That Was My Veil
PJ Harvey · Peel Sessions 1991-2004 [2006]
I see him before my sad eyes
I hear him breathing
Oh lover, need you to lead me
No never thought that you'd leave
That was my veil
That was my time
Once held secret
But now lies
No words can heal my heart
Inside I'm broken, now it's done
Was she a pretty girl
Does she have pretty hair
Was she soft-spoken
Was there a love there
That was my veil
That was my time
Once held secret
But now lies
Give back my veil
Give back my time
No more secret
You give me lies
Give me back my veil
Give back my life
No more secret
You give me lies
Lies
That Was My Veil
Released on the Peel Sessions 1991-2004 compilation, PJ Harvey's 'That Was My Veil' stands as a haunting centerpiece of her early electronic experimentation. Recorded during a pivotal era when she was dismantling the boundaries between rock and ambient soundscapes, the track showcases her signature use of vocal distortion and repetitive, hypnotic rhythms. The song reflects the darker, more introspective mood that would define her subsequent work, particularly on albums like Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea. It captures a moment where Harvey utilized the BBC Radio One platform not merely for promotion, but as a laboratory for developing her unique sonic identity, blending industrial textures with ethereal vocals to create a deeply personal and unsettling listening experience.