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.
I Don't Mind
Joan as Police Woman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I can't deny that I have left myself behind
And I, I start to wonder what it says about, about being burned
And who, who have I trusted? I don't know for sure
But surely I know you
I learned to map lines but I can't trust myself to lie
I blame bad design, face-off's a chaos, well I don't mind
And who, who have I trusted? I don't know no more
But surely I know you
It's a bowl of cherries, it's a bowl of hand grenades
Come on, I uncover the windows, face the light
And what will I see?
Instant recognition, instant camera photographs
Come on, so long, lovers, keep up the flame tonight
And once all the voices, they begin to fall inaudible
And who, who am I left with? I don't know for sure
But through, through the snowfall, I am listening
And hope you're listening too
The lyrics of Joan as Police Woman's song "I Don't Mind" reflect a complex emotional journey of love, self-discovery, and questioning trust. The opening lines convey a deep commitment to expressing love, but also acknowledge that the singer has neglected their own needs and desires in the process. This establishes a theme of introspection and self-doubt. The line "I start to wonder what it says about being burned" suggests a past experience of pain or betrayal, which raises questions about who can be trusted. Despite this uncertainty, the singer emphasizes their familiarity with the person they are addressing, indicating a strong bond.
The second verse introduces the notion that the singer has learned to navigate relationships, but struggles to trust themselves when it comes to deception or dishonesty. They blame their own flaws or vulnerabilities for any chaotic or unsettling situations they find themselves in. The line "what about my life I can't settle on" hints at a lack of stability or contentment, while emphasizing the ongoing search for answers. Again, the question of trust resurfaces, highlighting the singer's uncertainty about who they can rely on. However, their confidence in the person they address remains steadfast.
The chorus metaphorically compares life to both a bowl of cherries and a bowl of hand grenades, juxtaposing joy and danger. Uncovering the windows and facing the light implies a willingness to confront the truth, despite the potential uncertainty or discomfort it may bring. The feeling of instant recognition and the mention of camera photographs suggests a desire for clarity and authenticity. The line "so long, lovers, keep up the flame tonight" hints at the transitory nature of relationships, but also implies a hope for continued passion.
As the voices around them become inaudible, the singer ponders who they are left with, signaling a sense of isolation or solitude. However, they find solace in listening, implying a willingness to connect and understand. The closing line reinforces the desire for mutual understanding and connection.
Overall, "I Don't Mind" delves into the complexities of love, trust, and self-discovery, touching on themes of vulnerability, introspection, and the search for authentic connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't mind saying I love you all the time
I have no problem expressing my love for you constantly
But I can't deny that I have left myself behind
However, I cannot ignore the fact that I have neglected my own needs
And I, I start to wonder what it says about, about being burned
And now I ponder the implications and lessons learned from getting hurt
And who, who have I trusted? I don't know for sure
And I question the reliability of those I have placed my trust in, uncertain of the answer
But surely I know you
But I am confident in my knowledge and trust of you
I learned to map lines but I can't trust myself to lie
I have acquired the skill of deciphering intentions, but I lack trust in my ability to deceive
I blame bad design, face-off's a chaos, well I don't mind
I attribute my struggles to poor planning, situations spiraling into chaos, yet I remain unperturbed
And I, I start to wonder, what about my life I can't settle on
And again, I question what aspects of my life remain unsettled and undecided
And who, who have I trusted? I don't know no more
And I find myself uncertain and confused about the individuals I have placed my trust in
But surely I know you
But one thing I am certain of is my trust and familiarity with you
It's a bowl of cherries, it's a bowl of hand grenades
Life can be both delightful and dangerous, filled with both joy and potential harm
Come on, I uncover the windows, face the light
So let's open up and expose ourselves to the truth, embracing positivity and growth
And what will I see?
And what revelations await me?
Instant recognition, instant camera photographs
Swift realizations and fleeting snapshots of moments captured in time
Come on, so long, lovers, keep up the flame tonight
So, farewell my beloveds, let's maintain our passion and intensity this evening
And once all the voices, they begin to fall inaudible
As the multitude of voices gradually fade into silence
And who, who am I left with? I don't know for sure
And who will remain by my side? I am uncertain of the answer
But through, through the snowfall, I am listening
But amidst the adversity and difficulties, I am attentively listening
And hope you're listening too
And I hope that you are also open to listening and understanding
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Joan Wasser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind