So much anticipation for this new album, I haven't loved every album she's done, but she's one of those artists who you can bank on giving you at least a handful of great tracks with each release.
Love the hollow of the hand and its really interesting to be following PJ's creative process from recording in progress to poetry in the hollow of the hand, on towards the coming album. Very inspiring. I see this song is a further development of the poem The Beggars.
+itay h Ministry Of Social Affairs That's what they want oh yeah money honey(4) See them sitting, in the rain As the sky is darkening Three lines of traffic, are edging past The ministry of social affairs At a junction on the ground an amputee and a pregnant hound Sit by the young men with withered arms As if death had already passed Through every alleyway, and left A million beggars sillhouetes Near where the money changers sit By their locked glass cabinets What has happened, let go(?) The ministry of social affairs Near where the money changers sit By their locked glass cabinets That's what they want, oh yeah Money, honey(6)
James Johnston, co-founder of London-based alt rock band Gallon Drunk, and a member of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds from 2003 to 2008. John Parish was the other musician performing with Polly Jean that night, a regular collaborator of hers. I was there that night btw, but unable to film anything due to the constant vigilance of the Royal Festival Hall staff (though I managed a couple of sneaky photos).
+The Replenishing Flame Thanks! I know they've (Gallon Drunk) opened for her, way back in the ROM era & at least a couple members joined on stage back then for a performance or two. Don't know much about their own history other than knowing them by band name.
+kikkiokioli Well I confess you know far more about Gallon Drunk (& their as you say impressively early period work with PJ) than I do. I merely Googled James Johnston (who's name was in the programme leaflet I got that night). Of his work with PJ, Wikipedia merely reveals Johnston "...has also recorded and toured with a wide variety of other musicians, including (...) recording with PJ Harvey...".
![PJ Harvey [2016]-The Ministry of Social Affairs & 50ft Queenie {HD1080p}](/img/n.gif)
Excellent song, both live and on record. One of my favourites from THSDP.
Thanks Polly for this song. Thank you
So much anticipation for this new album, I haven't loved every album she's done, but she's one of those artists who you can bank on giving you at least a handful of great tracks with each release.
"What has happened, let's go and ask
The ministry of social affairs
Near where the money changers sit
By their locked glass cabinets" Powerful song!
Oh god, please say there is more!
Love the hollow of the hand and its really interesting to be following PJ's creative process from recording in progress to poetry in the hollow of the hand, on towards the coming album. Very inspiring. I see this song is a further development of the poem The Beggars.
Love how "That's What They Want" is infused. Works perfectly.
+Howard Frankel Where is it from?
+PJ Jerry McCain & His Upstarts - That's What They Want
She is beautiful!!!
Love both the songs! Thank you, wish I lived close to London. Do you have anymore songs?
first Class !
that jaguar looks really good on you PJ!! ich leabe dich
Great song. I am unsuccessfully looking for lyrics... can anyone please write them down/let me know if they came across it?
+itay h
Ministry Of Social Affairs
That's what they want oh yeah money honey(4)
See them sitting, in the rain
As the sky is darkening
Three lines of traffic, are edging past
The ministry of social affairs
At a junction on the ground
an amputee and a pregnant hound
Sit by the young men with withered arms
As if death had already passed
Through every alleyway, and left
A million beggars sillhouetes
Near where the money changers sit
By their locked glass cabinets
What has happened, let go(?)
The ministry of social affairs
Near where the money changers sit
By their locked glass cabinets
That's what they want, oh yeah
Money, honey(6)
Awesome. Thank you
+czteryable
I think it's "what has happened, let's go ask/the ministry of social affairs"
Does anyone recognize the keyboard player, it's someone she hasn't played live with before.
James Johnston, co-founder of London-based alt rock band Gallon Drunk, and a member of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds from 2003 to 2008. John Parish was the other musician performing with Polly Jean that night, a regular collaborator of hers. I was there that night btw, but unable to film anything due to the constant vigilance of the Royal Festival Hall staff (though I managed a couple of sneaky photos).
+The Replenishing Flame Thanks! I know they've (Gallon Drunk) opened for her, way back in the ROM era & at least a couple members joined on stage back then for a performance or two. Don't know much about their own history other than knowing them by band name.
+kikkiokioli Well I confess you know far more about Gallon Drunk (& their as you say impressively early period work with PJ) than I do. I merely Googled James Johnston (who's name was in the programme leaflet I got that night). Of his work with PJ, Wikipedia merely reveals Johnston "...has also recorded and toured with a wide variety of other musicians, including (...) recording with PJ Harvey...".
what is the song called please?
+Mariam Bendeliani ... It's called " Ministry Of Social Affairs "