06. The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore
Written by P J Harvey
Vocals, Guitars, Marracas: P J Harvey
Bass: Mick Harvey
Drums: Rob Ellis

Found on:
Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea
A cover is found on the Crawl Home single (Desert Sessions)

The song draws inspiration (and some direct lines) from Elfriede Jelinek's The Piano Teacher, including the song's title, phrases such as "the language of violence" and talk of "money or love." (Thanks Gomy Osh!)

Speak to me of unversal laws
The whores hustle and the hustlers whore
All around me people bleed
Speak to me your song of greed

Speak to me of your inner charm
Of how you'll keep me safe from harm
I don't think so, I don't see
Speak to me of your inner peace

Little people at the amusement park
City people in the dark
Speak to us, send us a sign
Tell us something to keep us trying

The whores hustle and the hustlers whore
Too many people out of love
The whores hustle and the hustlers whore
This city's ripped right to the core

Speak to me of heroin and speed
Of genocide and suicide, of syphilis and greed
Speak to me the language of love
The language of violence, the language of the heart
This isn't the first time I've asked for money or love
Heaven and earth don't ever mean enough
Speak to me of heroin and speed
Just give me something I can believe

The whores hustle and the hustlers whore
Too many people out of love
The whores hustle and the hustlers whore
This city's ripped right to the core