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.
Lies
Pale Waves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ripped out my heart and left it bleeding
Do you feel happier yet?
Do you say some things you regret?
'Cause I'm feeling better alone
But I know, I know, I know
You messed me up, yeah, real bad
I know I'm better than that
But I'm sure, I'm sure I'm in over my head
You called it love but it never had that feeling
Ripped out my heart and left it bleeding
Empty talk, but it never had no meaning
Stuck here just staring at the ceiling
Now it's overdue
'Cause I'm so over you
Call me blind but it was the last time
'Cause all your lies, they just caught up with you
And all those secrets I told
You used to get your control
So hot and then you're so cold
It's too late, too late, I'm in over my head
You called it love but it never had that feeling
Ripped out my heart and left it bleeding
Empty talk, but it never had no meaning
Stuck here just staring at the ceiling
Now it's overdue
'Cause I'm so over you
Call me blind but it was the last time
'Cause all your lies, they just caught up with you
All your lies, they just caught up with you
All your lies, they just caught up with you
All the years that went by
Kept me in the dark why
I'll forgive but I won't forget, whoa
Yeah, we all make mistakes
But yours I just can't shake
You're now a little too late (whoa)
You called it love but it never had that feeling
Ripped out my heart and left it bleeding
Empty talk, but it never had no meaning
Stuck here just staring at the ceiling
Now it's overdue
'Cause I'm so over you
Call me blind but it was the last time
'Cause all your lies, they just caught up with you
All your lies, they just caught up with you
All your lies, they just caught up with you
The lyrics to Pale Waves' song "Lies" delve into the aftermath of a toxic relationship. The singer reflects on a love that was never genuine, characterized by empty promises and manipulation. The first stanza showcases the heartbreak and betrayal experienced as the person they trusted "ripped out [their] heart and left it bleeding." Despite the pain endured, the singer questions if their ex feels happier after causing such harm, while they themselves begin to heal and feel better alone. However, there is an acknowledgment that they might still be in over their head, caught between their desire to move on and the lingering emotions from the relationship.
The chorus emphasizes the lack of substance in the relationship, as the singer realizes that the love they believed in was never truly present. The empty talk and lack of meaning haunt them, leaving them stuck, staring at the ceiling, contemplating the aftermath. They reach a point where they are finally over their ex, despite initially being blinded by love. The lies told by their partner have finally caught up with them, providing a sense of closure and liberation.
The second verse delves deeper into the dynamics of the relationship, highlighting the power and control their ex had over them. Secrets were exposed and used against them, creating a rollercoaster of emotions where their partner would alternate between being hot and cold. It is implied that the singer has grown tired of this game, ultimately realizing that they are in over their head and ready to move on.
The bridge reveals the passage of time and the frustration of being kept in the dark. While forgiveness may be granted, the scars left by their partner's mistakes cannot be forgotten. The chorus is then repeated, solidifying the singer's resolve to leave the lies and deceit behind and finally move on from the toxic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You called it love but it never had that feeling
You referred to our relationship as love, but it lacked the genuine emotions and connection.
Ripped out my heart and left it bleeding
You hurt me deeply, leaving me emotionally wounded and in pain.
Empty talk, but it never had no meaning
Your words were hollow and insincere; they held no true significance or value.
Stuck here just staring at the ceiling
I find myself trapped and unable to move on, lost in my thoughts and emotions.
Now it's overdue
The time has finally come for me to let go and move forward.
'Cause I'm so over you
I have reached the point of being completely done with you and our relationship.
Call me blind but it was the last time
You may think I'm naive, but this was the final instance where I allowed myself to be fooled.
'Cause all your lies, they just caught up with you
The deceitful words you spoke have finally come back to haunt you.
And all those secrets I told
I confided in you with my deepest secrets and vulnerabilities.
You used to get your control
You took advantage of my openness to gain power and manipulate me.
So hot and then you're so cold
Your behavior towards me was inconsistent and unpredictable, going from passionate to distant.
It's too late, too late, I'm in over my head
It's now beyond the point of no return; I'm deeply entangled in this situation with no easy way out.
All the years that went by
Reflecting on the time that has passed in our relationship.
Kept me in the dark why
You intentionally kept me uninformed and unaware of the truth.
I'll forgive but I won't forget, whoa
Although I may eventually forgive you, I will always remember the pain and betrayal.
Yeah, we all make mistakes
Acknowledging that everyone is capable of making errors.
But yours I just can't shake
Your mistakes and deception have had a lasting impact on me; I can't get past them.
You're now a little too late (whoa)
You have finally realized the consequences of your actions, but it's too late to rectify them.
All your lies, they just caught up with you
The web of lies you tangled yourself in has finally come crashing down on you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Heather Baron-Gracie, Samuel De Jong
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@owagvzman6668
one of the best aesthetically underrated band i've known
@ella.bellaboo
frrr
@paulthomas1992
I love the aesthetic here. Pale Waves are the masters of "awesome look".
@knookjes1
Definitely agree, I can't help but think some inspiration was taken from yonaka's seize the power music video. Especially the blue stage.
@darkclaw3296
I'm LOVING the darker sound! So glad they're back and cannot wait to hear the rest of the album!
@mikeyestrada1674
This ain’t dark this is pop music or more like paramore vibes from 2009
@IamTheWillrus
@Mikey Estrada It's darker than the 80's and 00's pop of the last albums lol
@darkclaw3296
@IamTheWillrus Thank you. That was the point I was going for, I know they'll always have that pop undertone to their sound which I love, "dark" was just the best way I could describe this new sound at the moment, lol. Nothing against Mikey :)
@Markwhite90
@bigbrother no one asked
@paulthomas1992
@bigbrother To each their own, but to say this song lacks a chorus is less a critique and more an indication that you don't know much about basic song structure.