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.

Escalator
Farryl Purkiss Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lift me up
Now pull me down too
I don't mind
I don't care as long as you
As long as you don't come

Build me up
Now break me down too

I don't mind
I don't care as long as you
As long as you don't come

In a while

Give a life to say the least
Give enough to feed the beast
Give it all to take the fall
Your validation is small

Take a life to say the least
Take enough to feed the beast
Take it all to take the fall
Your validation is real

And I don't see the things that you do want me to
I don't see, yeah

And I don't feel the things that you do want me to
I don't feel, yeah

And you don't fear
Just sing it for all to hear
Just sing it for all to hear
And you don't fear
Just sing it for all to hear
Just sing it for all to hear
Oh Oh

And you
Don't fear

Just sing it for all to hear
Just sing it for all to hear

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Farryl Purkiss's song "Escalator" explore the relationship between two individuals, where one person is constantly seeking validation and approval from the other. The song suggests a dynamic of emotional instability, with the singer being lifted up and then pulled down, built up and then broken down. Despite this constant fluctuation, the singer appears indifferent, claiming not to mind or care as long as the other person does not come closer.

The lyrics also touch upon the concept of validation, highlighting its insignificance in the grand scheme of things. The singer acknowledges that giving and taking in order to please the other person only leads to a fall, emphasizing the futility of seeking validation from someone else. The repetitive chant of "I don't see the things that you want me to, I don't feel the things that you want me to" reveals the singer's resistance to conforming to the expectations of the other person.

The chorus brings in a sense of liberation and defiance. The repetition of "And you don't fear, just sing it for all to hear" encourages the other person to express themselves fearlessly and loudly. It suggests that true liberation lies in being true to oneself, regardless of the opinions and validation sought from others.

Overall, "Escalator" delves into the complexities of relationships, exploring themes of emotional manipulation, the desire for validation, and the importance of staying true to oneself.

Line by Line Meaning

Lift me up
Elevate me and make me feel important

Now pull me down too
But then bring me down and make me feel insignificant

I don't mind
I don't really care

I don't care as long as you
As long as it's you doing it

As long as you don't come
As long as you don't interfere in my life

Build me up
Construct an image of me

Now break me down too
And then destroy that image as well

Give a life to say the least
Provide some sense of fulfillment

Give enough to feed the beast
Provide anything necessary to satisfy my desires

Give it all to take the fall
Sacrifice everything just to suffer the consequences

Your validation is small
Your approval means very little