James Purify was born May 12, 1944 in Pensacola, Florida. "Bobby Purify" was actually two different singers; the first was James's cousin Robert Lee Dickey (Sep 2nd 1939 - Dec 29th 2011), who adopted the Purify name for performing, and sang on their early records. The I'm Your Puppet Songfacts states that after retiring, Dickey returned to his hometown of Tallahassee, Florida, in 1972 where he became a custodial crew supervisor at the Tallahassee Police Department. He continued singing with his church and as a member of the Bethlehem Male Singers. Dickey died on December 29, 2011.
The second Bobby was vocalist Ben Moore, who replaced Dickey when he suffered health problems. ("I'm Your Puppet" was written and produced by Dan Penn, who introduced Purify and Moore.) The duo continued into the 1980s, with no other big hits, but remained popular on the tour circuit. When Purify faced legal problems (not career-related), Moore went solo, though still using the name "Bobby Purify" occasionally. In 1983, he was nominated for a Grammy award, for a gospel recording.
I Was Born To Lose
James & Bobby Purify Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With nothing to do
But to live in dreams that I make up
All by myself
Dreaming that you're beside me
I picture the prettiest stories
Only to wake up
What is the good of me by myself?
Why was I born
Why am I living
What do I get
What am I giving
Why do I want a thing
I daren't hope for
What can I hope for
I wish I knew
Why do I try
To draw you near me
Why do I do I cry
You never hear me
I'm a poor fool
But what can I do
Why was I born
To love you
I'm a poor fool
But what can I do
Why was I born
To love you
The lyrics of James & Bobby Purify's song "I Was Born To Lose" express a deep sense of loneliness and longing for love. The singer spends their evenings alone, with nothing to occupy their time but daydreaming and creating imaginary scenarios where their desired companion is by their side. However, each time they wake up from these dreams, they are confronted with the reality of being alone once again.
The lyrics raise poignant questions about the purpose and meaning of their existence. The singer ponders why they were even born in the first place, why they are living, and what they are gaining or contributing to life. They express a yearning for something they dare not hope for, unsure of what they can truly aspire to achieve or obtain. Despite their attempts to draw the person they love near, they feel unheard and unnoticed, leading to feelings of helplessness and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Spending these lonesome evenings
Passing these lonely nights
With nothing to do
Without any activities
But to live in dreams that I make up
Yet, I solely exist in self-created fantasies
All by myself
Completely alone
Dreaming that you're beside me
Imagining your presence next to me
I picture the prettiest stories
I envision beautiful tales
Only to wake up
However, I abruptly return to reality
All by myself
Still completely alone
What is the good of me by myself?
What value do I hold when I am alone?
Why was I born
For what reason was I brought into this world
Why am I living
What purpose drives my existence
What do I get
What do I receive
What am I giving
What am I offering
Why do I want a thing I daren't hope for
Why do I desire something I'm afraid to long for
What can I hope for
What can I aspire to
I wish I knew
I desire to possess that knowledge
Why do I try to draw you near me
Why do I make efforts to bring you closer to me
Why do I do I cry
Why do I shed tears
You never hear me
That you never listen to me
I'm a poor fool
I am a foolish person
But what can I do
However, there's little I can change
Why was I born
For what reason was I brought into this world
To love you
To feel affection towards you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind