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 Cove
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 drainingYou'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 lyrics of Pete Yorn's "Paradise Cove" convey a sense of ambiguity and juxtaposition between different emotions and experiences. The opening lines of "Play me a song / Sing your heart out / Expecting the sun" evoke a sense of anticipation and longing, coupled with a certain level of dissatisfaction. The repetition of "I got what I wanted" throughout the song further reinforces this sense of ambivalence, as the fulfillment of desire is accompanied by a feeling of dissatisfaction and the realization that something is still lacking.
The second stanza shifts the focus to a specific location, the "white trash beach" of Paradise Cove, which the singer visits on a brief vacation. The line "I wondered if it's cause you were gone" suggests that the singer is looking for an escape or a sense of liberation, perhaps from a troubled relationship or a feeling of stagnation. The final lines of this stanza - "The waves can carry you home" - suggest that the ocean and the surfers who ride its waves represent a sense of belonging or a way home for the singer.
The third stanza introduces a new character, "the girl with the shapes and another life", who seems to represent a possibility or a potential future. However, the final line "You want so much to tell her but it feels like a lie" suggests that the singer is unable to truly connect with this person or express their true feelings.
The song concludes with a sense of frustration and disconnection, with the lines "When you talk it makes me cringe / You're so 4th street / I can't take it". The juxtaposition of this line with the earlier lines about the ocean and the surfers suggests that the desire for connection and meaning is ultimately unfulfilled.
Overall, "Paradise Cove" is a complex and nuanced exploration of desire, fulfillment, and dissatisfaction, with a sense of ambiguity and open-endedness that leaves the listener with more questions than answers.
Line by Line Meaning
Play me a song
Start playing music for me
Play me a song
Repeat the request for music
Sing your heart out
Perform with passion
Expecting the sun
Anticipating happiness and good times
I got what I wanted and it wasn't enough
The fulfillment of a desire was not satisfying
I got what I wanted when you showed up
The presence of someone brought satisfaction
I got what I wanted and it's never enough
A sense of unfulfilled desire persists
I drove out to the white trash beach
Travelled to a run-down location near the ocean
On a brief vacation
Took a short break from regular life
I'd felt freer than I had in a long time
Felt liberated and unencumbered
I wondered if it's cause you were gone
Speculated that the absence of a person contributed to the feeling of freedom
Surfers protect the actors from flashers
Surfers act as a shield for people being harassed
Fathers and sons talk it out like brothers
Father-son relationships can be close and supportive
The water doesn't sting as much in the summer
Swimming in the ocean is more pleasant when the weather is warm
The waves can carry you home
The ocean has a comforting and therapeutic power
To the girl with the shapes and another life
Addressing a woman with an interesting appearance and different lifestyle
A freckled complexion and squinting eyes
Describing the woman's physical attributes
You want so much to tell her but it feels like a lie
The desire to express something is present but the honesty is in doubt
When you talk it makes me cringe
The speech of an individual produces uncomfortable feelings
You want so bad to have meaning
The person is highly motivated to have significance or purpose
But you're empty and draining
The person lacks substance and takes energy from others
You're so 4th street
There is a negative association with the person's demeanor or style
I can't take it
The behavior or attitude of an individual is intolerable
I know I shouldn't care
Acknowledging an irrational emotional response
But your life's intersecting where mine's disconnecting
Contrasting life situations that are causing emotional discomfort
I got what I wanted when you showed up
The presence of an individual brought satisfaction
I got what I wanted and it's wasn't enough
Fulfillment of a desire did not lead to contentment
I got what I want when you showed up
The presence of an individual brought satisfaction
I got what I wanted and it's never enough, never enough
Continued discontent despite fulfilling desires
Lyrics Ā© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Peter J. Yorn
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!