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.
Television Romance
Pale Waves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Losing their minds
And I'm looking for you, looking for you
I don't even know what I'm doing here
Why won't you just tell me?
'Cause I'd rather be lonely
Your heart's so heavy
You wanna love me
But honey, that ain't okay
You're not so heavenly
And I'm not sure that you're for me
But in the morning, it might just change
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
You and I haven't got it
Television romance
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
You and I haven't got it, got it
Television romance
Now I don't know what to say to you
I feel like you're getting to me
And I know that's what you're into
And your face isn't enough, never enough
To make me stay, stay, oh
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
You and I haven't got it
Television romance
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
You and I haven't got it, got it
Television romance
do you think that you can have me tonight
I think that my, think my heart is alright
And oh baby think that I've got all the time
But in a few hours, I'll be out of my mind
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
You and I haven't got it
Television romance
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
You and I haven't got it, got it
Television romance
Oh, baby, won't you stop it? (Oh, baby, won't you stop it?)
You and I haven't got it (You and I haven't got it)
Television romance
Oh, baby, won't you stop it? (Oh, baby, won't you stop it?)
You and I haven't got it, got it (You and I haven't got it, got it)
Television romance (Television romance)
Television romance
Television romance
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
You and I haven't got it
Television romance
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
You and I haven't got it, got it
Television romance
The song Television Romance by Pale Waves is about a relationship that is built on the unrealistic expectations portrayed in television shows. The singer is surrounded by people who are losing themselves in drugs, and she is desperate to find someone who doesn't succumb to such behaviour. She is looking for someone who will be genuine, but she finds it difficult to decipher her own emotions. Her heart is heavy and strange, and while she wants someone to love her, she's not sure if the person in question is the right match for her. While the singer is searching for love, she is apprehensive about the idea of becoming part of a shallow television romance that will not bring her any real happiness. Despite this, she can't help but feel drawn to the situation because it offers a temporary escape from her lonely reality.
The chorus is repetitive and highlights the main theme of the song. The singer is pleading with her love interest to stop the charade, as they do not have the kind of relationship that is portrayed on television. She is urging him to be real with her, and not to waste her time with superficial displays of romance. While she momentarily falls for the idea of a television romance, she realizes that it's not what she really wants in life. The final lines of the song indicate that she is unsure of what she truly wants, and that she will likely continue to struggle with her emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone's getting so high
There are a lot of people around me who are choosing to engage in substances that alter their state of mind.
Losing their minds
They are acting in ways that may be erratic or not normal for them.
And I'm looking for you, looking for you
I'm trying to find you among all of this chaos.
I don't even know what I'm doing here
I'm feeling lost and unsure in this environment.
Why won't you just tell me?
I need you to communicate openly with me so that I can have a better understanding of this situation.
'Cause I'd rather be lonely
If communication is not possible, then I would prefer to be alone instead.
Your heart's so heavy
You have a lot of emotional burdens that you are carrying around.
Your heart is strange
Your behavior and actions are not consistent with what I would normally expect from you.
You wanna love me
You are expressing interest in starting a romantic relationship with me.
But honey, that ain't okay
However, I am not ready or willing to engage in a romantic relationship with you.
You're not so heavenly
You are not perfect or ideal.
And I'm not sure that you're for me
I am uncertain about whether or not we are compatible.
But in the morning, it might just change
However, in the morning things may look different and my feelings may shift.
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
Please stop trying to pursue a romantic relationship with me.
You and I haven't got it
We do not have a strong enough connection to pursue a romantic relationship.
Television romance
Our interaction feels like a superficial and unrealistic portrayal of a romantic relationship often portrayed on TV.
Now I don't know what to say to you
I am finding it difficult to communicate with you.
I feel like you're getting to me
I'm starting to have feelings for you despite my reservations.
And I know that's what you're into
I'm aware that you desire a romantic relationship with me.
And your face isn't enough, never enough
Your appearance alone is not enough for me to pursue a romantic relationship with you.
To make me stay, stay, oh
I am not willing to stay in this situation with you.
do you think that you can have me tonight
Do you believe that you can engage in a sexual relationship with me tonight?
I think that my, think my heart is alright
I believe that I am emotionally stable or ready for this.
And oh baby think that I've got all the time
I feel like I have enough time to engage in this type of relationship.
But in a few hours, I'll be out of my mind
However, later on, I may regret this decision or feel like I made a mistake.
Television romance
Again, this interaction feels like a superficial and unrealistic portrayal of a romantic relationship often portrayed on TV.
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
Once again, please stop trying to pursue a romantic or sexual relationship with me.
You and I haven't got it
Again, we do not have the necessary connection or chemistry to pursue a romantic or sexual relationship.
Television romance
Once again, our interaction feels like a superficial and unrealistic portrayal of a romantic relationship often portrayed on TV.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ciaran Doran, George Bedford Daniel, Heather Baron-Gracie, Matthew Timothy Healy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cloudy.222
Everyone's getting so high
Losing their minds
And I'm looking for you, looking for you
I don't even know what I'm doing here
Why won't you just tell me?
'Cause I'd rather be lonely
Your heart's so heavy
Your heart is strange
You wanna love me
But honey, that ain't okay
You're not so heavenly
And I'm not sure that you're for me
But in the morning, it might just change
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
You and I haven't got it
Television romance
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
You and I haven't got it, got it
Television romance
Now I don't know what to say to you
I feel like you're getting to me
And I know that's what you're into
And your face isn't enough, never enough
To make me stay, stay, oh
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
You and I haven't got it
Television romance
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
You and I haven't got it, got it
Television romance
do you think that you can have me tonight
I think that my, think my heart is alright
And oh baby think that I've got all the time
But in a few hours, I'll be out of my mind
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
You and I haven't got it
Television romance
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
You and I haven't got it, got it
Television romance
Oh, baby, won't you stop it? (Oh, baby, won't you stop it?)
You and I haven't got it (You and I haven't got it)
Television romance
Oh, baby, won't you stop it? (Oh, baby, won't you stop it?)
You and I haven't got it, got it (You and I haven't got it, got it)
Television romance (Television romance)
Television romance
Television romance
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
You and I haven't got it
Television romance
Oh, baby, won't you stop it?
You and I haven't got it, got it
Television romance
@andreangelomusic
Im listenting to this song for a few years now and still love it.
Everybodys talking about the goth style but ..am i the only one who loves the little complicated rythm of the bassline i love how its played
staccato
And the little variation at the end kicks so much
Without that bassline rythm the song wouldnt be that groovy in my opinion
Im loving it :)
@valk1257
Goth gal: sings something else than goth music
Everyone: confused screaming
@someguy2744
Master Chief: Wait, that's illegal.
@rhyderrek6155
Yes Inquisitor, this comment right here.
@202guitars
They kinda have a cure vibe, and weren’t they one of the first groups to be called “goth”? Goth wasn’t always punk and metal so the look makes sense to me lol
@anthonydallarosa8314
It's very Cure derived but I'll suspend my judgements and give them time. This song is a good jumping off point but they need to fire the mixing engineer and producer asap unless they want to wind up in the "80's revival trash bin".
@Chazwozel1
They literally look and sound like iconic goth band The Cure. You're confusing Industrial Goth with regular Goth sound.
@tonyalvizo
Just found Pale Waves tonight and cant decide if i should turn goth or wear a nice sweater
@Urza.
A nice goth sweater!
@Star-Phantom
Yes
@Ashez418
Nice sweater with goth jacket on top xD