A native of Essex and a graduate of the Brit School, the London performing arts academy that spawned the likes of Adele, Amy Winehouse, and Katie Melua, Scattergood inked a deal with Mute at the age of 22 and released her first single, "Nitrogen Pink," in 2007. Her eponymous full-length debut arrived two years later and drew comparisons to artists like Kate Bush and Björk. She issued her sophomore effort, Arrows, in 2013, which was produced by Ken Thomas (Sigur Rós) and garnered acclaim both at home and abroad. In 2020, after a seven-year absence that saw Scattergood, among other things, becoming a mother for the first time, she released the meditative In This Moment, which skillfully combined elements of art rock, inward-looking ambient synth pop, and surging dance-pop.
Biography by James Christopher Monger
Poem Song
Polly Scattergood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dictate who I am, and who I want to be.
I gave you all my words, and my words are my soul.
So, please try to be kind, if you are in control.
Because
Time takes, time takes, times takes, time takes many tears away.
If I had some elegance, some airs or grace,
Or tops made of lace.
Then, I'd be that girl you want.
I'd ooze with charm.
And I'd have diamonds on my fingers, and you on my arm.
But
Time takes, time takes, times takes, time takes many tears away.
Everybody seems to just turn a blind eye
On the 159 to Brixton, when a blonde girl cries,
And so, I will always be that girl that you never quite kissed,
And I've ribbons on my fingers and cuts on my wrist.
Because
Time takes, time takes, times takes, time takes many tears away.
If I was brave enough I'd get onto my knees,
And I would ask for you to try again
To love me please.
Because I have never felt that unconditionally
And learning takes some time but don't give up on me.
'Cause time takes, time takes, times takes, time takes many tears away.
Time takes, time takes, time takes courage!
And time, time takes many tears away.
Black and blue my petals fall on broken glass.
Please, teach me how to love and to forget the past.
Because tiny steps I take each day, but most days I crawl.
Please, try to be kind because I often fall.
'Cause time takes, time takes, times takes, time takes many tears away.
The song Poem Song by Polly Scattergood is a poignant reflection on the challenges of maintaining self-confidence and self-love despite the psychological scars of past experiences. The lyrics speak to the singer's ongoing effort to resist the ways in which their insecurities can shape their identity and their relationships. The opening lines express this battle with insecurity as the singer describes their struggle not to let their fears control who they are or who they aspire to become.
The next couple of stanzas play on the idea that exterior appearances are what is necessary to find love and acceptance. If the singer were more elegant or if they had certain items, they could fit in and charm. But the repeated mantra in the song, "time takes many tears away," suggests that despite any challenges the singer may face, things will get better with time. The song includes an intimate narrative that speaks to the universal theme of not fitting in and feeling alone. The final verse speaks to past scars which have led the singer to put ribbons on their fingers and cuts on their wrists, but the overall message of the song is to have courage and hope, that time takes many tears away.
Line by Line Meaning
I try not to let my insecurities
I don't want to be defined by my insecurities or let them control me.
Dictate who I am, and who I want to be.
I want to be in control of my own identity and choices.
I gave you all my words, and my words are my soul.
I opened up to you and shared my deepest thoughts and feelings.
So, please try to be kind, if you are in control.
I hope that you will treat me with compassion and empathy.
Because
This is important to me because...
Time takes, time takes, times takes, time takes many tears away.
With time, the pain and hurt can lessen.
If I had some elegance, some airs or grace,
If I had more poise and sophistication...
Or if I had buttons made of silver,
Or if I had fancy adornments...
Or tops made of lace.
Or if I dressed more elegantly...
Then, I'd be that girl you want.
Then maybe you would see me as desirable.
I'd ooze with charm.
I would exude charisma and appeal.
And I'd have diamonds on my fingers, and you on my arm.
I would have luxury and love in my life.
But
But in reality...
Time takes, time takes, times takes, time takes many tears away.
The passing of time can heal wounds but cannot change who I am.
Everybody seems to just turn a blind eye
It seems like no one wants to acknowledge or help...
On the 159 to Brixton, when a blonde girl cries,
When I am vulnerable and emotional in public...
And so, I will always be that girl that you never quite kissed,
I will always be the one who yearned for your affection but never received it.
And I've ribbons on my fingers and cuts on my wrist.
I have self-harm scars and adornments that reflect my inner pain.
Because
This is my reality because...
Time takes, time takes, times takes, time takes many tears away.
Even though time passes, my emotional wounds may always linger.
If I was brave enough I'd get onto my knees,
If I had the courage, I would humble myself and plead for another chance.
And I would ask for you to try again
I would beg you to reconsider loving me.
To love me please.
To give me your affection and care.
Because I have never felt that unconditionally
I have never experienced truly unconditional love.
And learning takes some time but don't give up on me.
I may need guidance and patience, but please don't abandon me.
'Cause time takes, time takes, times takes, time takes many tears away.
I hope that with time, I will be able to heal and grow from past hurts.
Time takes, time takes, time takes courage!
It takes courage to face the painful process of healing and growth.
And time, time takes many tears away.
Although it may take a long time, healing is possible and tears may eventually fade.
Black and blue my petals fall on broken glass.
I am vulnerable and hurting, exposed to danger and harm.
Please, teach me how to love and to forget the past.
I need guidance and support to learn how to love and move on from past hurts.
Because tiny steps I take each day, but most days I crawl.
Although progress may be slow, I am still trying to move forward.
Please, try to be kind because I often fall.
I need compassion and empathy because I struggle and make mistakes.
'Cause time takes, time takes, times takes, time takes many tears away.
I believe that healing is possible with time and patience.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: POLLY VICTORIA SCATTERGOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ALEBRIJE
Tu voz es maravilloso y siempre me trae tranquilidad en el momentos que más lo necesito, gracias ❤️❤️❤️
ASMhorror
Oh, how much I cried with this song when this album came out. Still adore every song in it.
Elven ♩♥
Still adore your music, helped me through some of my teen years <3
ricardo carranza
😍 lovely voice interesting song 🎵
Sam Lensherr
Amazing 😍
Mister TIBS
Amazing.
L Mace
🔥🔥🔥🔥