After recording and self-releasing two EPs in 2002, Newsom was signed to the independent label Drag City. Her debut album, The Milk-Eyed Mender, was released in 2004 to critical acclaim and garnered Newsom an underground following. She would receive wider exposure with the release of Ys (2006), which charted at number 134 on the Billboard 200.
She released two further albums: Have One on Me (2010) and Divers (2015), the latter of which outsold all of her previous albums. Newsom has been noted by critics for her unique musical style, sometimes characterized as psychedelic folk, and for her prominent use of harp instrumentation. She has also appeared as an actress with roles in the television series Portlandia and in the 2014 film Inherent Vice.
Peach Plumb Pear
Joanna Newsom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a sensitive bore
You seem markedly more
And I'm oozing surprise
But it's late in the day
And you're well on your way
What was golden went gray
And the gatherin' floozies
Afford to be choosy
And all sneezing darkly
In the dimming divide
And I have read the right books
To interpret your looks
You were knocking me down
With the palm of your eye
Though
Na na na na na'na na na
A'na na na na na na na na na na na na na
This is unlike the story
It was written to be
I was riding its back
When it used to ride me
And we were galloping manic
To the mouth of the source
We were swallowing panic
In the face of its force
And I was blue
I am blue and unwell
Made me bolt like a horse
Ah na na na na a na na na na'na na na
A'na na na na na na na now now now now now now
Now it's done
Watch it go
You've changed some
Water runs from the snow print
Am I so dear?
Do I run rare?
And you've changed some
Peach, plum, pear
Peach, plum
The lyrics to Joanna Newsom's "Peach Plum Pear" are a reflection on a relationship that has changed over time. The singer of the song is sensitive and surprised by the change in their partner. They feel suddenly shy and unsure of themselves in the face of the new dynamic. Meanwhile, the gatherin' floozies - a group of people who are selective about who they associate with - are sneezing darkly in the dimming divide. The singer has read the right books to interpret the looks of their partner, but is finding it difficult to connect with them.
The second verse of the song is a reflection on how the relationship used to be. The singer and their partner were galloping to the mouth of the source, swallowing panic in the face of its force. But now, the singer is blue and unwell, and the relationship has changed. The water runs from the snow print, highlighting the ephemeral and fleeting nature of things. The final lyrics question the singer's self-worth and whether they are still valued in the relationship.
Overall, "Peach Plum Pear" is a melancholic exploration of how relationships can change over time and how people can grow apart.
Line by Line Meaning
We speak in the store
We are conversing in a commercial establishment
I'm a sensitive bore
I'm an unadventurous individual
You seem markedly more
You appear to be more distinguished than me
And I'm oozing surprise
And I'm pleasantly astounded
But it's late in the day
However, it is nearing the end of the day
And you're well on your way
And you're on your way out
What was golden went gray
What was once precious lost its charm
And I'm suddenly shy
And I reveal a timid demeanor
And the gatherin' floozies
And the promiscuous women
Afford to be choosy
Can afford to be selective
And all sneezing darkly
And all conveying a somber atmosphere
In the dimming divide
In the darkening partition
And I have read the right books
And I have gained the relevant knowledge
To interpret your looks
To understand the meaning behind your facial expressions
You were knocking me down
You were overwhelming me
With the palm of your eye
With the power of your gaze
Though
Although
Na na na na na'na na na
No clear meaning
Na'na na na na na na na na na na na na
No clear meaning
This is unlike the story
This situation is not in accordance with what was told in the story
It was written to be
It was intentionally crafted to be
I was riding its back
I was in control of the situation
When it used to ride me
When the situation was controlling me
And we were galloping manic
And we were moving at a frenzied pace
To the mouth of the source
Towards the beginning of the situation
We were swallowing panic
We were overcoming our fear
In the face of its force
Despite the situation's strength
And I was blue
And I was melancholic
I am blue and unwell
I am unhappy and in poor health
Made me bolt like a horse
Caused me to flee quickly
Ah na na na na a na na na na'na na na
No clear meaning
A'na na na na na na na na na na na na na
No clear meaning
Now now now now now now
At present time
Now it's done
Now it is finished
Watch it go
Observe it depart
You've changed some
You've changed to some extent
Water runs from the snow print
Melting snow leaves a trail of water
Am I so dear?
Am I so valuable to you?
Do I run rare?
Am I unique?
And you've changed some
And you've also undergone some changes
Peach, plum, pear
No clear meaning
Peach, plum
No clear meaning
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joanna Newsom
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind