Pj Harvey Copenhagen Opera When Under Ether

[alund1306]

I gave the "White Chalk" album to my 90 year-old grandmother who plays piano and sings. She said it was "quite interesting." If you knew my grandmother, you would know that's high praise.

[Flippaarn]

How could you post this in 2006 when the album was released in 2007?

[agejus]

@Flippaarn Hello, Flipparn,

PJ sometimes plays new material before releasing an album. You can see here, that she still searches for her "era outfit" :D

I tried to look for the original TV program, but since it is not in English, I failed. I remmember that the TV presenter spoke some information about the concert , showing bits of other songs and then they skipped to this performance. No actual interview.

Sorry that I can't find it now. I don't even remember how the TV was called :)

[marchinasky]

Si esto no es un momento mágico, que me quemen en la hoguera

[brainsbattle]

this echo made me jizz my pants

[zammuel1]

Just a little bit too much delay on the vocals but otherwise just perfect. A beautifully haunting song and an absolutely stunning performance by PeeJ!

[straightx4thexclouds]

Pj can do no wrong

[themymyfafa]

même pour un francophone, l'anglais résonne très bien dans cette chanson envoutante, piano- voix superbe, en effet, les paroles de la chanson expriment une émotion où chacun trouve une inspiration à l'être sous éther...pour moi, c'est l'incapacité à pouvoir s'exprimer correctement, il n'y pas de mots pour dire ce que l'on ressent, c'est donc une chanson universelle, bravo PJ Harvey que je soutiens et que je continue à écouter depuis l'album "uh u her"... je ne connais pas le poète TS Eliott...

[hanendee]

ohhh : (

[alrishastar]

The delay on the vocals goes very well with the lyrics / topic of this song...

[MARCOKIKO65]

Essa mulher é genial!

[NoSheep2]

Is there anything she can't do?

[pocketoftrees]

oops, I was mistaken, it's not exactly that line, but:

"Or when, under ether, the mind is conscious but conscious of nothing—

I said to my soul, be still, and wait without hope..." (T.S. Eliot, "East Coker")(really amazing poem, you should check it out)

[pocketoftrees]

"when under ether, the mind comes alive, conscious of nothing but the will to survive"

I do believe that's a line from one of T.S. Eliot's poems, but I can't remember which one.....a beautiful song and White Chalk is a fascinating album

[saowall]

@pocketoftrees "Let us go then, you and I, when the evening is spread out against the sky like a patient etherised upon a table."

It's 'The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock'. Such a good poem. And this is an equally wonderfully evocative song, wow. I adore PJ and I adore Eliot.

[janpreissler]

Amazing. I love her voice.

[madeyes4u]

I thought "Angelene" was my favorite song by PJ Harvey, but this song is definitely my favorite. Without a doubt.

[joeperryforpope]

she looks hot in this vid, damn

[blazing64]

cant imagine what that drug does

[xXxRav3rRawrBabyxXx]

Beautiful! <3

[badmouthsadmouth]

When I think of this song, the picture I get in my head is that of a woman who is not of this era having some sort of primitive abortion. She's speaking of the procedure and what she feels under the effects of ether, a commonly used anesthesia in pre-developed medicine.

That's what I see, but the great thing about PJ is how she creates these simple but striking and poignant lyrics that let you project your own story onto the song.

[elliotmarcus]

@badmouthsadmouth shut up

[badmouthsadmouth]

@elliotmarcus ._. wow. You're a dickhead.

[andromasze]

does anybody know how to play it? please, help meee! :D

[TheMRstaggerLEE]

Her lyrics can be about what ever you want them to be. But honestly I know what its like to be as high as she is in the song. sometimes you do get that overwelming feeling of happiness. laying half naked comes into play often also.

[nfriverdale]

She does have a thing with miscarriage, or aborted babies or children in general... e.g. Her 'To Bring you My Love" era... You could never tell with her. It's her 'mystery' that makes her so brillant and intriguing

[greenpaperclips]

reminds me of the yellow wallpaper, that short story about postpartum depression

[siramour]

@greenpaperclips thats so true, never thought about it, absoluteky!

[VenusMonkey]

According to PJ whatever her lyrics mean to you is what they're about. So you're all right.

[MrOhjok]

@VenusMonkey Correct. That's what Artistic Expression is about...to P.J. it is more of Poetic License..whatever effect it has, or what it does 'to you" is the Achievement. Reaching People...

[maynardminion]

I disagree,i think you are interpreting the lyrics way to literally,i don't think it has anything to do with ether or any drugs, and that the person beside her,is her herself, i think she is saying under certain circumstances this kind person comes out of all of us, or capable of, but then it just disappears,when the ether wears off( when the circumstance changes)i.e. people come together right after a tragedy, but it doesn't last, human kindness disappears, but this is just my interpretation.

[vereda61]

This song is about being high on ether and tripping with a female friend, looking up to the ceiling, feeling happiness... pretty clear. Love PJ, she is the best.

[goochieguy]

i interperate the song about losing or ridding oneself of some entrenched emotion perhaps under the influence of drug[s]

[bakajero]

grožis.

[wuzasometina]

my friend miscarried/aborted 2 babies, and she was always drugged, and fucked, very happy woman, and fuck you

[lekkki1]

uhh, honestly, I do not think its about torment over an abortion, but, who knows? With Polly, it could be a million things, and she isn't telling

Brilliant musician and performer

[XguitarrockerX]

She is just amazing, as always!

[nikodemaz38]

wow

[G5ive1]

This song has nothing to do with drugs but the study of Ether which is an invisible matter surrounding the earth connecting our universe in tact, and is considered to be the spirit world, the place from which we came and shall once return, listen to 1:34-1:50 "somethings inside her unborn and unblessed(a child) disappears in the ether this world to the next" Abortion and Ether is the foundation for this song.

[regthedog2000]

Hey love this song, Check out the video i made to go with it. Made the video as a university project.

Thanx

Dayne

[ebayrak]

whenever i hear this song..it makes something inside me squeeze..i so hate it.

[alexbericheath]

Does anyone know if she's touring anytime soon in the UK?

[Moniek50]

I really love this song! but the delay on her vocals were really unnecessary and irritating

[JustJack66]

I totally agree, it was the first thing I noticed :/

but the scene was amazing...she's special.

[DeadPoet6]

it's delay/echo effect. I quite like it but maybe it's too much I agree

[agejus]

she confessed in one interview, that she totally overdoes the delay effect, she can help it,she likes it so much :D

[alexbericheath]

Jesus Christ, I know the feeling. Delay and reverb is like a sick, sick disease. I thought you sounded great though! Nice and edgy :)

[butihavenone]

I think it works on this song. Makes it even more unworldly...

[000TwistedFreak]

@agejus i personally love the delay.... haunting

[Flippaarn]

@agejus what interview? can you link?

[manneianevski]

@Moniek50 I actually do like it with the delay, it gives it something quite mysterious and light in the same time.

[wrathallll]

@Moniek50 i like the delay in this version

[pagoda112]

ether is gross why mkae a song about somthing that suckss so much and thier is nothing that makes you feel happiness nothing AT ALL

[123spasser123]

cous thats part of life. Theres ups and downs. Why be blind to the shitty things in life?

[pagoda112]

you know why because its grosss you do it then tell me why blind shitty things in life and youll know why

[123spasser123]

that dont make any sense

[pagoda112]

your right it doesnt. let me make it out better . ether the fucking drug is gross. this song is awesome. i just said ether is gross and why make a song for it.

[123spasser123]

yeah well a lot of things is gross ... But not talking about them aint gonna make them disappear

[pagoda112]

i wish they did. haha

[e5d4c3]

its about abortion

[pagoda112]

how? iam not saying your wrong just want to know

[e5d4c3]

cant remember i heard it somewhere. i could be wrong. but there r someparts of the lyrics that could be references ie 'conscious of nothin but the will to survive, disappears in the ether this world to the next,i lay on the bed ect.

[zygalfilms]

"i lay on the bed, waist-down undressed

look up the ceiling feeling happiness" (is drugged, under 'ether')

"the woman beside me is holding my hand"

"something's inside me, unborn and unblessed, disappears in the ether

this world to the next"

it's pretty self-explanatory

[pagoda112]

no its not. ether you dont feel happiness. and ther and abortion no it doesnt go together

[zygalfilms]

'ether' when you're drugged you feel giddy, you might mistaken it for happiness. that's my theory anyway, only PJ knows for sure what it's about

[zygalfilms]

it could also be miscarriage

[123spasser123]

by the way I dont know whats so gross about this song anyways

[doriangreyinthehouse]

Polly Jean is the Queen.

[oizephyr14]

Its amazing seeing her play rock festivals, and then also events like this. Beautiful as always.

[SheWalksUponTheCoast]

I love PJ Harvey! This is my favourite song :D It is so amazing!

[sparta9000]

WOW!

[bbyboo29]

Angel of mine, sharing her time.

Little me and you, forever your boo.

xxxx

[bbykin]

thankyou for the past 7 months boo...allways a place in my hart for you xxx

[mauricemarc]

if somebody know the piano keys too play this beautifull song , i am interested !!!! than k 's

[wormsong]

what is this tap delay?!?! its killing such a great song!

[marxman00]

I think your listening to this incorrectly,or did DaVinchi use the wrong colours.

[deepfish2112]

where´s your apprentices. the time is running out?

[wiqiqaqa]

amazing :) gives me goosebumps

[martinakapa]

exelente beautifumiusic

[aida030303]

This is a wonderful song

[tedtanglewood]

Beautiful!

[deftonesfan192]

the thing is carmila when playing to a crowd of thousands its hard to make your voice heard from the back so they put delay on it to make it sound bigger :) great tune really weird but boss!

[agehwirklich]

atemberaubend

[skinuppinup]

i love you, polly jean harvey.

[carmila84]

without echo would be better

[15121942]

thank you

[voodoohamsterdoll]

she could be the greek goddess, Aphrodite

[kira85less]

amazing..

[Azmaria1107]

Wow!! su voz es increible!!

[fiveyearwinterkiss]

i love her voice

[jbkbox]

Feeling Happiness ~ StumbleUpon ~

[GorMusic]

Fantastic!

[GorMusic]

Fantastic!!!!

[fritschedoc]

she is the most erotic ynd feeling woman in music business im know, she is absolutely unique, when i hear her voice i fall in worlds of what real love and feeling for me is

rainer

[LunaSeaSane]

Kisses for Polly

[mrsjhomme]

there is none better...

[jonnythrombosis23]

i think this is a remarkable life performance of this song awesome infact - i'm really loving white chalk - my album of 2007

[darlingkel]

its a pleasure to see polly push herself. this album is a magnificent departure from her previous work. haunting, chilling, intimate...

[skpetroe]

this is healing of my soul

[caryllg]

pj sounds amazing here

[montecarlostar]

yeah

[nemrodchile]

no al aborto

[montecarlostar]

Yo creo que todo su disco es bastante contra el aborto. Si te fijas todas las canciones tocan el tema, construyen la historia de una mujer atormentada por haber abortado a su bebé.

[mreesm]

wise words, mate

[natashaclaire]

can you translate if you understand? I think montcarlostar is saying something about the whole albumn being about a woman tormented with guilt, after having an abortion? I'm not sure that's what I get from the albumn (or this song) at all. The song seems to be about an abortion, yes, but I'm not sure the narrator is completely tormented about it.

[rocha2001]

Si q creo q toca el tema, eso no quiere decir q ella este en contra del aborto, vamos, si has seguido la trayectoria de pj Harvey, creo q tiene su punto feminista

[katinkajones]

jeg var der og det var fantastisk - tak!

[ensoart]

under ether . . . mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm . . .

lays on the bed feeling happiness, human kindness, woman beside her is holding her hand, WOW . . . it's all right there.

[jun7per]

way too much distortion and echo placed on her voice. shes interesting but just lacks vocally.

[Fuchfam4]

To say PJ Harvey lacks vocally is so wrong, you obviously have not heard her other work. Yes this recording IS way overdone on the effects and should not be the basis of your opinion.

[stopmeltingme]

That was great! I`d love to go and see PJ live...

[walklikeanegg]

PJ Harvey is prettier than alll of those other artists mentioned, and to top it, an inspiring talent

[GoFixMyHead]

I WAS THERE! <3 It was amazing. And my birthdaypresent. :D

[Neperud]

what a song......,what a performance.....

[agehwirklich]

PJ i love you!!!!!!

[mioudu69]

excellent musique !!!

très touchante !!!

[mikemugwort]

Gorgeous song...gave me chills.

[shadywazir]

omggggg!!! SORRY PJ:-[ that was my friend that posted those comments :-[ i dont think ut those things.. please diregard top three comments!!!!! :-[

[greengargantua]

Didn't read this last message you wrote, I kinda jumped the gun. But what I wrote still stands for your "friend" and all thos Avril-Britney-Jessica-Cristina­-Paris-lovin' people.

[shadywazir]

she is ugly

[greengargantua]

From your comments, I gather you are not a PJ Fan. What are ya in to? Avril? Britney? Amy Windhouse? Jessica Simpson,or worse, Paris Hilton (she did record an "album" ya'know). Why not comment on the song, and not her appearance. How shallow and "2007" can you be? It's all about appearances to people like you. Judge her (if you must) on music and not on what she looks like. Can you say the same about the prettier but non-talented AVril LATRINE?

[tenteri1]

word (`____')___b

[quimkaos]

sory but are those "girls" (i can't even spell theyr name) you talked about singers? seams to me that they are only barbie dolls from the package "barby - the playback singer" and by the way have anyone noticed how mutch a barby doll can spred theyr legs? huh? were is ken?

[thegorillasnake]

You're hideous, shadywazir, and I don't mean cosmetically.

[shadywazir]

like i said it wasnt me that typed that comment!!! someone i know used my password!!!

ok??? i didnt type it!!!!

[thegorillasnake]

Okay, I take it back. But I don't think it's a good idea to let other people use your account on any site.

[shadywazir]

he saw me type the password.. i was so MAD WHEN HE DID THAT!! :-[ i love PJ HARVEY.. AND IM EMBARRASSED :0-[

[thegorillasnake]

I'm a fairly recent fan myself. Where would you recommend I get started?

[shadywazir]

i like the ah ah her ablum...

[bpvalentine]

Is This Desire is a good starter. I started with Rid of Me. Still my favorite, but maybe a little hard for a lot of people. And it's not really a sound she went for after it.

[montecarlostar]

i started with uh huh her, and now that I have all of her albums I realize it was maybe not the best starter. Anyway, I have just discovered there is an "un huh her" song with the same title and just love it. Just now I start to understand the Uh huh her sound. No mistakes so far, she is amazing.

[SkyratsvsSeachickens]

I have been a fan since Rid of me which is great but i agree with bpvalentine, mihgt be a bit too grindy.

Start on youtube! I have just watched about 40 songs of hers on here. Amazing live stuff.

[shadywazir]

the stories from the city album

[thegorillasnake]

Okay, thanks!

[shadywazir]

all her albums are great no let downs.. all 100%

[thegorillasnake]

I'll take your word for it.

[shadywazir]

she is ug

[shadywazir]

boring!

[msgrjosh]

Nice song, not so sure about the key it's in though. It's at the top of her range and doesn't take advantage of the power she has down low. I'm sure that's intentional but I'm not sure if it works overall. Anyway, its a good song, very haunting, well written. I hope the rest of this record has her back at the top of her game. And I hope she hasn't given up playing guitar again either!

[butihavenone]

I just have to say, if you think this is the top of her range, listen to The Devil, another new song of PJ's. She's up on a b in that one, more than an octave above the highest note in this song. I was impressed!

[msgrjosh]

I haven't heard the studio version but in the live version of the devil I heard she seemed a little shakey. But I have to give it up to her for trying a new musical direction. And this is the first song of hers that's creeped me out since TBYML.

[msgrjosh]

and that's a very good thing

[montecarlostar]

also listen to the ending of the mountain, it's scary!! it reminds me of diamanda galas

[jolozinger]

oooh i love the ending of mountain. i just want to sit outside at midnight and stare at the full moon whenever i hear the ending

[montecarlostar]

yeah i love it too, i just wish the screams lasted a little longer... her voice is so hauting!

[jolozinger]

yeah, overall its a fantastic album. its the first i've ever heard of PJ harvey... is her older stuff any good?

[agejus]

you won't find anything like this in her earlier stuff, it's just the thing for pj, she does everything completely opposite every time. you COULD try however "is this desire?", an album which is as intimate, but with more electronic sounding.. maybe someone could recommend something else?

[jolozinger]

ok thanks

[thegoochieguy]

@jolozinger

you should check out her ''to bring you my love'' album....i absloutely love it...

[butihavenone]

Most beautiful song i heard in a long time.

[mrgb46]

Seems like she keeps getting better and better.Hope she tours the States..Looking forward to the new cd..

[deadwood2]

great!!!!!!!!!!!!

[scottlipsey]

PJ Rules

[agejus]

There's gonna be a single out in September 17th, and later on September 24th the whole new album.

[jolozinger]

does anyone want to do their good turn for their day by informing me if and where online i can get/buy this song? i cant find it in any CD shops over here. or itunes.

[wizzardsmith]

Its not out yet, well, the album's not. The album 'White Chalk' comes out on September 24th or something like that.

[zappalove]

Send me an e/mail address and I'll gladly send you a copy of "when under ether in mp3 form. It should hold you until the album release on the 24th.

[jolozinger]

thanks, i just bought the album. i absolutelu love this song and "mountain"

[jolozinger]

viva la JJJ

[REMPILFAN]

She's simply incredible. If she tours the States, I'll be there. I've yet to see her live.

[laleldon]

so relaxing and sentimental... only Polly can do something as great as this... :)

[fievre]

it sounds like she's singing more like about not having kids yet...

[EgoApocalypse]

What a tune.

[blackmilk11982]

the bitch is back awesome! i missed her incredibily

[joncolohan]

Dam... PJ ...... love it... need more Ether !!!

[erikbmejia]

PJ! PJ! PJ! PJ!

[roareh]

steeeeeeeeeeeeve

[swimminglyfilms]

ceiling is moving... like the gloaming!

[yuppiescuzin]

the gloaming by radiohead, or for real? lol

[swimminglyfilms]

haha, yes

it just reminded me of the line, "when the walls bend,"...

sorry, I'm am a huge fan of Radiohead (probably their biggest) so I could not resist mentioning it ;)

[yuppiescuzin]

That's great! I love Radiohead. They're my favorite band! PJ is my favorite artist.

[swimminglyfilms]

We have a lot in common then! :)

[yuppiescuzin]

yes, we do.

[Yggdrasille]

This is absolutely beautiful... I can't wait for the new album! PJ + Piano = Awesome

[swimminglyfilms]

can't wait for the new album!!!!