Buckner began his career with the acoustic "Bloomed" (1994), a lyrically dense suite of songs recorded in Lubbock, Texas and heavily influenced by that state's tradition of whisky-soaked poet/troubadors, probably best embodied by Townes Van Zandt. In 1996, he released the major label "Devotion & Doubt," with members of Giant Sand backing him, displaying a more adventurous, almost avante garde approach to songwriting and arranging.
Since then, he has returned to recording for smaller labels, to continued critical acclaim and cult status. His 2000 album The Hill - his first for Chicago-based indie label Overcoat Recordings - features poems from Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology (1915), which Buckner set to music. The album plays as a single track, nearly thirty-five minutes long. He returned in 2002, first with the "teaser" EP Impasse-ette, then a full-length entitled Impasse one month later. In early 2003, his self-released, self-titled album was reissued by Overcoat, and was his final release for the label. In 2004, an edited version of Richard Buckner's song Ariel Ramirez, from the album Since (1998) was featured in one of the television ads for Volkswagen's Touareg.
He is currently aligned with North Carolina-based indie label Merge Records, who have released four of his albums so far: 2004's Dents and Shells, 2006's Meadow, 2011's Our Blood, and 2013's Surrounded, as well as the 7-inch single Willow (b/w Lost). He also recorded an album with Jon Langford (most notably of The Mekons) called Sir Dark Invader vs. The Fanglord (2005) for Buried Treasure Records.
Pull
Richard Buckner Lyrics
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But I've been through worse detours and ambulance traps."
and as he moves his blind-side to the back, she says,
"Yeah, sucker, but you're not going anywhere tonight"
So, another lil shover just moved along again. She'd said she still had some
trouble left in er and wasn't about to give in "signing nothing over @ the blink of an eye"
Here in the house of spirits, there's a ghost. W/ a drink.
and he's gone through every opening but the breaths just aren't as deep and wild;
and less than there's ever really been in quite a lonely while.
--countdown to a new town--
Honey, let's pull on out tonight. Your braided hair's been pulling us into our lives.
Of course I'll show. Of course, I'll fire. And I'll pull along you for miles...
The lyrics of the song Pull by Richard Buckner evoke a sense of rebellion and resilience in the face of adversity. The first stanza features a conversation between two people, where one warns the other that they will bring them down, to which the other responds by saying they've been through worse and won't give in easily. The use of the word "detours" and "ambulance traps" suggest that the singer has experienced hardships before and has learned to navigate through them. In the second stanza, the mood shifts to a more ominous tone as a ghost appears in the house of spirits with a drink. The ghost has tried every opening but to no avail, implying a sense of helplessness and frustration. The line "countdown to a new town" could suggest a feeling of anticipation or hope for a fresh start.
The final stanza brings the song back to a more uplifting tone as the singer suggests pulling out tonight with their loved one. The use of the phrase "braided hair" suggests a connection to nature and a sense of freedom. The singer then adds that they'll show and fire, perhaps indicating that they are ready to take on whatever challenges come their way. The line "I'll pull along you for miles" reinforces the idea of a partnership and mutual support.
Overall, the song Pull by Richard Buckner portrays a message of resilience and hope in the face of difficult circumstances. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful language, the lyrics capture the complexities of navigating through life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
He said, "I'll pull you down."
He threatened to bring her down.
She said, "Yeah, I know you will. But I've been through worse detours and ambulance traps."
She acknowledged his threat but also believed that she has already faced worse challenges.
and as he moves his blind-side to the back, she says, "Yeah, sucker, but you're not going anywhere tonight"
As he turns away, she taunts him by insinuating that she won't let him leave without a fight.
So, another lil shover just moved along again. She'd said she still had some trouble left in er and wasn't about to give in "signing nothing over @ the blink of an eye"
Another pushy person tried to get their way, but she stood her ground by refusing to give in and sign anything quickly without careful consideration.
Here in the house of spirits, there's a ghost. W/ a drink.
A ghost haunts the house, drinking as he roams.
and he's gone through every opening but the breaths just aren't as deep and wild; and less than there's ever really been in quite a lonely while. --countdown to a new town--
The ghost searched every corner, but the air is not as lively as it used to be, hinting at a new chapter beginning.
Honey, let's pull on out tonight. Your braided hair's been pulling us into our lives. Of course, I'll show. Of course, I'll fire, and I'll pull along you for miles...
They decide to leave and start anew, with her hair symbolizing their past anchoring them down. He assures her that he will support and guide them as they go on this journey.
Contributed by Alexander O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.