“Pearl Necklace” is a song by ZZ Top from their album “El Loco,” released on July 20, 1981. The song is known for its bluesy hard rock style, which is characteristic of ZZ Top’s music. As with many rock songs, the meaning of the lyrics can be subject to interpretation, but here is a summarized table of the possible meaning of each verse:
| Verse | Meaning |
|---|---|
| [Verse 1] She’s really upset with me again I didn’t give her what she likes I don’t know what to tell her Don’t know what to say Everything got funky last night | The speaker’s partner is upset with them because they didn’t provide what she desired. The speaker is unsure of how to handle the situation, and things got wild the previous night. |
| [Chorus] She was really bombed And I was really blown away And when I asked her what she wanted And this is what she had to say A pearl necklace She want a pearl necklace She want a pearl necklace | Both the speaker and their partner were heavily intoxicated, and when the speaker asked her what she wanted, she mentioned wanting a “pearl necklace,” which could be interpreted as a double entendre, referring to both a piece of jewelry and a sexual act. |
| [Verse 2] She gets a charge out of being so weird Digs getting downright strange But I can keep a handle on anything Just this side of deranged | The partner enjoys being eccentric and bizarre, but the speaker feels they can manage and tolerate her quirkiness as long as it doesn’t cross into complete madness. |
| [Chorus] She was gettin’ bombed And I was gettin’ blown away And she knew it in her head And this is what she had to say A pearl necklace She want a pearl necklace She want a pearl necklace She want a pearl necklace You might also like Sharp Dressed Man ZZ Top I Wanna Drive You Home ZZ Top Just Got Paid ZZ Top | The same chorus repeats, highlighting the partner’s intoxication and her desire for a “pearl necklace.” |
| [Verse 3] She is so tough And pure as the driven slush And that’s not jewelry she’s talking ’bout It really don’t cost that much | The partner is described as tough and somewhat impure, and the speaker clarifies that she’s not talking about actual jewelry, as it doesn’t cost much. The implication remains on the double entendre and sexual innuendo. |
| [Chorus] She was gettin’ bombed And I was gettin’ blown away And she knew it in her head And this is what she had to say A pearl necklace She want a pearl necklace She want a pearl necklace She want a pearl necklace | The final chorus reiterates the partner’s intoxication and her desire for a “pearl necklace.” |
The song “Pearl Necklace” by ZZ Top is known for its playful and suggestive lyrics, using double entendres related to jewelry and sexual acts. The verses depict the dynamics of a relationship where the partner is upset, and the chorus emphasizes the intoxication and the desire for a “pearl necklace.” The term “pearl necklace” is used figuratively throughout the song to symbolize the woman’s sexual desire.
