The band formed in 2006, and appeared on a compilation, The Kids At The Club, later that year. In April 2007, Pocketbooks played the first ever Indietracks event on a 1950s steam railway in Derbyshire. This show coincided with the release of the band's debut single, Cross The Line, on Atomic Beat Records. A year later, Pocketbooks released an EP Waking UP on Make Do And Mend Records.
The band's first album, Flight Paths, was released in July 2009 on How Does it Feel To be Loved?. The album contains the single Footsteps and the track Fleeting Moments, which appears on the Rough Trade Shops Indiepop '09 compilation.
The second Pocketbooks album, Carousel, was released in September 2011 on Odd Box Records, preceeded by the single Promises, Promises. The band were joined for the album recording by violin players from A Little Orchestra.
Pocketbooks have played live shows across the UK, Europe and the United States, including festival appearances at Offset, Indietracks and Rip It Up, and popfests in London, Edinburgh, New York and San Francisco.
https://pocketbooksgroup.blogspot.co.uk/
dont stop
Pocketbooks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Each day being led by committee direction
Just seems somehow all of my friends found the answers (well good for them)
I know, it's all I can do to stop calling them
And oh, you're tough, your confidence is made by Teflon
I can't hide and I never seem to learn all my lessons
I can't look, 'cos your eyes burn a hole straight through me (and that's unfair)
And if I start to tell you, I'm not as clued up as I'd like
Just stop me
And if I let slip, there's something I'm trying to hide
Just stop me
Because a lifestyle where I'm constantly living a lie
Has to be preferable to showing my hand
Oh, I'm lost, I'm lost inside a flippin' vortex
Spiral down watching everyone else moving forwards
And yeah, yeah, you're a fragment of hope but you're fake (don't take offence)
I know, it's like ladders and snakes, but there's only snakes
And if I start to tell you, that maybe I don't feel like dancing
Don't stop me
If I let slip, yeah maybe there's someone I fancy
Don't stop me
Because a lifestyle, where I'm constantly showing my hand
Has to be preferable to living a lie
I went on trial at my instigation
Opened my files to investigation
Caught your eye in a conversation
And it might be love, and I might be mistaken
I took advice and I made a statement
A party line of my own creation
You're a helping hand, I'm appreciation
And it might be love, and I might be mistaken
And if I start to tell you, I'm not as clued up as I'd like
Don't stop me
And if I let slip, there's something I'm trying to hide
Don't stop me
And if I tell you that maybe I don't feel like dancing
Don't stop me
If I let slip, yeah maybe there's someone I fancy
Don't stop me
Because a lifestyle, where I'm constantly showing my hand
Has to be preferable to living a lie
The lyrics of Pocketbooks's song Don't Stop delve deep into the pressure of living up to the expectations of others and trying to maintain a certain image of oneself. The writer is tired of constantly analyzing their own actions and conforming to the direction given by others. The introspection is making them feel like they are living a lie and they would rather have people not know the real them than live with the fear of being judged.
The writer talks about the difficulty of standing up for oneself in front of someone who exudes dominance and confidence especially when they are faced with being asked to do something that they are not comfortable with. They feel the weight of someone scrutinizing and judging them as they try to keep up appearances. The lyrics show the struggle between truth and deceit and how living a life of lies can be seen as a more favorable option than being vulnerable and open with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I'm tired, I'm tired of all this introspection
I'm exhausted from constantly overthinking and analyzing myself.
Each day being led by committee direction
I'm tired of living according to the opinions and decisions of others.
Just seems somehow all of my friends found the answers (well good for them)
It feels like everyone else has everything figured out, but I'm still searching.
I know, it's all I can do to stop calling them
I have a tendency to rely on my friends for guidance and support, even though I know I need to figure things out on my own.
And oh, you're tough, your confidence is made by Teflon
You appear to be confident and impenetrable, but I can see through it.
I can't hide and I never seem to learn all my lessons
I struggle to keep my thoughts and feelings to myself, and I keep making the same mistakes.
I can't look, 'cos your eyes burn a hole straight through me (and that's unfair)
Your gaze makes me feel exposed and vulnerable, and it's not fair that you can see right through me.
I know because all of my secrets are spread round town
I'm aware that rumors and gossip about me are circulating, and it's probably because I've confided in the wrong people.
And if I start to tell you, I'm not as clued up as I'd like
If I admit that I don't know as much as I'd like to, please don't interrupt me or judge me.
Just stop me
Please don't prevent me from being honest and vulnerable with you.
And if I let slip, there's something I'm trying to hide
If I accidentally reveal something that I'm trying to keep secret, please don't call me out on it.
Because a lifestyle where I'm constantly living a lie
It's better for me to be honest and open, even if it means exposing my flaws and vulnerabilities.
Has to be preferable to showing my hand
It's better for me to be honest about my thoughts and feelings, rather than trying to hide them or put on a façade.
Oh, I'm lost, I'm lost inside a flippin' vortex
I feel like I'm spiraling out of control and can't find my way back to stability.
Spiral down watching everyone else moving forwards
I'm stuck in a cycle of self-doubt and insecurity, while everyone else seems to be making progress in their lives.
And yeah, yeah, you're a fragment of hope but you're fake (don't take offence)
You offer me a glimmer of hope, but I don't fully trust that you're sincere.
I know, it's like ladders and snakes, but there's only snakes
I feel like I'm playing a game of chance where every path leads to negativity and disappointment.
I went on trial at my instigation
I put myself on trial by examining my own thoughts and actions.
Opened my files to investigation
I analyzed my own personal history and behavior in order to better understand myself.
Caught your eye in a conversation
I made a connection with someone and felt a spark of interest.
And it might be love, and I might be mistaken
I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is really love, or if I'm just misinterpreting my emotions.
I took advice and I made a statement
I listened to others' opinions and offered my own thoughts and beliefs.
A party line of my own creation
I developed my own stance and position on a particular topic, regardless of others' opinions.
You're a helping hand, I'm appreciation
You're someone who has helped me or supported me in some way, and I am grateful for it.
And if I tell you that maybe I don't feel like dancing
If I express that I'm not in the mood for celebrating, please don't pressure me to change my mind.
If I let slip, yeah maybe there's someone I fancy
If I accidentally reveal that I have a crush on someone, please don't tease me or make fun of me.
Because a lifestyle, where I'm constantly showing my hand
It's better for me to be open and honest, rather than trying to conceal my true thoughts and emotions.
Has to be preferable to living a lie
It's better to be truthful and authentic, even if it means exposing my flaws and weaknesses.
Contributed by Matthew K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.