Purrbot is Nathan Wade Carter living in Portland, Oregon. He makes music, a… Read Full Bio ↴Purrbot is Nathan Wade Carter living in Portland, Oregon. He makes music, art & zines.

His new album, "Warm Gold," is now available!
"Name your own price" on Bandcamp or buy the CD on CDBaby. It's also available of iTunes & Amazon as well. The single, "Share the Good," is available for free on CLLCT & Bandcamp!

Two Fraidy Cats
Purrbot Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If we stood here long enough on your stairs

I might get up the guts to plant one on your cheek

Like a friend would of course

Platonically

Boys do this all the time right?

You said stay up on that step

So we're the same height

And we hugged goodbye

What a brilliant reminder

Two fraidy cats that's us

Head it off at the chase

So new

And no wonder I secretly like you

But it's no secret

I've told all my friends

And now I have to say nevermind, okay

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Purrbot's song "Two Fraidy Cats" seem to be about a young couple who are both too nervous to express their true feelings for each other. In the opening lines, the singer suggests that if they stayed together long enough, they might work up the courage to "plant one" on the other's cheek as a platonic gesture. They wonder if this is something that boys typically do with their friends. The singer then describes how they stood on the same step to hug farewell, as a way to be closer in height. The experience is described as a reminder of their mutual timidity, and the refrain repeats: "Two fraidy cats that's us."

It seems clear that the singer harbors some unspoken romantic feelings for the other person, and has even told friends about them. However, as the song concludes, they seem resigned to never expressing these feelings to their crush, saying: "And now I have to say nevermind, okay." The song captures the bittersweet feeling of falling for someone but feeling unable to act on those emotions due to fear or shyness. Despite the sadness of unrequited love, there is a sense of tenderness and care in the way that the singer navigates this awkward, uncertain relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

If we stood here long enough on your stairs
If we hang around long enough on your stairs

I might get up the guts to plant one on your cheek
I might finally get the courage to give you a friendly kiss on the cheek

Like a friend would of course
As friends should rightfully do

Platonically
Without any romantic motives or desires

Boys do this all the time right?
It's normal for guys to express affection like this, or so I've heard

You said stay up on that step
You suggested I stay up on that step to be at the same level as you

So we're the same height
So we can be on equal footing

And we hugged goodbye
We gave each other a warm embrace before parting ways

What a brilliant reminder
What a wonderful memory to hold on to

Two fraidy cats that's us
We both act timid and nervous around each other

Head it off at the chase
Let's address this issue upfront and early on