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.
Sweet Thing
Joan as Police Woman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To wrangle some screens from the door
And isn't it me, putting pain in a stranger
Like a portrait in flesh who trails on a leash
Will you see that I'm scared and I'm lonely
So I'll break up my room and yawn and I
Run to the centre of things
Boys, boys, it's a sweet thing
Boys, boys, it's a sweet thing, sweet thing
If you want it, boys, get it here, thing
'Cause hope, boys, is a cheap thing, cheap thing
I'm glad that you're older than me
Makes me feel important and free
Does that make you smile, isn't that me
I'm in your way and I'll steal every moment
If this trade is a curse, then I'll bless you
And turn to the crossroads of Hamburg, as in
Boys, boys, it's a sweet thing
Boys, boys, it's a sweet thing, sweet thing
If you want it, boys, get it here, thing
'Cause hope, boys, is a cheap thing, cheap thing
Is it nice in your snow storm, freezing your brain
Do you think that your face looks the same
Then let it be, it's all I ever wanted
It's a street with a deal and a taste
It's got claws, it's got me, it's got you
The lyrics to Joan as Police Woman's "Sweet Thing" are deep and open to interpretation. The song tells the story of someone who is scared and alone, seeking refuge in the city's doorway. The singer feels like a portrait in flesh being dragged on a leash while putting pain on a stranger. The person wants to break up their room and escape to the center of things, where the knowing one says, "boys, boys, it's a sweet thing." The line is repeated throughout the song, and listeners are left wondering what the sweet thing referred to might be.
The following lines suggest that the singer feels insignificant and wants to be noticed. The fact that the listener is older than the singer gives the singer a sense of importance and freedom. The person wants to steal every moment with the listener, even if it is seen as a curse. The lyrics hint at turning to the crossroads of Hamburg, which has different interpretations depending on the listener.
Overall, the song is a mix of sadness, loneliness, and the possibility of finding hope and happiness. The emotional images presented in the lyrics are vivid and open to interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
It's safe in the city to love in a doorway
Loving in a doorway in the city is a safe and secure place to be.
To wrangle some screens from the door
To gather some screens from outside the door.
And isn't it me, putting pain in a stranger
Feeling like she is the one causing pain in someone she does not know.
Like a portrait in flesh who trails on a leash
Feeling like she is stuck, just like a portrait in flesh that is being dragged around like a dog on a leash.
Will you see that I'm scared and I'm lonely
Asking if someone will see that she is feeling scared and alone.
So I'll break up my room and yawn and I
She will deconstruct her room and rest herself, yawning all along.
Run to the centre of things
Run to the center of everything.
Where the knowing one says
Where the expert says.
Boys, boys, it's a sweet thing
It is a sweet thing for boys.
If you want it, boys, get it here, thing
Take it if you want it, boys, it is readily available here.
'Cause hope, boys, is a cheap thing, cheap thing
Because hope is easily available and does not cost much.
I'm glad that you're older than me
She is happy that the person she is speaking to is older than she is.
Makes me feel important and free
It makes her feel important and free that she is speaking to someone older than she is.
Does that make you smile, isn't that me
Asking if her reason for feeling important and free makes the other person smile and if that is the essence of who she is.
I'm in your way and I'll steal every moment
She feels she is a hindrance and will take up every moment of the other person's time.
If this trade is a curse, then I'll bless you
If this kind of interaction is detrimental, she will make it worth the other person's time.
And turn to the crossroads of Hamburg, as in
And move towards the crossroads of Hamburg, as an example.
Is it nice in your snow storm, freezing your brain
Asking if the other person likes the snow storm that is affecting them and if it is making them feel cold inside.
Do you think that your face looks the same
Asking if the other person feels like they look the same in this situation.
Then let it be, it's all I ever wanted
If that is how they feel, she will let it be because that is all she wanted from them.
It's a street with a deal and a taste
It is a street with an agreement and a flavor to it.
It's got claws, it's got me, it's got you
The situation has claws and it has her and the other person trapped in it.
Contributed by Molly P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.