PJ Harvey – Big Exit

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  My Interpretation:One of my favorite Peej songs that I'll constantly go back to whenever something traumatic happens that is somehow relevant to it. Which just proves the universal theme of the song regarding paranoia and hope. (Such as the recent event in Colorado at a Batman film screening.)
  
  Although released nearly 12 years ago. This song (IMO) represents PJ Harvey becoming embroiled in a collision of "American Culture". Specifically, Manhattan, aka New York City. A large metropolis teeming with so much vibrancy

  Flag mwanteroon July 23, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:I always thought it was her intial reaction to New York City, as apparently she took her time from New York for the inspiration of this album. I think at first she found it to be a big and intimidating city, and felt safe only when she was with someone she was familiar with. But even when with that person she may have felt vulnerable in such a new place.

  Flag MsSnoopyon October 02, 2011   Link

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    I completely agree. Also, how NYC represents the American Culture as a whole considering she's an outsider from "across the pond". This song represents what she see's in "American Culture" as a whole. A sense of "Culture Shock" and paranoia. As well as a sense of restraint and hope with a loved one.

    Flag mwanteroon July 23, 2012  
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  General Comment:I always interpreted this as she needs a man to escort her around because it's too dangerous for her to go out by herself many times. and she's sick of it. "

  Flag yurigon March 06, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:I totally agree with Dreamwithshiver, I am surprised noone else feels the same...Although I wud say it is more about Bonnie Parker than Clyde Barrow..I suspected this after listening to it the first time, but I was convinced by the fact that she actually mentions Bonnie and Cylde in the next song on the album!! And all those people thinking it is about suicide, I think it is a much too upbeat song to be about that. Also, the lyrics 'Im immortal when Im with you'...very true, noone wud ever of heard of either of them if they hadnt met. Also, 'Too many cops, too many guns' rings true with Bonnie and Clyde's demise..

  Flag JaySon123on January 24, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:I don't know why,but this song makes me think of Bonnie and Clyde.

  Flag dreamwithshiveron October 15, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:This is my favorite PJ Harvey song btw. I think the song name "Big Exit" is just her irony b/c it's the first song on the album.

  Flag UnionThugon June 27, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:Yeah, everyone who thinks this songs is about suicide is probably wrong IMHO. PJ Harvey isn't emo.
  
  It's about finding love and hope in a crazy, messed-up world.

  Flag UnionThugon June 27, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:My god, this song is exhausting to listen to...

  Flag Eatcarpeton December 25, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:I think this is about suicide....I think most of us feel like this sometimes....we just want to end what world we are currently in and skip straight to the afterlife.
  
  Or maybe its about how this world we're living in just...sucks.

  Flag SkyHigh87on December 07, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:I don't think this is about suicide, or love- since it's from the album Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea, which seems to have a strong sensation of wanderlust, I think it's about just that- the want to travel, or maybe elope with a new man, to escape from where you are at the moment and discover new worlds and people, apart from the strong city atmosphere. I see the bit about "beautiful people, beautiful girls" referring to the models and larger-than-life pin-ups we are bombarded with today. I don't think this song is about suicide, because as someone who has 5 of PJ's albums and some of the harder-to-find songs downloaded, I think she would be more creative and original if she were to write about suicide. Furthermore, it would be ironic to use a suicide song as the first song on an album. I see it more as a big exit from, say, New York, ready to begin a journey round the world :-)

  Flag Ailemaon January 02, 2006   Link

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