In late 1997 she created a band with the remaining members of Buckley's band called Black Beetle and finished an eponymous album which was never released. This was the first project where she was writing as well as fronting a band. Jeff buckley was her boyfriend at the time he drowned in '97.
According to Songfacts, Wasser took her curious stage name from the fact that she once attended a fancy dress party as an officer of the NYPD.
Hard White Wall
Joan as Police Woman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, how does it feel to be living
This wild enchanting dragon whipping?
You stepped into my better life
Without a seam out of place and I wondered
When you'd struggle from your neatly pleated covers
For better or best you would be my man
I wanna throw you up against the hard white wall
And make you mine, and make you mine
But there is time I must be gentle with
This rare chance taking wonder child
Make it through the jungle and I'll meet you on the other side
'Cause there was magic in our dancing tonight
For better or best you would be my man
Man, don't you wanna dance?
To the swing of the Bach Courante
To the sway of the leaving trains
To the swish of your lash, I cry
To the soar of the shadows
To the hustle of chance
To the mystery in our hands
'Cause you've been moving
Through my wintery night for a long time
And snow has fallen at our feet
We watched the tracks of blood disappear
And you, you, you, you stood by me
So I will go on leaving nothing behind
Leaving nothing behind, you would be my man
The hard white wall, oh
Up against the hard white wall, oh
You're my hard white wall, oh
In Joan as Police Woman's song Hard White Wall, the singer is watching someone "become a man," perhaps implying that they are maturing or coming into their own. The singer asks this person how it feels to be living with the "wild enchanting dragon whipping," which could refer to the unpredictable and sometimes dangerous nature of life.
The singer describes the person as stepping into her "better life" without a seam out of place, but wonders when they will struggle from their neatly pleated covers. This could mean that while the person seems put together on the surface, they may be struggling with inner turmoil or difficulties that are not immediately visible.
The chorus of the song describes the singer's desire to "throw [the person] up against the hard white wall" and make them hers, but also acknowledges that there is a time for gentleness and nurturing. The singer wants the person to "make it through the jungle" of life, and promises to meet them on the other side. The song also mentions dancing and references a variety of sounds and experiences, perhaps implying that life is full of different rhythms and elements.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm watching you become a man
Observing your evolution into a mature individual
Well, how does it feel to be living
This wild enchanting dragon whipping?
Asking how it feels to live an exciting, unpredictable life
You stepped into my better life
Without a seam out of place and I wondered
When you'd struggle from your neatly pleated covers
Commenting on how smoothly the other person entered her life, and wondering when they would reveal their true selves
'Cause I saw you in my life in the end
For better or best you would be my man
Expressing a long-term commitment to the other person
I wanna throw you up against the hard white wall
And make you mine, and make you mine
But there is time I must be gentle with
This rare chance taking wonder child
Make it through the jungle and I'll meet you on the other side
Craving intimacy with the other person, but acknowledging the need to be patient and let them grow
'Cause there was magic in our dancing tonight
For better or best you would be my man
Man, don't you wanna dance?
Reflecting on a moment of connection with the other person, and inviting them to reciprocate the feeling
To the swing of the Bach Courante
To the sway of the leaving trains
To the swish of your lash, I cry
To the soar of the shadows
To the hustle of chance
To the mystery in our hands
Describing the various elements of their surroundings and how they are feeling
'Cause you've been moving
Through my wintery night for a long time
And snow has fallen at our feet
We watched the tracks of blood disappear
And you, you, you, you stood by me
Reminiscing on past experiences with the other person, and appreciating their loyalty and support
So I will go on leaving nothing behind
Leaving nothing behind, you would be my man
Committing to moving forward with the other person, and leaving behind any doubts or concerns
The hard white wall, oh
Up against the hard white wall, oh
You're my hard white wall, oh
Referring to a literal or metaphorical hard white wall as a symbol of strength and stability, and associating it with the other person
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOAN WASSER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind