Charlene and I've never been to me

[pray4amy]

Hi,

Thank you for all your help. Thank you in advance... :)

Is this how to pronounce Charlene as singer Charlene ---> shar Leen?

And, what does "I've never been to me?" (Her song's title) really mean?

Sometimes, I heard people say that 'I haven't been myself lately.' My understanding to this is "I can't fully concentrate. I can't pull myself together... etc" (or am I close to undesrtand this?)

However, this "I've never been to me." bugs me...

Again, my guess is this: "I have never been true to myself."

(the first 2 parts of her lyrics are listed below) this is tough to me.

Hey lady, you lady
Cursing at your life
You're a discontented mother
And a regimented wife
I have no doubt
You dream about the things you never do
But I wish someone had talked to me like I wanna talk to you

Oh, I've been to Georgia and California and anywhere I could run
Took the hand of a preacher man
And we made love in the sun
But I ran out of places and friendly faces
Because I had to be free
I've been to paradise but I've never been to me...

Thank you very much, teachers.

[Ouisch]

You are correct, the singer pronounces her name "shar-LEEN."

Here is the singer's interpretation of the song: I've Never Been To Me

[curmudgeon]

I think it means she has never found her 'self' i.e her true self remains undiscovered, although she has done many things in her life

[pray4amy]

I got it.

"I've been to paradise but I've never been to me"... Literally, she had been to many places (even paradise) & done many things (bad ones too)... but she has never been (visited & found) herself... I like this interpretation.. (Thank you Curmudgeon).

I love disecting songs but it is hard when I don't think I have the kind of background.

Thank you (Ouisch) for the website. It's interesting to learn about the singer's point of view.

I even found the YOUTube's Charlene clip.
YouTube - Charlene - I've Never Been To Me (Live on Mornings)

Enjoy... And, thanks a lot.