Purdy's albums "Paris in the Morning" and "You Can Tell Georgia" have sold a combined 80,000 single downloads online worldwide.[citation needed] His catalog of music has sold over 800,000 single downloads worldwide.[1] A regular at The Hotel Café in Los Angeles, Purdy traveled to the UK with Tom McRae in 2006 as part of McRae's Hotel Cafe Tour.
His appearance at the Wireless Festival in Leeds led to a special request from The Who member Pete Townshend and his girlfriend Rachel Fuller to play with them at their acoustic In the Attic Series shows. Purdy also began to affiliate with The Giving Tree Band starting in 2012, performing live shows in conjunction on a tour across America.
All of his albums are available for free listening on his homepage. His song, 'Wash Away (Reprise)', was featured on the hit ABC TV series, Lost, while Grey's Anatomy additionally featured 'I Love the Rain the Most,' 'The City,' 'Far Away Blues,' and 'Suitcase.' House MD featured 'Rainy Day Lament' and 'Good Days'.
Purdy's song "Mary" (off the album Julie Blue) was featured in the film The Secret Life of Bees. He has also had a song in the movie starring Drew Barrymore and Justin Long, "Going the Distance", the song entitled, Miss Me. Several of Purdy's songs are featured in the 2013 film Straight A's. Also, Purdy's song "Outlaws" was featured in the movie "A Case of You". Purdy played the lead role of Elliott and composed the score for the feature film.
Faketown
Joe Purdy Lyrics
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He's got a dream
Wants to live up on the big screen
Well just like Jimmy Dean, he's got his jacket on
And his hair combed just right
But there's a hundred just like him in audition lines tonight
And I wish the walls would come down
I wish the walls would come down on what's left of this faketown
Rosemary's drivin' downtown
For something that she heard from some talent scout
And she's been workin' all day
So she could pay for those pictures to be done up in the right way
And it was such a shame when he said that she was just another pretty face
He said no one ever gets no where
Without shakin' it here or there
Honey life ain't fair
I wish the walls would come down
I wish the walls would come down
I wish the walls would come down on what's left of this faketown
This faketown
Well you can fix your face
You can fix your hair
You can fix your body with this needle here
And the world can walk around like a pack of wolves
And until you hear you're good enough
That it ain't your fault
You say it ain't your time
You just weren't cut out for the big time
Why don't you try to be yourself
Theres things I have there that never sell
And I wish the walls would come down
I wish the walls would come down
I wish the walls would come down
On what's left of this faketown, faketown, faketown
The song Faketown by Joe Purdy tells the story of two individuals, Billy and Rosemary, who are trying to make it in the entertainment industry in a town filled with fake promises and broken dreams. Billy dreams of becoming a movie star and he has dressed himself up for an audition. He exudes confidence and stands out in a crowd full of other aspiring actors, but he knows that the competition is tough, and there are many others like him who are looking for their big breaks. Rosemary, on the other hand, has been working hard all day, earning money so she can get her pictures taken by a talent scout. She believes in herself and her talent, but when the scout dismisses her as just another pretty face, she realizes how difficult it is to make it in the industry.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the need for change and a desire to tear down the walls of this 'faketown' that is filled with fake people and fake promises. The song highlights the struggle of those who are looking for their big break and the harsh reality of the entertainment industry, where you are more likely to be judged on your looks than your talent. Purdy emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and not compromising one's values for a chance at fame.
Line by Line Meaning
Billy's been drivin' all night
Billy has been driving all night.
He's got a dream
Billy has a dream of living up on the big screen.
Wants to live up on the big screen
Billy wants to be famous and succeed in the entertainment industry.
Well just like Jimmy Dean, he's got his jacket on
Billy is dressed for success, like a famous actor Jimmy Dean.
And his hair combed just right
Billy has groomed his hair neatly for his audition.
But there's a hundred just like him in audition lines tonight
There are many other people like Billy waiting in line for the audition, making his journey to success difficult.
And I wish the walls would come down
The singer wishes that the walls of the fake industry would crumble, allowing the true talent to emerge.
Rosemary's drivin' downtown
Rosemary is driving into downtown for an audition or meeting with a talent scout.
For something that she heard from some talent scout
Rosemary has received some promising news about a possible opportunity from a talent scout.
And she's been workin' all day
Rosemary has been working all day to pay for photos and other expenses necessary to succeed in the entertainment industry.
So she could pay for those pictures to be done up in the right way
Rosemary has spent money to have her photos taken professionally in hopes of increasing her chances of success.
And it was such a shame when he said that she was just another pretty face
Rosemary was disappointed to hear that she was not selected for her talent but rather her physical appearance.
He said no one ever gets no where
The talent scout told Rosemary that no one gets success without compromising their values or using their physical appearance to their advantage.
Without shakin' it here or there
The talent scout implied that Rosemary needs to sexualize herself to succeed in the industry.
Honey life ain't fair
The singer acknowledges that the entertainment industry is unjust and unfair to those with true talent.
Well you can fix your face
People in the industry can alter their appearance with plastic surgery or makeup to fit the industry's physical standards.
You can fix your hair
People in the industry can alter their hair to fit trends and expectations.
You can fix your body with this needle here
Steroids and other enhancements are often used by those in the industry to achieve certain body types.
And the world can walk around like a pack of wolves
The world is like a pack of wolves, ready to tear down those who don't meet their expectations.
And until you hear you're good enough
Until someone tells you that you are good enough, you won't be successful in the industry.
That it ain't your fault
It's not the fault of the individuals who fail to succeed but rather the unjust industry.
You say it ain't your time
Due to the industry's unfairness, people blame their lack of success on bad timing.
You just weren't cut out for the big time
People blame themselves for not being talented enough to succeed in the big leagues, ignoring the corrupt system that holds them back.
Why don't you try to be yourself
The artist encourages those in the industry to be themselves rather than conform to industry expectations.
Theres things I have there that never sell
There are things which have true value but they are overlooked in order to maintain the industry's superficial standards.
On what's left of this faketown, faketown, faketown
The singer wishes for the walls to come down on the fake industry and tear down the illusion of the industry's success.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOE PURDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind