"Pearl in the Shell" is a song by Howard Jones that was released in 1984. The lyrics depict a story of someone who discovers a precious "pearl" or opportunity that has been right in front of them all along. However, due to fear and doubt, they have been unable to seize this opportunity and make use of it. The lyrics suggest that the fear and tears mentioned are holding this person back from taking action. The repetition of "And the fear goes on shadows, And the tear flows on for nothing" emphasizes the idea that these negative emotions are prolonged and unnecessary. The line "Under his nose was a dream come true, Been there all the time and he almost knew" implies that this opportunity has been present in the person's life, but they have failed to recognize it. It suggests that they may have had a feeling that something significant was within their reach, but have not fully understood or pursued it. The lyrics also mention how the person's thoughts of others in unfortunate situations have prevented them from fully embracing their own potential. They have neglected their own duty to make use of the opportunity because they have placed too much focus on the struggles of others. This is expressed in the line "Thoughts of people in misfortune stopped him doing things well, His duty was to use it - left his pearl in the shell." Overall, "Pearl in the Shell" is a song that conveys a message about embracing opportunities and not allowing fear, doubt, or concern for others to hold us back from realizing our own dreams and potential. It serves as a reminder to seize the opportunities that come our way and not leave our "pearls" hidden and unexploited.
