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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: 2538









Released: 2000
Length: 5:59
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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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 (212)add comment
Truly spell-binding, if you pay attention. Totally frickin' mind-blowing, is what it is! She is quite an intriguing, talented musical artist, and I'm glad RP plays her work.
Posted 3 months ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Wow.  What a chameleon. 

Who is this lovely, off-center, crazy creative woman. anyway? And she's been doing it for 30 years! 
Posted 4 months ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]


We float
Take life as it comes

<3
Posted 4 months ago by gioperesson    [ Reply ]
 lovelyhelicopter wrote:

What a fantastic tune.

Fabulous 



Posted 6 months ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 1 year ago by MJdub    [ Reply ]
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.    
Posted 1 year ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 1 year ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
This whole album friggin' ROCKS!
Posted 1 year ago by tripp1    [ Reply ]
More i hear her the more i am impressed LLRP
Posted 1 year ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 1 year ago by blackieray    [ Reply ]
 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. 
Posted 1 year ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 1 year ago by fncll    [ Reply ]
 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!!
Posted 1 year ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 2 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
 sjccroquet wrote:
IT-clown

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


Hi, Ya, Georgie!!!!
Posted 2 years ago by TampaPurple    [ Reply ]
Way down deep....I'm really superficial! She looks great!
Posted 2 years ago by BlackBetty    [ Reply ]
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. 
Posted 2 years ago by virwill7    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 2 years ago by SuperWeh    [ Reply ]
This whole album is top notch from start to end
Posted 2 years ago by CCSandman    [ Reply ]
I know almost nothing about this artist, except for what Radio Paradise has shown me, but this is a fine composition!
Posted 3 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
 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. 
Posted 3 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 sjccroquet wrote:
IT-clown

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

Kellyanne Conway!
Posted 3 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 3 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
PJ Harvey is quite unique. In a good way!
Posted 3 years ago by Ralf    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 3 years ago by tonyinnj    [ Reply ]
What a fantastic tune.
Posted 3 years ago by lovelyhelicopter    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 3 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
IT-clown

When you're down here, you'll float too...
Posted 4 years ago by sjccroquet    [ Reply ]
Wow, listening to this Covid Summer 2020 actually calmed me down for a moment. Take life as it comes.
Posted 4 years ago by mauras59    [ Reply ]
Got chills 

{#Clap} 
Posted 4 years ago by givendale    [ Reply ]
Just adorable.
Posted 4 years ago by Donar    [ Reply ]
{#Music}
Posted 4 years ago by miamizsun    [ Reply ]
 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!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Phenomenal tune - so love PJ!
Posted 5 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Hold crap that was an epic segue from In Time by the Black Keys.  Kudos Bill and Rebecca.
Posted 5 years ago by m_logie    [ Reply ]
Channelling this and that! How demeaning! She's channelling PJ!
Posted 5 years ago by Shipp    [ Reply ]
stunning diction
Posted 5 years ago by Shipp    [ Reply ]
 Tom_Price wrote:
Good song. Channeling Kathy Lang. (k.d)
 

Yes, I hear that.
Posted 5 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
 nickshortie wrote:
reminds me of:  https://youtu.be/V9PqU3LC2L8
 

So sorry about the tin ear. 
Posted 5 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
This song is touching my soul.
Posted 5 years ago by michael.wagner91    [ Reply ]
Good song. Channeling Kathy Lang. (k.d)
Posted 6 years ago by Tom_Price    [ Reply ]
reminds me of:  https://youtu.be/V9PqU3LC2L8
Posted 7 years ago by nickshortie    [ Reply ]
Makes me think of patti smith at first then it became K.D.Lang
Posted 7 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 7 years ago by birdman42    [ Reply ]
I like very very much. More sensible than ever PJ
Posted 7 years ago by Noé    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 8 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
https://pjharvey.tumblr.com/ Interesting finds of PJ images and info. Enjoy.

 
Cool.
Posted 8 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
 IndyDoug wrote:
Delightful voice and feel to this tune.

 
Sounds like kd lang. 
Posted 8 years ago by tkosh    [ Reply ]
Delightful voice and feel to this tune.
Posted 8 years ago by IndyDoug    [ Reply ]
Just LOVE this tune - so beautiful and powerful simultaneously! 
Posted 9 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 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? 
Posted 9 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]


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. 
Posted 10 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
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" 
Posted 10 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
pj owns!
Posted 10 years ago by AuggieLeveler    [ Reply ]
 philinnz wrote:
a short feminine version of Nick Cave

 
They are very good friends and collaborators so......
Posted 10 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
One of my all-time favorite "can't help but get up and dance" songs. On heavy rotation on my iPod.
Posted 10 years ago by ginger    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 10 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
{#Sunny}
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}  ...... luv Polly a lot  Amaaaaaaazing live
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
 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}
Posted 10 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]



 philinnz wrote:
a short feminine version of Nick Cave

 

Shut up
Posted 10 years ago by Moak    [ Reply ]
a short feminine version of Nick Cave
Posted 11 years ago by philinnz    [ Reply ]
When she is good. She is very very good. When she is bad, she is horrid... and no curl on forehead
Posted 11 years ago by AndyJ    [ Reply ]
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 ...
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
rssschh.. one of the most irritating songs ever. don't know why.
Posted 11 years ago by gokceb    [ Reply ]
 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)
  
Posted 11 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Makes me want a summer romance.....sigh.
Posted 11 years ago by MirageRF    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 11 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
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.   
Posted 11 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Easily my favorite PJ album.
Posted 11 years ago by emh    [ Reply ]
Bumping this one up to nine this morning as I float here with my baby :)
Posted 11 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
Really enjoying this - I'm not usually a big fan but this works for me.
Posted 11 years ago by peterblair    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 11 years ago by offroadbiker    [ Reply ]
The tune grows on you. Nice.
Posted 12 years ago by bitbanger    [ Reply ]
substantial, elegant, urban.

i think I'd name my third child Polly as an hommage to PJ Harvey. 
Posted 12 years ago by Nadine    [ Reply ]
 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}.............
Posted 12 years ago by rockpommel16    [ Reply ]
Always love me some PJ!
Posted 12 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
one of the best songs ever
Posted 12 years ago by shanygin    [ Reply ]
 oppositelock wrote:

Yes, more PJ Harvey!
 
What he said!
Posted 12 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
 moon15116 wrote:
I just love P J Harvey. She is not played enough........
 
Yes, more PJ Harvey!
Posted 12 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
Incredible tune - Just LOVE this song.  A "9"!
Posted 12 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 12 years ago by meinthecorner    [ Reply ]
Arresting!
Made me look. 
Posted 12 years ago by daedalus    [ Reply ]
SPECIAL!
Posted 12 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
YES>>>>>>>
Posted 13 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
PJ is more than music!

LOVE HER!

Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Droning keyboard part continuing throughout is genius. Great tune!
Posted 13 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 hippiechick wrote:
Hey Polly Jean! How about something new?
 

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

Posted 13 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 13 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]

8 ——> 9


Posted 13 years ago by paulmack    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 13 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Hey Polly Jean! How about something new?
Posted 14 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
https://pjharvey.tumblr.com/ and fuckyeahpollyjeanharvey.tumblr.com Interesting finds of PJ images and info. Enjoy.
Posted 14 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
Yeah, just bumped this up to a 9.  Thank you Bill and thanks son for introducing me to PJ.
Posted 14 years ago by anotherlistener    [ Reply ]
I like her; but I haven't been able to get into this album yet.
Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
Thanks for bringing PJ into my world, Bill. 7 -> 9
Posted 14 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
 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.


Posted 14 years ago by Fables85    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 14 years ago by Fables85    [ Reply ]
 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). 

Posted 14 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
I just love P J Harvey. She is not played enough........
Posted 14 years ago by moon15116    [ Reply ]
Im reading alot of favorable comments but gotta say this is just depressing to me
Posted 14 years ago by photolew    [ Reply ]
Last PJ album I really got into.  Excellent stuff through and through, including this track.  I love the semi-soaring chorus.
Posted 14 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
Polly's upper register reminds me of KD Lang, How nice. =)
Posted 14 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
 dynamaniak wrote:
I love this woman. 
 

yep {#Notworthy}
Posted 14 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
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. 
Posted 15 years ago by Tim_in_N_FL    [ Reply ]
I love this woman. 
Posted 15 years ago by dynamaniak    [ Reply ]
This'll no doubt grow on me soon enough!
Posted 15 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
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.

Posted 15 years ago by rtwingo    [ Reply ]
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.


Posted 16 years ago by iw3gtf    [ Reply ]
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!  ;)
Posted 16 years ago by ginger    [ Reply ]
8>9

So good!
Posted 16 years ago by musikalia    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 16 years ago by ROSSinDETROIT    [ Reply ]
Deep and dark, nice, very nice!
An anthem for present times............

Posted 16 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
jjbix wrote:
PJ is on her way to my place . . .Posted 16 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!
Posted 16 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
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:
Posted 16 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
OK I'm convinced; new music to purchase.
Posted 16 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
Ah P.J the thinking mans Britney...that's a compliment before ya'll start huffing and puffing.
Posted 16 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]