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.
Victory
PJ Harvey Lyrics
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You fit me with those angel wings
Set me go
Set me high
Set it up, I'm in the sky
The storm is gone (the storm is gone)
And the temperature's high (and the temperature's hight)
At my table
Till I think, how lucky we are
Angel at my table, God in my car
Get it at sea
Take a ship
I'd christen her victory, she'd make it
Victory
Victory
Come on boys, let's push it hard
You broke down, push your motorcar
Come on boys, you done us proud
You sweat till you mop it right off your brow
Victory
Victory
Victory
Victory
So the storm is gone (so the storm is gone)
And the temperature is high (and the temperature is high)
And delight is dining (and delight is dining)
At my table
Till the storm is gone (till the storm is gone)
And the temperature's high (and the temperature is high)
And delight is dining (and delight is dining)
At my table
PJ Harvey's song "Victory" is a joyful celebration of overcoming adversity and finding success. The opening lines "I stumble and I'm in, You fit me with those angel wings, Set me go, Set me high, Set it up, I'm in the sky" paint the picture of someone who has been knocked down but is now ready to soar with the help of their angel. The imagery of the angel wings is a powerful symbol of protection and guidance.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the storm has passed and the singer is basking in the sunshine of success. "The storm is gone, And the temperature's high, And delight is dining, At my table" expresses the relief and joy that comes with emerging from a difficult period. The reference to dining at a table also suggests a sense of abundance and indulgence, as if all the hard work has paid off in spades.
The chorus repeats the word "victory" over and over again, driving home the message that the singer has triumphed over adversity. The lines "Get it at sea, Take a ship, I'd christen her victory, she'd make it" suggest that the singer is now ready to take on new challenges and conquer new territory. The sense of adventure and possibility is palpable in the song's final lines.
Overall, "Victory" is an uplifting song that encourages listeners to persevere in the face of hardship and never give up on their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
I stumble and I'm in
I feel overwhelmed and lost.
You fit me with those angel wings
You help me feel hopeful and lifted up.
Set me go
Encourage me to move forward.
Set me high
Encourage me to have high aspirations.
Set it up, I'm in the sky
I'm feeling inspired and ready to take on anything.
The storm is gone (the storm is gone)
After a difficult time, things have calmed down.
And the temperature's high (and the temperature's hight)
Mood is good, everything feels positive.
And delight is dining (and delight is dining)
There is happiness and contentment.
At my table
I'm enjoying the good things in life.
Till I think, how lucky we are
I'm aware of how fortunate I am to have this moment.
Angel at my table, God in my car
I feel surrounded by goodness and protection.
Get it at sea
Facing a challenge head on.
Take a ship
Embrace the journey regardless of how difficult it may be.
I'd christen her victory, she'd make it
Success is within reach and I'm determined to achieve it.
Victory
A celebratory affirmation of success.
Come on boys, let's push it hard
Let's work hard and put in effort to achieve success.
You broke down, push your motorcar
Don't allow setbacks to stop you from achieving success.
Come on boys, you done us proud
Acknowledgment of success or hard work of a group.
You sweat till you mop it right off your brow
Hard work and effort has these visible physical effects.
Victory
Reaffirmation of success and achievement.
Victory
Reaffirmation of success and achievement.
Victory
Reaffirmation of success and achievement.
Victory
Reaffirmation of success and achievement.
So the storm is gone (so the storm is gone)
Again, after a difficult time, things have calmed down.
And the temperature is high (and the temperature is high)
Again, mood is good, everything feels positive.
And delight is dining (and delight is dining)
Again, there is happiness and contentment.
At my table
I'm still enjoying the good things in life.
Till the storm is gone (till the storm is gone)
The cycle of difficult times followed by calm continues.
And the temperature's high (and the temperature is high)
Mood is still good in spite of the storms.
And delight is dining (and delight is dining)
Contentment and happiness continue through the difficult times.
At my table
Focus on enjoying the good things in life in spite of the storms.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: POLLY JEAN HARVEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind