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.
You Don't Own Me
Pale Waves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And no one night stands for you or they'll think that you're a whore
You better cross your legs 'cause that's not very lady-like
Don't wanna hear your thoughts, don't even start to speak your mind
You don't own me, you don't own me
You don't own me and I'll do whatever I want to
'Cause I'm a psycho but that's fine though
I'll be your biggest mistake
If you keep acting that way
I don't need you, I don't need you
'Cause I'll be whoever I want to
And what makes you think you get your say?
So you better get outta my way
I'll be your biggest mistake
If you keep acting that way
Don't cut your hair too short 'cause it looks better long and straight
Don't make the first move, no, 'cause dignity will always wait
Just learn to bite your tongue, were you not taught when you were young?
Don't show too much skin, don't even start to speak your mind
You don't own me, you don't own me
You don't own me and I'll do whatever I want to
'Cause I'm a psycho but that's fine though
So you better get outta my way
I'll be your biggest mistake
If you keep acting that way
I don't need you, I don't need you
'Cause I'll be whoever I want to
And what makes you think you get your say?
So you better get outta my way
I'll be your biggest mistake
If you keep acting that way
I'd rather pull out my teeth
Than be what you want me to be
I know it's hard to believe
You don't own me
You don't own me, you don't own me
You don't own me and I'll do whatever I want to
'Cause I'm a psycho but that's fine though
So you better get outta my way
I'll be your biggest mistake
If you keep acting that way
I'd rather pull out my teeth (don't need you, don't need you)
'Cause I'll be whoever I want to
Then be what you want me to be (what makes you think you get your say?)
So you better get outta my way
I know it's hard to believe
If you keep acting that way
You don't own me
Pale Waves’s song “You Don’t Own Me” is an iconic ballad on self-ownership and empowerment. The lyrics paint a picture of a society where women are told what to do, how to behave, and how to look. The first verse sets the tone, shaming women for not smiling and labeling them whores if they engage in one night stands. The song is a reaction to the societal stereotype that women should be meek, polite, and obedient. The second verse tells women not to make moves and wait for a man to approach them. However, the chorus is a powerful message of defiance. The singer of the song declares that she doesn’t need anyone’s permission to be who she wants to be. She rejects the idea of conformity and sets her own rules.
The lyrics of this song remind listeners that staying true to oneself is more important than conforming to societal expectations. Pale Waves stresses that everyone has the right to make their own choices and is not obliged to follow someone else's rules or opinions. The singer is proud to be different and is not afraid to be labeled as a "psycho" by society. The line, "I'd rather pull out my teeth than be what you want me to be," symbolizes the pain people are willing to endure to stay true to themselves.
In conclusion, Pale Waves’s song “You Don’t Own Me” is a powerful ballad about self-ownership and empowerment that encourages people to be true to themselves and reject societal expectations. The chorus is a reminder that everyone has the right to be their own person and that conformity shouldn't be the only option.
Line by Line Meaning
A pretty face like yours should really learn to smile more
Society expects you to be physically attractive and always happy, even if it's not genuine.
And no one night stands for you or they'll think that you're a whore
Society judges women who have sex casually and labels them with derogatory terms.
You better cross your legs 'cause that's not very lady-like
Society imposes sexist double standards on women's behavior and appearance.
Don't wanna hear your thoughts, don't even start to speak your mind
Society expects women to stay quiet and passive, without expressing their own opinions and feelings.
You don't own me, you don't own me
No one has control over me and my life choices, especially not men or societal norms.
You don't own me and I'll do whatever I want to
I have my own agency and free will, and no one can stop me from pursuing my desires and dreams.
'Cause I'm a psycho but that's fine though
I embrace my uniqueness and quirks, even if they deviate from societal norms and expectations.
So you better get outta my way
I won't let anyone stand in the way of my dreams and aspirations, no matter what criticisms or obstacles I face.
I'll be your biggest mistake
Those who try to control or judge me will regret underestimating my strength, determination, and resilience.
If you keep acting that way
Continued disrespect, discrimination, or oppression towards me will only fuel my fire to fight back and overcome the status quo.
I don't need you, I don't need you
I don't depend on anyone else's approval, validation, or permission to be myself and pursue my happiness.
'Cause I'll be whoever I want to
I am not defined by anyone else's expectations or stereotypes, and I have the power to shape my own identity and destiny.
And what makes you think you get your say?
I refuse to give anyone else the authority to dictate my life choices or impose their own values and beliefs on me without my consent.
Don't cut your hair too short 'cause it looks better long and straight
Society tries to dictate women's appearance and beauty standards based on patriarchal and outdated norms.
Don't make the first move, no, 'cause dignity will always wait
Society expects women to be passive and submissive in romantic relationships, as if initiating and pursuing love is beneath their dignity.
Just learn to bite your tongue, were you not taught when you were young?
Society teaches women to suppress their own voices and opinions, and prioritize pleasing others at the cost of their own happiness and fulfillment.
Don't show too much skin, don't even start to speak your mind
Society polices women's bodies and behavior, imposing arbitrary and sexist norms on how they dress and express themselves.
I'd rather pull out my teeth
I would rather suffer physical pain and discomfort than conform to societal expectations that oppress and limit me.
Than be what you want me to be
I refuse to compromise my own identity and aspirations for the sake of conformity or approval from others who don't respect me.
I know it's hard to believe
I understand that my rejection of societal norms and expectations may challenge people's preconceived notions and biases about women's roles and behaviors.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Heather Baron-Gracie, Sam De Jong
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
an_ne 1
LYRICS:
A pretty face like yours
Should really learn to smile more
And no one-night stands for you
Or they'll think that you're a whore
You better cross your legs
'Cos that's not very ladylike
Don't wanna hear your thoughts
Don't even start to speak your mind
[Chorus]
You don't own me
You don't own me
You don't own me
And I'll do whatever I want to
'Cos I'm a psycho
But that's fine though
So you better get out of my way
I'll be your biggest mistake
If you keep acting that way
I don't need you
I don't need you
'Cos I'll be whoever I want to
And what makes you think
You get your say?
So you better get out of my way
I'll be your biggest mistake
If you keep acting that way
[Verse 2]
Don't cut your hair too short
'Cos it looks better long and straight
Don't make the first move, no
'Cos dignity will always wait
Just learn to bite your tongue
Were you not taught when you were young?
Don't show too much skin
Don't even start to speak your mind
[Chorus]
You don't own me
You don't own me
You don't own me
And I'll do whatever I want to
'Cos I'm a psycho
But that's fine though
So you better get out of my way
I'll be your biggest mistake
If you keep acting that way
I don't need you
I don't need you
'Cos I'll be whoever I want to
And what makes you think
You get your say?
So you better get out of my way
I'll be your biggest mistake
If you keep acting that way
[Bridge]
I'd rather pull out my teeth
Than be what you want me to be
I know it's hard to believe
You don't own me
[Chorus]
You don't own me
You don't own me
You don't own me
And I'll do whatever I want to
'Cos I'm a psycho
But that's fine though
So you better get out of my way
I'll be your biggest mistake
If you keep acting that way
[Outro]
I'd rather pull out my teeth
(I don't need you, I don't need you 'cause I'll be whoever I want to)
Than be what you want me to be
(And what makes you think you get your say? So you better get out of my way)
I know it's hard to believe
(I'll be your biggest mistake if you keep acting that way)
You don't own me
Pickle_Ice_Cream
The stylist deserves a raise. Everyone looks so good here!
David Arriaga
Honestly tho they look great
Megan Hope
it was Heather's girlfriend! she did such a good job :)
mymindmakesnoises
Kelsi Luck
Ashnotfound
@Megan Hope Heather and Ciara also contributed to styling but yes Kels was the main stylist :D
nola !
agree 😌
ILUVPost-Hardcore 420
This sounds like something that could've came out around 2002 - 2005
Jane Doe
@ILUVPost-Hardcore 420...
That's exactly 100% what I was thinking. It made me stop and go wait..... what year was this? 2021 Seriously?🤯
Beaucoup Spaceship
I was about to comment the same opinion, lol. It's so early noughties and the nostalgia is just so damn comfortable!
D H
And thats how i know im getting old, sounds I grew up to are actually coming back. It's a bittersweet thing to be honest