In the 1980s Russell made four albums credited to the Tom Russell Band. These featured Andrew Hardin and accordionist Fats Kaplin.
In the 1990s Russell made a number of solo albums, collaborated with blues singer Barrence Whitfield on two albums, and also recorded an acoustic album mixing original material with his favorite cowboy-themed songs. His albums include several guest appearances from other folk, country, and Americana artists, such as Chris Gaffney and Dave Alvin. His song "Outbound Plane", co-written with Nanci Griffith, became a Top Ten country hit for Suzy Bogguss. His most significant album from this period is the 1999 folk opera, The Man From God Knows Where.
His more recent albums include "Blood and Candle Smoke" (2009) and "Mesabi" (2011).
Black Pearl
Tom Russell Lyrics
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She's walking through the town
She has got one green eye, the other eye is brown
And as she walks the air grows warm, men stare down from rooms
She destroys the hidden line between the wise man and the fool
She's a black pearl, she's a black pearl,
She's a black pearl, she's not my girl
They say down in Tango town, the accordion is king
Where Astor Piazzola plays on the Bandoneon
And outside 'neath an olive tree the dust and sand it whirls
She tangos with the moonlight, that dangerous Black Pearl
She's a black pearl, she's a black pearl,
She's a black pearl
She's not my girl
Don't talk to me of politics, don't talk to me of war
For I have seen her secret things
Upon the shower door I've seen presidents corrupted,
I've seen kings down on their knees Hehe,
It wasn't revolution, lust was the disease
For some Black Pearl
is a song about a mysterious and irresistible woman, Miranda, who captivates men wherever she goes. The lyrics describe her physical appearance, with one green eye and one brown eye, and how her presence seems to arouse the desires of men, breaking down the barriers between the wise and the foolish. Miranda is compared to a black pearl, a rare and precious jewel that is dark and intriguing.
The second verse takes us to Tango Town, where the accordion rules and Astor Piazzola is king. Underneath an olive tree, Miranda dances tangos with the moonlight, further emphasizing her alluring and dangerous nature. The singer urges us not to talk to him about politics or war, as he has seen Miranda's secret things. The bridge reveals that it is not some grand revolution that Miranda represents, but rather lust, the primal urge that drives men to madness.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you seen Miranda?
Have you observed Miranda?
She's walking through the town
She's strolling through the urban area
She has got one green eye, the other eye is brown
One eye is green, the other eye is brown
And as she walks the air grows warm, men stare down from rooms
Men gaze through windows as the temperature rises with her steps
She destroys the hidden line between the wise man and the fool
She eradicates the blurred boundary between intelligence and naivety
She's a black pearl, she's a black pearl, She's a black pearl, she's not my girl
She's an enigma, she's an enigma, she's an enigma, but not mine
They say down in Tango town, the accordion is king
Rumor has it in Tango town, the top musical instrument is the accordion
Where Astor Piazzola plays on the Bandoneon
Astor Piazzola performs on the Bandoneon there
And outside 'neath an olive tree the dust and sand it whirls
Beneath an olive tree, the dust and sand swirls outwards
She tangos with the moonlight, that dangerous Black Pearl
She dances the tango with moonlight as the menacing Black Pearl
She's a black pearl, she's a black pearl, She's a black pearl, She's not my girl
She's an enigma, she's an enigma, she's an enigma, but not mine
Don't talk to me of politics, don't talk to me of war
Abstain from discussing politics and war with me
For I have seen her secret things
For I witnessed her confidential affairs
Upon the shower door I've seen presidents corrupted
I've seen defiled presidents on the shower door
I've seen kings down on their knees Hehe,
I've observed kneeling kings, hah,
It wasn't revolution, lust was the disease
It wasn't a rebellion, it was the ailment of desire
For some Black Pearl
For a particular Black Pearl
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: THOMAS GEORGE RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind