The band comprised of Andrew Sherriff (guitar/vocals), Stephen Patman (guitar/vocals), Simon Rowe (guitar), Jon Curtis (bass) and Ashley Bates (drums).
Chapterhouse took the unusual step of rehearsing and gigging for well over a year before recording even a demo tape. They were initially lumped in with the British acid rock scene, a mistake hardly rectified by the band's early performances supporting the rather laid-back Spacemen 3. Chapterhouse eventually escaped from that genre only to find themselves thrust amongst the shoegaze groups of 1991 (with the likes of Lush, Ride, Moose and Slowdive), so called because of the bands' static live shows and insular music.
Bassist Jon Curtis left early on to study, being replaced by Russell Barrett, who also fronted his own garage band, the Bikinis. Chapterhouse eventually signed to the newly formed Dedicated label, releasing a series of lavishly acclaimed singles, including Pearl, which reached the UK Top 75, and which revelled in distorted melodies and attracted a healthy following.
Their first LP Whirlpool, released in 1991, has been cited as one of the genre's high points, but failed to capture a wider market. In the same year, Chapterhouse also appeared to muted reaction at Reading Festival immediately following Nirvana's UK debut, an event which was seen to sound the death knell for shoegazing.
Blood Music, stylistically different, was released in 1993. Two singles from this album, She's a Vision and We Are the Beautiful, were relatively successful, but the album was withdrawn due to a sample-related lawsuit. Global Communication reworked Blood Music for their album Pentamerous Metamorphosis. Spooky remixed We Are Beautiful: We Are the Beautiful (Spooky's Ugly as Sin mix) / We Are the Beautiful (Spooky's Extravaganja dub mix).
The band split in 1994 and released no further new material other than a double CD in 1996 called Rownderbout, compiling their singles, various B-sides, rarities and unreleased demos. Sherriff went on to form Bio.com, Bates formed Cuba and Rowe went on to play guitar for Mojave 3.
The music of Chapterhouse was mostly out of print on CD until March 2006, when Cherry Red Records reissued the album Whirlpool with bonus tracks, and for the first time, lyrics.
The band played a version of Love Forever with Ulrich Schnauss on the Barn Stage at the 2008 edition of Truck Festival. In response to requests over the years, Chapterhouse played live at Club AC30's Reverence show at the ICA on 26 November 2009 along with Ulrich Schnauss and Kirsty Hawkshaw.
This was preceded on 23 November by a warm up show at the Luminaire in Kilburn. The band also played at The Scala in London on 18 March 2010, and undertook short tours of Japan in April 2010 and North America in May 2010. The North American tour had to be postponed due to the Icelandic ash cloud cancelling flights, stranding Patman in Japan. Chapterhouse rescheduled the North American tour for September and October 2010.
The band has yet to continue touring beyond 2010.
Pearl
Chapterhouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beautiful girl
Daughter of yellow
Mother of pearl
I used to know her
She gave me the time
Then she just left me
On my mind, liquid pearl
Coolest blue, fire world
But I can't seem to
Change her mind
Son of a secret
Sacred child
Daughter of yellow
Mother of pearl
She used to love me
I gave her my soul
Those delicate hours
She lost control
On my mind, liquid pearl
Coolest blue, fire world
But I can't seem to
Change her mind
Son of a pearl
Green deep sea
She knows what she means to me
Will her heart ever burn anymore
Burn me out from the inside
Turn me upside down
I've got to satisfy my soul
Satisfy my soul
The first line of the song “Circle of color” starts off the narrative with a sense of interconnectivity between various aspects of nature. The line serves as an introduction to the character of the song, the “beautiful girl” who is described as the “daughter of yellow,” a symbol of the sun and of renewal. The chorus is repeated twice, implying that this girl is the main focus of the song, and the following verse reveals that the singer used to know her and that she once loved him. The lyrics then go on to describe her as a mother of pearl, which represents a sense of purity, innocence, and protection.
The pre-chorus consists of imagery that adds to the emotional depth of the song. The “liquid pearl” can represent tears or a spiritual cleansing, while the “coolest blue” symbolizes calm, and the “fire world” indicates passion and desire. Despite this intensity, the singer is unable to change her mind or make any headway.
The final verse introduces the motif of the pearl being a transformative force, as the singer is the “son of a secret” and the girl is the “daughter of yellow” and the “mother of pearl.” The last two lines, “Will her heart ever burn anymore / Burn me out from the inside,” further emphasize the idea of a powerful, all-consuming love that cannot be quenched. The repeated line “Satisfy my soul” at the end represents the yearning for this love to be fulfilled, but the likelihood of success is uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
Circle of color
Describing the beautiful and vibrant aura that surrounds the subject of the song, Pearl.
Beautiful girl
The subject of the song, Pearl, is a beautiful girl.
Daughter of yellow
This is likely a reference to the pearl's yellowish tint or hue.
Mother of pearl
The lining of a variety of mollusk shells that is used to make decorative items and, of course, pearl jewelry.
I used to know her
The singer once had a relationship with Pearl.
She gave me the time
Pearl was once available to spend time with the singer and give him her attention.
Then she just left me
At some point, Pearl ended the relationship unexpectedly or suddenly.
I thought she was mine
The singer believed he was in an exclusive relationship with Pearl and thought it would last.
On my mind, liquid pearl
The memory or thought of Pearl is described as a 'liquid pearl' - something that is precious, fluid, and has the appearance of a pearl - evoking strong emotions in the singer.
Coolest blue, fire world
The singer's memories of Pearl are described in terms of cool blue tones and fiery intensity - possibly reflective of the emotional extremes he experienced during the relationship.
But I can't seem to
Change her mind
Despite his efforts, the singer is unable to persuade Pearl to reconsider and resume their relationship.
Son of a secret
The singer is the male counterpart or secret-keeper to Pearl's feminine mystique.
Sacred child
An enigmatic description that adds to the idea that Pearl is a unique and rare treasure.
She used to love me
At one point in the past, Pearl had romantic feelings for the singer.
I gave her my soul
The singer had invested a lot of emotion and dedication to Pearl while they were together.
Those delicate hours
A period of time during which the relationship with Pearl was particularly intimate or important to the singer.
She lost control
Pearl experienced a loss of emotional control or power over the relationship, which may have contributed to its end.
Son of a pearl
A play on the phrase 'son of a gun', this may be an exclamation of surprise, frustration, or appreciation by the singer toward Pearl.
Green deep sea
A reference to the location where pearls are formed - in the depths of the ocean - and also to the subject's depth and complexity as a person.
She knows what she means to me
Despite the relationship being over, Pearl is still important to the singer.
Will her heart ever burn anymore
The singer wonders if Pearl still holds any passion or love for him.
Burn me out from the inside
An intense desire or yearning to be with Pearl again, even at the risk of getting hurt or having his emotions consumed.
Turn me upside down
Another expression of the singer's willingness to go to extremes for Pearl - this time suggesting that even his world can be turned upside down if it means being with her.
I've got to satisfy my soul
Ultimately, the singer is seeking a sense of contentment and fulfillment that can only come from being with Pearl - whether or not his efforts are successful.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDREW JAMES SHERRIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind