Pale Saints were a British alternative rock band formed by Ian Masters (bas… Read Full Bio ↴Pale Saints were a British alternative rock band formed by Ian Masters (bass/vocals), Graeme Naysmith (guitar), and Chris Cooper (drums). They began as a three-piece band based in Leeds, England, in 1987. The band was signed to 4AD records by 4AD chief Ivo after their first London show. They were amongst a number of groups in the nineties who were dubbed as shoegaze by the NME and Melody Maker.

Early band interviews showed them to be a fun-loving bunch in contrast to their dark, lyrically pessimistic pop music. Guitarist Graeme Naysmith and drummer Chris Cooper described themselves as enthusiastic football fans and were perpetually excited about touring. Lead vocalist Ian Masters was often known to gratuitously lie in interviews, helping the group to successfully build up a certain party reputation.

In late 1990, the band added Meriel Barham, the original vocalist from Lush, as second guitarist and vocalist.

Ian Masters departed the band in 1993. By most accounts, he became more and more disenchanted with pop music and wanted to go in a more experimental direction with minimal drums and ambient sounds. He also seemed to have lost all joy for touring and live performance.

Pale Saints added former Heart Throbs bassist Colleen Browne in 1993. Meriel Barham departed in September of 1995 and the band eventually came to an end in early 1996, partly as a result of weak label support and relative lack of interest.

Ian Masters formed Spoonfed Hybrid, a duo who released a self titled album on the Guernica Label. Challenging and more experimental than Pale Saints releases.

Following the Spoonfed Hybrid Ian Masters and Warren Defever made an album together in Livonia, Michigan called 'ESP Summer'.

Shortly after Ian Masters moved to Japan, where he still lives. Material under the name 'Two Sun Tears' (a collaboration with Cailan Burns of Pretty Boy Crossover) has been released and Masters has been collaborating with musicians in Japan (Luminous Orange), Brazil (Gerador Zero) and America (Dive Index).

Hair Shoes
Pale Saints Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

How long can I contain
This wretch that no cure can tame?
Feel it coursing through me still.
Never knew that I could be so ill.

Your wings are over me.
If only I'd the strength,
To try

To hide.

Watch me fall apart,
But leave me with my heart, my heart, my heart.

Overall Meaning

The Pale Saints' song "Hair Shoes" is a beautifully melancholic track about the struggle to contain one's internal demons. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer laments their inability to find a cure for their inner turmoil. The use of the word "wretch" suggests a sense of disgust or self-loathing, while the phrase "coursing through me still" evokes a feeling of being overwhelmed or out of control.

The chorus of the song introduces the theme of protection, with the singer wishing they had the strength to hide from their troubles. The line "Your wings are over me" suggests a desire for divine intervention or protection, although it is unclear whether the singer is addressing a specific person or a higher power. The repetition of the phrase "my heart" at the end of the chorus reinforces the idea that the singer is seeking refuge and a sense of self-preservation in the face of their struggles.

The song's closing lines offer a sense of resigned acceptance, as the singer acknowledges that they may fall apart but still hopes to hold onto their heart. Overall, "Hair Shoes" is a hauntingly beautiful song that captures the emotional turmoil of trying to contain one's inner demons and seeking refuge from the outside world.

Line by Line Meaning

How long can I contain
How much longer can I keep this under control?

This wretch that no cure can tame?
This feeling of distress within me can't seem to be remedied

Feel it coursing through me still.
I can still feel the intensity of the emotion inside me

Never knew that I could be so ill.
I never realized that such strong feelings could overwhelm me this way

Your wings are over me.
You're watching over me, keeping me safe

If only I'd the strength,
I just wish I had the willpower or ability to resist

To try
To at least attempt to hold on

To hide.
To keep this inner turmoil from anyone else

Watch me fall apart,
Watch me completely break down and lose control

But leave me with my heart, my heart, my heart.
Even if everything else falls apart, let me keep what's most important to me - my emotions

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CHRIS COOPER, GRAEME NAYSMITH, IAN MASTERS, MERIEL BARHAM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind