Pauline Henry The Chimes; U2's Bono said of her version that someone has sung it properly

Pauline Henry tells the story behind The Chimes’ “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”—and her fight to be recognised as more than the voice of the band.

In this revealing conversation with Steve Blame, Pauline explains how a television performance became the celebrated U2 cover, why the gospel choir inspired her interpretation, and what Bono’s praise meant to her.

Her story reaches far beyond that record. She recalls childhood in Jamaica, her family’s experiences of racism in Britain, discovering her voice while working in a hair salon, and auditioning for The Chimes over the telephone.

Pauline shares her account of tensions within the group, the split and her move into a solo career. She also explains how studying law and intellectual property changed her understanding of the music business—and recalls the moment she fought for an equal share of the songwriting.

An honest conversation about talent, resilience, self-respect and finding happiness beyond fame.

This is an archive interview. References to her book, forthcoming releases and performances reflect the time of recording.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and interview highlights
02:18 Meeting Pauline Henry
02:31 Childhood in Jamaica and her family’s early experiences
07:06 The traumatic voyage back to Jamaica
12:24 Living with childhood trauma
13:07 Finding love and security with her grandparents
14:27 Britain’s promise and the reality of racism
17:24 Recognising discrimination and changing attitudes
19:07 How the Jamaican community supported one another
22:39 Singing, imagination and discovering a calling
24:34 The holiday that inspired her music career
26:40 Faith, kindness and spirituality
28:14 Shirley Bassey and seeing a possible future
29:35 The hair salon that helped her find her voice
31:39 Marilyn, early opportunities and colourism
36:36 Rejection at her first audition
38:49 Leee John and the creative world of the salon
40:06 Drive, astrology and her father’s influence
45:02 Introducing the story of The Chimes
45:51 The telephone audition
47:21 Meeting Mike Peden and James Locke
50:33 Returning to the band and finding support
52:50 Demanding respect as an artist
54:46 The Chimes’ early singles
55:08 How the U2 cover came about
57:04 Interpreting the song and understanding Bono’s praise
59:52 Why Pauline was never starstruck
1:02:43 Fame, privacy and the relief of ordinary life
1:05:14 The song’s lasting impact and Lisa Stansfield
1:07:40 Pauline’s account of The Chimes’ split
1:08:53 Studio pressure and the label’s intervention
1:10:28 Training her voice and proving herself
1:11:23 A solo deal and unfinished Chimes material
1:13:47 Motherhood, studying law and training as a chef
1:17:15 Intellectual property: another route into music
1:19:21 Why she paused the path to becoming a barrister
1:20:25 Fighting for an equal songwriting share
1:23:58 Finding happiness beyond the industry
1:26:25 Closing thoughts and farewell

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