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.

Night Tides
Pearl Charles Lyrics

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Oh lord, I'm living, in the past My future, my future's coming fast I try to keep going, but I know it'll never last 'Cause I'm living, living in the past And it's hard to let go when you're chasing a ghost And the dark runs into the light Almost believed, why couldn't we be, Steady, like tides in the night We could have been right
I wanted something, I wanted it bad I wanted something, I just couldn't have Now that I know, can't give it back The weight, was more, than I could stand
And it's hard to let go when you're chasing a ghost And the dark runs into the light Almost believed, why couldn't we be Steady, like tides in the night We could have been right And it's hard to let go when you're chasing a ghost And the dark runs into the light Almost believed, why couldn't we be The best thing, in our lives
And it's hard to let go when you're chasing a ghost And the dawn is dragging you down Almost believed, why couldn't we be Steady, like tides in the night We could have been right

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Pearl Charles's song "Night Tides" touch upon themes of longing, regret, and the difficulty of moving on from past experiences. The singer reflects on their current state of living in the past, acknowledging that while they try to keep going, they know deep down that it is unsustainable. The phrase "living, living in the past" emphasizes the singer's inability to fully let go and move forward.

The mention of "chasing a ghost" suggests that the singer is pursuing something or someone from their past, perhaps a love or a lost opportunity. They find it challenging to let go of this pursuit, as it continues to consume their thoughts and emotions. The line "And the dark runs into the light" implies that the singer's obsession with the past is interfering with their ability to see clearly or find resolution.

The lyrics also express the singer's desire for something they couldn't have. They wanted it so badly, but now that they have gained knowledge or perspective, they realize they cannot reclaim what they desired. The weight of this realization becomes overwhelming, possibly indicating that the consequences or emotional burden of their desires were greater than they initially anticipated.

The repetition of the line "And it's hard to let go when you're chasing a ghost" throughout the song further emphasizes the difficulty in moving on. The singer compares their situation to the ebb and flow of tides in the night, suggesting that they could have been stable and secure if circumstances had been different. The regret of not being able to achieve what they hoped for is evident in the lines "We could have been right" and "The best thing, in our lives."

Overall, "Night Tides" conveys a sense of vulnerability and yearning for a different outcome. The singer's struggle to let go of the past and the accompanying sense of regret are central to the song's emotional depth.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh lord, I'm living, in the past
I am currently stuck dwelling on past experiences and unable to move forward.

My future, my future's coming fast
Despite living in the past, I am aware that the future is approaching quickly.

I try to keep going, but I know it'll never last
Although I make an effort to move forward, I understand that this attempt is only temporary.

'Cause I'm living, living in the past
The reason I am unable to let go is because I am fully immersed in the past.

And it's hard to let go when you're chasing a ghost
When you are relentlessly pursuing something or someone that no longer exists, it becomes challenging to move on.

And the dark runs into the light
The emotional darkness I feel eventually intertwines with moments of hope and brightness.

Almost believed, why couldn't we be, steady, like tides in the night
There was a fleeting hope that we could have maintained a consistent and stable relationship, like the predictable movements of tides during the night.

We could have been right
There was potential for our relationship to be successful and fulfilling.

I wanted something, I wanted it bad
There was a strong desire within me to attain or achieve something.

I wanted something, I just couldn't have
Despite my intense longing, I realized that the thing I desired was unattainable.

Now that I know, can't give it back
Having gained knowledge about the unattainable aspect, I am unable to reverse my understanding or situation.

The weight, was more, than I could stand
The burden or heaviness of the situation became overpowering and beyond what I could bear.

And the dawn is dragging you down
As the morning arrives, it brings a sense of weariness and pulls me further into a state of melancholy.

The best thing, in our lives
This relationship or connection was the most significant and valuable aspect of our lives.

Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Stephan McBean, Pearl Charles

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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