Pearl Charles (born May 11, 1991) is an American singer-songwriter from Los… Read Full Bio ↴Pearl Charles (born May 11, 1991) is an American singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, CA. She aims to embody California rock and roll and, as a figure in the local music scene (and beyond) she began touring as a member of old-timey Americana duo The Driftwood Singers, at age 18, followed by a lengthy stint drumming and singing in garage-pop band, The Blank Tapes. The Blank Tapes toured extensively and earned accolades from Rolling Stone and The New Yorker for their sunny lo-fi surf rock. Along the way, Pearl collaborated with artists such as Jonathan Wilson, Stephen McBean (Black Mountain), Farmer Dave Scher (Beachwood Sparks) and Johnathan Rice and toured extensively internationally supporting diverse artists such as Father John Misty, Matt Costa, Thee Oh Sees, Kim Deal, The Growlers, Allah Las and Mystic Braves to name a few, as well as earning a BFA in Music from CalArts.

Embarking on a solo career in 2015, Pearl is set to solidify her own name and place by releasing a 6 song debut EP on Burger Records this summer. Pearl recorded her self-titled EP track by track with a select group of producers and a little help from her friends, many of whom are notable L.A. musicians in their own right including Joel Jerome (La Sera, Cherry Glazerr) and Taylor Locke (Rooney). Though she draws inspiration from the legendary scenes of the 60's and 70's, from Laurel Canyon to The Factory, from Haight-Ashbury to Muscle Shoals, she also counts contemporary artists amongst her influences such as Tame Impala, Mac DeMarco, Sharon Van Etten and Jenny Lewis, to name a few. Pearl Charles writes and sings songs with a distinctly unique voice, creating a sound that is both timeless yet undeniably here, now.

I Run So Far
Pearl Charles Lyrics

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I run so far
I could hardly breathe in
I cried so hard
I could hardly see
And I run to the river
But the river run dry
I keep running
But I don't know why

So tell me tell me tell me all your secrets
Tell me tell me tell me I can keep it
Keep em to myself
Won't tell nobody else

I run so far
Spirit my guard
Sound drifting by
Tryna catch the fire
And I run to the river
But the river run dry
I keep running
But I don't know why

So tell me tell me tell me all your secrets
Tell me tell me tell me I can keep it
I run so far, I run so far

So tell me tell me tell me all your secrets
Tell me tell me tell me I can keep it
Keep it to myself
Won't tell nobody else

(chorus repeats until end)

Overall Meaning

In "I Run So Far," Pearl Charles sings about a sense of desperation and running away from something, but not knowing where to go. She describes feeling suffocated and overwhelmed to the point where she can hardly breathe or see. The river she runs to as a symbol of escape and renewal is also "run dry," adding to the sense of hopelessness. In the chorus, Charles asks someone to confide in her and tell her their secrets, implying a need for connection or distraction from her own troubles.

The lyrics suggest a struggle with mental health issues or personal demons, as the act of running away is a common coping mechanism. However, the repetition of "I don't know why" and the lack of resolution or closure in the song's structure also acknowledge the difficulties of confronting or resolving those issues.

Overall, "I Run So Far" is a haunting and evocative song that captures the feeling of being lost and searching for answers in a way that is both relatable and emotionally resonant.

Line by Line Meaning

I run so far
I have traveled a long distance on foot

I could hardly breathe in
I was so fatigued that my breathing was labored

I cried so hard
I wept intensely

I could hardly see
I was crying so much that my vision was obstructed

And I run to the river
I sought the nearby river for solace and healing

But the river run dry
The river was also deprived of sustenance and held no healing powers

I keep running
I persist in moving forward

But I don't know why
I am uncertain of my motivation for continuing to run

So tell me tell me tell me all your secrets
Please confide in me and share your most guarded thoughts and feelings

Tell me tell me tell me I can keep it
Assure me that I may keep your secrets confidential

Keep em to myself
I will not betray your trust and will keep your secrets solely to myself