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.
Red
Pale Waves Lyrics
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I wanna know what you feel like
Tell me what you feel like
You haven't left my mind
Trust me that I've tried and I've tried, I've tried
At the hotel I met you for a drink
And after two or three you were all over me, all over me
And we sat in the same place doing impressions of each other
Oh no, baby are we gonna make it this time?
I always take hearts that shouldn't be mine, be mine
Slow down baby, are we gonna make it alive?
You've got a face that I always recognise
Always recognise
And you laughed at my crooked teeth
But you said that they suited me
And you pay attention to everything
And I know what your friends would say
Oh, it doesn't matter they're all in love with me anyway
Oh no, baby are we gonna make it this time?
I always take hearts that shouldn't be mine, be mine
Slow down baby, are we gonna make it alive?
You've got a face that I always recognise
Always recognise
Oh, and I know red's your favourite colour
Oh, and I know red's your favourite colour
I just wanna know
Oh no, baby are we gonna make it this time?
I always take hearts that shouldn't be mine, be mine
Slow down baby, are we gonna make it alive?
You've got a face that I always recognise
Always recognise
Oh, and I know red's your favourite colour
Oh, and I know red's your favourite colour
(Your favourite colour)
The lyrics to Pale Waves' song "Red" suggest that the singer is interested in getting to know someone intimately. They sit side by side, and the singer wants to know what it would feel like to touch the other person. The singer admits that this other person hasn't left their mind, despite trying to forget about them. The two strangers met at a hotel, and after a couple of drinks, the other person was all over the singer. The chorus repeats the question of whether or not their relationship is going to make it this time. The singer tends to take hearts that are not theirs, and the other person has a recognizable face. The song concludes with the mention that red is the other person's favorite color, leaving the listener to imagine what that could represent.
One interpretation of the lyrics could be that the singer is seeking a deeper connection with the other person but is unsure if they will be able to sustain a relationship. The references to hearts that shouldn't be taken and recognition of the other person's face suggest that the singer may have a history of falling for people they shouldn't or may have a hard time committing long-term. The fact that they remember small details, such as the other person's love for the color red and the impressions they exchanged, suggests that they are invested in knowing the other person as much as possible.
Line by Line Meaning
We sit side by side
We are sitting next to each other.
I wanna know what you feel like
I want to know the sensation you are experiencing.
Tell me what you feel like
Inform me about your feeling and emotions.
You haven't left my mind
You are constantly on my mind.
Trust me that I've tried and I've tried, I've tried
Believe me when I say that I have repeatedly made an effort.
At the hotel I met you for a drink
I encountered you at the hotel for a beverage.
And after two or three you were all over me, all over me
Once you had two or three drinks, you paid a lot of attention to me.
Oh, and I know red's your favourite colour
I am aware that the hue red is your favourite.
And we sat in the same place doing impressions of each other
We remained in the same spot creating a mockery of each other.
Oh no, baby are we gonna make it this time?
I am doubtful about our relationship lasting.
I always take hearts that shouldn't be mine, be mine
I am accustomed to acquiring hearts that are not meant for me.
Slow down baby, are we gonna make it alive?
Take it easy, are we going to survive this relationship?
You've got a face that I always recognize
I am familiar with your face.
Always recognize
I continuously acknowledge you.
And you laughed at my crooked teeth
You found my uneven teeth amusing.
But you said that they suited me
You claimed that my teeth complemented me.
And you pay attention to everything
You pay attention to every detail.
And I know what your friends would say
I am aware of what your friends would say.
Oh, it doesn't matter they're all in love with me anyway
It doesn't matter since all of them are in love with me anyway.
Oh, and I know red's your favourite colour
I am aware that red is your favourite colour.
I just wanna know
I want to be informed.
Your favourite colour
The hue that you prefer the most.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ciara Louise Doran, Heather Patricia Baron-Gracie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind