Pacific Palisades

Unreleased.

Ray Charles performed the title song for the French film Pacific Palisades, directed by Bernard Schmitt, with Sophie Marceau and Adam Coleman Howard. The film was released on March 28, 1990.

The film flopped, and didn’t even bring it to a video release. A soundtrack was never released.

The song was written by Michael Jones, and composed by Jean-Jacques Goldman (who knew how to write a blues). Ray Charles didn’t want the song to be released.*

* Remarks made by Joël Dufour. 

Pacific Palisades
Young and tender, still ignore
All that the future has in store
Things become harder some day

Now y’all listen to me!

Just remember
Keep in mind
Love is sometimes so unkind
Don’t let it turn you away

Like when your tears run
On your make-up
Wipe it off!
And put on a new face

Just pick yourself up!
Never give up!

What you want most is behind that palisade
And when you get over the top
That’s where you’ll stay

Don’t be sorry, don’t be shy
Leave your worries far behind
Take what you can from this make

Another drop to fill that cup
Another step to take you up
To put you up far and free

Like when your tears run
On your make-up
I said, wipe it off!
And put on a new face

Did you hear me?
Just pick yourself up!
And never give up!

What you want most is behind that palisade
And when you get over the top,
That’s where you’ll stay

And when you get over the top,
That’s where you’ll stay
Alright, amen