Harvey began her career in 1988 when she joined local band Automatic Dlamini as a vocalist, guitarist and saxophonist. The band's frontman, John Parish, became her long-term collaborator. In 1991, she formed an eponymous trio called PJ Harvey and subsequently began her career as PJ Harvey. The trio released two studio albums called Dry (1992) and Rid of Me (1993) before disbanding, after which Harvey continued as a solo artist. Since 1995, she has released a further nine studio albums with collaborations from various musicians including Parish, former bandmate Rob Ellis, Mick Harvey and Eric Drew Feldman, and has also worked extensively with record producer Flood.
Among the accolades Harvey has received are both the 2001 and 2011 Mercury Prize for Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea (2000) and Let England Shake (2011), respectively, making her the only artist to have been awarded the prize twice. She has also garnered eight Brit Award nominations, seven Grammy Award nominations and two further Mercury Prize nominations. Rolling Stone awarded her three accolades: 1992's Best New Artist and Best Singer Songwriter, and 1995's Artist of the Year. Rolling Stone also listed Rid of Me, To Bring You My Love and Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea on its list of their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In 2011, she was awarded for Outstanding Contribution To Music at the NME Awards. In the 2013 Birthday Honours, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to music.
It's You
PJ Harvey Lyrics
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I'm not feeling well
Can I step out
For a little while?
But I go missing
I steal away
And I go kissing
In the alleyway
And all I want to grow up to be
Is all caught up with you
Look what you're doing to me
Oh dearest young man
Teach me sweetheart
How to love you
I'm a clever girl
You've got me lying
You've got me leaving home
You've got me crying
When I'm alone
When I'm not with you my dreams are so very dark
When I'm not with you I dream of my hair falling out
When I'm not with you I walk dark tunnels of my heart
When I'm not with you everything comes apart
When I was younger
I spent my days
Wondering to whom
I was supposed to pray
It's you
The lyrics of PJ Harvey's song "It's You" are an emotional and complex reflection on love, desire, and dependency. The first stanza describes the singer feeling unwell and wanting to step out for a little while. However, despite knowing that it's not the right thing to do, she steals away to kiss someone in the alleyway. The repeated line "All I want to do, And all I want to grow up to be, Is all caught up with you" highlights the depth of her infatuation and the hold that this person has over her.
The second verse introduces a new character, a young man, who she addresses as "dearest". She wants him to teach her how to love him, despite already considering herself a clever girl. He has her lying, leaving home, and crying when she's alone, showing the power he has over her. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the importance of this person in her life, reinforces the fact the singer is reliant on this person for her emotional wellbeing.
The final verse explores the singer's past, where she recounts spending her days wondering who she was supposed to pray to. This uncertainty is replaced by a certainty that it is this person that she wants and needs in her life. The song ends with "It's you" repeated, confirming that this person is the only one for her, and she is dependent on them for fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh dear sweet mama
Addressing an affectionate figure to pour out her concerns
I'm not feeling well
Expressing a negative state of being or emotions
Can I step out
Asking for permission to leave temporarily
For a little while?
Specifying the duration of the absence
But I go missing
Confessing to disappearing without explanation
I steal away
Using evocative imagery to describe the act of sneaking away
And I go kissing
Describing the action of engaging in romantic activity with someone
In the alleyway
Indicating the location where the romantic activity often takes place
All I want to do
Expressing one's desires and ambitions
And all I want to grow up to be
Referencing one's aspirations and objectives for the future
Is all caught up with you
Acknowledging that one's desires revolve around a specific person
Look what you're doing to me
Expressing the effects that the person has on the singer
Oh dearest young man
Addressing someone as a term of endearment
Teach me sweetheart
Asking someone to guide the singer in a loving way
How to love you
Seeking knowledge on how to express feelings of love towards someone
I'm a clever girl
Acknowledging one's intelligence and resourcefulness
You've got me lying
Revealing the impact that the person has on the singer's behavior
You've got me leaving home
Describing the singer's desire to be with the person at the expense of leaving home
You've got me crying
Revealing the emotional toll that the person has on the singer
When I'm alone
Referencing a specific situation where the emotions are more pronounced
When I'm not with you my dreams are so very dark
Describing the negative impact that the person's absence has on the singer's mental state
When I'm not with you I dream of my hair falling out
Referencing a specific dream that causes anxiety and discomfort
When I'm not with you I walk dark tunnels of my heart
Using evocative imagery to describe the emotional state during the person's absence
When I'm not with you everything comes apart
Acknowledging that the person is the source of stability and happiness
When I was younger
Referencing a time in the past
I spent my days
Describing how time was used during that period
Wondering to whom
Asking a rhetorical question about identity or purpose
I was supposed to pray
Referencing a religious practice that provides guidance or comfort
It's you
Declaring that the person is the source of happiness, love, and inspiration
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: POLLY JEAN HARVEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind