To Survive

Album: To Survive (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Joan as Police Woman is a New York trio made up of frontwoman Joan Wasser together with bassist Rainy Orteca and drummer Parker Kindred. Their name comes from a friend's assertion that Wasser looked like Angie Dickinson in 1970s cop show Policewoman.
  • This song addresses Joan Wasser's need to move forward after the frontwoman lost her mother to cancer. She explained to the Independent newspaper June 6, 2008: "'To Survive' is spoken from her point of view. Part of it's a lullaby - imagining her singing to me as I'm going to sleep, and feeling regular childhood fears, of the darkness."
  • Wasser was Jeff Buckley's girlfriend when he drowned in Wolf River, Tennessee, in 1997. He wrote "Everybody Here Wants You" from his posthumous Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk album as a love song for her.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.