Pratt was raised by her mother, who exposed her to a broad range of artists, including Tim Buckley, X, and the Gun Club. She learned to play the guitar around the age of 15, after her older brother gave up playing his Stratocaster. She took his guitar and started practising with the T. Rex album, Electric Warrior. She was soon able to play the guitar parts of the whole record. She eventually began recording songs at the age of 16, using her mother's Fender guitar amp and microphone.
After she moved to San Francisco, she was introduced to Tim Presley's solo project, White Fence, through Presley's brother, who was her roommate for three years. In the following years, Presley heard Pratt's demo songs through her then-boyfriend, who had posted her songs on Facebook. He eventually contacted her to release her music.
Pratt's self-titled debut album was released in 2012 through Presley's label, Birth Records. Produced by Craig Gotsill, the album featured the songs that were originally recorded in 2007 over analogue tape. The initial 500 pressings of the sold out in less than two weeks. It received attention from many music websites and magazines, including Pitchfork (website), Consequence of Sound[3] and PopMatters.
In January 2014, she revealed the studio version of a new track, "Game That I Play."
In October 2014, Pratt announced her sophomore album, On Your Own Love Again.
In October 2018, she announced her third album, Quiet Signs, and released a video for a new track, "This Time Around." Pitchfork reviewed the song, giving it the Best New Music designation and noting a stylistic shift, comparing it to "a Tropicalia version of a Christmas song, or a ’60s jukebox standard playing in a beach town diner during the off-season."
According to Philip Cosores of Consequence of Sound, Pratt's music "displays a lyrical and musical range without straying from a palette of picked acoustic guitar and raw, bending vocals" and nods to "60′s folk, California classic rock, and the early 2000′s freak folk." She is compared to various folk artists, including Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Sibylle Baier, David Crosby and Karen Dalton. She also expressed admiration for Ariel Pink.
Poly Blue
Jessica Pratt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Illusions, never tried to understand the questions of a man
I'd hope could find
What he's desired, seen the lonely days go by
La-di-da-da-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
For most others, dangers lie across a lover's hand
Please understand the changes that a boy has had to climb
For what in time, leaves him always late to fly
He's the lovelorn colors of
Somewhat hapless in his touch
He's the undiscovered night, a parting line
And while he's
Only just been old enough to fall so hard again
Please know that there's no other boy like him you'd hope to find
So, young girl, be kind
On your morning wings, you'll fly
Ba-la-la-lum-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
He's the lovelorn colors of
Somewhat hapless in his touch
He's the undiscovered night, a parting line
Ba-la-la-lum-la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Ooh, la-la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-di-la-la-la
The lyrics of Jessica Pratt's song "Poly Blue" convey a sense of longing, introspection, and vulnerability. The opening lines suggest that some people have experienced similar emotions before, but they didn't attempt to understand the deeper questions that arise within oneself. It speaks to the disappointment of hoping to find what one desires, while witnessing the passage of lonely days. The repetition of "la-la-la" adds a dreamlike quality to the lyrics, emphasizing the ethereal nature of the emotions being portrayed.
The second verse describes the singer as someone who is "lovelorn," somewhat clumsy in their interactions, and yet an enigmatic figure. They are likened to the undiscovered night and a parting line, suggesting a sense of mystery and an inability to fully grasp their essence. The lyrics then address someone, possibly a young girl, urging her to show kindness and understanding towards this unique individual. The metaphor of "morning wings" implies a sense of newfound freedom or growth.
Overall, "Poly Blue" explores the complex emotions of love, self-discovery, and the inherent struggles of human connection. It invites the listener to empathize with the longing and vulnerability that exists within all of us.
Line by Line Meaning
Some folks felt like this before
There have been others who have experienced similar emotions
Illusions, never tried to understand the questions of a man
They never made the effort to comprehend a man's uncertainties
I'd hope could find
What he's desired, seen the lonely days go by
I had hoped that he would discover what he truly wants, having observed him endure solitude
La-di-da-da-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Singing a carefree tune, masking the complexities underneath
For most others, dangers lie across a lover's hand
For many, the risks can be found within a romantic relationship
Please understand the changes that a boy has had to climb
Please comprehend the obstacles a young man has had to overcome
For what in time, leaves him always late to fly
Because of past experiences, he is hesitant to take flight
Ba-la-la-lum-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la
Singing a soothing melody, providing solace in the midst of confusion
He's the lovelorn colors of
He embodies the hues of heartbreak
Somewhat hapless in his touch
He tends to be clumsy and uncertain in matters of affection
He's the undiscovered night, a parting line
He represents the mysterious darkness, a boundary between two people
And while he's
Only just been old enough to fall so hard again
Although he has recently reached the age where he can experience intense love once more
Please know that there's no other boy like him you'd hope to find
Understand that he is truly unique and you won't find another boy like him
So, young girl, be kind
On your morning wings, you'll fly
Therefore, young girl, show him kindness, as it will empower you to soar freely in the morning
Ba-la-la-lum-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Repeating the comforting melody to provide reassurance
Ooh, la-la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-di-la-la-la
Expressing delight and joy through melodic sounds
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Jessica Pratt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
kevin
here are the lyrics, got it from genius. <3
[Verse 1]
Some folks felt like this before
Illusions, never tried to understand the questions of a man
I'd hope could find
What he's desired, seen the lonely days go by
La-di-da-da-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
For most others, dangers lie across a lover's hand
Please understand the changes that a boy has had to climb
For what in time, leaves him always late to fly
Ba-la-la-lum-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la
[Chorus]
He's the lovelorn colors of
Somewhat hapless in his touch
He's the undiscovered night, a parting line
[Verse 2]
And while he's
Only just been old enough to fall so hard again
Please know that there's no other boy like him you'd hope to find
So, young girl, be kind
On your morning wings, you'll fly
Ba-la-la-lum-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
[Chorus]
He's the lovelorn colors of
Somewhat hapless in his touch
He's the undiscovered night, a parting line
[Outro]
Ba-la-la-lum-la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Ooh, la-la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-di-la-la-la
maxwell samuel
I’ve got this album on vinyl and lemme just say it hits in a different way. It’s like listening to an artist from a time I didn’t exist
Zoe Casper Wildes
I love you Jessica Pratt. with my heart and soul. please keep going for a long time.
Gasparuccio X
zoe casper wildes-same here
O Vercetti
I THIRD THIS
bebopdestroyer
She's actually a genius
NamesAintSteven
This song got me thru a heavy depression. idkw music works like this but damn, thanks; Jess.
J C
So real. When everything else—all my go to familiar songs—started to dull and fall flat, this song brought me back.
Apexone
I had forgotten about this song until tonight. I still dig the ethereal quality of this cut. Takes me to some faraway place of innocence.
KP Delaney
1:08 my favorite part. The synth and flutes are so cool!
gareth
her structures are so unique and i love her lyrics, so happy i found her