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.
Highways
Joe Purdy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and it don't always pay to wander
and a fast train to catch is harder
and the big boats sometimes take in water
but an airplane is just too easy
and you'll see me, when you see me
and I'll get there when I do
tell all my friend I'm coming soon
well the sun knows how to keep dry
and the cold wind blows just to get by
and the dust bowls where silver dogs lye
and caballeros sing under the night sky
back in the saddle, ridin easy
and you'll see me when you see me
and I'll get there when I do
tell all my friends I'm coming soon
tell all my friends I'm coming soon
and if they find me under the station
you won't need no explanation
you knew me well
you knew me well
well the rich take what the poor makes
and it's the grounds fault that the earth shakes
and older bones ache on the cold days
and tender hearts break for the souls ake
keep your head down, rest it easy
and you'll see me when you see me
and I'll get there when I do
tell all my friend I'm coming soon
tell all my friend I'm coming soon
tell all my friend
Joe Purdy's song Highways is a contemplation on the roads we take in life and the struggles that come with them. The first verse speaks to the idea that sometimes the most direct path is not always the best. The highways may take longer, and wandering may seem fruitless, but rushing to catch a fast train or boarding a big boat can also present their own challenges. The airplane, on the other hand, is too easy, perhaps implying that the ease of modern life has made us careless or complacent. The singer seems resigned to the fact that they will get there when they do and that the journey itself is often as important as the destination. They urge their friends to be patient, knowing that they will arrive eventually.
The second verse is filled with vivid imagery of the wilderness and the people who inhabit it. The sun knows how to keep dry, and the cold wind blows just to get by. The land is rugged and unforgiving, with dust bowls where silver dogs lie and caballeros singing under the night sky. But even in this seemingly hostile environment, the singer finds a sense of peace and purpose. They're back in the saddle, riding easy, and once again tell their friends that they'll be there soon.
The final verse takes a darker turn and speaks to the injustices and hardships of the world. The rich take what the poor make, and the earth shakes because of it. The old suffer from aches and pains, and tender hearts break at the sight of suffering. In this context, the singer urges their friends to keep their heads down and rest easy, presumably with the knowledge that they will soon arrive to help and offer support. The final lines suggest that even if the singer doesn't make it, their friends will understand and remember them fondly.
Overall, Joe Purdy's Highways is a thoughtful meditation on the journey of life and the challenges we all face. Through evocative imagery and a simple but effective melody, Purdy captures the restless and uncertain nature of the human experience and offers hope that we can find some measure of peace and purpose even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
well the highways they take longer
Traveling by car may take longer, but it has its advantages.
and it don't always pay to wander
Wandering without direction may not always be fruitful.
and a fast train to catch is harder
Catching a fast train can be difficult.
and the big boats sometimes take in water
Even big boats can have problems.
but an airplane is just too easy
Taking a plane seems too effortless.
and you'll see me, when you see me
I will arrive when I do, don't expect me sooner.
and I'll get there when I do
I will arrive when I can.
tell all my friend I'm coming soon
Notify my friends that I'll be arriving soon.
well the sun knows how to keep dry
The sun has a way of keeping things dry.
and the cold wind blows just to get by
The cold wind is persistent even in tough situations.
and the dust bowls where silver dogs lye
Drought-ridden land where silver dogs lay.
and caballeros sing under the night sky
Horsemen sing under the evening sky.
back in the saddle, ridin easy
Riding a horse is a comfortable experience.
and you'll see me when you see me
I'll come when I'm ready.
and I'll get there when I do
I'll arrive when I'm meant to.
tell all my friends I'm coming soon
Inform my friends that I'll be there soon.
and if they find me under the station
If you find me at the station...
you won't need no explanation
No explanation is needed.
you knew me well
You know me well.
well the rich take what the poor makes
The rich often take from the poor.
and it's the grounds fault that the earth shakes
Ground movements cause earthquakes.
and older bones ache on the cold days
Older people experience aches on chilly days.
and tender hearts break for the souls ake
Sensitive and compassionate people feel agony in their hearts.
keep your head down, rest it easy
Relax and take it easy.
and you'll see me when you see me
Don't expect me earlier than I'll be there.
and I'll get there when I do
I'll come when I'm ready.
tell all my friend I'm coming soon
Inform my friends that I'll reach soon.
tell all my friend
Notify all my friends.
Contributed by Sydney M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.