"That's been around a long time, and we feel it's more a traditional Portis… Read Full Bio ↴"That's been around a long time, and we feel it's more a traditional Portishead track in a way. The bell–tree and oboe and strings were influenced by this mid–'60s psychedelic folk record we liked. Beth put a beautiful song onto it, then it hung around for years. We just started adding stuff to it. That irrelevant — no, weird — bendy guitar in the middle sections just popped out one day here. It's just an old fuzz box, and bending the string. The arpeggiated, echoed organ break reminds me of Steve Reich or something. It was Beth's Farfisa from her studio. I think that was recorded in State of Art. Most of the rest of it was recorded here — the big orchestral bass drum, and the bell tree. Then Geoff put some drums on at the end at State of Art." -Adrian Utley

Hunter
Portishead Lyrics

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No one said
We'd ever known each other
And new evidence is what we require
In this world

I stand on the edge of a broken sky
And I will come down, don't know why
And if I should fall, would you hold me?

Would you pass me by?
For you know I'd ask you for nothing
Just to wait for a while

So confused
My thoughts are takin' over
Unwanted, arising space me instead
Won't let go

I stand on the edge of a broken sky
And I will come down, don't know why
And if I should fall, would you hold me?
Would you pass me by?

For you know I'd ask you for nothing
Just to wait for a while

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Portishead's song Hunter seem to explore themes of loneliness, confusion, and the search for human connection in a world that often feels isolated and disconnected. The line "No one said we'd ever known each other" suggests a sense of estrangement or disconnection from others, while the desire for "new evidence" implies a deep yearning for something real and tangible that can bridge this divide.

The chorus, with its repeated refrain of "I stand on the edge of a broken sky," further emphasizes this feeling of vulnerability and loneliness, while the question "Would you hold me? Would you pass me by?" touches on the fear of rejection and the hope that others will be able to break through the walls we put up to protect ourselves.

Overall, the song's haunting melody and introspective lyrics create a sense of introspection and reflection on the human condition, with an emphasis on the ways in which we long for connection and meaning in a world that often feels isolating and confusing.

Line by Line Meaning

No one said
No one ever mentioned that we had any sort of relationship

We'd ever known each other
We have never truly known or understood each other

And new evidence is what we require
We need new information or proof to validate what we currently know

In this world
In the world we are living in currently

I stand on the edge of a broken sky
I am on the verge of danger or calamity

And I will come down, don't know why
I will face the danger, even though I don't know the reason for my actions

And if I should fall, would you hold me?
If I fail and fall, would you be there to support me?

Would you pass me by?
Would you ignore me if I needed your help?

For you know I'd ask you for nothing
I wouldn't expect anything from you

Just to wait for a while
All I ask is for you to wait alongside me during this time of uncertainty

So confused
I am feeling overwhelmed and unsure