Isaak's music can be described as a blend of country, blues, rock'n'roll, pop and surf rock.
He signed a contract to Warner Brothers Records in 1984 for his first album "Silvertone". Isaak's contract was renewed in 1988 when Warner moved him to their Reprise Records label.
His best-known song is "Wicked Game". Though released on the 1989 album "Heart Shaped World", an instrumental version of the song was later featured in the David Lynch film 'Wild at Heart' (and also years later in the 2000 film The Family Man). An Atlanta radio station DJ began playing the full version and it quickly became a nation-wide top ten hit. The music video for the song was directed by Herb Ritts and was a big MTV and VH1 hit; shot in black and white, it starred Isaak and model Helena Christensen rolling on the beach, embracing and whispering in each others' ears.
In 1999, Isaak's "Baby Did A Bad, Bad Thing" was featured in Stanley Kubrick's final film 'Eyes Wide Shut', starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.
In 2001, Chris Isaak starred in his own television show, 'The Chris Isaak Show'. It aired from March 2001 to March 2004 in the United States on the cable television network Showtime. This adult comedy show featured Chris Isaak and his band playing themselves with the episode plots based on fictional accounts of the backstage world of Chris Isaak - the rock star next door.
In 2004, his track "Life Will Go On" was featured on the 'Chasing Liberty' soundtrack, which starred Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode.
He hosted a talk show on the Biography cable channel in the United States in 2009 that offered a unique twist - each guest was a musical artist, and both Chris and the artist performed various songs throughout each show. Eight episodes aired in early 2009, featuring guests Trisha Yearwood, Stevie Nicks, Glen Campbell, Michael Buble, Chicago, The Smashing Pumpkins, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), and Jewel.
Isaak has also appeared in numerous films, mostly playing minor cameo roles, though he starred with Keanu Reeves and Bridget Fonda in the 1993 Bernardo Bertolucci-directed 'Little Buddha', and also played a major role in David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me' (1992). Other motion pictures include 'Married to the Mob' (1988), 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991), 'That Thing You Do!' (1996), and 'A Dirty Shame' (2004). He also guest-starred on the Super Bowl Sunday (1996) edition of the television sitcom Friends and on the HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon (HBO).
Chris is also an amateur boxer, avid surfer and a former Golden Gloves champion.
Miss Pearl
Chris Isaak Lyrics
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Daylight has called you, hang your head, go home
Daylight has called you, hang your head, go home
You leave me wet, leave me all alone
Miss Pearl, Miss Pearl
You look good in the morning, good in the afternoon
You look good in the morning, good in the afternoon
Miss Pearl, Miss Pearl
The sun's on you 'cuz you've been out so late
Yeah the sun's on you 'cuz you've been out so late
I been up all night, baby don't make me wait
Oh Miss Pearl, Miss Pearl
It seems that Chris Isaak's song "Miss Pearl" is about a woman who is outgoing, carefree, and beautiful. The song's chorus repeats the title character's name, suggesting that this woman is memorable and significant to the singer. In the verses, we learn that Miss Pearl stays out all night and looks beautiful day or night. She is aware of her appeal and knows that the singer desires her. However, the daylight reminds her that she needs to leave and go home, leaving the singer alone and longing for her.
The lyrics also hint at the singer's frustration with Miss Pearl's behavior. He is aware of the morning sun shining on her, implying that she is out late and not an early riser. The singer is also up all night, waiting for her, feeling neglected and alone when she's gone. Despite this, he cannot resist her charm and beauty, and his desire for her remains as the turn of the midnight hour approaches.
Overall, the song captures the allure and complicated nature of a free-spirited woman who captures the singer's heart, despite her flighty behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
Miss Pearl, Miss Pearl
The singer addresses a woman named Miss Pearl.
Daylight has called you, hang your head, go home
It is morning and time for Miss Pearl to leave. She looks down and leaves.
You leave me wet, leave me all alone
The singer feels abandoned and sad when Miss Pearl leaves.
You look good in the morning, good in the afternoon
The singer is attracted to Miss Pearl and thinks she looks good at any time of day.
When the midnight comes, you know I wanna be with you
The singer wants to be with Miss Pearl when it's late at night.
The sun's on you 'cuz you've been out so late
Miss Pearl has been out all night and the sun is shining on her as she leaves in the morning.
I been up all night, baby don't make me wait
The singer has stayed up all night waiting for Miss Pearl and doesn't want to wait any longer.
Oh Miss Pearl, Miss Pearl
The singer addresses Miss Pearl again, expressing his attraction to her.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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