Prophet released his solo debut Brother Aldo in 1990 on Fire records,(later reissued in the late 1990's on Walter Yetnikoff's Velvel imprint. His immediate career path took him through mostly European touring markets and his followup "Balinese Dancer" came out in 1993 & later the Steve Berlin produced "Feast of Hearts" came out in Europe only through the Fire imprint. After a decade long bout with substance abuse, Prophet resurfaced refreshed and renewed on the critical breakthroughs 1998's "Homemade Blood", 2000's "The Hurting Business" and 2002's live "Turn The Pigeons Loose" (all available via Cooking Vinyl in UK). By 2000 he'd recorded a side project with his wife Stefanie called Go Go Market and begun incorporating electronic influences into his traditional roots rock formula, resulting in some mainstream radio play and expanded exposure, culminating in the wider distribution of albums "No Other Love" from 2002 and 2004's "Age of Miracles" on New West Records. Chuck signed a new arrangement in the US with North Carolina based Yep Roc for 2007's "Soap and Water", an album that saw the musician invited to play twice on National Public Radio, as well as on televison talk shows like Late Night With David Letterman, and The Carson Daly Show.
Over the years he also began collaborating with other songwriters like Kelly Willis, Steve Yerkey and contributing as a guitarist/musician to studio efforts from folks like Jonathan Richman, Warren Zevon, Kim Carnes, Cake, Tom Heyman and Jewel. Alejandro Escovedo's upcoming 2008 release produced by Tony Visconti entitled Real Animal was co-written and recorded with Prophet. In addition to having his songs recorded by artists like Solomon Burke, Heart & Cyndi Thomson he has also recorded with men who started out as his influences like Jim Dickinson, Dan Penn and the late Warren Zevon.
www.chuckprophet.com.
La paloma
Chuck Prophet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pick a direction
Chinese New Year
I spied that Dragon
I chased him off in a stolen Lexus
Rode across the plains
Through the state of Texas
Now I'm drinking ice tea
Got a western on the cable "Let's make him talk"
I think that's what he said
I blinked my eyes and turned around
Now that mother's dead
La Paloma, La Paloma
Left my burden in California
La Paloma, La Paloma
Left my burden in California
She's got long brown hair
Tied in a ribbon
When she holds me in her arms
I'm betrayed and forgiven
Sand in my shoes
Salt on my tongue
Gonna lay my burden down
'Neath the Mexican sun
Alright
Smugglers, vets, cheap housing
Waves breaking right and left
Purple mountains
Pack up the kids, fill up a sack
Catch ya next Christmas
If I ever get you back
Alright
La Paloma, La Paloma
Left my burden in California
La Paloma, La Paloma
Left my burden in California
La Paloma, La Paloma
Left my burden in California
La Paloma, La Paloma
Left my burden in California
Chuck Prophet's song 'La Paloma' is a fascinating journey that encapsulates the singer's experiences and emotions throughout his travels. The song begins with Prophet expressing his feeling of being trapped, with "nowhere to run" and encouraging himself to "pick a direction." Thus, he eventually ends up venturing out of California, but his connection with the state follows him throughout.
In the second verse, he describes spying a Chinese Dragon and chasing it through the plains of Texas in a "stolen Lexus" before making his way back to the hotel Tarheel Boogie where he drinks iced tea and watches a western on cable. The singer's love interest is introduced in the third verse, with Prophet revealing that she has "long brown hair tied in a ribbon," and her embrace makes him feel reassured despite betraying her trust. The fourth and final verse sees the singer planning to make Mexico his final destination to "lay [his] burdens down" beneath the warm Mexican sun.
The song's chorus is a repeating line of "La Paloma, La Paloma," which translates to "the dove" in Spanish, and is a traditional folk song that represents love, freedom, and peace. By repeating the phrase multiple times throughout the song, Chuck Prophet creates a sense of harmony and stability, almost like a grounding element that connects him to his past as he moves on.
Overall, the lyrics of 'La Paloma' inspire a sense of adventure and self-discovery, as Prophet sets off in search of something new and leaves behind his heavy emotional baggage. The song is an excellent example of artistic expression, taking inspiration from life experiences, and using poetry to convey the message.
Line by Line Meaning
Nowhere to run
Feeling trapped and without escape.
Pick a direction
Deciding on a path forward, no matter where it leads.
Chinese New Year
A time for new beginnings.
I spied that Dragon
A symbol of power and strength. Seeing it as an obstacle to be overcome.
I chased him off in a stolen Lexus
Taking desperate actions to achieve success.
Rode across the plains
Traveling across great distances to reach a goal.
Through the state of Texas
A specific location that holds significance.
Now I'm drinking ice tea Back at the hotel Tarheel Boogie
Taking a moment to rest and reflect on what has been achieved.
Got a western on the cable "Let's make him talk"
Entertainment to distract from the challenges faced.
I think that's what he said
Uncertainty about what is happening or being said.
I blinked my eyes and turned around Now that mother's dead
The shock of unexpected loss.
La Paloma, La Paloma Left my burden in California
Symbolically letting go of the past and the things that weighed one down.
She's got long brown hair Tied in a ribbon
Memories of someone important, represented by a specific physical detail.
When she holds me in her arms I'm betrayed and forgiven
The power of forgiveness and the complexity of relationships.
Sand in my shoes Salt on my tongue Gonna lay my burden down 'Neath the Mexican sun
Finding peace and release through an experience of natural beauty and adventure.
Alright
Acknowledging and accepting the challenges of life.
Smugglers, vets, cheap housing Waves breaking right and left Purple mountains
Landscape of a specific region, with a mix of positive and negative aspects.
Pack up the kids, fill up a sack Catch ya next Christmas If I ever get you back
Preparing for the future, with hope and uncertainty in equal measure.
La Paloma, La Paloma Left my burden in California
Continuing to let go and move on from one's past.
La Paloma, La Paloma Left my burden in California
Repeating the refrain, reinforcing the idea of releasing one's burdens and looking ahead.
La Paloma, La Paloma Left my burden in California
Once again, letting go of the past and striving for freedom and renewal.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Charles William Prophet
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind