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.
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 "Paloma" paints vivid imagery of a journey taken by the singer, who seems to be on the run from something that has burdened them. The song starts with the lyrics "Nowhere to run, pick a direction", indicating a sense of desperation and urgency. The singer then talks about spotting a dragon during the Chinese New Year and chasing it off in a stolen Lexus. The dragon could be symbolic of an obstacle or challenge that the singer has overcome.
As the song progresses, the singer talks about riding across Texas, drinking ice tea at the hotel Tarheel Boogie while watching a western on cable. The imagery gives a sense of being on the move constantly and not being able to settle down. The singer also talks of leaving their burden in California and finding solace in La Paloma, a place where they are forgiven and betrayed at the same time. The mention of sand in their shoes and salt on their tongue seems to indicate that they have been on a journey for a while, and are possibly tired and thirsty.
The chorus of "La Paloma, La Paloma, left my burden in California" is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the idea of leaving behind something that has weighed heavily on the singer. The song ends by talking about smugglers, vets, and cheap housing, painting a picture of a place where people come to start afresh. The line "catch ya next Christmas if I ever get you back" indicates that the singer has left someone important behind, possibly someone they hope to reunite with one day.
Line by Line Meaning
Nowhere to run
Feeling trapped and overwhelmed with no options
Pick a direction
Trying to find a way out, any way out
Chinese New Year
This event marks a new beginning
I spied that Dragon
Spotting a challenge ahead
I chased him off in a stolen Lexus
Overcoming the challenge with a reckless, bold move
Rode across the plains
Traveling and leaving everything behind
Through the state of Texas
Crossing a large distance
Now I'm drinking ice tea
Taking a break from the journey
Back at the hotel Tarheel Boogie
Relaxing in a place that feels like home
Got a western on the cable "Let's make him talk"
Watching a fictional story about a man being pushed to his limits
I think that's what he said
Not fully understanding what's going on
I blinked my eyes and turned around
Things changed suddenly
Now that mother's dead
Feeling a sudden loss
La Paloma, La Paloma
Calling upon a symbol of comfort and refuge
Left my burden in California
Leaving behind past struggles and pain in a specific place
She's got long brown hair
Describing a beautiful and comforting presence
Tied in a ribbon
Adding a nostalgic and sentimental touch
When she holds me in her arms
Finding solace and safety
I'm betrayed and forgiven
Feeling mixed emotions of hurt and absolution
Sand in my shoes
Experiencing the journey and hardship
Salt on my tongue
Tasting the sea and its challenges
Gonna lay my burden down
Trying to let go of the weight
'Neath the Mexican sun
Being in a warm, welcoming place
Alright
Acknowledging the situation and moving forward
Smugglers, vets, cheap housing
Encountering dubious characters and looking for a place to settle in
Waves breaking right and left
The sea still presents a challenge
Purple mountains
A possible destination, a symbol of majesty
Pack up the kids, fill up a sack
Continuing the journey and bringing loved ones along
Catch ya next Christmas
Making plans, having hope for the future
If I ever get you back
Looking for a sense of home and belonging
La Paloma, La Paloma
Repeating the plea, asking for comfort and safety
Left my burden in California
Repeating the desire to leave the past behind
La Paloma, La Paloma
Repeating the plea, calling upon a source of refuge
Left my burden in California
Repeating the desire to leave the past behind
La Paloma, La Paloma
Repeating the plea, seeking comfort and safety
Left my burden in California
Repeating the desire to leave the past behind
La Paloma, La Paloma
Repeating the plea, hoping for a sense of home and belonging
Left my burden in California
Repeating the desire to leave the past behind
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Charles William Prophet
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind