The duo were originally two of several members of the band of GOBBLE GOBBLE (now Born Gold). While on tour with Gobble Gobble, Roddick began experimenting with rnb and hip hop beats. James was asked to sing on a track called "Ungirthed," thus forming Purity Ring. The song was released in January 2011.
On April 3, 2012, Purity Ring announced that they were signed by media company 4AD world-wide and Last Gang Records in Canada. Later in the same month the band announced their debut album, Shrines, set to be released July 24, 2012. They also debuted the first single from the album titled "Obedear." On June 20, 2012, Purity Ring released another single from the album titled "Fineshrine." The album reached number 100 on the UK Albums Chart. In the United States, it reached number thirty-two on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Dance/Electronic Albums.
Push Pull
Purity Ring Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a reverence unimpaired
There was an echo far and faint
Beneath the air remained
You were young and you'd stare
Where my limbs hung far and fair
Make a ladder of what folds
And climb up in the air
You push and you pull and you tell yourself no
It's like when you lie down, the veins grow in slow
You push and you pull but you'd never know
I crept up in you and I wouldn't let go
There was no light and I swear
I could see your raring fear
I heard the plains moaning back
I saw the thunder roll o'er black
There was no light and I swear
We sat still in our fear
Make a ladder of what folds
And climb up in the air
You push and you pull and you tell yourself no
It's like when you lie down, the veins grow in slow
You push and you pull but you'd never know
I crept up in you and I wouldn't let go
(And I)
Carve out the spaces (and I)
Imparted graces (and I)
I couldn't shake it (and I)
I built a constellation lair
Out of the moles that hovered there
A fever billowed with the wind
And I bade the sky therein
I built a constellation lair
Out of the moles that hovered there
Make a pardon of what knows
And climb up in the air
You push and you pull and you tell yourself no
It's like when you lie down, the veins grow in slow
You push and you pull but you'd never know
I crept up in you and I wouldn't let go
You push and you pull and you tell yourself no
It's like when you lie down, the veins grow in slow
You push and you pull but you'd never know
I crept up in you and I wouldn't let go
The lyrics of Purity Ring's song "Push Pull" are esoteric and open to interpretation. Written by vocalist Megan James and producer Corin Roddick, the track is a hauntingly beautiful synth-pop anthem that deals with complex themes of fear and desire, control and surrender, and the push-pull dynamic that exists within all relationships.
At first glance, the song seems to be about a romantic relationship characterized by tension, conflict, and a power struggle. The chorus, "You push and you pull and you tell yourself no, it's like when you lie down, the veins grow in slow," refers to the physical sensation of being pulled in different directions and the emotional turmoil that accompanies it. The lines "I crept up in you and I wouldn't let go" suggest a possessiveness or obsession on the part of one partner, while the bridge, "Carve out the spaces, Imparted graces, I couldn't shake it" hints at the difficulty of breaking free from a toxic relationship.
However, the second verse offers a different perspective. "There was no light and I swear, I could see your raring fear," suggests a sense of foreboding or impending danger. The image of "moles that hovered there" implies some kind of underworld, where darkness and fear reign supreme. It's possible that the song is speaking to a more universal fear of the unknown, rather than just romantic relationships. The repetition of the line "Make a ladder of what folds and climb up in the air" could be interpreted as a call to transcendence, to rise above our fears and obstacles.
Overall, "Push Pull" is a deeply evocative track that captures the complexity of human emotion and relationships. Its lyrics are shrouded in ambiguity, which allows the listener to imbue their own meaning and interpretation into the song.
Line by Line Meaning
You were young and you'd start
With a reverence unimpaired
As a child, you would begin your journey with pure innocence and complete respect.
There was an echo far and faint
Beneath the air remained
A distant, soft repeating sound lingered but was not audible owing to the silence surrounding it.
You were young and you'd stare
Where my limbs hung far and fair
Make a ladder of what folds
And climb up in the air
As a child, you would gaze upon my beautiful, outreached limbs, turn the fabric into a ladder, scale it, and soar into the sky.
You push and you pull and you tell yourself no
It's like when you lie down, the veins grow in slow
You push and you pull but you'd never know
I crept up in you and I wouldn't let go
You resist, struggle against yourself, and refuse to give in. Your body is recovering while you are at rest, but this is difficult to see. I infiltrated your psyche, and I am not going to go away.
There was no light and I swear
I could see your raring fear
I heard the plains moaning back
I saw the thunder roll o'er black
There was complete darkness, yet I was able to sense your intense anxiety. There was an audible response of the earth to it. The black skies were emphasized by the rolling of the frightening thunder.
We sat still in our fear
Make a ladder of what folds
And climb up in the air
We were immobilized by our apprehension, yet we can use what we have to create a ladder and soar above it.
(And I)
Carve out the spaces (and I)
Imparted graces (and I)
I couldn't shake it (and I)
I am the one who crafted the holes. I was the one who offered the blessings. I couldn't shake the feeling.
I built a constellation lair
Out of the moles that hovered there
A fever billowed with the wind
And I bade the sky therein
I constructed a den in the stars from the floating moles. I was feverish, and the wind caused it to expand. I commanded the sky to come inside.
Make a pardon of what knows
And climb up in the air
Forgive and release what you know, and rise high into the sky.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Megan James, Corin Roddick, Cecil Frena
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nilla Wafer
You were young and you'd stare
With a reverence unimpaired
There was an echo far and faint
Beneath the air remained
You were young and you'd stare
Where my limbs hung far and fair
Make a ladder of what folds
And climb up in me
You push and you pull and you tell yourself no its like when you lie down, the veins grow in slow
You push and you pull
But you'd never know
I crept up in you and I
Wouldn't let go
There was no light and I swear
I could see your raring fear
I heard the plains moaning back
I saw thunder roll o'er black
There was no light and I swear
We sat still in our fear
Make a ladder of what folds
And climb up in me
You push and you pull
And you tell yourself no
It's like when you lie down
The veins grow in slow
You push and you pull
But you'd never know
I crept up in you and I
Wouldn't let go
I carve out the spaces (and I)
Imparted graces (and I)
I couldn't shake it (and I)
I built a constellation lair
Out of the moles that hovered there a fever billowed with the wind and I blade the sky therein
I build a constellation lair
Out of the moles that hovered there make a pardon of what knows and climb up in me
You push and you pull and you tell yourself no it's like when you lie down the veins grow in slow
You push and you pull
But you'd never know
I crept up in you and I
Wouldn't let go
You push and you pull and you tell yourself no
It's like when you lie down the veins grow in slow
You push and you pull
But you'd never know
I crept up in you and I
Wouldn't let go 😊
Sandy Claws
I love how the triplets in the chorus were written to hit the up beat with the snare, and the bass on the down beat- when i listen with my eyes closed, it creates a "push pull" feeling in my brain. Genius
Apokkalypto
its called a polyrhythm
Just goes to show these guys know how to write a song well
Good songwriting is a skill people dont appreciate enough nowadays
Miles Doyle
@Apokkalypto is the triplet in the same time signature as the snare? If so it's honestly not that impressive, still a stellar song.
Alien Teknology
a nice beat for sure
Jordan Villa
Damn I really need to learn more about music because I want to understand what this meant lol. I just get the feeling from the music that you are absolutely on point
Blast Radius
It's like a reggae hyperballad. The polyrhythms give me goosebumps.
Connor
There is truly no other band more unique and original than Purity Ring. No one could copy Corrin and Megan's sound if they tried.
21stcenturydevil
Accidentally wandered upon this. Never heard this genre before. Magical, imaginative and haunting are words that come to mind with this group for me. "Begin Again" is another one that painted a perfect picture in my head of beauty in destruction. Well crafted.
deantotheizzo
Seriously, the vocals are just so breathtaking, the background effects. It's really a work of art, absolutely beautiful.
Coolhhhwhip
when you love a song but it reminds you of difficult times.