Pulley is a Southern California punk rock formed in 1994. The band is known… Read Full Bio ↴Pulley is a Southern California punk rock formed in 1994. The band is known for straight-forward, hard-edged melodic punk. Pulley was formed upon vocalist Scott Radinsky's departure from Ten Foot Pole, brought about by that band's desire for a singer with a full-time focus on music (Radinsky is also a famous major-league relief pitcher and has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers among others). Pulley's initial lineup included drummer Jordan Burns, guitarist Jim Cherry, guitarist Mike Harder, and former Face to Face bassist Matt Riddle.

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 ↴

Long, long time ago I saw this dick outside a punk rock show
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

I've seen aggression
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

Overall Meaning

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

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