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PJ Harvey — Down by the Water
Album: To Bring You My Love
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2017









Released: 1995
Length: 3:04
Plays (last 30 days): 1
I lost my heart
Under the bridge
To that little girl
So much to me
And now I'm old
And now I holler
She'll never know
Just what I found

That blue eyed girl
(that blue eyed girl)
She said "no more"
(she said "no more")
That blue eyed girl
(that blue eyed girl)
Became blue eyed whore
('came blue eyed whore)
Down by the water
(down by the water)
I took her hand
(I took her hand)
Just like my daughter
(just like my daughter)
Won't see her again
(see her again)

Oh help me jesus
Come through this storm
I had to lose her
To do her harm
I heard her holler
(I heard her holler)
I heard her moan
(I heard her moan)
My lovely daughter
(my lovely daughter)
I took her home
(I took her home)

Little fish. big fish. Swimming in the water.
Come back here, man. gimme my daughter.
Little fish. big fish. Swimming in the water.
Come back here, man. gimme my daughter.
Little fish. big fish. Swimming in the water.
Come back here, man. gimme my daughter ....
Comments (153)add comment
great ch00n
 Kajukenbo wrote:

For just a couple of years in the mid-90's an "alternative" radio station existed in my area that played great music and had this song on regular rotation.  Granted I was in college and life was new and exiting, but those sure were great days. Having music like this being normal on the local airwaves was amazing. Of course, RP fills that niche for me now!



Perhaps you are referring to a midwest USA station called WCBR? 
 aspicer wrote:

She's coming to Chicago in September  - tickets in hand - very excited to see her, it's been years.

This song and album are now "classic" - it's what really drew me into becoming a huge fan.



Thanks for posting. I didn't know she was touring the states again. I've seen her 5 times over the years, and that is not enough!
THAT was an incredible segue William from Houses in Motion!  

Two magical songs that go quite well together.
She's coming to Chicago in September  - tickets in hand - very excited to see her, it's been years.

This song and album are now "classic" - it's what really drew me into becoming a huge fan.
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Deserves better than a 6.6 rating, IMO.



Your wish has been granted.  7 years later it now has a 6.8 rating.  If you live long enough, and this mathematical progression continues, it may very well top 7.5 in your lifetime.  
I think she's a little bit crazy.

Oh no!!!! 
She is surely haunted by a past deed.
Stories from the City is by far her best effort. Every song is great, not much screaming.  And Thom Yorke make a great cameo. But Big Exit and Good Fortune start it all out.  Amazing.
 djblitz wrote:

Clearly, it's intentional.  



But it is annoying. 
I’ve been waiting to hear this song here on RP. Thanks for playing it!
 nigelStHubbins wrote:

I love PJ, though not every single thing she has ever done.  (Not a fan of her really stark or screamy stuff.)  This is pretty grate, however, and she is still making excellent, innovative music.


So grate!
For just a couple of years in the mid-90's an "alternative" radio station existed in my area that played great music and had this song on regular rotation.  Granted I was in college and life was new and exiting, but those sure were great days. Having music like this being normal on the local airwaves was amazing. Of course, RP fills that niche for me now!
 tichy wrote:

Wonderfully creepy, especially the end! I'm reminded of EELS - Flyswatter.




According to Wiki:-

"To Bring You My Love had nothing to do with any scaling-down of her trademark lyrical intensity: the infanticide fable "Down by the Water" — whose whispered coda of "Little fish big fish swimming in the water/Come back here, man, gimme my daughter" references the old Lead Belly blues standard "Salty Dog" — ostensibly deals with a mother drowning her child."

Lyrics:-
Salty Dog Blues - Wikipedia
yes sir. I like it
Annoying buzz.  Thought my speaker cone had gone.  
 One of the top comments on youtube :)

when i was in elementary school i remember my 4th grade teacher grew concerned for me and phoned my parents cuz i would always whisper the big fish little fish part...
 thewiseking wrote:

PJ Harvey. not a girl you'd bring home to meet your mom.



Nick Cave would (did)! 
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Deserves better than a 6.6 rating, IMO.


It's 6.7 now.  Better?

 okskyhi wrote:

I don't care how cool it sounds, isn't this saw-wave/square-wave crap bad for your speakers?

no - it's just hard on your ears... 

as are lots of screechy guitar licks to many others.

 ofanansky wrote:

the buzzing in the background is intensely irritating—is that part of the song or a flaw in the recording?


Isn't this tune intended to be scary and intensely irritating? It succeeds! 
she's brilliant
 thewiseking wrote:

PJ Harvey. not a girl you'd bring home to meet your mom.



I'd bring her home to meet my mom--hopefully she'd scare the shit out of mom....!
I don't care how cool it sounds, isn't this saw-wave/square-wave crap bad for your speakers?
 SpinyNorma wrote:

Better than that: she's DORSET'S Patti Smith!
 
A Girl from West Country?
In 1995 I bought a 1942 Studebaker Champion.  I called it Polly Jean in PJs honor.  The car became practically a daily driver ( summers only ) and now all these years later I am finally giving Polly a frame-off restoration.   
Wonderfully creepy, especially the end! I'm reminded of EELS - Flyswatter.
YES, oh yes! Love it. 
 ppopp wrote:
The UK's Patti Smith. 
 
Better than that: she's DORSET'S Patti Smith!
Sweeet 1995! GOOSEBUMPS !
 aspicer wrote:
BRILLIANT!  Perhaps her best album (which says a lot)

 
Agreed. i love this woman. 
The Toadies and Sarah Jaffee did a great cover of this song for Record Store Day about 4 years back.

I'm a little surprised neither of those artists have songs on RP.
BRILLIANT!  Perhaps her best album (which says a lot)
The female voice "echoing" in the background reminds me of another song... but I just can't place my finger on it.  Hmmm...
if I'm listening to this in my truck or at home (i.e. NOT with earbuds) I might rate this PJH track as a 7 or so....it's barely a 3 though during the middle of the work day with earbuds....and thankful for the skip feature...esp. knowing that I get to hear two 10s in a row soon (Pink Moon and Magnificent (She Says) - LLRP!!
 ofanansky wrote:
the buzzing in the background is intensely irritating—is that part of the song or a flaw in the recording?

 
Clearly, it's intentional.  
the buzzing in the background is intensely irritating—is that part of the song or a flaw in the recording?
Now that was a blast from the past it was.
Can we get some Meet Ze Monsta?
PSD, thank you
Brilliant.
 "Harvey!" (in Jimmy Stewart voice)
Deserves better than a 6.6 rating, IMO.
I love PJ, though not every single thing she has ever done.  (Not a fan of her really stark or screamy stuff.)  This is pretty grate, however, and she is still making excellent, innovative music.
Wow! Never heard this on the radio before. Superb. The UK's Patti Smith. 
 stevematic wrote:
haunting. this song turned me onto PJ Harvey.
 
Same for me.  A fine song performed by a very talented artist.
Musically she is ok, but man, what I would do with her!!{#Hearteyes}
This was my introduction to P.J. Harvey, I distinctly remember my jaw dropping, who but Polly Jean could write and sing this... precious few.

The segue from Nirvana's Polly must be that the P in PJ stands for "Polly". Spooky song, right enough.
The "P" stands for polly right? Im kinda getting why this followed "Polly"{#Headache}
Creepy brilliance
 martinc wrote:
Saw her in DC around this time in some little club. Great show and one of the scarest nights  of my life stranded in the streets of DC at 1 am where no cabs would stop to pick us up. 42 people were shot that week and 20 wounded. 
 
Isn't it ironic how DANGEROUS the nation's capitol is!?
unclelonghair wrote:

This song gives me the creeps. P.J. Harvey gives me the creeps. I love it! She is channeling some kind of primal female spirit.


rosedraws wrote:

creepy for sure!

 

If you like this, check out the Incredible String Band's Invocation!

 unclelonghair wrote:
This song gives me the creeps.  P.J. Harvey gives me the creeps.  I love it!  She is channeling some kind of primal female spirit.
 
creepy for sure!

haunting. this song turned me onto PJ Harvey.
Saw her in DC around this time in some little club. Great show and one of the scarest nights  of my life stranded in the streets of DC at 1 am where no cabs would stop to pick us up. 42 people were shot that week and 20 wounded. 
The comments are love or hate; the ratings are middling.
I'm not a big fan but I have this CD and I do like this song.
This song gives me the creeps.  P.J. Harvey gives me the creeps.  I love it!  She is channeling some kind of primal female spirit.
Ah yes, watching this video on MTV back in 95 left a permanent mark in me. I was overjoyed that someting so raw, creepy and still alluringly provocative had sneaked on to the corporate wavelength that was Music Television.
I went out, bought the album right away and played the dog out of it, I never looked back after that... This is what I crave from music.
Must have been in an off-mood last time I heard this - it's back to an 8 for me today! Funny how moods can change so much...

It's been years since I've heard this song....today I'm trying to remember why I liked it. Was an 8 for me way back then, now I can only muster up a 4.
 thewiseking wrote:
not a girl you'd bring home to meet your mom.

...aren't those the best kind?..


 Shesdifferent wrote:
It makes me wonder why people wouldn't like "Somewhere down the Crazy River' by Robbie Robertson with his ultra sexy and smooth voice and rthymic melody and instead like this annoying caterwallering.
PJ Harvey...fine enough, but I hate this!
 
this is the (first) and best album she has done. PJ grew up in the boredom of a scottish farm in the middle of nowhere. when she couldn't stand it anymore she grabbed an electric guitar and shouted out all her frustration (what became the first album). That's pure, dark and raw. Now that she seems to no longer live on a boring farm, frustration as drive is gone. her last album is just plain boring for me.

Most excellent.
I STILL love this! Brings me right back...
mmmmm takes me back to a dirrrrty time!  {#Yell}
nice segue...polly.........


I love PJ too!!
 reason06 wrote:
Isn't the lady on the cover supposed to be ..dead?
 
And you have a problem with tha.....  I've said too much.{#Doh}{#Embarassed}{#Taped-shut}{#Wink}
Polly Jean is an artist.
{#Puke}God, what an awful, tone-deaf singer!

maybe if I understood waht she was singing about??
I loves Polly Jean!!!
Nabla wrote:
The nice lady on the cover compensates for the bad tune... (at least a bit)
Isn't the lady on the cover supposed to be ..dead?
PJ Harvey. not a girl you'd bring home to meet your mom.
bah, catch a fish, get a life.
This song sounds awesome with a good subwoofer!
It makes me wonder why people wouldn't like "Somewhere down the Crazy River' by Robbie Robertson with his ultra sexy and smooth voice and rthymic melody and instead like this annoying caterwallering. PJ Harvey...fine enough, but I hate this!
There was a rumor on the Avalon list, the Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry group, that PJ Harvey was to have done a duet with Bryan Ferry -- I just can't hear the two of them together.
rvontha wrote:
Having PJ Harvey following Nirvana's "Polly" is why I love Bill's playlist!
AGREED! 2 great songs to overwrite the McMurtry stuff that is popular with most listeners... which is a puzzle to me.
Having PJ Harvey following Nirvana's "Polly" is why I love Bill's playlist!
Ollerich wrote:
god! that is so annoying... what a horrible voice.. please! stop!! pleeeeease!
Love it, more more please!!!!! Little Fish, Big Fish swimming in the water come back here and give me my daughter!!!!!
rtrudeau wrote:
I was thinking my speakers were blown out or something. That buzzing underneath the track is the MOST ANNOYING THING ever.
That's one of the things I like best. Crunchy nastiness! PJ always throws a few curves.
Peej!
Stay under water.Like forever.
Great song!!
I was thinking my speakers were blown out or something. That buzzing underneath the track is the MOST ANNOYING THING ever.
New album tomorrrow!!!
mecouc wrote:
I couldn't listen to this.. had to turn the volume down til it's over
Ditto. I saw her at "Gig on the Green" in Glasgow a few years back. She was an awesome performer but ... this ... I can do without.
OK BILL ... PJ Harvey - Down by the Water Nirvana - Polly James McMurtry - Where'd You Hide The Body IF I HEAR A WARRANT SONG ABOUT UNCLE TOM'S CABIN AND A BODY NEXT I'M OUT! :-)
mmm fishes.
The nice lady on the cover compensates for the bad tune... (at least a bit)
I couldn't listen to this.. had to turn the volume down til it's over
hey if you do play a Carpenters song - play Rainy Days and Mondays or Superstar
god! that is so annoying... what a horrible voice.. please! stop!! pleeeeease!
ktnsb wrote:
Students, the previous is an example of a rhetorical device known as hyperbole.
is dat like bolshit?
Rickvee wrote:
Polly is one of the greatest female rock n roll artists ever.
Students, the previous is an example of a rhetorical device known as hyperbole.
That whispering part is kind of creepy.
enidualc wrote:
and don't forget your doc martens!
never wore them, was more of a (and still, really) converse fan oohh, some early NIN would be nice though...
Polly is one of the greatest female rock n roll artists ever. So talented. This is a very good tune but its not even one of her better tracks. Strongly suggest to anyone who is unfamiliar with her to pick up any album by her.
good sound!
jenakle wrote:
nirvana now pj? I'm having a serious 90s flashback I need my flannel
and don't forget your doc martens!
nirvana now pj? I'm having a serious 90s flashback I need my flannel
Another classic! More Polly Jean, please.
bobrk wrote:
I like the buzzy base line. Super creepy vibe, sort of like a David Lynch movie.
Uh-huh!! Had to look! Just the kinda creepy that I like...
TheLoneIguana wrote:
Subtle connection: Polly Jean Harvey - Down by the Water Nirvana - Polly
What about James McMurtry - Where'd You Hide The Body ?
Cool song 8
Subtle connection: Polly Jean Harvey - Down by the Water Nirvana - Polly
jgeyer wrote:
That is not very nice.
Maybe it's because he didn't renew his niceness since 2005.
I like the buzzy base line. Super creepy vibe, sort of like a David Lynch movie.
after listening to the lyrics for this song i've learned that PJ harvey has nothing to say.
NiceGuy2005 wrote:
Blukkk! Waste of air space.
That is not very nice.
Awesome bassline.
ScottN wrote:
That comment and this song has me thinking of Nick Cave.
Yes, lets.
Atombender wrote:
She rocks! Don't you agree Banana? "YES SHE DOES!"
... ... She surely does says this banana two ... ...
Decent song, but it's SO worn out. I'm surprised this one is played on RP.
: Oh yes she does!
She rocks! Don't you agree Banana? "YES SHE DOES!"
Dirktooth wrote:
Ah, nothing like a good old fashioned murder ballad to get the blood flowing. ...
That comment and this song has me thinking of Nick Cave.
Ah, nothing like a good old fashioned murder ballad to get the blood flowing. Wait, let me rephrase that....