Leaving
pj harvey and bjork Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leaving
California
California
Leaving
California
No one but me is walking
I'm leaving you today
California
Leave me
California
Leave
California
Leave Me
California
How cruel was I to think that
I could you change
Oh give me some shade
Oh England come soon
How could I've believed that I could live and breathe in you
Ooh
California
Killed me
California
California
Killed me
California
I think it's time to leave
I think it's time to leave
I told no one I'd stay
I think it's time to leave
Ooh
The lyrics to PJ Harvey and John Parish's song Leaving California convey a sense of isolation and disillusionment with the titular state. The repetition of the phrase "Leaving California" throughout the song emphasizes the singer's desire to abandon this place and move on with their life. The opening stanza sets the scene, with the singer walking alone under palm trees that provide no relief from the sun. The following stanzas reveal the reason behind their departure: a failed attempt to change someone or something, and a realization that California has somehow "killed" them. The final stanza brings the song full circle, with the singer reaffirming their decision to leave and move on to something new.
The song's heavy use of repetition and minimalistic instrumentation reinforce its sense of desperation and loneliness. By focusing on just a few phrases and musical elements, Harvey and Parish create a haunting atmosphere that draws the listener in. The specific references to palm trees and England also help to ground the song in a real-world context, while leaving room for interpretation and speculation.
Overall, Leaving California is a powerful meditation on loss, regret, and the search for a new beginning. Its sparse lyrics and haunting melody leave a lasting impression, making it one of PJ Harvey's most memorable tracks.
Line by Line Meaning
California
Referring to the state of California in the USA.
Leaving
The act of departing or moving away from the current location.
California
Referring to the state of California in the USA.
California
Referring to the state of California in the USA.
Leaving
The act of departing or moving away from the current location.
California
Referring to the state of California in the USA.
No one but me is walking
I am the only one walking, there is no one else around.
Under palms that give no shade
The palm trees do not provide any shade to protect against the sun.
I'm leaving you today
I am departing from you today.
California
Referring to the state of California in the USA.
Leave me
I want to be left alone and away from California.
California
Referring to the state of California in the USA.
Leave
Asking California to let go of me and let me depart.
California
Referring to the state of California in the USA.
Leave Me
Directing California to leave me alone and let me depart.
California
Referring to the state of California in the USA.
How cruel was I to think that
Reflecting on how foolish it was to believe something to be true that was not.
I could you change
Thinking that I could change you, but realizing that it did not work out as intended.
Oh give me some shade
Asking for some relief from the sun and heat, likely due to frustration or exhaustion.
Oh England come soon
Longing for England to arrive and provide a new setting or environment.
How could I've believed that I could live and breathe in you
Reflecting on how misguided it was to believe that I could long-term reside and exist in California.
Ooh
An expression of emotion such as confusion, frustration, or disappointment.
California
Referring to the state of California in the USA.
Killed me
Stating that being in California had a severe negative impact on me, possibly referring to emotional or mental exhaustion, or feeling drained.
California
Referring to the state of California in the USA.
California
Referring to the state of California in the USA.
Killed me
Stating that being in California had a severe negative impact on me, possibly referring to emotional or mental exhaustion, or feeling drained.
California
Referring to the state of California in the USA.
I think it's time to leave
Realizing that it is time to depart from California, potentially due to multiple negative experiences.
I think it's time to leave
Reiterating the realization that it is time to depart from California, possibly due to feeling uneasy or uncertain.
I told no one I'd stay
Having kept the departure from California a secret and not informing others of the intention to leave.
I think it's time to leave
Emphasizing the decision to leave California, highlighting the significance of the realization.
Ooh
An expression of emotion such as confusion, frustration, or disappointment.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: JOHN PARISH, POLLY JEAN HARVEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SMSami-uq2my
can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no satisfaction
'Cause I try, and I try, and I try, and I try
I can't get no, I can't get no
When I'm driving in my car
When a man come on the radio
He's telling me more and more
About some useless information
Supposed to fire my imagination
I can't get no, oh, no, no, no, hey, hey, hey
That's what I say
I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no satisfaction
'Cause I try, and I try, and I try, and I try
I can't get no, I can't get no
When I'm watchin' my TV
And a man comes on and tells me
How white my shirts can be
But, he can't be a man 'cause he doesn't smoke
The same cigarettes as me
I can't get no, oh, no, no, no, hey, hey, hey
That's what I say
I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no girl reaction
'Cause I try, and I try, and I try, and I try
I can't get no, I can't get no
When I'm ridin' 'round the world
And I'm doin' this and I'm signin' that
And I'm tryin' to make some girl, who tells me
Baby, better come back maybe next week
Can't you see I'm on a losing streak?
I can't get no, oh, no, no, no, hey, hey, hey
That's what I say
I can't get no, I can't get no
I can't get no satisfaction, no satisfaction
No satisfaction, no satisfaction
I can't get no
@KBerry-ug5zx
One of my favorite things that's ever happened.
@sketchyold
You must be deaf or close to it.
@ItWentChunkaCHUNK
Same. I stumbled across an mp3 of this back in the Limewire days and it's been in my permanent playlist ever since.
@russlane
I'm so mad I can't include it in streaming services! I came here just to hear it again @@ItWentChunkaCHUNK
@jamesgulley9881
Just omg!!!
@e.r.burgess1498
Holy heck - how did I miss this for almost thirty years? Wonderful.
@yodoleheehoo90
same! and just happened to come across the song on Sirius XM, huge Bjork fan so I instantly recognized her voice, and never knew about this gig! Not her best, but quite fun to jam to :)
@ko0974
You are 8 months ahead of me 😂. Worth the wait
@laliloub
I literally cannot recover from how young they look, like a nine year-old and her 14-year-old goth sister. Just wow! The beauty and rawness of youth!
@whssy
The funny thing is that the "nine year old" is actually five years older than the "14 year old goth sister".
They're both masterful in this... but Polly Jane was only 24 or 25 and only 2 years into her recording career, while Bjork was about 29, with 18 years in the industry behind her. And the mother of an 8 year old.