PJ Harvey is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and poet. She is known for her raw and powerful lyrics, her unique vocal style, and her wide range of musical influences. Harvey has been praised for her ability to create music that is both intimate and expansive, as well as her thought-provoking lyrics. She has won numerous awards including two Mercury Prizes and nine Brit Awards. Her music has been featured in films and on television, and she has collaborated with artists such as Nick Cave, John Parish, and Bjork.
| Name | PJ Harvey |
| Genre | Alternative Rock, Indie Rock |
| Occupation | Singer-Songwriter, Musician, Producer |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Organ, Keyboards, Drums |
| Years Active | 1988–present |
| Labels | Island, Island Def Jam, UMC, Domino |
| Associated Acts | John Parish, Rob Ellis, Mick Harvey |
| Date of Birth | 9 October 1969 |
10 Best PJ Harvey Quotes
1.
“I think I’m a natural performer, I just don’t like it very much.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Guardian
2.
“I’m not a control freak, but I do want control.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Guardian
3.
“I love to be challenged and I’m not afraid of making mistakes.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Guardian
4.
“It’s only through making mistakes that you can find out who you are.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Independent
5.
“You don’t want to be too safe, too comfortable.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Independent
6.
“It’s very humbling to try and be creative and put yourself out there.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Independent
7.
“I think it’s important to keep pushing yourself and going in different directions.”
– PJ Harvey, from Pitchfork
8.
“I don’t think I’m particularly special, I’m just another human being.”
– PJ Harvey, from Pitchfork
9.
“I like to keep things as simple and as direct as I can.”
– PJ Harvey, from Pitchfork
10.
“I’m always looking for new ways of expressing myself.”
– PJ Harvey, from The New York Times
6 PJ Harvey Quotes About P J Harvey
“I think it’s important to have your own voice and be able to express yourself in anyway that feels true and honest.”
– PJ Harvey, from the Guardian
“I’ve always wanted to be able to express as much as I can with the least amount of words.”
– PJ Harvey, from the Guardian
“I want to put forward ideas in a way that doesn’t preach but invites people to think for themselves.”
– PJ Harvey, from the Guardian
“I’m just trying to make sense of the world we live in.”
– PJ Harvey, from NPR
“A lot of the music I was writing for this project had a very strong sense of rhythm to it and I wanted to explore that further.”
– PJ Harvey, from NPR
“It’s quite a complex thing to try and tackle, but I felt that it was something that I wanted to try and do.”
– PJ Harvey, from NPR
6 Inspirational PJ Harvey Quotes
“I think the idea of being in a band and having to collaborate is an incredibly important learning curve.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Guardian
“I love the idea of being able to take the emotions, the fear, the love, and all of those things, and being able to represent them, or manifest them in a physical form.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Guardian
“I’m interested in the idea of being able to express something that’s perhaps inexpressible in words.”
– PJ Harvey, from NPR
“I’m always trying to find ways to make each album sound different and new.”
– PJ Harvey, from Pitchfork
“I like to think that I’m creating music that will last, and I’m trying to create something that will stand the test of time.”
– PJ Harvey, from Rolling Stone
“I wanted to make something that was very immediate and as powerful as possible.”
– PJ Harvey, from The New Yorker
7 Famous PJ Harvey Quotes
“I think it’s important to make mistakes and to learn from them.”
– PJ Harvey, from Harper’s Bazaar
“I’m interested in pushing myself to new areas and being brave enough to take risks and make mistakes.”
– PJ Harvey, from Harper’s Bazaar
“I think the idea of being fearless is a myth. I’m definitely not fearless, but I try to be brave.”
– PJ Harvey, from Harper’s Bazaar
“I’m not interested in being comfortable. I’m interested in pushing myself to new areas and being brave enough to take risks and make mistakes.”
– PJ Harvey, from The New York Times
“I just wanted to try to work in different ways and to get lost in the process of it, and to learn and make mistakes and to have the freedom to do that.”
– PJ Harvey, from Pitchfork
“I can’t think of any other way to write. You have to be prepared to fail and to make mistakes.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Guardian
“I don’t think any artist should be afraid of making mistakes.”
– PJ Harvey, from NPR
7 PJ Harvey Quotes About Love
“When I’m writing a love song, I’m never writing about a specific person. I’m writing about the whole experience of being in love.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Guardian
“It’s really important to me to write love songs because I think it’s a great way of expressing emotion, and to make it universal enough so that anybody can relate to it.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Independent
“I do like to get lost in love and be consumed by love. That’s why I write love songs, because it’s such a strong emotion.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Guardian
“My love songs are more about the feeling of being in love than they are about being in love with someone.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Independent
“Love is a very strong emotion, and when it’s strong it can be like a drug. You can become addicted to it. You can become obsessed by it. It can be something very powerful and all-consuming.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Guardian
“I’m an observer, so my love songs reflect a mixture of observation and experience, the experience of being in love, and the experience of being around people who are in love.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Independent
“When there is a lot of love in your life, it does feel like an amazing thing. It’s a feeling I’m interested in and passionate about.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Guardian
6 PJ Harvey Quotes About Life
“I think that it’s important to recognise that life is change and it’s going to keep changing and that’s a good thing.”
– PJ Harvey, from Rolling Stone
“I think that life and art are so intertwined and so connected, and that you can’t really have one without the other.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Guardian
“I don’t think that life should be a static thing. I think it should be a transition all the time.”
– PJ Harvey, from Rolling Stone
“I think life is too short to stay in one corner.”
– PJ Harvey, from NME
“I think life is too short not to be able to look at things with a sense of humour.”
– PJ Harvey, from Rolling Stone
“Life is so unpredictable and so exciting.”
– PJ Harvey, from The Guardian
8 Quotes About PJ Harvey
“PJ Harvey is a gifted artist, who has been able to draw out a unique sound and style of her own over the years.”
– Chris Bond, from liveabout.com
“PJ Harvey is a true original.”
– Dan Charnas, from rollingstone.com
“PJ Harvey is one of the few artists who has managed to stay truly relevant and consistently interesting over the years.”
– Alex Young, from consequenceofsound.net
“PJ Harvey is one of the most remarkable artists of all time.”
– Emma Gilchrist, from nme.com
“PJ Harvey is an artist whose music has consistently challenged and excited.”
– Cherry Smith, from theguardian.com
“PJ Harvey is a rare artist who has managed to remain creative and innovative over the years.”
– Chris Smith, from thefader.com
“PJ Harvey is an artist of immense talent and versatility.”
– Peter Howell, from theglobeandmail.com
Interview with PJ Harvey
Frequently Asked Questions About PJ Harvey
1. What are some of PJ Harvey’s most famous quotes?
PJ Harvey is an iconic English singer-songwriter and musician who has made a lasting impact on the music industry. Her raw and powerful lyrics have inspired generations, and her quotes are just as powerful. Here are some of her most famous quotes:
- “The greatest challenge in life is to be yourself in a world that is trying to make you like everyone else.”
- “It took me a long time to realize that I have to be true to myself and accept my own feelings and not be ashamed of them.”
- “Life is short, so I’m going to express myself in whatever way I choose.”
- “I don’t think I’m in any way special, but I do believe in the power of music to connect people.”
- “I’m a firm believer that you should be brave enough to express yourself and be who you are, regardless of what other people think.”
- “The greatest gift you can give someone is your time and attention.”
- “The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.”
2. How has PJ Harvey’s music evolved over the years?
PJ Harvey is an English singer-songwriter and musician who has released nine studio albums, five EPs and two collaborations since her debut in 1991. Over the years, she has transitioned from her early style of alternative rock, to a more experimental, avant-garde sound and back again.
- Dry and Rid of Me (1992-1993) – Harvey’s first two albums, Dry and Rid of Me, feature an angular and discordant style that has been described as “punk blues”. These albums are characterized by their distorted guitar riffs and Harvey’s piercing vocals.
- To Bring You My Love (1995) – Harvey’s third album, To Bring You My Love, was a stylistic departure from her earlier sound. She incorporated a wider range of instruments such as strings and horns, as well as electronics, to create a more layered and atmospheric sound.
- Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea (2000) – Harvey’s fifth album, Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea, is a softer, more melodic album that is often compared to the sounds of folk and country. The album features elements of blues, classical and jazz.
- White Chalk (2007) – Harvey’s seventh album, White Chalk, marked a return to a more stripped-down, acoustic style. The sound is described as “haunting” and “hushed”, featuring sparse instrumentation and a melancholic atmosphere.
- Let England Shake (2011) – Harvey’s eighth album, Let England Shake, was a more experimental and avant-garde release. The album features a variety of musical styles, from folk to reggae to electronica, and incorporates the use of samples and field recordings.
- The Hope Six Demolition Project (2016) – Harvey’s ninth album, The Hope Six Demolition Project, is a mix of her earlier experimental style and her more accessible sound. The album features a mix of acoustic and electronic elements, as well as field recordings, samples and lyrical references to her travels.
Throughout her career, PJ Harvey has consistently pushed the boundaries of her music, evolving her sound with each release. Her albums have featured a wide range of influences and styles, from punk and blues to folk and electronica. Her ever-changing sound has made her one of the most influential and acclaimed artists of her generation.
3. How has PJ Harvey’s songwriting style changed over time?
PJ Harvey is a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter who has redefined the boundaries of modern music. Throughout her career, she has been known for her distinctive and innovative songwriting style that has seen her explore a variety of genres.
Over the years, Harvey has experimented with different sounds and songwriting techniques, resulting in an ever-evolving style. Here are some of the ways her songwriting style has changed over time:
- Harvey has gradually moved away from her punk-inspired roots, exploring a more folk-influenced sound on albums such as Is This Desire? and Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea.
- She has become increasingly experimental with her instrumentation, incorporating elements of electronica, blues and jazz into her music.
- Her lyrics have become more personal and reflective, as she has explored themes such as love, loss and identity.
- Harvey has become more experimental with her vocal delivery, using her voice as an instrument to create a unique and captivating sound.
Harvey’s ever-evolving songwriting style has made her one of the most influential and innovative musicians of the 21st century. Her music continues to challenge and inspire, and her songs remain as relevant and powerful today as they ever have.
4. What has been PJ Harvey’s greatest influence in her music?
PJ Harvey’s music is heavily influenced by a variety of influences, both musical and personal. Her style has been described as a mix of punk, blues, folk, and alternative rock.
- Punk – Punk rock has been an important influence on PJ Harvey’s music, as she is known for her powerful and impassioned lyrics, which often challenge the status quo. She has been described as a “hard-edged punk rocker” and her music has been compared to that of The Clash, The Slits, and other punk bands.
- Blues – PJ Harvey’s music is also heavily influenced by traditional blues music, which is evident in her soulful vocals and bluesy guitar riffs. Her songwriting often draws from the themes of heartache, loss, and redemption, which are all staples of the blues.
- Folk – PJ Harvey has also been influenced by folk music, which is evident in her acoustic songs, which often feature simple and intimate arrangements. Her lyrics often take on a narrative quality, which is typical of folk songs.
- Alternative Rock – PJ Harvey’s music is also heavily influenced by alternative rock, which is evident in her guitar-driven songs and her willingness to experiment with different sounds. Her music has been compared to such bands as Sonic Youth, The Pixies, and The Breeders.
Overall, PJ Harvey’s music is a mix of punk, blues, folk, and alternative rock, which have all been important influences on her sound. Her music is a powerful blend of styles that is both captivating and thought-provoking.
5. What are some of PJ Harvey’s most meaningful lyrics?
PJ Harvey is an English singer-songwriter and musician whose lyrics have been praised for their beauty and insight. Her lyrics often explore themes of love, loss, personal growth and social justice. Here are some of her most meaningful lyrics:
- “This is the hour of the shrinking night, And all the stars are fading, From your eyes, I can tell you’re alright, But you feel it all decaying.” ― The Ministry of Defence, Let England Shake (2011)
- “We’re not in love, We share no stories, Just something in your eyes, Don’t be afraid, The shadows know me, Let them come, Let them go.” ― The Words That Maketh Murder, Let England Shake (2011)
- “Let the sky and the sea, Make of me and be, One thing, one thing, one thing.” ― The Sky Lit Up, To Bring You My Love (1995)
- “Oh, if I could, I would, Put on my wings, Fly away, Fly away, Fly away.” ― My Beautiful Leah, Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea (2000)
- “You said, I’m free, You said, I’m strong, I can do anything, I can even make the rain fall down.” ― The Dancer, Let England Shake (2011)
Conclusion
PJ Harvey is a unique artist who has managed to create a unique sound, drawing from a wide range of influences. Her music has been described as confrontational and honest, as well as being expressive and melodic. Her lyrics are often thought-provoking and her live performances are passionate and intense. She has been an influence on many artists and has produced some of the most iconic songs of the last two decades. PJ Harvey is an artist who is forever pushing the boundaries of music and continues to explore her own creative boundaries.
