The band members bonded over a shared love of NZ music and a passion for making their own and formed after meeting at a Kora concert in 2006. Three members flatted together as Otago University students, spending countless hours in their "recording studio" (Eli Paewai's room) at 660 Castle St; hence the band name.
Six60's debut EP, released in 2008, features a track called "Someone to Be Around" that was left off their debut album but continues to be one of their most popular songs.
The band's self-titled debut album was released on 10 October 2011 on their own label Massive Entertainment. The album was produced and mixed by Tiki Taane and debuted at number one in the New Zealand charts and was certified gold within its first week of release. Their first two singles "Rise Up 2.0" and "Don't Forget Your Roots" reached number one and number two respectively on the RIANZ singles chart and were both certified double and triple platinum.
In 2018 the band won five Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards and were the most streamed artist by New Zealanders on Spotify. On 23 February 2019, Six60 became the first New Zealand band to play a sold-out concert at the Western Springs Stadium, to a crowd of 50,000 fans. On 24 April 2021, Six60 played the first concert at Auckland's Eden Park Stadium, to a crowd of 50,000 fans. It was the closing of the Six60 Saturdays country-wide tour and the largest concert of 2021.
Purple
Six60 Lyrics
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Reaching out to something
Waiting for someone like you
If only there was one thing
Some way of controlling
All these other things I do
Shock me girl electric blue
And so we fall
And through it all
I'm left here with this purple heart of mine
Battles won
The war is done
And the sky is purple, purple, purple
Last night I was dreaming
Falling from the ceiling
Woke up just before the sound
And it got me thinking
Oh I got that feeling
We'd already hit the ground
Shock me girl electric blue
Standing while the wrecks still true
And so we fall
And through it all
I'm left here with this purple heart of mine
Battles won
The war is done
And the sky is purple, purple, purple
I'ma keep shining
I'ma keep shining all my love
I know the battle's won
You know this war is never done
But I keep on shining on, shining on, I just want to shine on (I'ma keep shining all my love)
And so we fall
I'm left here with this purple heart of mine
Battles won
The war is done
And the sky is purple, purple, purple, purple
Now the battle's won
The war is never done (get it, get it)
I'ma keep shining (alright now)
I'ma keep shining all my love
Now the battle's is won
The war is never done (I'ma keep shining)
I'ma keep shining (I'ma keep shining)
I'ma keep shining all my love
The lyrics of Six60's song "Purple" speaks from a place of longing and desire for something that feels elusive. The singer's world is chaotic and unstable, and they've been holding onto nothing, reaching out for something better, something real. They're looking for someone to fill that void in their life, wishing for some sense of control over their actions and the circumstances they're in. The reference to "electric blue" could suggest that the person they're looking for could be a source of excitement and passion.
Throughout the song, there's also a sense of surrender. The singer is falling and there's a sense of inevitability to it. They seem to have come to terms with the uncertainty of life and the fact that battles will be won, but there will always be more to come. Despite this, they vow to keep shining their love and light on the world, just as a purple sunset paints the sky with its warm hues.
The song has a dream-like quality to it, with references to falling and dreaming. Perhaps it's acknowledging the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with the people we love.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been holding on to nothing
I have been trying to cling to something that does not exist.
Reaching out to something
Trying to find something to latch onto.
Waiting for someone like you
Hoping for someone who is like you.
If only there was one thing
Wishing there was only one issue to fix.
Some way of controlling
A chance to get everything under control.
All these other things I do
All the other distractions that make it difficult to focus.
Shock me girl electric blue
The singer is asking for an electrifying experience.
Standing while the wrecks still true
Trying to keep going despite the wreckage happening around them.
And so we fall
Despite our efforts, we still end up falling down.
And through it all
Despite all the struggles we go through.
I'm left here with this purple heart of mine
The singer is left with a heart that is hurt and bruised.
Battles won
The artist is acknowledging that they have won some battles.
The war is done
The larger conflict seems to have ended.
And the sky is purple, purple, purple
The world around them is strangely tinted.
Last night I was dreaming
The singer is recounting a dream.
Falling from the ceiling
The dream was about a surreal experience.
Woke up just before the sound
The artist woke up suddenly.
And it got me thinking
The dream caused the singer to enter a reflective state.
Oh I got that feeling
They had an intuition about something important.
We'd already hit the ground
The situation had already taken a turn for the worse.
I'ma keep shining
The artist is determined to keep trying.
I'ma keep shining all my love
The artist is going to keep trying to show love despite hardships.
You know this war is never done
The singer acknowledges that some conflicts never really end.
But I keep on shining on, shining on, I just want to shine on (I'ma keep shining all my love)
The artist will keep trying to shine their light, no matter the circumstances.
Now the battle's won
The singer believes they have won a battle.
Get it, get it
The singer is urging the listener to understand and act on what has been said.
I'ma keep shining (alright now)
The singer is continuing their determination to keep trying.
Now the battle is won
The artist again acknowledges a battle has been won.
I'ma keep shining (I'ma keep shining)
The artist repeats their determination to keep going.
I'ma keep shining all my love
The singer will keep trying to show love despite hardships.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Ryan Harris, Priese Prince Lamont Board, Matiu John Anderson Walters, Marlon Alexander Gerbes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind