Born and raised on the north coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal (South Africa), singer… Read Full Bio ↴Born and raised on the north coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal (South Africa), singer songwriter Farryl Purkiss's music is captivating, emotive and memorable.

His 2005 debut EP release, "Chapter One", a self financed project, was recorded in collaboration with South African guitar legend Nibs van der Spuy and marketed and released with the assistance of Sheer Sound.

Apart from a heavy 2006 touring schedule which has included headline appearances at festivals such as Splashy Fen, Wavescapes Film Festival, Mr Price Classic and The Billabong Pro Farryl has also recently completed two national tours as a guest of Australian superstars Missy Higgins (July 2006) and Ben Lee (April 2006).

He has also toured with Donovan Frankenreiter and has played with Jack Johnson, which resulted in a co-composition with Jack.

The "Chapter One" EP was nominated for a 2006 South African Music Award (SAMA) in the 'Best Adult Contemporary' category.

His eponymous debut has recently been completed for 2 Feet Music as well as a music video for his first single "Better Days". Farryl Purkiss has recently completer a tour of Australia to support the release of this album in that territory. The tour features solo dates as well as support slots for Canada's Serena Ryder and Hawksley Workman.

Reviews:

"...there is a real musicality here that sets this album apart from the surfboard toting imitators. Solo acoustic instrumental 'Speechless' is one of the albums highlights. 'Please Stay' is uplifting and heartbreaking all at once, showing off this singer-songwriter's ability to make a deep impression with just a light touch of the guitar frets." - Laura MacIntyre, www.mediasearch.com.au

"...a charmingly open, friendly stage presence that pulls you in as his songs caress you with their easy melodies" - Michael Smith, Drum Media, Sydney, Australia

"...a great start from a promising songwriter with a voice of his own, and I can't wait to see what the future yields. Get this album, in a few years you'll be saying "Oh yeah, I remember listening to Farryl ages ago." He's the kind of artist who you'll want to build a long-term audio relationship with through the collection of every single album. Start yours now." - Matthew Christensen (4 out of 5)

"Farryl Purkiss is better than damn good, combining inventive guitar play with introspective wordplay on an album that’s delves deep in to the heart’s emotions. An absolute stunner! ... the best debut of the year." - Craig Canavan (4 out of 5)

"Purkiss gave a brilliant performance, apparently unfazed, despite the problems the crew encountered. The crowd also warmed up towards him and when he told a story about how he played with Jack Johnson in 2003 and how Johnson inspired him to finish his song Déjà Vu, with which he'd been struggling, everyone became a fan before he stepped off stage just before 23h00." - Henriël Veldtmann, Oppikoppi Festival 2006.

A Million Grains of Sand
Farryl Purkiss Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Before the day is done,
let's throw the stones
Into the wishing well
and watch them fall down down
I thought i heard a voice
coming from the trees
It said now listen boy
who're you trying to please

Who're you trying to please x3

As i fall into you, like a million grains of sand falling through my hands x2

Young men overhead
keep gazing down
Into the streets they stare
To wander round, round, round
Hoping to forget
why the things they do
Are only good for some
but not enough for you

Who're you trying to please x3

As i fall into you, like a million grains of sand falling through my hands
As i fall into you, like a million grains of sand falling through my hands

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Farryl Purkiss's song A Million Grains of Sand suggest a sense of confusion and frustration towards the expectations placed on an individual by society. Purkiss begins by asserting the idea of letting go of the things that hold an individual back - symbolised by "throwing stones into the wishing well" - and wishing for something better. However, the voice that the singer hears coming from the trees questions who the individual is trying to please in their pursuit of something better. This repetition of "who're you trying to please" emphasises the importance of individualism and being true to oneself, rather than conforming to society's expectations.

The second verse makes use of metaphor to further emphasise this idea. The "young men overhead" represent society, who are "gazing down" and "staring" into the streets. These men, like individuals striving for something better, are "wandering round, round, round" and, like those attempting to conform, are "hoping to forget why the things they do are only good for some but not enough for you". This last line implies that, despite society's expectations, individuals must find their own meaning and fulfilment in life, and that conforming to society's narrow definition of success is not enough. This message is reiterated in the chorus, where the singer falls into something greater than himself, represented by a "million grains of sand falling through my hands". The metaphor is perhaps suggesting that individuals should strive to be part of something greater than themselves, that is not limited by society's expectations.

Overall, the lyrics of A Million Grains of Sand encourage individuality and assert that society's narrow definition of success is not enough. The metaphor of the grains of sand further emphasises this idea, imploring individuals to strive for something greater than themselves.

Line by Line Meaning

Before the day is done, let's throw the stones
Let's get rid of our problems and worries before the day is over.

Into the wishing well and watch them fall down down
Let's throw them away and hope they disappear forever.

I thought i heard a voice coming from the trees
I received a message from mother nature.

It said now listen boy who're you trying to please
It asked me to reflect on who I'm trying to impress.

Who're you trying to please x3
Continuation of the questioning from mother nature.

As i fall into you, like a million grains of sand falling through my hands x2
As I surrender to my emotions, I feel like I'm losing control like trying to catch millions of sand grains.

Young men overhead keep gazing down
The men above are watching us from their position of power.

Into the streets they stare to wander round, round, round
They are observing the common people's struggles and survival skills.

Hoping to forget why the things they do
They try to ignore their motives for their selfish actions.

Are only good for some but not enough for you
Their motives are not enough to fulfill your needs.

Contributed by Madison V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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