Instrumentation and lyrics
Like the majority of songs that appear on White Chalk, "When Under Ether" was written and performed on the piano, which is a departure from prior PJ Harvey albums. It is also similar to the other tracks in that it is short in length and sung in a higher register than expected.
Musically, the song is quite sparse, centering around Harvey's vocals — which have an airy, almost otherworldly quality to them — and a subtle, repetitive piano melody. According to critic Joshua Klein "the simple repetitive pattern that gently drives 'When Under Ether' drips with menace."[3] Drums, autoharp, and organ accompany the main components of the song and are quite low in the mix.
While the lyrics may indicate something as innocent as a dream dissolving into the clouds under diethyl ether intoxication, but while one critic takes the song as an account of a "harrowing" birth under archaic medical conditions[4], some critics[5][6] such as Heather Phares[7] hint that they "quite possibly" refer to "abortion, since unwanted children are some of the many broken family ties that haunt the album". However, when asked directly during an interview in the The Guardian, Harvey replied, "That's obviously what you hear, but for me it's not actually tied to anything specific, like an abortion. These aren't just words. They're songs. They inhabit themselves, really".[8]
When Under Ether
PJ Harvey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moving in time
Like a conveyor belt
Above my eyes
When under ether
The mind comes alive
But conscious of nothing
I lay on the bed
Waist down undressed
Look up at the ceiling
Feeling happiness
Human kindness
The woman beside me
Is holding my hand
I point at the ceiling
She smiles so kind
Something's inside me
Unborn and unblessed
Disappears in the ether
This world to the next
Disappears in the ether
One world to the next
Human kindness
The lyrics to PJ Harvey's song When Under Ether are quite enigmatic, and could be interpreted in various ways. The song describes the experience of being under anesthesia, and the way one's mind and body react to it. The first stanza describes the sensation of being under anesthesia, as if the ceiling is moving in a rhythmical way, above the eyes, as if it's a conveyor belt. This might be interpreted as a medical machine or device which is necessary for the anesthesia process, and this line gives the listener a sense of being in the state where the anesthesia has taken over.
The second stanza is about the awareness that comes with being under anesthesia. The patient is conscious but not in control of their body, only the will to survive. The way the body is detached from the mind in this state could be seen as a metaphor for the fragility of life and the way we are all just vessels for our minds. The following verse then describes the happiness and human kindness the singer feels while under anesthesia. It's almost as if the anesthesia has brought out the best feelings in them.
The final stanza is the most mysterious one, as it describes something inside the singer which is unborn and unblessed. It disappears in the ether when they are under anesthesia, and they become aware of one world disappearing into the next. This might refer to the experience of being close to death or dying, and the idea that once we pass away, we start a new life in another world. The image of human kindness recurs, and it could be seen as a comforting message that even in our darkest of moments, there is kindness to be found in people.
Line by Line Meaning
The ceiling is moving
The moving ceiling is a visual hallucination caused by the use of ether.
Moving in time
The movement of the ceiling seems to be in sync with something that isn't visible.
Like a conveyor belt
The movement of the ceiling is similar to that of a conveyor belt.
Above my eyes
The ceiling is in the person's field of view.
When under ether
The following lines describe the effects of being under the influence of ether.
The mind comes alive
Despite feeling physically restricted, the person's mind is active and stimulated.
But conscious of nothing
The person is not aware of or focused on anything specific.
But the will to survive
The only thing the person is consciously aware of is their primal desire to stay alive.
I lay on the bed
The person is lying down on a bed.
Waist down undressed
The person is not wearing pants or a skirt.
Look up at the ceiling
The person is gazing at the ceiling.
Feeling happiness
Despite the strange experience, the person is feeling happy.
Human kindness
The person feels a sense of comfort and empathy towards those around them.
The woman beside me
There is a woman next to the person.
Is holding my hand
The woman is holding the person's hand.
I point at the ceiling
The person indicates the movement of the ceiling to the woman next to them.
She smiles so kind
The woman is kind and understanding towards the person's experience.
Something's inside me
The person feels a sense of something being within them.
Unborn and unblessed
Whatever the person senses within them is not yet alive and is not under any sort of blessing or protection.
Disappears in the ether
Whatever the person was sensing or feeling within them is no longer present, and the cause of this sensation is unknown.
This world to the next
The cause of the sensation may have moved on from this world or to the next dimension or realm.
Disappears in the ether
Once again, the cause of the sensation is gone, and the person is left without an explanation for it.
One world to the next
Whatever had caused the sensation may have moved on from one world, whether the physical world or otherwise, to another.
Human kindness
The person still feels comforted by the kindness of those around them, despite the experience they've had.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Polly Jean Harvey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marief.5464
The ceiling is moving
Moving in time
Like a conveyor belt
Above my eyes
When under ether
The mind comes alive
But conscious of nothing
But the will to survive
I lay on the bed
Waist down undressed
Look up at the ceiling
Feeling happiness
Human kindness
The woman beside me
Is holding my hand
I point at the ceiling
She smiles so kind
Something's inside me
Unborn and unblessed
Disappears in the ether
This world to the next
Disappears in the ether
One world to the next
Human kindness
@Emma-ey8cu
The song coupled with the scene of Tommy riding down the canal to meet Alfie, one of the most peaceful, yet haunting scenes..takes you away.
@mattball7596
Peaky blinders got me into this song and artist lol
@timenim2284
Matt Ball same here lol great artist and great show!
@Spitfiregirl01
Same and Nick Cave and the bad seeds too
@joshuawinhauer4932
Me to I just rewatched the second season over.. it's episode 2. 8 mins in.
@averyprice9422
basketball diaries got me on here... she is something else
@westyavro
I'm here because of P J Harvey.
@russhaywood6418
No other artist could have made this album. Genius.
@Mortalkombatdakota
Would be better if Evanescence made it
@russhaywood6418
@@Mortalkombatdakota Mate, are you high? ;-)