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.
She
Pale Waves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seems so perfect from every point of view
Just one look is more than enough
Makes you believe in something above
But not everything's always as it seems
It's a different story laying beneath
She's cold, she's dark, she's cynical
She's no angel, but she is my religion
Always finding ways to numb the pain
She's mad and she will never change
She's no angel, but she is my religion, religion
Everybody wants to have their taste
I'm no different, I am just the same
But she helped me find a different kinda love
Made me feel like I was finally enough
But there's more going on behind the scenes
She needs this love just as much as me
She's cold, she's dark, she's cynical
She's forever angry at the world
She's no angel, but she is my religion
Always finding ways to numb the pain
She's mad and she will never change
She's no angel, but she is my religion, religion
Religion, religion
Religion, religion
Religion, religion
Religion, religion
She's cold, she's dark, she's cynical
She's forever angry at the world
She's no angel, but she is my religion
Always finding ways to numb the pain
She's mad and she will never change
She's no angel, but she is my religion, religion
The song "She" by Pale Waves explores the idea of looking beyond appearances and recognizing that what may seem perfect on the surface, can have a darker side. The first verse establishes this idea, that the person in question always seems to be perfect, but there is more to it than meets the eye. The chorus then reveals that this person is not as angelic as they may seem, they are cold, dark, and cynical, forever angry at the world. However, the singer acknowledges that this person is their religion, their source of comfort and guidance.
The second verse continues to juxtapose the image of the perfect person with their inner struggles. The singer realizes that they too wanted a taste of this person, but ultimately, they were able to find a different kind of love with them. The bridge confronts the idea that this person needs love just as much as anyone else, despite their tough exterior. The repeated "religion" chant throughout the song highlights the idea that this person is a source of devotion for the singer, but also serves to emphasize how complex and multi-layered this relationship is.
Overall, "She" is a powerful exploration of the complexity of relationships and the importance of looking beyond appearances. It encourages listeners to recognize that everyone has a story, and that even those who may seem perfect on the surface can be struggling on the inside.
Line by Line Meaning
Always lighting up every room
She appears as a bright and positive presence wherever she goes
Seems so perfect from every point of view
She looks flawless and impeccable from an outsider's perspective
Just one look is more than enough
Her mere presence can have a profound impact on others
Makes you believe in something above
She exudes an aura of spirituality and otherworldliness
But not everything's always as it seems
Appearances can be deceiving
It's a different story laying beneath
There's a hidden, complex narrative to her life
She's cold, she's dark, she's cynical
Despite her outward appearance, she is actually jaded and pessimistic
She's forever angry at the world
She harbors intense resentment towards society and the state of the world
She's no angel, but she is my religion
She may not be perfect, but I revere and worship her regardless
Always finding ways to numb the pain
She seeks ways to cope with the emotional pain she experiences
She's mad and she will never change
She is deeply troubled and unlikely to undergo a fundamental transformation
But she helped me find a different kinda love
Despite her personal issues, she helped me discover a new form of love
Made me feel like I was finally enough
Her influence helped me develop a sense of self-worth
But there's more going on behind the scenes
There are hidden factors and complications affecting her behavior
She needs this love just as much as me
She requires love and support as much as I do, if not more so
Religion, religion
The intensity of my reverence for her borders on religious devotion
Religion, religion
My admiration for her is deeply ingrained and unwavering
Religion, religion
My relationship with her transcends traditional concepts of love or friendship
Religion, religion
My belief in her importance to my life is fervent and unshakeable
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Heather Baron-Gracie, Sam De Jong
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind