Yorn started as a drummer who also played guitar. In 1990, he was drumming for his band in a high school talent contest when someone suggested he sing the Replacements song "Talent Show." That went over so well, a competing band asked him to sing Neil Youngās "Rockin' In the Free World" with them.
He was first recognized when the Farrelly brothers picked "Strange Condition" for their film Me, Myself & Irene.
He has gained increasing popularity following the use of his song "Just Another" on popular WB television show Dawson's Creek.
Another of his songs, Murray was used in the credits of the film Igby Goes Down
The song "Undercover" was used in the first Spiderman movie and appears on the soundtrack.
The song "Lose You" was used in the closing of an episode of House on Fox.
Paradise
Pete Yorn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Play me a song
Sing your heart out
Expecting the sun
I got what I wanted and it wasn't enough
I got what I wanted when you showed up
I got what I wanted and it's never enough
I drove out to the white trash beach
On a brief vacation
I'd felt freer than I had in a long time
I wondered if it's cause you were gone
I got what I wanted when you showed up
I got what I wanted and it's wasn't enough
I got what I wanted when you showed up
I got what I wanted and it's never enough
Surfers protect the actors from flashers
Fathers and sons talk it out like brothers
The water doesn't sting as much in the summer
The waves can carry you home
To the girl with the shapes and another life
A freckled complexion and squinting eyes
You want so much to tell her but it feels like a lie
I got what I wanted and it's wasn't enough
I got what I wanted when you showed up
I got what I wanted and it's never enough, never enough
When you talk it makes me cringe
You want so bad to have meaning
But you're empty and draining You're so 4th street
I can't take it
I know I shouldn't care
But you're life's intersecting where mine's disconnecting
But you're life's intersecting where mine's disconnecting
I got what I wanted when you showed up
I got what I wanted and it's wasn't enough
I got what I want when you showed up
I got what I wanted and it's never enough, never enough
That could be bad for u both
The song Paradise by Pete Yorn is a reflective ballad that explores the ambiguity of desire and the nature of satisfaction. The singer begins by asking for a song to be played, and then sings about getting what he wanted, yet still feeling unfulfilled. He discusses his experience at a beach, where he felt free, but wonders if it's because the person he desired was absent. The chorus is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the fact that despite obtaining what he asked for, it was never enough.
The lyrics take a turn in the second half of the song, when the singer addresses someone who makes him cringe when they speak, saying they want so badly to have meaning, but are empty and draining. He compares this person to 4th street, an area known for its chaos and disorder. The final lines of the song reveal that the singer's life is disconnecting while the other person's is intersecting, which could be bad for them both.
Overall, the song seems to be about the paradox of desire, where obtaining what we want is never enough, and about the challenges of human connection and communication. The beach setting and surf culture references may speak to the idea of a pursuit for carefree, liberating experiences that also involve risks and limitations.
Line by Line Meaning
Play me a song
Requesting someone to sing a heartfelt melody
Play me a song
Reiterating the previous line
Sing your heart out
Encouraging the singer to put their emotions into the song
Expecting the sun
Anticipating positive outcomes
I got what I wanted and it wasn't enough
Despite achieving a goal, it didn't bring satisfaction
I got what I wanted when you showed up
Being fulfilled by the presence of someone special
I got what I wanted and it's never enough
Although desires are met, the thirst for more remains insatiable
I drove out to the white trash beach
Escaping to a place free from judgment
On a brief vacation
Taking a momentary break from reality
I'd felt freer than I had in a long time
Feeling liberated after a long period of captivity
I wondered if it's cause you were gone
Contemplating why being away from someone could be beneficial
Surfers protect the actors from flashers
Drawing a comparison between two seemingly unrelated groups
Fathers and sons talk it out like brothers
Highlighting the importance of healthy communication between family members
The water doesn't sting as much in the summer
Pointing out the positive changes that come with a new season
The waves can carry you home
Suggesting that the ocean has a therapeutic quality
To the girl with the shapes and another life
Addressing an individual that has qualities that one wishes they possessed
A freckled complexion and squinting eyes
Describing physical attributes of the previously mentioned individual
You want so much to tell her but it feels like a lie
Desiring to be honest, but feeling like it would be insincere
When you talk it makes me cringe
Feeling uncomfortable with someone's conversation
You want so bad to have meaning
Recognizing that someone yearns to be purposeful
But you're empty and draining
Perceiving someone as shallow and tiring
You're so 4th street
Making a reference to someone that is mundane or unexciting
I can't take it
Expressing frustration and exhaustion
I know I shouldn't care
Acknowledging that it isn't rational to feel concerned
But you're life's intersecting where mine's disconnecting
Noticing the contrast between two paths
I got what I wanted when you showed up
Repeating a previous line
I got what I wanted and it's wasn't enough
Repeating a previous line
I got what I want when you showed up
Repeating a previous line
I got what I wanted and it's never enough, never enough
Repeating a previous line
That could be bad for u both
N/A
Lyrics Ā© O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@norasanchez2348
Love Pete's music and I like it even more when Ms Johansson sings with him, pretty cool pairš
@calebholland1675
Petes finest hour. Song is such a gift.
@jasonmuhsmann5670
I still love this song!
@troylinder7448
Love this music every since I heard strange condition. 2005. On the album music for morning after.
@chiefdryno
I've had my BlackBerry Playbook for 2years now and I finally decided to check out this singer and song lol. Pretty good music.
@LunarNoire
Years later and I STILL love this song after hearing it in Hollister.
@lisaannwilson8516
So amazing - never disappoints
@ericrobert5296
Greatest song ever made, in my humble opinion. Pete, letās trade shirts (Kaboo Fest 2017) šš
@PeterLucibelli
his words knock me out, great writer for sure.
@michelecha
Great photos! Love you Pete!