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.
Lady
Joan as Police Woman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I saw a lady, she had no clothes on
Seen her in the corridor
Lying on her back on the floor
Why she want to pick on me
She was naked
I saw a lady and she was naked
I had a good look through the crack
Footmarks up her back
How did they get there
She was naked
I saw a lady and she was naked
I saw a lady, she had no clothes on
Now she's looking at me
What's that rope I see
I don't like the look of those boots
She was naked
Naked
Naked
Naked
I don't wanna seem crude
But she was nude
The song “Lady” by Joan as Police Woman tells the story of the singer's encounter with a naked woman lying on her back on the floor in a corridor. The singer seems to be startled and confused by the bizarre sight of the naked woman and wonders why she wants to pick on her. She then looks closer through a crack in the door and notices footmarks up the woman's back, making her question how they got there.
The imagery of footmarks up the woman's back and the singer's unease regarding the boots suggest a darker and possibly violent aspect to the encounter. The repeated use of the word “naked” in the lyrics emphasizes the vulnerability of the woman and the uncomfortable nature of the encounter. The singer admits her discomfort with the situation by stating that she “doesn't wanna seem crude, but she was nude.” Ultimately, the song leaves the subject open to interpretation and the listener to draw their own conclusions about the meaning behind the encounter.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw a lady and she was naked
I witnessed a female person who had no clothing on her body
I saw a lady, she had no clothes on
I saw a female person who had no attire covering her body
Seen her in the corridor
I observed her in the hallway
Lying on her back on the floor
Her body was positioned with her back facing the ground
Why she want to pick on me
I wondered why she chose me as the target of her behavior
She was naked
She was not wearing any clothing
I had a good look through the crack
I peered through an opening to witness her body fully exposed
Footmarks up her back
I noticed marks or prints from footwear on her body
How did they get there
I was curious about the origin of the footprints on her back
Now she's looking at me
She directed her gaze towards me
What's that rope I see
I spotted a rope and questioned its presence
I don't like the look of those boots
I had a negative perception about the appearance of her boots
She was naked
She was not wearing clothes
Naked
Not covered by clothing
Naked
Exhibition of the absence of garments
I don't wanna seem crude
I do not want to come across as vulgar
But she was nude
However, she did not have any clothes on
Contributed by Liam W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@figliadisam
I don't want to tell you what you already know
This is me you that you're talking to
And anything I say, I have said before
When will it be enough?
There's something, and my mind shifts, and in my eye
I slip on my ears
And I find I am face to face with none other than me
I've got the mirror up against the marquee
And all it reads is, I am fine, I am divine
But there is a wild side going on behind the sign
I'm looking for the magic
I'm feeling for the right way out of mind
Looking for the alchemy to release me from my maze
I am makin myself
I'm lookin' for the magic (I'm lookin' for the magic)
I'm lookin' for the magic (I'm lookin' for the magic)
I'm lookin' for the magic (I'm lookin' for the magic)
Now I do not wanna come off like I am
I'm loosing my head
But the shadow inside of me
Is begging for direction to illicit city
Oh illicit city
I wanna do better than to fight this life 'cause it is a dream
I wonder if the wild animals livin' in me
Well will they ever find freedom
All I fear is what I fear, am I a Leviathan?
I feel the risin' of the cove, my ocean opens
I'm looking for the magic
I'm feeling for the right way out of mind
Looking for the alchemy to release me from my maze
I am makin myself
I'm looking for the magic
I'm feeling for the right way out of mind
Looking for the alchemy to release me from my maze
I am makin myself
I'm lookin' for the magic (I'm lookin' for the magic)
I'm lookin' for the magic (I'm lookin' for the magic)
I'm lookin' for the magic (I'm lookin' for the magic)
I wanna be bad
I wanna be bad
I wanna be bad
I wanna be bad
My shadow must find a window
In the wall
I'm looking for the magic
I'm feeling for the right way out of mind (right way out of mind)
Looking for the alchemy to release me from my maze
I am makin myself
I'm looking for the magic
I'm feeling for the right way out of mind (right way out of mind)
Looking for the alchemy to release me from my maze
I am makin myself
I'm lookin' for the magic (I'm lookin' for the magic)
I'm lookin' for the magic (I'm lookin' for the magic)
I'm lookin' for the magic (I'm lookin' for the magic)
@Mr_Pretty
11 years later and this song still gets better with every listen.
@mr.j8568
No Doubt about that.
@hari04364
Had to return to this gem after several years. Still as haunting like the first time I heard it. Incredible song.
@grahamwaddingham620
Perfect. This clip is amazing! She is so good live too. Thanks so much. Makes me so happy that Joan's music exists. Legend!
@HawkEye40
I love her voice. So subtle and full of nuances. Fresh air in a world full of screamers.
I've recently discoverd her and I absolutely love her music.
@samiwafa3143
نورعلی
@Hammerton32
So true!!! Nuanced!
@TheMastMusic
i love this song. every word, every note. pure magic.
@drpepperr
Agree. Among my top three of all time.
@omkarlewis8280
hi Haleh and Matt! i’m coming to your poetry performance with Shahzad on Dec 15, i did a session at Figure 8 three years ago and Joan sang on two songs! she’s the best!