They are signed to the Wichita Recordings label, and have currently released 5 albums through this imprint - 'The Cribs' (2004), 'The New Fellas' (2005), 'Mens Needs, Womens Needs, Whatever' (2007), 'Ignore The Ignorant' (2009), and 'In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull' (2012).
Despite starting off as an underground band, The Cribs have experienced commercial success with 'Mens Needs, Womens Needs, Whatever' charting at #13 in the UK album charts, and 'Ignore The Ignorant' achieving the band their first Top Ten album, charting at #8. They also have 7 top 40 hit singles to their name, the most successful of which being 'Men's Needs' (#17). In 2008, Q magazine described The Cribs as "The biggest cult band in the UK".
The Chi-Town Songfacts says that The Cribs' fifth studio album, In the Belly of the Brazen Bull, was recorded at London's Abbey Road and Chicago's EAR studio with famed lo-fi rock engineer Steve Albini and Tarbox Road studio in New York with David Fridmann (Mercury Rev, The Flaming Lips).
After some hard times during which they were (according to an interview in DIY Magazine) "nearly losing the rights to their entire back catalogue, and coming close to calling time on the group entirely," in 2020 they released the album "Night Network."
Pure O
The Cribs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You had me hurting
You should know that
I was certain in my head
When you know, you know
I can't change
God-damn the times I thought of nothing
So perfect in my devising
I load it all on you
And your lonely heart, under pressure
A petal in a book
I carry this around, for luck
'Cause I've got something I can't say
Pure O
You have me hurting
You should know that
I was certain in my head
When you know, you know
And that's the main thing
You should know that
I was certain in my head
Protect me still my treasured secret
In ways misunderstood
She keeps me still with over-thinking
I'd love to hold you but
My hands were tied so the chance was wasted
The thousandth never took
I carry this around
'Cause I've got something I cant say
Pure O, oh I have wasted
So many years just on the same trip
Late night favour
Yeah I was nervous
That she don't know yet
If I was only part-time
The Cribs's song Pure O is a song about unrequited love and the weight it can carry on one's heart and mind. The singer is certain in their head about their feelings towards the subject of the song, but unable to express them due to various reasons. The lyrics suggest a certain level of guilt and regret over the missed opportunities to express their love to the subject. The phrase "Pure O" refers to a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder where individuals experience intrusive and distressing thoughts, images or impulses.
The first verse sets the tone of the song, with the singer admitting to the hurt caused by the subject of the song. The lyrics "God-damn the times I thought of nothing but the things I couldn't prove" hints at the singer's struggle with expressing their feelings to the subject. The second verse talks about the singer's treasured secret, their unrequited love, which is misunderstood by others. The line "She keeps me still with over-thinking" suggests that the singer's obsession with the subject is getting in the way of their ability to move on from these feelings.
The chorus of the song, which repeats twice throughout, is a plea for understanding. The singer wants the subject to know that they are hurting, and that their feelings towards them are certain in their head. The line "When you know, you know" implies that the singer is confident of their feelings, but unable to act on them due to external restraints.
Overall, "Pure O" is a heartfelt and emotionally charged song that speaks to the struggles of unrequited love and the inability to express one's true feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
You had me hurting
You caused me pain and suffering in some way.
You should know that
It's important for you to understand the impact you had on me.
I was certain in my head
I was convinced of something and couldn't change my mind.
When you know, you know
Sometimes you just have a gut feeling about something and it's hard to ignore.
I can't change
I'm unable to alter certain things about myself or the situation.
God-damn the times I thought of nothing
I'm frustrated with myself for spending so much time and energy on irrelevant thoughts.
But the things I couldn't prove
These thoughts were focused on things that I couldn't confirm or validate.
So perfect in my devising
I had created this perfect scenario in my mind, which likely didn't match reality.
I load it all on you
I'm placing the blame for my own insecurities or failures on you, unfairly.
And your lonely heart, under pressure
You're struggling with your own emotions and it's taking a toll on you.
A petal in a book
You're delicate and vulnerable, but hidden away from the world.
I carry this around, for luck
I hold onto something that brings me comfort, even though it may not make logical sense.
'Cause I've got something I can't say
There's something I need to express, but I'm unable or unwilling to articulate it.
Protect me still my treasured secret
I'm keeping this secret close to my heart, even though it's potentially harmful.
In ways misunderstood
Others may not understand the reasons behind my actions or emotions.
She keeps me still with over-thinking
I'm trapped in a cycle of obsessive thoughts and analysis, which is preventing me from moving forward.
I'd love to hold you but
I desire connection and affection from you, but there are obstacles preventing it.
My hands were tied so the chance was wasted
I wasn't able to take advantage of an opportunity due to external circumstances.
The thousandth never took
I've missed out on countless chances for connection or success due to my own inaction or fear.
'Cause I've got something I can't say
There's a deep, personal truth that I'm unable or unwilling to share with others.
Pure O, oh I have wasted
I've spent an excessive amount of time and energy on something, which has ultimately been unproductive and unfulfilling.
So many years just on the same trip
I've repeated the same patterns or mistakes for an extended period of time, without significant progress.
Late night favour
I'm performing a task or providing comfort for someone late at night, likely out of a sense of duty or love.
Yeah I was nervous
I'm feeling anxious or apprehensive about something.
That she don't know yet
There's something important that I haven't yet revealed to her.
If I was only part-time
If my relationship or commitment to her was only temporary or half-hearted.
Contributed by Jayce E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marsden
Pure O Lyrics
Pure O
You had me hurting
You should know that
I was certain in my head
When you know, you know
I can't change
God-damn the times I thought of nothing
But the things I couldn't prove
So perfect in my devising
I load it all on you
And your lonely heart, under pressure
A petal in a book
I carry this around, for luck
'Cause I've got something I can't say
Pure O
You have me hurting
You should know that
I was certain in my head
When you know, you know
And that's the main thing
You should know that
I was certain in my head
Protect me still my treasured secret
In ways misunderstood
She keeps me still with over-thinking
I'd love to hold you but
My hands were tied so the chance was wasted
The thousandth never took
I carry this around
'Cause I've got something I can't say
Pure O, oh I have wasted
So many years just on the same trip
Late night favour
Yeah I was nervous
That she don't know yet
If I was only part-time
Sean Blinkhorn
Cant get it out of my head. What an absolute tune. Cribs dont NEED Marr, but you can definetly hear the influence of Britian's greatest guitarist here
Marsden
Pure O Lyrics
Pure O
You had me hurting
You should know that
I was certain in my head
When you know, you know
I can't change
God-damn the times I thought of nothing
But the things I couldn't prove
So perfect in my devising
I load it all on you
And your lonely heart, under pressure
A petal in a book
I carry this around, for luck
'Cause I've got something I can't say
Pure O
You have me hurting
You should know that
I was certain in my head
When you know, you know
And that's the main thing
You should know that
I was certain in my head
Protect me still my treasured secret
In ways misunderstood
She keeps me still with over-thinking
I'd love to hold you but
My hands were tied so the chance was wasted
The thousandth never took
I carry this around
'Cause I've got something I can't say
Pure O, oh I have wasted
So many years just on the same trip
Late night favour
Yeah I was nervous
That she don't know yet
If I was only part-time
Marc Hardwick
Johnny Marr you're one of the greatest guitarists of all time but you never overwhelmed the Cribs. Back to their roots and rightly so!
steven fagan
The mark of a good song and album is that it takes a few listens. This does. Glitters like Gold and the "medley" at the end (last 4 songs) are marvellous. Back to the Bolthole is steaming. Well done as well oan the NME award! It is very very well deserved! Cribs Rule 4ever!!!
steven fagan
ITBOTBB Is definitely a grower of an album: 3 or 4 listens and the hooks are well and truly embedded in your brain.
Rachel woods
what a super track love it cant wait to see them tomorrow night in belfast
Dadylle Sandins Yetti
this is addictive!!! I LOVE THIS SONG!!! so much...
emit relevart
I do searches on the internet about pure o when my ocd gets bad (it helps me to calm down). That's how finded this song and I don't regret it.
Jacoby
Exact same here. Thanks bud, even your comment has the effect we're talking about lmao
Jacoby
I'm supposed to die. I was supposed to die years ago. Death is no more than waking up from a dream. They're waiting for me to wake up. Some are disappointed, some miss me dearly, some have accepted my being here and are rooting for me. None of the pain my death would bring matters. My loved ones will die one day and they will be granted understanding of why I left. God accepts my decision and will not punish me. The place I will go to is better than this, and I'm supposed to be there right now. This world doesn't matter and I'm wasting time.
This is pure o.