Pulley's debut, Esteem Driven Engine, was released in 1996 by Epitaph. Riddle joined No Use for a Name full-time soon afterwards and was replaced by Tyler Rebbe. Follow-ups included 60 Cycle Hum in 1997 and their eponymous third album in 1999.
They also released Together Again for the First Time (after the death of Jim Cherry) and Matters, both showing their disillusionment with the aging out of the 'old' scene.
A Bad Reputation
Pulley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He sized me up from head to toe
I think he wants to kill me
His girlfriend looked like some big piece of shit and started drooling
I think she wants to do me
So if at first you don't succeed you try and try again
I told her you're not my type
I'm just here to slam
Ill Repute just started playing the last song that they're playing
Cherokee people Cherokee nation
What comes around will go around
What they said to me will the good times be all you forget
What comes around will go around
What they said to me will the good times be all you regret
So here we are again we're right back where we started at
This assholes right up in my face
I guess that's how he likes to act
A broken bottle in his teeth
I think his smile's kind of sweet
He won't be fucking with me
So when I'm seen out at a show they step aside and let me go
It's such a joke
I'm really not that tough
There is no moral to my story
Hit him first and stole his glory which was worse
I guess that's just what worked for me
The lyrics to Pulley's song "A Bad Reputation" describe a confrontation the singer had with a intimidating person outside of a punk rock show. The person's girlfriend also appeared to be interested in the singer, which made the situation even more uncomfortable. As the confrontation escalated, the band Ill Repute started playing the song "Cherokee Nation," which reflects the idea that what goes around comes around. The singer ultimately ended up physically defending themselves and gaining a reputation as someone not to be messed with.
The lyrics touch on various themes, including the idea of not judging a book by its cover, the importance of self-defense, and the concept of karma. The song also speaks to the subculture of punk rock and the sometimes-violent and confrontational nature of shows. The lyrics suggest that sometimes, physical action is necessary in order to protect oneself and command respect in certain situations.
Line by Line Meaning
Long, long time ago I saw this dick outside a punk rock show
I saw an obnoxious person at a punk rock show a really long time ago
He sized me up from head to toe
The obnoxious person looked at me from head to toe, judging me
I think he wants to kill me
I believe the obnoxious person wants to harm me in some way
His girlfriend looked like some big piece of shit and started drooling
The obnoxious person's girlfriend looked unpleasant and started showing interest in me
I think she wants to do me
I believe the obnoxious person's girlfriend wants to have a physical encounter with me
So if at first you don't succeed you try and try again
If something doesn't work out the first time, it's worth trying multiple times
I told her you're not my type
I let the obnoxious person's girlfriend know that she is not my preferred type
I'm just here to slam
I am only here to participate in moshing or slamming
I've seen aggression
I have witnessed aggressive behavior in the past
Ill Repute just started playing the last song that they're playing
The band Ill Repute started playing their final song of the night
Cherokee people Cherokee nation
These lyrics are from the song being played by Ill Repute
What comes around will go around
What they said to me will the good times be all you forget
What comes around will go around
What they said to me will the good times be all you regret
People will get what is coming to them in the end, and I will not forget what they have said or done to me
So here we are again we're right back where we started at
This assholes right up in my face
I guess that's how he likes to act
I am back in the same place as before and the obnoxious person is in my face, behaving in the same manner again
A broken bottle in his teeth
I think his smile's kind of sweet
He won't be fucking with me
The obnoxious person has a broken bottle in his mouth, and I find his smile unsettling. I feel confident that he will not bother me anymore.
So when I'm seen out at a show they step aside and let me go
It's such a joke
I'm really not that tough
When people see me at a show, they move out of my way. It's ridiculous because I'm not even that tough.
There is no moral to my story
Hit him first and stole his glory which was worse
I guess that's just what worked for me
This story has no moral. I got into a physical altercation with the obnoxious person and came out on top, taking away his sense of pride. It was not the best solution, but it worked for me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brian Michael Downey, Philip Parris Lynott, William Scott Gorham
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christian Obermeier
good work man!!!!! brilliant and unique pulley, the new album is a burner !!!!!!
Pedro Mota
this song brings me memories from the good old high school years
Ross McBride
The best
Jimmy Perron
Tony palerno is a beast
Greyfox
❤
VivaRevolucionDGS
Love this video concept for a ripper of a song.