Raised in Connecticut, Pureka is said to have begun writing songs at the age of eight; by 16 they were playing the guitar. Following performances at local coffee houses and open mics, they began opening shows for such artists as Erin McKeown and Pamela Means while completing a degree in biology at Wesleyan University. After graduating, they worked in a microbiology research lab at Smith College in Northampton, eventually leaving to focus on their music full-time. In June 2001, they recorded a self-titled seven-song EP in preparation for a three-month nationwide tour with lesbian folk poet Alix Olson.
In 2004, Pureka released Driving North, their first full-length album, earning rave reviews from fans and fellow artists alike. In 2006, they released Dryland, and toured the US a second time as a headlining act. In May 2007, Pureka was a member of the month-long New American Songwriter Tour in New York City, Philadelphia, and Massachusetts. The tour also featured Krystle Warren, Jesse Harris and Ryan Scott. In July 2007, Pureka's song, "Swann Song" won 1st Place in the Acoustic competition on the independent music site OurStage.com.
In October 2007, Pureka was nominated for 2007's Outstanding Folk Act by the Boston Music Awards. They were also awarded an ASCAPLUS award in the summer of 2007.
Pureka is the founder of their label, Sad Rabbit Music. As well as their own releases, they have lent their vocals and guitar playing to several tracks by artists like Olson and Arjuna Greist; a notable track is "Checking My Pulse" with Olson, which went on to become a relative hit for Olson.
Pureka identifies as genderqueer and cultivates an androgynous appearance. They have received positive reviews in the long-running radical feminist publication off our backs and other magazines. Pureka's music does not deal explicitly with LGBT issues, focusing instead on emotional interactions between individuals.
On January 20, 2009, Pureka released a fourth album, an EP entitled Chimera. In April 2010, Pureka released their fifth album, How I Learned To See In The Dark
www.chrispureka.com
Burning Bridges
Chris Pureka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And allowing time to pass
This is a story of forgiveness
And breaking things in my hands
This is a story of understanding
You can't choose who you love
And this is a story of soft skin
And rats in the walls
Well you can't just pass along
The pain that comes around
You'll go dizzy until you fall
And I know you didn't mean to let me down
But you let me down so hard
This is a story of loaded glances
And leaning in too far
This is a story of vague advances
And confessions in smoky bars
So now I am walking down the sidewalk
And I am singing to myself
And I'm going to leave it all behind me now
'cause I don't need this,
I just don't need this
And you can't...
These memories are talking and talking
And I'll do anything to shut 'em up
I've got the pillow over my head
But they won't stop
No, no they won't stop
Some fantasies are never meant to be
Realized at all
And some regrets could be prevented
If you read the writing on the wall
Oh and sometimes you say "you know nothing can happen"
And then she leans over and lifts off your glasses
And the next thing you know you're just tangled and guilty
And you've got a head full of liquor and perfume
Oh and when did you leave me
And when did you find her
And tell me is this just what you wanted...
The lyrics of Chris Pureka's 'Burning Bridges' speak of difficult moments in a tumultuous relationship. The song speaks of the difficulties that come with love, and not always being able to choose who you will love. In the first verse, Pureka talks about burning bridges and the consequences of letting time pass. She also talks about forgiveness and the difficulty of breaking things apart. Pureka emphasizes that you cannot choose who you love and that love can be difficult to navigate. She mentioned softer moments juxtaposed with the intrusion of rats in the walls.
The second verse highlights the consequences of our actions when dealing with love. People should not pass pain from one person to another because it will eventually come back to them. The singer acknowledges that they were let down, and even though it wasn't on purpose, it still felt like a hard blow. The third verse builds upon the previous verses and talks about how we deal with the memories after a relationship has ended. The singer mentions some fantasies that are not meant to be realized, and confessions that are hesitantly made in smokey bars. It speaks of regret and wanting to shut out the memories.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a story of burning bridges
A tale of how relationships fall apart irreparably
And allowing time to pass
Realizing that with time, things can fade and heal
This is a story of forgiveness
Exploring the idea of pardoning someone who's caused hurt
And breaking things in my hands
Feeling so much emotion that it becomes physical
This is a story of understanding
Recognizing that love can't be controlled or chosen
You can't choose who you love
Love is an uncontrollable force
And this is a story of soft skin
A recollection of intimate moments
And rats in the walls
Associating good and bad memories
Well you can't just pass along
Acknowledging the cyclical nature of pain
The pain that comes around
Hurt can come back around unexpectedly
You'll go dizzy until you fall
Suggesting that trying to pass along pain causes disorientation and further suffering
And I know you didn't mean to let me down
Recognizing the possibility of a mistake without excusing it
But you let me down so hard
Recounting the severity of the damage caused by someone's actions
This is a story of loaded glances
The tension and subtleties of intense attraction
And leaning in too far
Feeling vulnerable and exposed in a moment of connection
This is a story of vague advances
Describing the ambiguity and uncertainty of flirting
And confessions in smoky bars
Revealing secrets and emotions in a dimly lit and private setting
So now I am walking down the sidewalk
Moving on and leaving behind the past
And I am singing to myself
Embracing a moment of peace and solitude
And I'm going to leave it all behind me now
Deciding to let go and move on
'cause I don't need this,
Feeling that the pain and hurt is more damaging than helpful
I just don't need this
Rejecting the negativity and choosing self-care
These memories are talking and talking
Unable to shake certain thoughts and feelings
And I'll do anything to shut 'em up
Desperate to silence intrusive thoughts and memories
I've got the pillow over my head
Coping by trying to block out the world
But they won't stop
The memories continue to linger and hurt
Some fantasies are never meant to be
Recognizing the difference between what is realistic and what is not
Realized at all
Some desires will never come to fruition
And some regrets could be prevented
Acknowledging the possibility of avoiding future hurt
If you read the writing on the wall
Paying attention to warnings and signs that something isn't right
Oh and sometimes you say "you know nothing can happen"
Trying to convince oneself that something isn't possible
And then she leans over and lifts off your glasses
A sudden change of heart or desire that surprises and overwhelms
And the next thing you know you're just tangled and guilty
Becoming involved in something that feels wrong or comes with consequences
And you've got a head full of liquor and perfume
A mixture of arousal and intoxication clouding thoughts and judgment
Oh and when did you leave me
A disorienting feeling of betrayal and abandonment
And when did you find her
Wondering about the timeline and circumstances of a partner's infidelity
And tell me is this just what you wanted...
Questioning whether the other person's actions were intentional or thoughtless
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: REMY DAVID SHAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind