Pamela Means is a Boston-based Out (spoken), Biracial indie folk artist who… Read Full Bio ↴Pamela Means is a Boston-based Out (spoken), Biracial indie folk artist whose "kamikaze guitar style" and punchy provocative songs have worn a hole in her guitar. Armed with razor wit poetry and irresistable charm, Pamela Means' "stark, defiant songs" (New York Times Magazine) set the status quo and the stage afire.

Pamela Means' many honors include being named Falcon Ridge Folk Festival's #1 "Most Wanted New Artist", and both Wisconsin's "Folk Artist of the Year", and "Female Vocalist of the Year". Pamela has also been a Boston Music Award Nominee ("Outstanding Contemporary Folk Artist").

Currently, Pamela performs over 150 shows a year at clubs, coffeehouses, colleges, and festivals across the country, most notably the Newport Folk Festival, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, South by Southwest Conference, Southern Womyn's Fest, and Michigan Womyn's Festival. Pamela is also a favorite at innumerable regional Gay Pride events, Take Back the Night rallies, and Black History Month celebrations. Pamela has shared the stage with artists including Ani DiFranco, Joan Baez, Neil Young, Shawn Colvin, Richie Havens, Patty Larkin, Melissa Ferrick, Violent Femmes, Pete Seeger, Janis Ian, and Holly Near.

Pamela's 2003 summer tour took her nationwide, promoting her fifth self-released album, Single Bullet Theory (Wirl Records, 2003), in which "...Means fires off what is easily one of the best musical summanations of our current political situation.." (Bay Area Reporter, San Francisco, CA)

Quoting her inspiration, Warrior Poet Audre Lorde, Pamela asks "I am myself- a Black woman warrior poet doing my work- come to ask you, are you doing yours?" With Truth as ammunition, a Pamela Means performance brings the fight for social justice and human dignity to the forefront of a new generation..

IF I WERE
Pamela Means Lyrics

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If i were a painter a painter of design i'd roll you in my flower base and drink you up like wine if i were a telescope looking over land high and low my gaze would go until i found your hand
If i were if i were
If i were a baker i'd bake a loaf of bread but all i need sustaining me is the word inside my head if i had the power to bring you joy inside i'd take away the bitterness and fill you up with pride
If i were if i were
If i were a seamstress sewing golden thread i'd wear you like a cloak and place a crown upon your head if i were a painter a painter of design i'd roll you in my flower base and drink you up like wine
If i were if i were

Overall Meaning

In Pamela Means’ song "If I Were," the artist talks about what she would do if she had certain talents, such as being a painter, a telescope, a baker, or a seamstress. The lyrics depict how the artist would use her talents to make her loved one feel special and cherished. If she were a painter, she would roll her loved one in her flower base and enjoy her like wine. If she were a telescope, she would never stop searching until she found her loved one's hand. If she were a baker, she would bake her a loaf of bread, but all she needs is to sustain herself is the love inside her head. Lastly, if she were a seamstress, she would sew golden thread to make a cloak and place a crown on her loved one's head.

The song’s lyrics are an expression of the artist's love towards someone special. The relatable message of the song is that if we had special powers and abilities, we would use them to fulfill our loved ones’ wishes and make them happy. Pamela Means expresses that love is not just a feeling but also an action, which inspires every person to do something special for their loved ones. It is the little efforts, thoughtfulness, and care that bring happiness into someone's life.

Line by Line Meaning

If i were a painter a painter of design i'd roll you in my flower base and drink you up like wine
If I had the ability to paint, I would create an image of you in my mind and indulge in the sight of you like the sweetest wine.

If i were a telescope looking over land high and low my gaze would go until i found your hand
If I were blessed with a telescope, I would scan the vast landscape relentlessly until I recognized the significance of your presence.

If i were a baker i'd bake a loaf of bread but all i need sustaining me is the word inside my head
If I were a baker, I would bake bread for you, but in truth, my sustenance comes from my inner thoughts and feelings.

If i had the power to bring you joy inside i'd take away the bitterness and fill you up with pride
If I could give you happiness, I would eliminate anything causing you pain and boost you with a sense of pride and accomplishment.

If i were a seamstress sewing golden thread i'd wear you like a cloak and place a crown upon your head
If I were skilled at sewing, I would create a garment out of pure gold and drape it over you like a cloak. I would then elevate you to royalty by placing a crown on your head.

If i were if i were
The refrain of the song is a reminder that these potential scenarios are mere fantasies and that the singer is not any of these professions or objects mentioned.

Contributed by Caleb K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS