Pratt was raised by her mother, who exposed her to a broad range of artists, including Tim Buckley, X, and the Gun Club. She learned to play the guitar around the age of 15, after her older brother gave up playing his Stratocaster. She took his guitar and started practising with the T. Rex album, Electric Warrior. She was soon able to play the guitar parts of the whole record. She eventually began recording songs at the age of 16, using her mother's Fender guitar amp and microphone.
After she moved to San Francisco, she was introduced to Tim Presley's solo project, White Fence, through Presley's brother, who was her roommate for three years. In the following years, Presley heard Pratt's demo songs through her then-boyfriend, who had posted her songs on Facebook. He eventually contacted her to release her music.
Pratt's self-titled debut album was released in 2012 through Presley's label, Birth Records. Produced by Craig Gotsill, the album featured the songs that were originally recorded in 2007 over analogue tape. The initial 500 pressings of the sold out in less than two weeks. It received attention from many music websites and magazines, including Pitchfork (website), Consequence of Sound[3] and PopMatters.
In January 2014, she revealed the studio version of a new track, "Game That I Play."
In October 2014, Pratt announced her sophomore album, On Your Own Love Again.
In October 2018, she announced her third album, Quiet Signs, and released a video for a new track, "This Time Around." Pitchfork reviewed the song, giving it the Best New Music designation and noting a stylistic shift, comparing it to "a Tropicalia version of a Christmas song, or a ’60s jukebox standard playing in a beach town diner during the off-season."
According to Philip Cosores of Consequence of Sound, Pratt's music "displays a lyrical and musical range without straying from a palette of picked acoustic guitar and raw, bending vocals" and nods to "60′s folk, California classic rock, and the early 2000′s freak folk." She is compared to various folk artists, including Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Sibylle Baier, David Crosby and Karen Dalton. She also expressed admiration for Ariel Pink.
Strange Melody
Jessica Pratt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Run around, run around, run around
[Chorus]
Say you ran from the shadows you [?] hand
Alone in [?]
Circled 'round for the sirens you found
But your heart [?] look as intrude
But you can't see me, the better half of a strange melody
For the run around, run around, run around
Run around, run around
Run around, run around
Say you ran from the shadows you [?] hand
Alone in [?]
Circled 'round for the sirens you found
But your heart [?] look as intrude
And they say [?] yearning on empty nail
But you can't see me, the better half of a strange melody
For the run around, run around, run around
Run around, run around
Run around, run around
The lyrics of Jessica Pratt's song Strange Melody convey a sense of restlessness, confusion and searching. The repeated phrase "run around" suggests a frantic attempt to escape or avoid something, while the lines "say you ran from the shadows you [?] hand/ alone in [?]" suggest both a physical and emotional isolation. The mention of "sirens" further hints at danger or warning signs that the singer is trying to ignore.
The chorus speaks of a yearning that cannot be fulfilled or seen, a sense of displacement that leaves the singer feeling incomplete ("the better half of a strange melody"). The implication is that the singer is seeking some sort of validation or understanding that remains elusive, and instead they find themselves stuck in a cycle of running and circling. The repetition of the chorus and the final lines "run around, run around, run around" further accentuate this sense of being trapped in a pattern.
The song's lyrics, with their evocative imagery and vague references, suggest a dreamlike state that reflects the internal struggle of the singer. They convey a feeling of being lost and seeking direction, while also highlighting the futility of trying to escape one's own thoughts and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Run around, run around, run around
The singer keeps repeating this phrase to emphasize the feeling of rushing and being on the move.
Say you ran from the shadows you [?] hand
The singer is addressing someone who claims to have escaped from a dark past, but they may still be struggling with their inner demons.
Alone in [?]
While this line is incomplete, it suggests that the person is isolated and lonely, possibly because of their past experiences.
Circled 'round for the sirens you found
The person may be drawn to danger or chaos, and they keep ending up in situations where they're surrounded by emergency sirens.
But your heart [?] look as intrude
This line is also incomplete, but it implies that the person's heart or emotions are being invaded or trespassed upon.
And they say [?] yearning on empty nail
Again, there's a missing word here, but the phrase suggests that some people may be accusing the person of longing for something that doesn't exist, or that they're chasing after something unattainable.
But you can't see me, the better half of a strange melody
Despite the person's struggles and confusion, the singer assures them that there's a brighter, more hopeful side to their existence, and that they're a crucial part of a unique and beautiful song.
For the run around, run around, run around
The song ends with this repeated line, suggesting that the person may continue to feel lost or aimless, but there's still a sense of momentum and possibility in their life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JESSICA PRATT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheDou333
she is actually magical
@destinjeeprentals5013
I wonder what this song is about? It’s absolutely beautiful and haunting!
@fehmi_kocasoy35
hypnotizing best music ever underrated !!
@agutxi
♥
@jetheriot
Can't get enough of her!
@winnipegwhatever
This song is kinda like just White Rabbit Slowed down. Same key and everything. Play them side by side, they fit.
@jeffmartinsen2136
Jude Games I was just listening to white rabbit, and I remembered hearing this before thinking she pulled off the Jefferson Airplane thing really well acoustically. I really love it, but I never put that together until I saw your comment.
@peteranton62
Amazing
@BrandonMobley614
She is a really good singer, the guy with the Telecaster is a nice addition.