Big Exit
PJ Harvey Lyrics
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I see danger come
I want a pistol
I want a gun
I'm scared baby
I wanna run
This world's crazy
Give me the gun
Baby, baby
Ain't it true
I'm immortal
When I'm with you
But I want a pistol
In my hand
I wanna go to
A different land
I met a man
He told me straight
"You gotta leave
It's getting late"
Too many cops
Too many guns
All trying to do something
No-one else has done
Baby, baby
Ain't it true
I'm immortal
When I 'm with you
But I want a pistol
In my hand
I wanna go to
A different land
Sometimes it rains so hard
And I feel the hurt
In my heart
Feels like the end of the world
I see the children
Sharp as knives
I see the children
Dead and alive
Beautiful people
Beautiful girls
I just feel like
It's the end of the world
I walk on concrete
I walk on sand
But I can't find
A safe place to stand
I'm scared baby
I wanna run
This world's crazy
Gimme the gun
Baby, baby
Ain't it true
I'm immortal
When I 'm with you
But I want a pistol
In my hand
I wanna go to
A different land
PJ Harvey's "Big Exit" is a brooding, unsettling protest song about social and political turmoil, violence, and a longing for escape. The lyrics paint a dark picture of a world gone mad, where danger lurks around every corner and the only way to survive is by arming oneself. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, with Harvey singing, "Look out ahead, I see danger come / I want a pistol, I want a gun." She then goes on to confess her fear and desire to escape, and the hopelessness she feels in the face of so much senseless violence.
Throughout the song, Harvey juxtaposes images of beauty and violence, life and death, innocence and corruption. She sings about the children she sees, both dead and alive, as well as the beautiful girls and people she encounters. But no matter how beautiful the world may be at times, the violence and chaos always seem to be lurking just below the surface.
Ultimately, "Big Exit" is a powerful meditation on the state of the world and the overwhelming sense of fear and hopelessness that can come with it. But even as Harvey sings about her desire to escape, she also acknowledges the power of human connection and the hope that comes with it. As she sings in the chorus, "Baby, baby, ain't it true / I'm immortal when I'm with you."
Line by Line Meaning
Look out ahead
I am wary of the future and what it holds for me.
I see danger come
I can sense that there are risks and threats up ahead.
I want a pistol
I desire the ability to protect myself from harm.
I want a gun
I am willing to take control of my safety and security.
I'm scared baby
I feel vulnerable and afraid, and I need reassurance.
I wanna run
I seek an escape from the hardships and challenges of life.
This world's crazy
I find it difficult to cope with the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the world.
Give me the gun
I am willing to take drastic measures to protect myself from danger and harm.
Ain't it true
Isn't it a fact that...
I'm immortal
I feel invincible and unstoppable.
When I'm with you
I feel safe and protected when I am in the company of my loved one.
But I want a pistol
I yearn for the tools to defend myself, even in the safest of situations.
In my hand
So that I can use it to my advantage when the need arises.
I wanna go to
I desire to escape from my current reality.
A different land
Somewhere safer, away from all the chaos and madness.
I met a man
I encountered an individual who had something to say.
He told me straight
He was very blunt and direct in his communication.
"You gotta leave
You need to get out of here.
It's getting late"
Time is running out, and the situation is only getting worse.
Too many cops
There are too many authorities trying to control the situation.
Too many guns
The level of violence and aggression is overwhelming.
All trying to do something
Everyone is trying to fix the problem, but no one is succeeding.
No-one else has done
No one has found a solution to the issue at hand.
Sometimes it rains so hard
Sometimes life is so difficult and challenging that it feels like a storm.
And I feel the hurt
I experience pain and suffering.
In my heart
Deep within my soul.
Feels like the end of the world
It seems like the situation is hopeless and disastrous.
I see the children
I witness the younger generation experiencing the same struggles and difficulties as I am.
Sharp as knives
These children are intelligent and perceptive beyond their years.
Dead and alive
These children are struggling to survive in a harsh reality.
Beautiful people
Despite the hardships, there are still people in the world who bring light and joy to it.
Beautiful girls
The beauty of women is still present in a world filled with chaos and turmoil.
I just feel like
I have a strong sense that...
It's the end of the world
It feels like the world is coming to an end, and there is nothing we can do to prevent it.
I walk on concrete
I traverse the harsh and unforgiving urban landscape.
I walk on sand
I explore the vast and unpredictable natural world.
But I can't find
Despite my efforts and searching...
A safe place to stand
I cannot find a place of refuge or security.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.,
Written by: POLLY HARVEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind