Angelene

PJ Harvey's song 'Angelene' delves into the life of a woman who is caught in a cycle of despair and longing. The protagonist, Angelene, introduces herself as a 'prettiest mess,' indicating a life that is outwardly attractive but internally chaotic. Her 'love for money' suggests a life of transactional relationships, possibly hinting at prostitution or a life where love is commodified. The repeated acceptance of any man who calls further emphasizes her sense of emptiness and lack of genuine connection.

The imagery of 'rose' and 'white' colors, along with her 'pretty mouth' and 'green eyes,' paints a picture of a woman who is beautiful yet trapped in her circumstances. Angelene sees men come and go, but she holds onto the hope that one day, a man will come to 'collect her soul' and offer her salvation. This man, who is 'two thousand miles away,' symbolizes a distant hope or a dream that seems almost unattainable. The distance and the open road metaphorically represent the emotional and physical journey she must undertake to find true happiness and fulfillment.

The song also touches on existential themes, with Angelene reflecting on the harsh realities of life—people being born and dying, and the fleeting nature of joy. Despite this, she clings to the belief that there is 'joy untold' waiting for her, laying open like a road. This road is both a literal and metaphorical path to a better life, one that she must travel to escape her current plight. The repetition of 'two thousand miles away' underscores the vast distance between her present suffering and the potential for future happiness, making her journey seem both daunting and hopeful.