Heather and Ciara met at BIMM Institute and formed the band Creek in 2013 with guitarist Ben Bateman and bassist Ryan Marsden. Their song “Lust” gained local popularity and received radio airplay, leading to a number of local gigs. In 2014, band changed its name to Pale Waves and Hugo and Charlie joined soon after, in 2015. Heather has said that the band name comes from the title of a painting owned by her grandmother.
They were signed to record label Dirty Hit in 2016 and their first two singles, 2017's "There's a Honey" and "Television Romance", were produced by Matthew Healy of labelmates The 1975. Their first EP, All the Things I Never Said, was released in February 2018. In September 2018, they released their debut album My Mind Makes Noises.
Early in 2019, the band shared plans to release an EP that year, but decided later to focus on their second album. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020—as well as the decision to approach the new album with a different stylistic direction inspired by the music of the 1990s and 2000s—delayed the production and release of new music until late 2020.
The band’s second album, Who Am I?, was released on February 12, 2021, preceded by the single "Change”, which was released on November 10, 2020. It debuted at #3 on the UK Albums Chart.
Unwanted, Pale Waves' third album, was released on August 12, 2022. The album represents yet another stylistic leap for the band, this time adding pop punk influences to their evolving sound.
Clean
Pale Waves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na
I tripped and let you in
And so it all begins
The high was unexpected
These sheets are wearing thin
Guess I never learn my lesson
And you strip me down into nothing
Show me what I've been missing all of this time
You're the one girl that I just can't get enough of
Maybe it's love or maybe a moment
You're the one drug that I don't want to get clean from
Is it too soon to say that I'm falling?
I can't get off of you
What's there left to say?
It's really not my choice
I bang my head against the wall until I hear your voice
Yeah, I've come undone
I'm hooked and I'm withdrawn
And I don't really care if it's my fault
You're the one girl that I just can't get enough of
Maybe it's love or maybe a moment
You're the one drug that I don't want to get clean from
Is it too soon to say that I'm falling?
I can't get off of you
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na
(No, I can't get off of you)
And you strip me down into nothing
Show me what I've been missing all of this time
Strip me down into nothing
Show me what I've been missing all of this time
You're the one girl that I just can't get enough of
Maybe it's love or maybe a moment
You're the one drug that I don't want to get clean from
Is it too soon to say that I'm falling?
I can't get off of you
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na
(No, I can't get off of you)
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na
I can't get off of you
The lyrics to "Clean" by Pale Waves seem to describe the romantic experiences of someone who feels powerless to escape the hold of their partner. The singer admits that they "tripped and let [their partner] in," suggesting that they didn't plan on falling in love. Still, they confess that the "high was unexpected" and that they feel unable to resist their partner's allure. In the chorus, the singer compares their partner to a drug, implying that they're addictive and irresistible. The lyrics also suggest that the singer is aware that their feelings might not last forever, asking "Maybe it's love or maybe a moment." Regardless, they feel like they can't get enough of their partner and that they're falling for them. Even in the bridge of the song, the singer admits that they don't care if their feelings are their fault, suggesting that they're willing to face the consequences of their actions.
Overall, "Clean" is a song about the power of attraction and the way that love can be addictive and effortless. The singer seems to acknowledge that their relationship might not be entirely healthy, but they can't resist their partner's allure. The repetition of the "na-na-na" and "ooh-ooh-ooh" sounds throughout the song emphasizes the hypnotic and trance-like quality of the singer's feelings. Ultimately, "Clean" is a song that captures the intensity and unpredictability of falling in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na
A repeated chant that sounds similar to a child's song
Ooh-ooh-ooh
A repeated vocalization used for effect
I tripped and let you in
I accidentally allowed you to become a part of my life
And so it all begins
This is the start of something potentially significant
The high was unexpected
I did not expect to feel so good about this situation
These sheets are wearing thin
I am becoming exhausted and emotionally drained by this situation
You're underneath my skin
You have become a part of me and my thoughts
Guess I never learn my lesson
I keep repeating the same mistakes in relationships
And you strip me down into nothing
You have exposed me and made me vulnerable
Show me what I've been missing all of this time
You have shown me what it feels like to truly be alive and in love
You're the one girl that I just can't get enough of
You are the woman I am addicted to and I want more of you
Maybe it's love or maybe a moment
I am not sure if this is true love or just a fling
You're the one drug that I don't want to get clean from
I do not want to let go of my addiction to you
Is it too soon to say that I'm falling?
I wonder if it is too early to say that I am in love with you
I can't get off of you
I cannot stop thinking about you and wanting more of you
What's there left to say?
There is nothing else to say or do but be with you
It's really not my choice
I cannot help how I feel about you
I bang my head against the wall until I hear your voice
I am willing to go to great lengths to be with you
Yeah, I've come undone
I have lost control and am completely consumed by you
I'm hooked and I'm withdrawn
I am addicted to you and unable to function without you
And I don't really care if it's my fault
I am willing to take the blame for whatever happens because I am too in love to care
No, I can't get off of you
I cannot let go of my addiction to you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Andrew Fulk, Ciara Doran, Heather Baron-Gracie, Zachary Cervini
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Airah Shayne Sartagoda
I tripped and let you in
And so it all begins
The high was unexpected
These sheets are wearing thin
Now you're underneath my skin
Guess I never learn my lesson
And you strip me down into nothing
Show me what I've been missing all of this time
You're the one girl that I just can't get enough of
Maybe it's love or maybe a moment
You're the one drug that I don't want to get clean from
Is it too soon to say that I'm falling?
I can't get off of you
What's there left to say?
It's really not my choice
I bang my head against the wall until I hear your voice
Yeah I've come undone
I'm hooked and I'm withdrawn
And I don't really care if it's my fault
You're the one girl that I just can't get enough of
Maybe it's love or maybe a moment
You're the one drug that I don't want to get clean from
Is it too soon to say that I'm falling?
I can't get off of you
And you strip me down into nothing
Show me what I've been missing all of this time
You're the one girl that I just can't get enough of
Maybe it's love or maybe a moment
You're the one drug that I don't want to get clean from
Is it too soon to say that I'm falling?
I can't get off of you
No I can't get off of you
I can't get off of you
Elias RamCrom
Most of the album sounds like an homage to 00's emo, but this song in particular feels so much like 90's alternative, it's incredible. Can't wait to see it live at the St. Paul show!
ohalistair
Sorry, what? Have you listened to 00s emo? Most of the album sounds like it was lifted straight an Ashlee Simpson, or Veronicas record. That isn't a bad thing though.
Skyler Felix
@ohalistair It’s that era for sure. Like Avril/Veronicas/Michelle Branch. But then there’s songs like Reasons To Live and Only Problem that sound like All Time Low rejected songs. I like the vibe, but I do miss the OG synthwave era. Wish they did another album in that vain. Seems like they’re trying to switch it up every year and it gets confusing. Wish more bands would stick with what made them good for longer.
ohalistair
@Skyler Felix The synthwave stuff was what I liked about them. This new stuff is cafchy, don't get me wrong but I agree they should have done more like that.
Pass_the_M
@Skyler FelixI like the new stuff but the synthwave era was magical.
Skyler Felix
@ohalistair I doubt they’ll ever write another banger like There’s A Honey.
Tim Blom
This song is a perfect mix of all the styles they've done through the years!
Morgan Lee
This band does not have a bad song! This is beautiful 🖤
Ryan The Lion King
This will be the Avril for the 2000+ generation. Definitely throws me back to late 90s early 2000s
Andi Nur Azizah
I'm thinking of Britney Spears and Avril Lavigne!