial! She looks great!
It's always been an odd tune for me. I think the lyrics in the verses sound a bit forced. Yet the chorus is beautiful - it soars! Sorta like it was pasted onto the rest of the song. Her previous album, Is This Desire?, is stronger overall and if you like her sound, REALLY worth checking out. 
It's an excellent song from an excellent album. Now listening to it on good headphones makes me suspect that the drums are probably a computer and not a real drummer which is a bit of a shame.
This whole album is top notch from start to end
I know almost nothing about this artist, except for what Radio Paradise has shown me, but this is a fine composition!
 mauras59 wrote:

Wow, listening to this Covid Summer 2020 actually calmed me down for a moment. Take life as it comes.


+1 to 9 for the exact same reason, albeit in summer 2021.
Long Live RP and floating along in this fucked up world. 
Peace to ALL you humans out there. 
 sjccroquet wrote:
IT-clown

When you're down here, you'll float too...

Kellyanne Conway!
 King_Balt wrote:

brilliant album here... a lot copies floating around in the USED bins in CD stores. go give one a home!



Absolutely accurate - perhaps her best, and that is saying a lot.
PJ Harvey is quite unique. In a good way!
 AndyJ wrote:

When she is good. She is very very good. When she is bad, she is horrid... and no curl on forehead



When I'm good I'm very good but when I'm bad I'm better...
      -Mae West

Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
What a fantastic tune.
First hearing this.  Liking it but I got to think about her voice yet and get used to hearing this a few more times. 7 for now.
IT-clown

When you're down here, you'll float too...
Wow, listening to this Covid Summer 2020 actually calmed me down for a moment. Take life as it comes.
Got chills 

{#Clap} 
Just adorable.
{#Music}
 Shipp wrote:
stunning diction
 
It's not often I see someone applauded for their diction.....and you're right about it too....and as one of the few PJ Harvey songs I know I like, I'll go +1 to 8 today....LLRP!!
Phenomenal tune - so love PJ!
Hold crap that was an epic segue from In Time by the Black Keys.  Kudos Bill and Rebecca.
Channelling this and that! How demeaning! She's channelling PJ!
stunning diction
 Tom_Price wrote:
Good song. Channeling Kathy Lang. (k.d)
 

Yes, I hear that.
 nickshortie wrote:
reminds me of:  https://youtu.be/V9PqU3LC2L8
 

So sorry about the tin ear. 
This song is touching my soul.
Good song. Channeling Kathy Lang. (k.d)
reminds me of:  https://youtu.be/V9PqU3LC2L8
Makes me think of patti smith at first then it became K.D.Lang
 tkosh wrote:

Sounds like kd lang. 

 
Listening to this in the background, and my first thought was Patti Smith. Then wait..what? Patti Smith and k.d. lang worked together? No, they both hang out in P.J. Harvey.
I like very very much. More sensible than ever PJ
 lemmoth wrote:


hayduke2 wrote:

while attending sva I lived in manhattan for 1, park slope for 3 years, then after graduating in wmsburg for 16 years, the overhead train in the album photo may be in the upper east side, but sasha dear, that ain't times sq  (then again I'm baseing my view on this tiny image, not the actual photo, so you may be right! I thought the dark area to the left was an overhead trainline)
  


Sasha wrote: 
 
It's seventh avenue north of 47th street and yes, I do feel a little prickish for nitpicking this.

I write:

There is no overhead train, its  just an illusion owing to the blurred image - Sasha is absolutely right on the location but as hayduke and I know wrong on their not being a Broadway in the outer boroughs - in fact the one in Bushwick/Wiliamsburg  has an overhead train. 

 
Broadway in The Bronx has an overhead train as well - The #1: Van Cortlandt Park/242nd St. to South Ferry; but there's not that much neon around there.  Hey, hayduke; I went to SVA as well - 1981-83.
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
https://pjharvey.tumblr.com/ Interesting finds of PJ images and info. Enjoy.

 
Cool.
 IndyDoug wrote:
Delightful voice and feel to this tune.

 
Sounds like kd lang. 
Delightful voice and feel to this tune.
Just LOVE this tune - so beautiful and powerful simultaneously! 
 AndyJ wrote:
When she is good. She is very very good. When she is bad, she is horrid... and no curl on forehead

 
Is this the good or the horrid? 


hayduke2 wrote:

while attending sva I lived in manhattan for 1, park slope for 3 years, then after graduating in wmsburg for 16 years, the overhead train in the album photo may be in the upper east side, but sasha dear, that ain't times sq  (then again I'm baseing my view on this tiny image, not the actual photo, so you may be right! I thought the dark area to the left was an overhead trainline)
  


Sasha wrote: 
 
It's seventh avenue north of 47th street and yes, I do feel a little prickish for nitpicking this.

I write:

There is no overhead train, its  just an illusion owing to the blurred image - Sasha is absolutely right on the location but as hayduke and I know wrong on their not being a Broadway in the outer boroughs - in fact the one in Bushwick/Wiliamsburg  has an overhead train. 
love this album

I was in need of help
Heading to blackout
Till someone told me "Run on in, honey,
Before somebody blows your goddamn brains out" 
pj owns!
 philinnz wrote:
a short feminine version of Nick Cave

 
They are very good friends and collaborators so......
One of my all-time favorite "can't help but get up and dance" songs. On heavy rotation on my iPod.
 hayduke2 wrote:

while attending sva I lived in manhattan for 1, park slope for 3 years, then after graduating in wmsburg for 16 years, the overhead train in the album photo may be in the upper east side, but sasha dear, that ain't times sq  (then again I'm baseing my view on this tiny image, not the actual photo, so you may be right! I thought the dark area to the left was an overhead trainline)
  

 
It's seventh avenue north of 47th street and yes, I do feel a little prickish for nitpicking this.
{#Sunny}
{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}  ...... luv Polly a lot  Amaaaaaaazing live
 AndyJ wrote:
When she is good. She is very very good. When she is bad, she is horrid... and no curl on forehead

 
Cheers to risk-taking and innovation! What you shared expresses this truth nicely.  {#Cheers}



 
philinnz wrote:
a short feminine version of Nick Cave

 

Shut up
a short feminine version of Nick Cave
When she is good. She is very very good. When she is bad, she is horrid... and no curl on forehead
Man oh man is this good!  Grim lyrics and eerie melody, then the bass plugs in and everything seems to be fine.  I vote 8 ...
rssschh.. one of the most irritating songs ever. don't know why.
 Sasha2001 wrote:

Have you ever been to New York? I love your explanation but clearly she's in Times Square, Manhattan. There is no broadway in any of these other neighborhoods.  It feels like you pulled these names out of a hippsters guidebook to New York. I can't even fathom what PJ Harvey would be doing in Bushwick in 2000. Still though, I love everything else about your comment.
 
while attending sva I lived in manhattan for 1, park slope for 3 years, then after graduating in wmsburg for 16 years, the overhead train in the album photo may be in the upper east side, but sasha dear, that ain't times sq  (then again I'm baseing my view on this tiny image, not the actual photo, so you may be right! I thought the dark area to the left was an overhead trainline)
  
Makes me want a summer romance.....sigh.
 hayduke2 wrote:
photo looks summery, she seems to have been crossing Broadway in Wmsburg or Bushwick, maybe north near Roosevelt Ave in Astoria, or even way south Brooklyn getting towards Coney Island
Those subway cars get packed late afternoons, she's clutching her purse crossing into traffic, sexy black outfit on a hot city street, steel noise above and hustling sidewalk controlled cos, shopowners outside check this passerby with approval, or not.   

 
Have you ever been to New York? I love your explanation but clearly she's in Times Square, Manhattan. There is no broadway in any of these other neighborhoods.  It feels like you pulled these names out of a hippsters guidebook to New York. I can't even fathom what PJ Harvey would be doing in Bushwick in 2000. Still though, I love everything else about your comment.
Great Song!
photo looks summery, she seems to have been crossing Broadway in Wmsburg or Bushwick, maybe north near Roosevelt Ave in Astoria, or even way south Brooklyn getting towards Coney Island
Those subway cars get packed late afternoons, she's clutching her purse crossing into traffic, sexy black outfit on a hot city street, steel noise above and hustling sidewalk controlled chaos, shopowners outside check this passerby with approval, or not.   
Easily my favorite PJ album.
Bumping this one up to nine this morning as I float here with my baby :)
Really enjoying this - I'm not usually a big fan but this works for me.
Is it that there is a tiny ray of hope deep within in the grim, hopeless lyrics?  Or is it the way she says, "goddamn," with her sweet voice?  This song has definitely grown on me.
The tune grows on you. Nice.
substantial, elegant, urban.

i think I'd name my third child Polly as an hommage to PJ Harvey. 
 meinthecorner wrote:

Thanks for that, scrubbrush!  I'm in that same boat. RP brings me PJ's music and so much more! I do love this damned radio station that's takin' up all my available time and then some!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
............{#Yes}{#Yes}{#Yes}{#Yes}{#Yes}.............
Always love me some PJ!
one of the best songs ever
 oppositelock wrote:

Yes, more PJ Harvey!
 
What he said!
 moon15116 wrote:
I just love P J Harvey. She is not played enough........
 
Yes, more PJ Harvey!
Incredible tune - Just LOVE this song.  A "9"!
 scrubbrush wrote:
I'd also like to thank RP for introducing me to PJ's music... i'd always heard her name but never had a chance to invetigate... i like this quite a bit and LOVE "You Said Something" from this same album
 
Thanks for that, scrubbrush!  I'm in that same boat. RP brings me PJ's music and so much more! I do love this damned radio station that's takin' up all my available time and then some!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Arresting!
Made me look. 
SPECIAL!
YES>>>>>>>
PJ is more than music!

LOVE HER!

Droning keyboard part continuing throughout is genius. Great tune!
 hippiechick wrote:
Hey Polly Jean! How about something new?
 

OK  Let England Shake - https://www.pjharvey.net/news.asp?newsid=940&year=2010

I'd also like to thank RP for introducing me to PJ's music... i'd always heard her name but never had a chance to invetigate... i like this quite a bit and LOVE "You Said Something" from this same album

8 ——> 9


Nice!
Hey Polly Jean! How about something new?
https://pjharvey.tumblr.com/ and fuckyeahpollyjeanharvey.tumblr.com Interesting finds of PJ images and info. Enjoy.
Yeah, just bumped this up to a 9.  Thank you Bill and thanks son for introducing me to PJ.
I like her; but I haven't been able to get into this album yet.
Thanks for bringing PJ into my world, Bill. 7 -> 9
 Tim_in_N_FL wrote:
PJ rocks.  But, to be honest, the first time I heard this tune, I thought this was Fiona Apple until I looked at the "now playing" box.  

Frater_Kork wrote:
Polly's upper register reminds me of KD Lang, How nice. =)

iw3gtf wrote:
This album is actually good but 'Is this desire' is still something else, superior, anti conventional, deeper and ... different: it simply goes straight its way, if you want you can follow, it won't wait for you.

 ROSSinDETROIT wrote:
I loved this album obsessively when it came out.  I still think it's the best thing she's done.  This was the soundtrack/traveling music to several dozen plane flights for me.  
    
 
You've all got to remember that Polly set out to do a "commercial", AOR album here... Or her version of it.

And, unlike just about everybody, has avoided repeating the trick since.


 photolew wrote:
Im reading alot of favorable comments but gotta say this is just depressing to me
 

This has usually more to do with the listener than with the music itself.

Great track.
 EssexTex wrote:
Ah P.J the thinking mans Britney...that's a compliment before ya'll start huffing and puffing.
 
Great comment ... PJ is certainly one interesting chick ... I think PJ is the new Patti (Smith that is). 

I just love P J Harvey. She is not played enough........
Im reading alot of favorable comments but gotta say this is just depressing to me
Last PJ album I really got into.  Excellent stuff through and through, including this track.  I love the semi-soaring chorus.
Polly's upper register reminds me of KD Lang, How nice. =)
 dynamaniak wrote:
I love this woman. 
 

yep {#Notworthy}
PJ rocks.  But, to be honest, the first time I heard this tune, I thought this was Fiona Apple until I looked at the "now playing" box. 
I love this woman. 
This'll no doubt grow on me soon enough!
Man. I was blown away by this album the first time I heard it eight years ago. Still moves me every listen to this day. A true masterpiece.

This album is actually good but 'Is this desire' is still something else, superior, anti conventional, deeper and ... different:
it simply goes straight its way, if you want you can follow, it won't wait for you.


Okay, I'm downloading this from iTunes as I'm listening — after about a year of getting up for a dance break every time this song comes on RP!  ;)
8>9

So good!
I loved this album obsessively when it came out.  I still think it's the best thing she's done.  This was the soundtrack/traveling music to several dozen plane flights for me.  This album, Air's Moon Safari and Thievery Corporation now all remind me of watching mountains go by from 30,000 feet up.
Deep and dark, nice, very nice!
An anthem for present times............

jjbix wrote:
PJ is on her way to my place . . .Posted 15 years ago by thubeav    [ Reply ]
MojoJojo wrote:
Well, see if you can see what she is trying to say here:
Damn!PJ's got some gams!
eco wrote:
ummm... failing to see what you (and she) was trying to say.... There may be something deeper than what i'm seeing in those lyrics... but they remind me of something any angst ridden teen would write in their notebook waiting for the lunch bell to ring....
Well, see if you can see what she is trying to say here:
OK I'm convinced; new music to purchase.
Ah P.J the thinking mans Britney...that's a compliment before ya'll start huffing and puffing.
PJ is on her way to my place . . .
Ah I find this so comforting, someone is more messed up than me. Ah!
Anyone think PJ really takes things as they come?
kylemichael wrote:
I actually find this depressing shit reassuring being I am in a constant horrid mindset of depression.
I just watched the Edith Piaf biopic "La Vie en Rose." Compared to that woman's life, NOTHING is depressing. And she still found a way to have a good time. Sometimes depressing sh*t can be cathartic and inspiring, especially when we're down.