Listen: PJ Harvey's New Song 'Written On The Forehead'

Written On The Forehead by pjharvey

The first track from PJ Harvey's forthcoming LP Let England Shake was posted on her website today. Entitled "Written On The Forehead," the song is a haunting ballad that samples what sounds like a mid-century spiritual song with a refrain of "Let It Burn." The disc, produced by Flood (U2, Smashing Pumpkins) at a 19th-century church in Dorset England, is Harvey's first release since 2007s White Chalk. She plans on supporting it with a tour that kicks off around the LP's February release date.

PJ Harvey: The Rolling Stone Interview

Last April Harvey went on British television to perform the title track, which is written around a sample of the Four Lads' 1953 hit "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)." See that performance below.

Here's the complete track listing for Let England Shake.

"Let England Shake"
"The Last Living Rose"
"The Glorious Land"
"The Words That Maketh Murder"
"All and Everyone"
"On Battleship Hill"
"England"
"In the Dark Places"
"Bitter Branches"
"Hanging in the Wire"
"Written on the Forehead"
"The Colour of the Earth"

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Song Stories

“More Than a Feeling”

Boston | 1976

Boston mastermind Tom Scholz was as surprised by anyone when he sent his unsolicited demo to record labels and got back a positive response. Scholz said, “I couldn’t believe it. Nobody knew who we were, so I wouldn’t even say we were struggling. It was groveling.” Part of the credit for the interest must go to the anthemic rock number "More Than a Feeling." Inspired by the Left Banke's 1966 hit "Walk Away Renee," Scholz worked on the song for five years in his basement studio before it was released on this album.

More Song Stories entries »

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