The 90s had so many amazing female artists and I feel like we all took them for granted at the time. I was a small kid and I just expected there would always be genius female singer-songwriters like Tori, Fiona, and PJ Harvey. I’ve been having a hard time in recent years finding female artists like this, who write ALL their music (no co-writing most of it). It makes me appreciate the singer-song writer wave of the 90s even more.
So true. Female artists have to be so hypersexualized to get any sttention these days. It is very shallow and offensive. There are plenty of amazing female artists out there who reject the mainstream - Laura Marling, Angel Olsen, Savages are my favourites…I wish I was older to have appreciated the 90s more while they were happening. Pop Culture in general was pretty great…
This was a lovely analysis! Although I'm not sure Polly needs cutting any slack for those early interviews - I genuinely don't see anything wrong about being your authentic self and just putting out music without the need to associate it with any movement. In fact it feels more empowering than any performative activism.
@@antiheroines-you-love yeah, she seemed kinda pressed, but that was common for super big new stars at that time (you can see how her reactions are similar to Kurt Cobain's when the interviewers ask about the meaning of a song)
@@MalMotorDedo ditto for Radiohead. I think it has more to do with the style of interviews at the time. If the artist is more interested in being themselves than promoting sales, it just doesn't mix very well
I pretty sure they meant how Paula would make music and imagery that looks very politically charged and then would get annoyed when people asked about it. it’s understandable for a new star or someone who isn’t trying to say anything like that, but it’s pretty obvious when someone’s being purposefully obtuse
The problem is, if something gives you ‘chills’ it’s always vile woke shit… The artists you mentioned are all great, please don’t diminish their hard work and creativity by getting disgusting ‘chills’…
i will never not think of Gilmore Girls and Rory shutting down Tristan with "PJ Harvey is a woman, you know?" when he tries to ask her out. I'm so excited about this one!
Try listening to music on it own merit and avoid television and film that lazily users pop and rock to tell you how to feel.. Film and television from the past supported musicians by paying them to score a particular project.. There’s lots of information about REAL soundtracks on-line if your interested in the combination of sound and vision…
PJ Harvey might be my favorite artist of all time (well tied with Kate Bush) and she has one of the best discographies in music. I love how she refuses to play by the rules and makes art on her terms and keeps reinventing herself. She's such a brilliant songwriter that I wish more people talked about so i'm glad to see you made this insightful video about her. She's truly one of the greats.
I always have loved her music. She sings from the bottom of her toes to the top of her head. You can’t ignore her voice, and the pressure cooker that she barely holds letting her music rip.
Also I need to say this about Hope Six. I can see why people don't like it but it's one of my favourite records and I feel such a strong need to defend it every time. While I'm not from any of the places it was written about, as a Ukrainian I connect to it so deeply. Sometimes simple journalistic writing is good, you don't need fancy metaphors for death and destruction. War is simply ugly. I can't even describe what listening to The Wheel does to me while children in my country are murdered or illegally deported to russia every day. However I loved the album years before experiencing these things personally, and I think the music is great, too.
I agree. Hope Six is also one of those albums that grow on you over time. Most people gave it a listen or two, felt uncomfortable about it and never revisited it. To me, that's exactly the issue. While Let Englad Shake has historical distance, Hope Six is about right now. We have mostly reached a consensus about how we feel, as a society, about World War I and II. We haven't quite reached that yet for things currently happening to us, like poverty, destruction of institutions or how certain countries' decisions affect much more than they're comfortable admitting. The lack of distance makes it hard to listen to. The backlash was majoritarily from the american public. It was released in 2016. But people forget Let England Shake is also "reportive". If you read the book Galipoli, there's direct quotes lifted straight from it. Part of some lyrics are excerpts from interviews with soldiers recounting what happened to them during WWI. Hope Six follows the exact same formula, but now we have a contemporary person calling drug addicts "zombies" and saying that's just life. We say stuff like that every day, we just don't like it when it's played back at us becuse it shows how ugly and desentized we've become. Hope Six is probably a bit ahead of its time. In a few decades I think people will listen back to it like we do with Let England Shake.
Her and Tori are my all time favorites... Hearing them speak with such calm, smooth and velvety voices while them singinig feels like they've been possesed by this outer world force is so fantastic... Sadly I have to admit her work since Let England Shake is not my thing (including Inside The Old Year Dying) because I think she's resurging more to be a great writer and poet, but kind of leaving the musical aspect behind as something more bland and simple to that standar; and that's not bad thing... But yeah, her work is vast and enough to be life changing always and forever. Hope we see something about Siouxsie Sioux, Chan Marshall, Alanis, Stevie or Bush in the future ❤
This is the best, and most comprehensive PJ doc I have seen. 👏 I’ve been a fan since Dry. Her work is complex and spans over many years. I learned a lot from this. I’m excited about her new record “I inside the Old Year Dying”.
Thaaaaaank you for creating work on such great female artists I miss the Gen X female singers and bands. I saw PJ on her 01 tour and was so impressed! My impression was that in her media, she had a sort of facade that seemed cheeky but in person she was genuine and down to earth but passionate and energetic. She had a lot of nuance, and I miss that about Gen X performers.
It's a good exploration of Harvey's lyrics. Don't agree with the entire analysis, but hey... Also, she's more than just a singer. I think the video glossed over her ability to write and play a variety of instruments. For instance, her rhythm patterns on guitar are creative and melodic. It's way more fulfilling than standard bluesy patterns and a big part of what makes her sound. Yes, Harvey's multi-instrument ability is mentioned briefly, but given the length of the video, there definitely should have been more time devoted to her talent as a musician.
Yeah, there's definitely an argument to be had about people's tendency to oversimplify female musicians' abilities, such as calling any of them "a singer". And with PJ, it's so often that I see her guitar work being put aside or dismissed as too simple to analyze. While it seems simple in terms of the chords being played, her rhythm patterns - specially on earlier tracks, like Man-Size, Missed, Water etc - are quite odd (as in, odd time signatures) and creative, as you said. It's not that easy when you go and try to actually play it (and also sing on top of that!).
Just arrived here after the new album dropped ❤️ been listening to her for years but couldn't get into anything past White Chalk... Until now, finally catching up. Great video!
I remember seeing a behind the scenes video of the band Blur where their frontman and the guitar player were arguing whether PJ Harvey is a great artist. The guitar guy said "oh please, she's nothing complicated. All she sings about is how she wishes she was a man and some dress she can't fit into" 😫☠️ As PJ's fan I disagree but it cracked me up that she was perceived like that by some.
I love PJ Harvey so much!! Been listening since I was a teen in the 90s (along with Tori Amos and Fiona Apple). What I love about her is that you can interpret her song however you'd like them. She's so tiny and petite looking, but she also gives off maniac who will kill you in some of her songs. I love it.
Thanks so very much for this. PJ Harvey was an enormous part of my own life until I was in my late twenties, and then I allowed life and all the noise that comes with it to sweep me up, somehow allowing me more easily to forget how profoundly artists like her and Nick Cave and all those other somewhat "darker", more gothic or romantic artists had seemed to support my soul and reinforce me in my senses of self-confidence and overall worthiness in society. Some people might say, "Oh, don't make such a big deal of it, it's only moving air and words," but just watching this has made me feel a little bit like I did when I first heard listened to "Rid of Me" at the record shop at maybe the age of fourteen or so. When you get to my age and feel as lost on popular culture as I sometimes do, that's a priceless feeling. And now, all because of this video, I'm going to whip out all those old PJ Harvey albums and allow that stuff to take me wherever it takes me. I think it's gonna be a really nice Sunday afternoon/night.
pop culture and age means nothing!!!you sound self conscious and kind of sad, that is what i read in between your lines!!!EvERY HUMAN FEELS AND DEALS WITH THESE EMOTIONS DURING LIFE.just the fact that you are alive and breathing is a beautiful art project in its self!!!Create your own culture and let popular culture pop like the bubble, s it, is, they are.....have a beautiful day,week,year....................................
I clicked 'like' not even a minute into the video. She is my most beloved singer/songwriter, even though I don't listen to her album to album much anymore. She is a storm in the form of a tiny androgynous woman and completely untouchable. Waited several years to see her live and finally did in 2017. She is an understated genius and was born to perform. There is no other that writes songs the way she does, except for maybe Kate Bush. Non-biographical, whimsical fictitious stories.. Thank you for delighting us with this piece.
This may be controversial to say, but there really was no woman doing it like PJ was in the 90s. She was a pioneer that paved the way for women in rock music. The reason she was met with so many questions by perplexed male interviewers was because she expressed herself in a raw “masculine” manner that not many female songwriters were doing at the time. Remember, we had Tori Amos and Suzanne Vega before her but they mainly wrote with whimsy metaphors and tended to sugarcoat their feelings into song. PJ said fuck it, and wrote a song titled “Rub it til it bleeds.” She was animalistic, aggressive, and defiant. But at the same time was classy, mysterious and feminine! She always did the music for herself, never keeping an image for the press or what was trendy. She kept a distance from the “riot grrl” because she wanted to be just PJ not a Kathleen Hanna or Courtney Love. Loved this video, it’s about time someone gave her recognition for her amazing discography and timeless music.
@@punkbjork oh please, Courtney love was practically the godmother of riotgrrl with Live Through This being heralded as the ESSENTIAL riot grrl album. Why do you think PJ distanced herself from that nonsense? Courtney love even called out PJ Harvey for not being a feminist and acted all pretentious out of envy. PJ had the perfect BALANCE of femininity and masculinity. While L7 or Kathleen Hanna or Bratmobile were trying so hard to DISTANCE from their femininity, PJ sang her gritty songs in red sparkly dresses and makeup. She had class. She wasn’t trying to act like a man. She embraced femininity while doing what was seen as traditionally masculine at the time. Hopefully this clears up those words you had trouble comprehending, bunkpjork. 🥂
@hotdogwaterperfume343 courtney love openly hated riot grrrl, the song olympia which closes out live through this is her mocking riot grrrl generally and probably kathleen hanna specifically. Shes always rejected and resented hole being grouped in with the riot grrrl movement
There were pioneers before her, but if you are talking the 90s yes she was early. Janis Jopin to the Slits and and Polystyrene from X-specs to name a few paved the way. Early 90s Elastica have none of the depth of PJ but have a catchy pop punk feel. Even the androgynous look was carried over from being in Suede (heroin chic) and clear influence from Damon Albarn. Shirley Manson and Garbage are way better. Not sure constitutes roit grrl. It was US thing anyway. I do like one Hole song Doll Parts though for the most part have no interests in the band or Courtney Love.
@@tape-6 She was against the riotgrrl movement because she had a huge ego haha. In her mind, she was unique and different (even though she stole her “brand” from Kat bjelland of Babes in Toyland one of the first riotgrrl bands on the scene). Her feminist messages were prevalent throughout all her music. Hell, she’s always been jealous of other women (see bitch fight with Kathleen hanna) so it’s not surprising that she would raise her nose at the movement. She was against it because of her own pride. PJ came on to the scene and openly stated the frustration of being lumped into the pussy power stuff. Courtney Love wanted to be like PJ (see her horrendous slurred version of To Bring You my Love) , but she was more of a riotgrrl than a true punk singer.
I saw PJ when she was playing with Automatic Dlamini. John let her play a few of her own songs, she was already a star. Maria Mochnacz really helped her career. Artists need a good supportive crew.
An amazing artist which hasn't accepted to be either pigeonholed or appropriated by any movement or ideology: she's stayed true to her art, her interests and her views, creating a world that is is purely hers and no one else's.
Her words and songs produce the feelings she wants to convey. Its not about making music that sells out stadiums. Its where she is in her life at the time. This what makes it great art. You listen and then get what you can out of it.
For me, PJ Harvey will always be up there as one of the greatest musical artists. I was completely captivated when I discovered her in the early 90's, and have loved her ever since.
Well done little doc you did! I normally don't have the patience for long videos on youtube but I love PJ so much I couldn't stop watching! I love the imagery and old movies you used in between. PJ is undoubtedly one of a kind.
great video that serves as an introduction to her art which has always been difficult to share (at least for me!) without some aspects of it falling thru ones fingers haa
This is amazing! I've been a fan of PJ for 30+ yrs now, but grew up w/o TV so never saw her videos. Interesting having the visual aspect added. And Uh Huh Her has to be one of my fave albums, lol.
I found out about PJ Harvey when I was 15 and on a programming tournament I was in. I walked by this girls' room and I heard her blasting the chorus of "We Float" I knocked on her door to just ask her who the fuck was that singing! Her albums along with Joanna Newsom and iamamiwhoami keep me company as I'm finishing my masters, god I'll never forget that moment
Why don’t you concentrate on finishing your mask wearing before you finish your masters? Your intellectual superiority that your boasting about on social media means nothing if your unable to grasp the biological reality of the greater amount of bacteria on the inside of your mask compared to outside..
Thank you for sharing this amazing artist. I cant remember exactly when I discovered PJ Harvey, maybe 10years ago? Maybe less? I was looking for bands similar to The Kills and my google search pulled up an article where they sighted PJ’s early demos as a big influence on their music. I have been obsessed ever since. I am actually frustrated that I hadn’t heard of her before. Her music is so important to me and I think it should be important to more people, especially women. All these young pop stars reference the same “feminist” artists like Courtney Love, Stevie Nicks, Kathleen Hanna or Madonna, but PJ imo is far above all of those artists. She actually pushes against the feminist label which I appreciate. You have to abide by their rules and she lives by her own rules which is true freedom and equality. Courtney Love sings PJ’s praise, she calls PJ the epitome of the “Robert Deniro or Al Pacino” level of female artist and that PJ’s early music is so much better than hers lol. She is so honest in her music and doesnt “play to the gallery” as David Bowie would say. He was a big fan of hers, Madonna too and Robert Plant supposedly was left speechless after seeing her perform live in ‘95. If anyone wants to get into her music definitely start at the beginning. Her 90s stuff and Uh huh her resonate with me the most.
Good call to mention the Kills here. It was always clear to me that she was a massive influence on both them and the White Stripes, both of whom I absolutely loved. Though I'd bought a couple of PJ Harvey records over the years I'd never followed her particularly closely or felt I completely "got" what she was doing - and she was always someone I associated with the painful breakup with my ex (who was a huge fan), so found her quite hard to pick up again - especially due to the cover of the "Stories From the City" album, where she has the same kind of hair and clothes etc... Once the Kills (who I've been "with" since their second single) and the White Stripes came about, a lot of Polly Jane's back catalogue finally made more sense and there was enough distance from the hurt of that breakup. By this time, most of it was no longer available on vinyl any longer and I just fell in love with it slowly on streaming platforms. It wasn't till "Let England Shake" that I went all in and nobody was happier than me when the vinyl reissue programme was announced. Still kicking myself for missing her appearance at Roskilde Festival in about 1991 though. I was there, but missed her show. Saw her "talk" for the poetry book here in Denmark last year. And have tickets for one of her Copenhagen shows this coming October. I'm a few months older than Polly Jane and her art and thought processes have always been so far ahead of her contemporaries.
Been following her since my teens in the early 90's. Of all the artists making music since that era till now, for output, conceptually consistent quality and personal integrity, very few can come even close. She's my Beatles + Stones.
I am so glad your channel exists. Thank you so much for giving these amazing female musicians the attention they deserve! I get so frustrated when I want to go down a rabbit hole over an obscure favorite artist of mine....only to find slim pickings. Fantastic work...cannot wait for future videos! 🤗💜
Ive enjoyed music my entire life. My biggest regret is i never knew about PJ during her beginning and heyday, and never saw her live. Was so grateful to eventually learn of her work in my much later life. PJ is beyond fantastic. And i find it funny her original years found her to feel not sexy or desirable - in fact, shes the total opposite of that. Shes just an amazing powerhouse.
Nice retrospective. I'm an American and I loved Hope Six. Spoke to our experience here in a way I haven't heard in pop music in a long time. I can understand that it isn't as good as Let England Shake - which I didn't really like at first but warmed up to it. I definitely know what you're talking about with the Hope Six just sounding like a list but I thought it was thematic.
I hope they still make folks like her. She blew my mind with her first record. I loved the anger; she made her music singularly sexy and dark noire. It’s where I went when Nirvana blew up beyond measure. And then Rid of Me. Jeezuus ….She sang of all the eff’d up 80’s young dark love. She was in it for the long run. To Bring You My Love. The sound track of my weird desert dark romances that was the contrast of true love that I found around the corner and the first MS flares that stole me of everything I had worked for. It’s still painful to hear and timeless.
this is the best video on the best musician ever. I love Polly so so so so so so so much and this video is everything to me. Loved everything about it, from the wonderful editing, to the great writing, to your marvellous voice over... LOVED IT
amazing video on an amazing artist, great work! First got into PJ Harvey hearing 'The Wheel' on the radio, and see her and the band perform The Hope Six Demolition Project is still the best gig I've ever witnessed live. Easily one of my favourite artists.
she truly was my role model growing up - to me that was the most beautiful, unapologetic, creative, all-around incredible woman. whether her stuff was about the moon or getting her legs licked, i was here for all of it. still am! thank you for making this
Amazing video, as a big fan of Pj Harvey I really enjoyed this ❤️ I would like to see a video about Kathleen Hanna, she and Pj Harvey are my musical queens ❤️
Queens? Are you a practicing homosexual man? Or a racket black woman from the United States Of America? Whichever one of these two options you are, I’m impressed that you’ve ventured out of the normal restraints of your culture..my friend Gay Gary kills it when he goes galavanting in his micro bikini…
OH MY GAWD, i totally agree with the idea that the cover of to bring you my love resonated more with long snake moan than down by the water! glad to know i'm not the only one who saw it that way
This was very interesting. PJ is a very unique artist, I am glad to have finally discovered her. Thank you for helping me know more about her and her work.
I’ve tried to listen to her music a few times, and for some reason it doesn’t quite gel with me. However, I really enjoyed this video essay. She’s a very interesting artist.
@@skipp10467tracks from stories from the city are the most accessible imo and its how i got into her music as well. ‘this mess we’re in’ ‘a place called home’, ‘good fortune’, and ‘you said something’ are all phenomenal and super digestible with minimal pj harvey screeching
I don't think I can do bjork because I don't like her music... much....I wish I did. Dancer in the dark is one of my fav movies tho, she was amazing in that.
I think she’s one of the greatest living artists we have. I’m honestly a fan of everything she’s put out. I actually prefer her newer material (that puts me in the minority for sure). Her new record is wonderful too and I think hope six received unnecessary harsh criticism. I think lyrically she did what she needed to do and the music is as strong as ever. My only complaint is there are a few stylistic choices that I don’t think go down well (for example signing wade in the water). I think the record suffered from the fact that it was recorded in front of a live audience. Also I think uh huh her is actually a solid record. I appreciate the homespun feel of the record and it’s actually a really good batch of songs.
I love her newer material. Even Hope Six which I know is a very divisive record but I guess I like the New Orleans sound of that record. I Inside The Old Year Dying is a really great album which I'm loving more and more with every listen and I think may be one of her most interesting yet demanding albums. PJ is such a wonderful artist.
Well done, I learned so much! You have a gift of condensing an enormous amount of history into a timeline that is engaging, concise yet complete, like nothing major is left out. Bravo!!!
Back in the 90's I was hanging out almost as the only female with groups of guys which played in rock and metal bands. It was very male orientated music we listened to. Then some of the guys found out about P.J Harvey and they were mesmerized. They told her music is brilliant and she is like a goddess. Guys then kept calling me P.J Harvey since I looked like her and had the same attitude. Ofc I haven't got her music talent or charisma but yeah I stopped disliking my appearance and image then. Thanks P.J
Great job with this documentary. As a life long fan I think you really covered it well. The one thing I would like to see that you didn’t cover is the amazing musicians on her albums and how they impacted the music.
One of the most comprehensive and thoughtful videos about an artist or band I've ever seen. PJ Harvey is one of my all time favorites, and along with Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney made some of the most savage and beautiful music I came across in the 90's. I ordered I Inside The Old Year Dying and hope to pick it up today. And if what I've heard so far is any indication, listening to it is gonna be fun. It sounds like her best work in years.
Your a man… men made some good music in the 90s, in fact, a lot of it gained greater critical acclaim and produced more sales than the ‘artists’ you mentioned in your RUclips comment..
What’s a “manhood problem”?🤣🤣🤣🤣.. who ever mentions “manhood”?🤣🤣🤣🤣.. Your shilling for discredited and widely ridiculed feminist bands and you have the audacity to ask me if I’m having “manhood problems “ 🤣🤣🤣🤣… your lack of self awareness is off the charts…🤣🤣🤣…
English treasure. To Bring you my love and Let England Shake both had that mesmerizing, can't stop playing it, knowing every chord and word in the song.... a few albums have done this... ritual de lo habitual by Jane's... strangeways, disintegration .. but PJ did this twice to me.
Thank you for this video essay. I've seen Polly Jean live in 2004 when she came to my country and being a big fan of this lady since my early teens! With that said, I've noticed something a tad concerning in gen z speech. For some reason, they've been spreading the idea of terms such as "femcel" and dissociating PJ from the feminist group is part of dismantling a movement that -believe or not- is still necessary. Even though, she doesn't refer herself as feminist, she was a feminist icon that helped a lot of girls to feel empowered and moved from traditional gender roles society puts us in. There's a difference between public image, being an icon, a representation of something and your personal opinion. Courtney Love said the same thing about riot grrrls. Do you see Courtney less of a feminist?Good day
What is underrated? Calling someone underrated seems to be a go to… you can just say she’s very good. You are exactly like the silly interviewers that try to make assumptions about her music.
@@Nimbus6000uh her music ? I love pj just cause I say it’s underrated doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. Just means I hope she was talked about more, and you just made an assumption about me, so don’t be silly now.
@@victormoreno803 so … you can’t explain why she’s “insanely underrated”. Seeing as your reply is nearly incoherent I made a correct observation not an assumption.
The 90s had so many amazing female artists and I feel like we all took them for granted at the time. I was a small kid and I just expected there would always be genius female singer-songwriters like Tori, Fiona, and PJ Harvey. I’ve been having a hard time in recent years finding female artists like this, who write ALL their music (no co-writing most of it). It makes me appreciate the singer-song writer wave of the 90s even more.
give Joanna Newsom and iamamiwhoami a try
So true. Female artists have to be so hypersexualized to get any sttention these days. It is very shallow and offensive. There are plenty of amazing female artists out there who reject the mainstream - Laura Marling, Angel Olsen, Savages are my favourites…I wish I was older to have appreciated the 90s more while they were happening. Pop Culture in general was pretty great…
adrianne lenker ♾️
try little simz. it's more rap and rnb but it gives me some fiona apple vibes for sure
I never took them for granted. Always felt they were so special. But there is no one like Tori or Pj these days. They will always be in my heart.
This was a lovely analysis! Although I'm not sure Polly needs cutting any slack for those early interviews - I genuinely don't see anything wrong about being your authentic self and just putting out music without the need to associate it with any movement. In fact it feels more empowering than any performative activism.
I meant it more about being a bit rude and awkward in interviews. Looking at how she answers questions now she has improved.
@@antiheroines-you-love yeah, she seemed kinda pressed, but that was common for super big new stars at that time (you can see how her reactions are similar to Kurt Cobain's when the interviewers ask about the meaning of a song)
@@MalMotorDedo ditto for Radiohead. I think it has more to do with the style of interviews at the time. If the artist is more interested in being themselves than promoting sales, it just doesn't mix very well
I pretty sure they meant how Paula would make music and imagery that looks very politically charged and then would get annoyed when people asked about it. it’s understandable for a new star or someone who isn’t trying to say anything like that, but it’s pretty obvious when someone’s being purposefully obtuse
Yeah... tbh she's way too intelligent not to see the connections even if it wasn't an original intention but a subconscious drift
She's absolutely amazing, something about her essence gives me chills, I love how artistic and theatric she is, like Bowie and Kate Bush.
The problem is, if something gives you ‘chills’ it’s always vile woke shit… The artists you mentioned are all great, please don’t diminish their hard work and creativity by getting disgusting ‘chills’…
@@johneeeemarry34you sound absolutely insane and stupid💀
Wow Tori Amos, PJ Harvey... maybe Bjork is next?
i hope so!!
@@squidiero poppy's i disagree in your profil pic... Great taste!!!🔥
ik her taste in pop culture is so good! I learn something new in every vid
OR ALANIS MORISSETTE
Absolute icons
i will never not think of Gilmore Girls and Rory shutting down Tristan with "PJ Harvey is a woman, you know?" when he tries to ask her out. I'm so excited about this one!
Yesss
Try listening to music on it own merit and avoid television and film that lazily users pop and rock to tell you how to feel.. Film and television from the past supported musicians by paying them to score a particular project.. There’s lots of information about REAL soundtracks on-line if your interested in the combination of sound and vision…
PJ Harvey might be my favorite artist of all time (well tied with Kate Bush) and she has one of the best discographies in music. I love how she refuses to play by the rules and makes art on her terms and keeps reinventing herself. She's such a brilliant songwriter that I wish more people talked about so i'm glad to see you made this insightful video about her. She's truly one of the greats.
I always have loved her music. She sings from the bottom of her toes to the top of her head. You can’t ignore her voice, and the pressure cooker that she barely holds letting her music rip.
Also I need to say this about Hope Six. I can see why people don't like it but it's one of my favourite records and I feel such a strong need to defend it every time. While I'm not from any of the places it was written about, as a Ukrainian I connect to it so deeply. Sometimes simple journalistic writing is good, you don't need fancy metaphors for death and destruction. War is simply ugly. I can't even describe what listening to The Wheel does to me while children in my country are murdered or illegally deported to russia every day. However I loved the album years before experiencing these things personally, and I think the music is great, too.
Ofc you must play the "I'm the Ukrainian" card
@@bkgujdtuyt.l6407 play for what? Sharing my experience? Who hurt you?
@@loveandsqualordon't mind that one. Edgy teens are known to be bold in comment sections
I agree. Hope Six is also one of those albums that grow on you over time. Most people gave it a listen or two, felt uncomfortable about it and never revisited it. To me, that's exactly the issue. While Let Englad Shake has historical distance, Hope Six is about right now. We have mostly reached a consensus about how we feel, as a society, about World War I and II. We haven't quite reached that yet for things currently happening to us, like poverty, destruction of institutions or how certain countries' decisions affect much more than they're comfortable admitting. The lack of distance makes it hard to listen to. The backlash was majoritarily from the american public. It was released in 2016. But people forget Let England Shake is also "reportive". If you read the book Galipoli, there's direct quotes lifted straight from it. Part of some lyrics are excerpts from interviews with soldiers recounting what happened to them during WWI. Hope Six follows the exact same formula, but now we have a contemporary person calling drug addicts "zombies" and saying that's just life. We say stuff like that every day, we just don't like it when it's played back at us becuse it shows how ugly and desentized we've become. Hope Six is probably a bit ahead of its time. In a few decades I think people will listen back to it like we do with Let England Shake.
Babe wake up… antiheroines just dropped another amazing video about a woman I’m going to be obsessed about for the next 3 months
It’s till death.
After 30 years she is still our belove lady from Dorset.
Greetings from an italian fan!
OH GIRL YOU DIDN'T! LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS WOMAN.
Her and Tori are my all time favorites... Hearing them speak with such calm, smooth and velvety voices while them singinig feels like they've been possesed by this outer world force is so fantastic... Sadly I have to admit her work since Let England Shake is not my thing (including Inside The Old Year Dying) because I think she's resurging more to be a great writer and poet, but kind of leaving the musical aspect behind as something more bland and simple to that standar; and that's not bad thing... But yeah, her work is vast and enough to be life changing always and forever. Hope we see something about Siouxsie Sioux, Chan Marshall, Alanis, Stevie or Bush in the future ❤
only siouxsie in that batch at the end.
I love this! She is literally such an icon
I like the 'Is This Desire?' era the most. She really suited the trip hop aesthetic imo
This is the best, and most comprehensive PJ doc I have seen. 👏
I’ve been a fan since Dry. Her work is complex and spans over many years. I learned a lot from this. I’m excited about her new record “I inside the Old Year Dying”.
Your aesthetics is unmatched.
Thaaaaaank you for creating work on such great female artists I miss the Gen X female singers and bands. I saw PJ on her 01 tour and was so impressed! My impression was that in her media, she had a sort of facade that seemed cheeky but in person she was genuine and down to earth but passionate and energetic. She had a lot of nuance, and I miss that about Gen X performers.
Thank you so much for this!! I love PJ with all my heart
It's a good exploration of Harvey's lyrics. Don't agree with the entire analysis, but hey... Also, she's more than just a singer. I think the video glossed over her ability to write and play a variety of instruments. For instance, her rhythm patterns on guitar are creative and melodic. It's way more fulfilling than standard bluesy patterns and a big part of what makes her sound. Yes, Harvey's multi-instrument ability is mentioned briefly, but given the length of the video, there definitely should have been more time devoted to her talent as a musician.
Yeah, there's definitely an argument to be had about people's tendency to oversimplify female musicians' abilities, such as calling any of them "a singer". And with PJ, it's so often that I see her guitar work being put aside or dismissed as too simple to analyze. While it seems simple in terms of the chords being played, her rhythm patterns - specially on earlier tracks, like Man-Size, Missed, Water etc - are quite odd (as in, odd time signatures) and creative, as you said. It's not that easy when you go and try to actually play it (and also sing on top of that!).
Just arrived here after the new album dropped ❤️ been listening to her for years but couldn't get into anything past White Chalk... Until now, finally catching up. Great video!
I've been obsessed with her since last year, hope she comes to my city someday. I inside the old year dying is such a gem, STREAM
Fiona Apple, Tori Amos…. PJ Harvey ❤❤❤
Please Bjork, Shirley Manson next.
How about Johnette Napolitano? Concrete Blonde and P.J. Harvey are the G.O.A.T.!!!!!
I remember seeing a behind the scenes video of the band Blur where their frontman and the guitar player were arguing whether PJ Harvey is a great artist. The guitar guy said "oh please, she's nothing complicated. All she sings about is how she wishes she was a man and some dress she can't fit into" 😫☠️
As PJ's fan I disagree but it cracked me up that she was perceived like that by some.
funny thing is is that graham coxon (blur's guitarist) later on basically said "nevermind she's good, delete that footage" lol
Like yourself, she appears to have a pretty good sense of humour, so… no harm done.
I love PJ Harvey so much!! Been listening since I was a teen in the 90s (along with Tori Amos and Fiona Apple). What I love about her is that you can interpret her song however you'd like them. She's so tiny and petite looking, but she also gives off maniac who will kill you in some of her songs. I love it.
AHHHH PJ HARVEY IM SO EXCITED
This is the best music journalism I have experienced on RUclips. Thank You!
Thanks so very much for this. PJ Harvey was an enormous part of my own life until I was in my late twenties, and then I allowed life and all the noise that comes with it to sweep me up, somehow allowing me more easily to forget how profoundly artists like her and Nick Cave and all those other somewhat "darker", more gothic or romantic artists had seemed to support my soul and reinforce me in my senses of self-confidence and overall worthiness in society. Some people might say, "Oh, don't make such a big deal of it, it's only moving air and words," but just watching this has made me feel a little bit like I did when I first heard listened to "Rid of Me" at the record shop at maybe the age of fourteen or so. When you get to my age and feel as lost on popular culture as I sometimes do, that's a priceless feeling. And now, all because of this video, I'm going to whip out all those old PJ Harvey albums and allow that stuff to take me wherever it takes me. I think it's gonna be a really nice Sunday afternoon/night.
pop culture and age means nothing!!!you sound self conscious and kind of sad, that is what i read in between your lines!!!EvERY HUMAN FEELS AND DEALS WITH THESE EMOTIONS DURING LIFE.just the fact that you are alive and breathing is a beautiful art project in its self!!!Create your own culture and let popular culture pop like the bubble, s it, is, they are.....have a beautiful day,week,year....................................
Thank you very much for the video 🤗🤗🤗 PJ is an unique artist. Her music helped me to go through a rough patch.
I clicked 'like' not even a minute into the video. She is my most beloved singer/songwriter, even though I don't listen to her album to album much anymore. She is a storm in the form of a tiny androgynous woman and completely untouchable. Waited several years to see her live and finally did in 2017. She is an understated genius and was born to perform. There is no other that writes songs the way she does, except for maybe Kate Bush. Non-biographical, whimsical fictitious stories.. Thank you for delighting us with this piece.
This may be controversial to say, but there really was no woman doing it like PJ was in the 90s. She was a pioneer that paved the way for women in rock music. The reason she was met with so many questions by perplexed male interviewers was because she expressed herself in a raw “masculine” manner that not many female songwriters were doing at the time. Remember, we had Tori Amos and Suzanne Vega before her but they mainly wrote with whimsy metaphors and tended to sugarcoat their feelings into song. PJ said fuck it, and wrote a song titled “Rub it til it bleeds.” She was animalistic, aggressive, and defiant. But at the same time was classy, mysterious and feminine! She always did the music for herself, never keeping an image for the press or what was trendy. She kept a distance from the “riot grrl” because she wanted to be just PJ not a Kathleen Hanna or Courtney Love.
Loved this video, it’s about time someone gave her recognition for her amazing discography and timeless music.
by the end you were just saying words, u started with masculine then called her feminine, and courtney love is far from a riot grrrl lmao
@@punkbjork oh please, Courtney love was practically the godmother of riotgrrl with Live Through This being heralded as the ESSENTIAL riot grrl album. Why do you think PJ distanced herself from that nonsense? Courtney love even called out PJ Harvey for not being a feminist and acted all pretentious out of envy. PJ had the perfect BALANCE of femininity and masculinity. While L7 or Kathleen Hanna or Bratmobile were trying so hard to DISTANCE from their femininity, PJ sang her gritty songs in red sparkly dresses and makeup. She had class.
She wasn’t trying to act like a man. She embraced femininity while doing what was seen as traditionally masculine at the time.
Hopefully this clears up those words you had trouble comprehending, bunkpjork. 🥂
@hotdogwaterperfume343 courtney love openly hated riot grrrl, the song olympia which closes out live through this is her mocking riot grrrl generally and probably kathleen hanna specifically. Shes always rejected and resented hole being grouped in with the riot grrrl movement
There were pioneers before her, but if you are talking the 90s yes she was early. Janis Jopin to the Slits and and Polystyrene from X-specs to name a few paved the way. Early 90s Elastica have none of the depth of PJ but have a catchy pop punk feel. Even the androgynous look was carried over from being in Suede (heroin chic) and clear influence from Damon Albarn. Shirley Manson and Garbage are way better.
Not sure constitutes roit grrl. It was US thing anyway.
I do like one Hole song Doll Parts though for the most part have no interests in the band or Courtney Love.
@@tape-6 She was against the riotgrrl movement because she had a huge ego haha. In her mind, she was unique and different (even though she stole her “brand” from Kat bjelland of Babes in Toyland one of the first riotgrrl bands on the scene). Her feminist messages were prevalent throughout all her music. Hell, she’s always been jealous of other women (see bitch fight with Kathleen hanna) so it’s not surprising that she would raise her nose at the movement. She was against it because of her own pride. PJ came on to the scene and openly stated the frustration of being lumped into the pussy power stuff. Courtney Love wanted to be like PJ (see her horrendous slurred version of To Bring You my Love) , but she was more of a riotgrrl than a true punk singer.
I saw PJ when she was playing with Automatic Dlamini. John let her play a few of her own songs, she was already a star. Maria Mochnacz really helped her career. Artists need a good supportive crew.
Always love when you dedicate videos to singers! Great job!
Wonderful job on the video. Well paced and edited. Even I, as a lifelong fan of PJ, learned a few new details. You made my day. Thank you!
Pj is the most free, the strongest musicians of our time.
An amazing artist which hasn't accepted to be either pigeonholed or appropriated by any movement or ideology: she's stayed true to her art, her interests and her views, creating a world that is is purely hers and no one else's.
Her words and songs produce the feelings she wants to convey. Its not about making music that sells out stadiums. Its where she is in her life at the time. This what makes it great art. You listen and then get what you can out of it.
For me, PJ Harvey will always be up there as one of the greatest musical artists. I was completely captivated when I discovered her in the early 90's, and have loved her ever since.
im so excited to watch this when i get home
Well done little doc you did! I normally don't have the patience for long videos on youtube but I love PJ so much I couldn't stop watching! I love the imagery and old movies you used in between. PJ is undoubtedly one of a kind.
ahh it makes me so happy to hear someone talk about hook!! that's my favorite pj song of all time.
i was WAITING FOR THIS
an excellent work, well done! definitely will share via my blog
great video that serves as an introduction to her art which has always been difficult to share (at least for me!) without some aspects of it falling thru ones fingers haa
I love your videos and PJ, thank you so much!
New album is wonderful and brought back all the love and hope that was a bit diminished after Hope album. Feels like coming back home.
This is amazing! I've been a fan of PJ for 30+ yrs now, but grew up w/o TV so never saw her videos. Interesting having the visual aspect added. And Uh Huh Her has to be one of my fave albums, lol.
I found out about PJ Harvey when I was 15 and on a programming tournament I was in. I walked by this girls' room and I heard her blasting the chorus of "We Float" I knocked on her door to just ask her who the fuck was that singing! Her albums along with Joanna Newsom and iamamiwhoami keep me company as I'm finishing my masters, god I'll never forget that moment
Why don’t you concentrate on finishing your mask wearing before you finish your masters? Your intellectual superiority that your boasting about on social media means nothing if your unable to grasp the biological reality of the greater amount of bacteria on the inside of your mask compared to outside..
Thank you for sharing this amazing artist. I cant remember exactly when I discovered PJ Harvey, maybe 10years ago? Maybe less? I was looking for bands similar to The Kills and my google search pulled up an article where they sighted PJ’s early demos as a big influence on their music. I have been obsessed ever since. I am actually frustrated that I hadn’t heard of her before. Her music is so important to me and I think it should be important to more people, especially women. All these young pop stars reference the same “feminist” artists like Courtney Love, Stevie Nicks, Kathleen Hanna or Madonna, but PJ imo is far above all of those artists. She actually pushes against the feminist label which I appreciate. You have to abide by their rules and she lives by her own rules which is true freedom and equality. Courtney Love sings PJ’s praise, she calls PJ the epitome of the “Robert Deniro or Al Pacino” level of female artist and that PJ’s early music is so much better than hers lol. She is so honest in her music and doesnt “play to the gallery” as David Bowie would say. He was a big fan of hers, Madonna too and Robert Plant supposedly was left speechless after seeing her perform live in ‘95. If anyone wants to get into her music definitely start at the beginning. Her 90s stuff and Uh huh her resonate with me the most.
Good call to mention the Kills here. It was always clear to me that she was a massive influence on both them and the White Stripes, both of whom I absolutely loved. Though I'd bought a couple of PJ Harvey records over the years I'd never followed her particularly closely or felt I completely "got" what she was doing - and she was always someone I associated with the painful breakup with my ex (who was a huge fan), so found her quite hard to pick up again - especially due to the cover of the "Stories From the City" album, where she has the same kind of hair and clothes etc... Once the Kills (who I've been "with" since their second single) and the White Stripes came about, a lot of Polly Jane's back catalogue finally made more sense and there was enough distance from the hurt of that breakup. By this time, most of it was no longer available on vinyl any longer and I just fell in love with it slowly on streaming platforms. It wasn't till "Let England Shake" that I went all in and nobody was happier than me when the vinyl reissue programme was announced.
Still kicking myself for missing her appearance at Roskilde Festival in about 1991 though. I was there, but missed her show. Saw her "talk" for the poetry book here in Denmark last year. And have tickets for one of her Copenhagen shows this coming October.
I'm a few months older than Polly Jane and her art and thought processes have always been so far ahead of her contemporaries.
So beautiful art work! Thank you for this beautiful bio I was waiting for
Been following her since my teens in the early 90's. Of all the artists making music since that era till now, for output, conceptually consistent quality and personal integrity, very few can come even close. She's my Beatles + Stones.
We appreciate your content. They're always the best.
YES!
Gawd, I've been loving your documentaries so much. Huge Tori, Fiona and PJ fan here.
I am so glad your channel exists. Thank you so much for giving these amazing female musicians the attention they deserve! I get so frustrated when I want to go down a rabbit hole over an obscure favorite artist of mine....only to find slim pickings. Fantastic work...cannot wait for future videos! 🤗💜
Thank you for this❤I adore PJ. Your videos are amazing!
The new album is a masterpiece.
Ive enjoyed music my entire life. My biggest regret is i never knew about PJ during her beginning and heyday, and never saw her live. Was so grateful to eventually learn of her work in my much later life. PJ is beyond fantastic. And i find it funny her original years found her to feel not sexy or desirable - in fact, shes the total opposite of that. Shes just an amazing powerhouse.
Omg you uploaded!! I missed your videos so much
I quite enjoyed hope six and the songwriting on there. Songs like chain of keys are not only strong musically but contains such a sad story.
Nice retrospective. I'm an American and I loved Hope Six. Spoke to our experience here in a way I haven't heard in pop music in a long time. I can understand that it isn't as good as Let England Shake - which I didn't really like at first but warmed up to it. I definitely know what you're talking about with the Hope Six just sounding like a list but I thought it was thematic.
I hope they still make folks like her. She blew my mind with her first record. I loved the anger; she made her music singularly sexy and dark noire. It’s where I went when Nirvana blew up beyond measure. And then Rid of Me. Jeezuus ….She sang of all the eff’d up 80’s young dark love. She was in it for the long run. To Bring You My Love. The sound track of my weird desert dark romances that was the contrast of true love that I found around the corner and the first MS flares that stole me of everything I had worked for. It’s still painful to hear and timeless.
this is the best video on the best musician ever. I love Polly so so so so so so so much and this video is everything to me. Loved everything about it, from the wonderful editing, to the great writing, to your marvellous voice over... LOVED IT
amazing video on an amazing artist, great work! First got into PJ Harvey hearing 'The Wheel' on the radio, and see her and the band perform The Hope Six Demolition Project is still the best gig I've ever witnessed live. Easily one of my favourite artists.
My biggest flex is that I'm named after a PJ Harvey song
she truly was my role model growing up - to me that was the most beautiful, unapologetic, creative, all-around incredible woman. whether her stuff was about the moon or getting her legs licked, i was here for all of it. still am! thank you for making this
I love how she has the longest video on this channel, as she's the one who has the most to say. An ABSOLUTE icon✨🖤
Amazing video, as a big fan of Pj Harvey I really enjoyed this ❤️
I would like to see a video about Kathleen Hanna, she and Pj Harvey are my musical queens ❤️
Queens? Are you a practicing homosexual man? Or a racket black woman from the United States Of America? Whichever one of these two options you are, I’m impressed that you’ve ventured out of the normal restraints of your culture..my friend Gay Gary kills it when he goes galavanting in his micro bikini…
Such an amazing analysis of PJ's work. Thank you!
I have followed her since 1989 and I am delighted that her career has been a success and she is still in good health and still creating
My queen, my dear Polly!! Love you
this video is soooo wonderful! thanks for posting! the research done is amazing and spot on, this is so great
OH MY GAWD, i totally agree with the idea that the cover of to bring you my love resonated more with long snake moan than down by the water! glad to know i'm not the only one who saw it that way
Great video.. Pj is a helova artist..
i’ve been waiting for this vid…be sick if you made a video on melissa auf der maur :)
Thank you for making this!
Amazing video and I would love to see you make a similar one about The Cranberries and/or Sinead O'Connor, both irish icons
Dry is in my top five favorite albums of all time
Great video ! PJ Harvey such a talented and sensitive soul 🎸
This was very interesting. PJ is a very unique artist, I am glad to have finally discovered her. Thank you for helping me know more about her and her work.
You should do Lisa Germano!! She's my favourite female artist of the 1990s and she's so underrated but so prolific and so talented
YES!!
YES!!! PJ IS MY WOMAN!!! I WAS WAITING FOR YOU TO MAKE A VIDEO ABOUT HER, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing thank U!
💖💖🦋🦋
I’ve tried to listen to her music a few times, and for some reason it doesn’t quite gel with me. However, I really enjoyed this video essay. She’s a very interesting artist.
She has great tracks, don’t give up. Please
@@jtarantula3390 i’ll try again. For some reason I can’t get into her. I want to like her more than I do. recommendations?
@@skipp10467tracks from stories from the city are the most accessible imo and its how i got into her music as well. ‘this mess we’re in’ ‘a place called home’, ‘good fortune’, and ‘you said something’ are all phenomenal and super digestible with minimal pj harvey screeching
@@nini-y9c thank you!
Who's PJ Harvey? The only person cooler than 1970's Tom Waits.
low-key interested if u plan to cover björk or liz phair on this series , love your videos sm
I don't think I can do bjork because I don't like her music... much....I wish I did. Dancer in the dark is one of my fav movies tho, she was amazing in that.
@@antiheroines-you-love omg you replied love u sm 💜😭 also that's fine everyone has they're own taste in music dw
I absolutely adore your videos and Pj is my queen, so i love thisss
I think she’s one of the greatest living artists we have. I’m honestly a fan of everything she’s put out. I actually prefer her newer material (that puts me in the minority for sure). Her new record is wonderful too and I think hope six received unnecessary harsh criticism. I think lyrically she did what she needed to do and the music is as strong as ever. My only complaint is there are a few stylistic choices that I don’t think go down well (for example signing wade in the water). I think the record suffered from the fact that it was recorded in front of a live audience. Also I think uh huh her is actually a solid record. I appreciate the homespun feel of the record and it’s actually a really good batch of songs.
I love her newer material. Even Hope Six which I know is a very divisive record but I guess I like the New Orleans sound of that record. I Inside The Old Year Dying is a really great album which I'm loving more and more with every listen and I think may be one of her most interesting yet demanding albums. PJ is such a wonderful artist.
@@Missjunebugfreak we are truly blessed to have her.
Well done, I learned so much! You have a gift of condensing an enormous amount of history into a timeline that is engaging, concise yet complete, like nothing major is left out. Bravo!!!
They rocked really hard in the early 3 piece band... pretty simple why people loved her (& her band)
Back in the 90's I was hanging out almost as the only female with groups of guys which played in rock and metal bands. It was very male orientated music we listened to. Then some of the guys found out about P.J Harvey and they were mesmerized. They told her music is brilliant and she is like a goddess. Guys then kept calling me P.J Harvey since I looked like her and had the same attitude. Ofc I haven't got her music talent or charisma but yeah I stopped disliking my appearance and image then. Thanks P.J
She failed to get married or have children, I hope you avoided this unfortunate predicament ..
Great job with this documentary. As a life long fan I think you really covered it well. The one thing I would like to see that you didn’t cover is the amazing musicians on her albums and how they impacted the music.
this woman is amazing
i love this video so much!! ur videos are always wonderful analytical and informative; would love to see a video abt Elysian Fields
Perfect discography deep dive!!! Luv pj
Was always curious about her - thanks for doing this one :) I'd love to know more about Aimee Mann, I would definitely watch a video about her.
I tried to listen to all her albums...amazing.
One of the most comprehensive and thoughtful videos about an artist or band I've ever seen. PJ Harvey is one of my all time favorites, and along with Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney made some of the most savage and beautiful music I came across in the 90's. I ordered I Inside The Old Year Dying and hope to pick it up today. And if what I've heard so far is any indication, listening to it is gonna be fun. It sounds like her best work in years.
Your a man… men made some good music in the 90s, in fact, a lot of it gained greater critical acclaim and produced more sales than the ‘artists’ you mentioned in your RUclips comment..
@@johneeeemarry34 You having manhood problems?
What’s a “manhood problem”?🤣🤣🤣🤣.. who ever mentions “manhood”?🤣🤣🤣🤣.. Your shilling for discredited and widely ridiculed feminist bands and you have the audacity to ask me if I’m having “manhood problems “ 🤣🤣🤣🤣… your lack of self awareness is off the charts…🤣🤣🤣…
Thank you for this!!!!! I love pj Harvey
English treasure. To Bring you my love and Let England Shake both had that mesmerizing, can't stop playing it, knowing every chord and word in the song.... a few albums have done this... ritual de lo habitual by Jane's... strangeways, disintegration .. but PJ did this twice to me.
Thank you for this video essay. I've seen Polly Jean live in 2004 when she came to my country and being a big fan of this lady since my early teens! With that said, I've noticed something a tad concerning in gen z speech. For some reason, they've been spreading the idea of terms such as "femcel" and dissociating PJ from the feminist group is part of dismantling a movement that -believe or not- is still necessary. Even though, she doesn't refer herself as feminist, she was a feminist icon that helped a lot of girls to feel empowered and moved from traditional gender roles society puts us in. There's a difference between public image, being an icon, a representation of something and your personal opinion. Courtney Love said the same thing about riot grrrls. Do you see Courtney less of a feminist?Good day
Pj is insanely underrated, to bring u my love is my favorite album
What is underrated? Calling someone underrated seems to be a go to… you can just say she’s very good. You are exactly like the silly interviewers that try to make assumptions about her music.
@@Nimbus6000uh her music ? I love pj just cause I say it’s underrated doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. Just means I hope she was talked about more, and you just made an assumption about me, so don’t be silly now.
@@victormoreno803 so … you can’t explain why she’s “insanely underrated”. Seeing as your reply is nearly incoherent I made a correct observation not an assumption.
@@Nimbus6000 just did but oh well
I love PJ Harvey ❤❤❤