Career
Carly Pearce was born in Taylor Mill, Kentucky. She dropped out of school when she was 16 and moved to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in order to perform at Dollywood five times a week, in addition to contributing to bluegrass music compilation albums. She moved to Nashville, Tennessee when she was 19. She signed a developmental deal with Sony Music Nashville in 2012, which was ultimately unsuccessful.
In 2016, she was a featured vocalist on Josh Abbott Band's "Wasn't That Drunk", which charted in the top 40 of Country Airplay. Pearce also toured with the band to perform the song, including a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The song's success led to her working with songwriter and producer busbee on her solo debut single "Every Little Thing". After this song received airplay on Sirius XM's "The Highway" channel, Pearce gained a contract with Big Machine Records, which released the single to country radio on February 22. The song also received a music video, which features Pearce performing the song live at Brown Owl Studio. On October 13th, 2017 her first studio album named after the title track "Every Little Thing" was released.
At the time of its release, Pearce established herself further with further musical projects. This included touring with Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, and Blake Shelton. Her next single release, "Hide the Wine", was spawned from her 2017 album. It became Pearce's second major hit, reaching number 13 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2018. The same year, she issued a single that was to be the lead release of her upcoming second studio album. Entitled "Closer to You", the song was released in November 2018 and reached the top 40 of the Billboard country charts.
In October 2019, Pearce released a second single from her upcoming second studio album. The song, "I Hope You're Happy Now", was a duet with country artist Lee Brice. The song was her second to reach the number one spot on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. After taking time to marry singer Michael Ray, her self-titled second studio album was issued in February 2020. It would be Busbee's final production project before his death in 2019. It debuted at number six on the Top Country Albums list and number 73 on the Billboard 200.
In June 2020, Pearce revealed that she was recording new music and that her next single will not be a track off of her second album. In September 2020, she released the single, "Next Girl". In February 2021, Pearce released her first extended play, “29”. The album's name was derived from personal setbacks she endured during her twenty ninth year. These events included her divorce from singer, Michael Ray, and the death of her long-time producer, Busbee. The EP received praise from critics, with American Songwriter calling it an "exquisite seven song collection.". Following its release, "Next Girl" reached the top 15 of the Billboard country airplay chart
In June 2021, Pearce was invited by Dolly Parton to become a cast member of the Grand Ole Opry. A month later, she announced the release of her third studio album titled 29: Written in Stone alongside the promotional single "Dear Miss Loretta", a tribute to Loretta Lynn featuring Patty Loveless. The album was a continuation of her 2021 EP. It was officially released in September 2021. It reached number nine on the Billboard country albums chart and number 83 on the Billboard 200. The disc received positive reviews from critics, including AllMusic, which praised her "vulnerability" and Variety, which highlighted its traditional musical sound. The disc spawned the 2021 single, "Never Wanted to Be That Girl", a duet with Ashley McBryde. It became Pearce's third single to top the Billboard Country Airplay chart. In October 2022, Pearce headlined two sold-out shows at the Ryman Auditorium. The album's third single "What He Didn't Do" reached number one on the Aircheck/Mediabase chart, becoming the first woman in 80 weeks to top the country radio charts with a solo track.
In early 2023, Pearce won her first accolade from the Grammy Awards for her performance on "Never Wanted to Be That Girl". In March 2023, Pearce's first live album was released titled 29: Written in Stone (Live from Music City). It featured the entirety of her previous album, along with several additional tracks and special guests.
In 2024, Pearce announced the release of her next studio album Hummingbird. The original release was scheduled for June 14, but Pearce pushed the release date to June 7 to correspond with CMA Fest. Hummingbird rose to number 31 on the US country albums chart. Its lead single "We Don't Fight Anymore" (featuring Chris Stapleton), reached the US country top ten in 2024.
Catch Fire
Carly Pearce Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watch my hips, they're about to walk your way
I feel your heart race, it's written on your face
I know you like what you see
Read my lips, then come put yours on me
All the curtains are pulled but the door's wide open
Ain't nobody here but usYeah, the moon's coming out while the bars are closing
Couldn't make it more obvious
I'm flying that flag, I'm shooting Roman candles
I'm screaming through an amplifier
Yeah, the way you're waiting on me to want you
Is like waiting for a flame to catch fire
Waiting for a flame to catch fire
Don't waste your time on sweet formalities
Just show me your originality
'Cause I've got the match if you've got the strike
Then we've got the night to burn
Don't waste my time, just close your eyes and learn
All the curtains are pulled but the door's wide open
Ain't nobody here but us
Yeah, the moon's coming out while the bars are closing
Couldn't make it more obvious
I'm flying that flag, I'm shooting roman candles
I'm screaming through an amplifier
Yeah, the way you're waiting on me to want you
Is like waiting for a flame to catch fire
Waiting for a flame to catch fire
And yeah, the curtains are pulled but the door's wide open
Ain't nobody here but usAnd the moon's coming out while the bars are closing
Couldn't make it more obvious
I'm flying that flag, I'm shooting roman candles
I'm screaming through an amplifier
Yeah, the way you're waiting on me to want you
Is like waiting for a flame to catch fire
Waiting for a flame to catch fire
Come on
Light it up
Waiting for a flame to catch fire
In "Catch Fire," Carly Pearce tells a story of flirtation and desire. She urges her lover to be bold and original, not wasting time on empty gestures. The lyrics are a mix of playful teasing and raw desire, with Pearce's powerful voice conveying both aspects. She indicates that the attraction is mutual and that there is no need for pretense. The chorus reinforces the idea that they are meant to be together and that it is only a matter of time before the sparks ignite. The metaphors, such as shooting Roman candles and waiting for a flame to catch fire, add to the imagery of passion and energy.
Line by Line Meaning
Read my lips, they like to say your name
I am thinking of you all the time and just love to say your name.
Watch my hips, they're about to walk your way
I'm getting closer to you, and you can't resist me.
I feel your heart race, it's written on your face
I can tell you're really excited to be with me.
I know you like what you see
You're attracted to me and I love that.
Read my lips, then come put yours on me
Kiss me now, I'm ready for it.
All the curtains are pulled but the door's wide open
We're in a private place but anyone could see us.
Ain't nobody here but us
It's just you and me, and it feels right.
Yeah, the moon's coming out while the bars are closing
The night is ending, but we're not done yet.
Couldn't make it more obvious
It's clear that we want each other badly.
I'm flying that flag, I'm shooting roman candles
I'm letting everyone know that you're mine, and we're having a great time.
I'm screaming through an amplifier
I'm so overwhelmed with passion that I'm practically shouting about it.
Yeah, the way you're waiting on me to want you
You're hoping I'll make the first move, but I want you already.
Is like waiting for a flame to catch fire
It's just a matter of time before we're together, like a spark igniting a fire.
Don't waste your time on sweet formalities
Let's skip the pleasantries and get down to business.
Just show me your originality
Don't be shy, be yourself and show me what you've got.
'Cause I've got the match if you've got the strike
If you're ready to go, I'm ready too.
Then we've got the night to burn
We have all night to enjoy each other's company.
Don't waste my time, just close your eyes and learn
Stop hesitating and just let yourself be swept away by the moment.
Come on, light it up
Let's get this party started already.
Waiting for a flame to catch fire
We both know we want each other and it's just a matter of time before we give into our desires.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Michael James Ryan Busbee, Natalie Nicole Hemby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind