“I don’t care about being compared to bands,” says bassist/vocalist Jima, who’s been called the second coming of Richard Ashcroft several times over. “I think the Verve and Galaxie 500 are great. Plus they had careers and I don’t. You can compare me to a tree if it makes people want to buy our record.”
Ah, that Jima. He’s quite a character, isn’t he? The kind of frontman you share pints and stories with, not stodgy question & answer sessions with the consistency of rice cakes. Which is a good thing. Who likes the latter anyway, right? Just don’t expect him, drummer Craig Keller or the two Jason guitarists/backup vocalists, Atkin and Milne, to get all tabloid-y on you.
“Our mentality isn’t conducive to wild stories,” explains Jima. “But I’d like some; I’d like to be like that Pete Doherty guy.”
He’s kidding. We think. Eh, the truth will come this fall, when The Purrs stage their first nationwide tour from the comfy confines of Gas Huffer’s old van. Until then, this self-titled collection of re-mastered, self-released favorites will serve as a suitable intro to The Purrs’ story. (Which is still being written, in case you’re wondering.)
“Think of this as our Greatest Hits, if we had a hit,” says Jima, adding that this Sarathan debut contains two songs from their second EP (No Particular Bar, No Particular Town, 2004) and 7 of 13 selections from their 74-minute DIY opus (The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Of, 2005).
Truth be told, The Purrs have actually had several hits on the world-renowned Seattle radio station KEXP. The non-profit has also asked them to participate in numerous benefits, including the second annual “Rock Lottery” (a day-long event that randomly divides 25 area musicians into five impromptu bands; Jima was paired with Aaron Huffman of Harvey Danger, among others). Since KEXP is one of the nation’s leading streaming radio stations, the exposure has led to online orders and “when are you coming to our town?” requests from Australia, South America and Europe.
“It wasn’t like we were pimping our record to KEXP,” explains Jima. “They just heard it and liked it. Most of our songs are about drinking and playing music––pretty straightforward and hooky. That is what we do and what we know, so that’s what we sing about, right?”
Don't Stop Kicking Me Down
The Purrs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I lose more than I should
And every time the light shined in my direction
I just couldn't seem to make good
I missed all my shots and I blew all my parts
And I wasted all my time
No meaning, no feeling
Now assholes live in castles
And maggots live in my brain
And it just isn't worth the hassle
To continue in this vein
Where everyone's searchin'
And the whole scene is hurtin'
And we're not very good
Where the money is lousy
And the drinks are expensive
And I'm living in a bad neighborhood
Don't stop kicking me down
Don't stop kicking me down
Don't stop kicking me down
You've got to do it because it feels good
Of course we're all very impressed with your face
You've got the sea salt in your eyes
You say we're not quite California
So when we fail it will be no surprise
So easy to toss aside your own perfect alibi
It's so easy, you see
If you don't stop your hitting
If you don't stop your kicking
Hell, I may never ever leave
Don't stop kicking me down
Don't stop kicking me down
Don't stop kicking me down
You've got to do it because it feels good
Am I speaking my mind again?
Are you listening to me?
Hey, I am talking to you
Hey, I am talking to you
Hey, I am talking to you
Don't stop kicking me down
Don't stop kicking me down
Don't stop kicking me down
Don't stop kicking
Oh, don't stop your kicking, kicking me down
You're kicking me down
The Purrs' song Don't Stop Kicking Me Down is a heartfelt and somewhat melancholy depiction of a person feeling beaten up and defeated by life. The singer speaks of losing more than they win and being unable to make good even when the light shines in their direction. They speak of their failures, wasted time, and feeling devoid of any meaning or reason. The singer then contrasts their own failures with the successes of others, as "assholes live in castles" while they feel like "maggots live in my brain". They describe a desperate search for meaning and a sense of belonging in a world where they are living in a bad neighborhood, the money is bad, and drinks are expensive.
As the song continues, the repeated refrain of "don't stop kicking me down" speaks of a desire to keep going, even if life feels like a relentless kick in the teeth. This repetition of the phrase almost gives it a chant-like quality, like a mantra the singer is using to keep themselves going, no matter what life throws at them. The final lines are a plea, perhaps to a specific person or to the universe at large, to keep on kicking them down, because the struggle makes them feel alive.
Overall, the song speaks to the human condition and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that can often be uncaring and difficult to navigate. It acknowledges the pain and failures that come with being alive, but also the desire to keep going, no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I win some and I lose some
I have a mix of successes and failures in life.
But I lose more than I should
I experience more failures than I think I deserve.
And every time the light shined in my direction
Whenever I had a chance at success or luck,
I just couldn't seem to make good
I could never quite capitalize on it.
I missed all my shots and I blew all my parts
I missed every opportunity and messed up every chance.
And I wasted all my time
I spent all my energy and efforts for nothing.
No meaning, no feeling
I was just going through the motions without any passion or purpose.
No reason, no rhyme
There was no logic or order to my actions or life.
Now assholes live in castles
Evil people seem to have all the power and success.
And maggots live in my brain
My thoughts and emotions are decaying and self-destructive.
And it just isn't worth the hassle
It feels like it's not worth the effort or pain to keep going.
To continue in this vein
To keep living this way.
Where everyone's searchin'
In a world where everyone is looking for something.
And the whole scene is hurtin'
In a society that is causing pain and suffering.
And we're not very good
And we as individuals are not very skilled or successful.
Where the money is lousy
In a place where money is not abundant or fulfilling.
And the drinks are expensive
And even simple pleasures are costly and hard to come by.
And I'm living in a bad neighborhood
And I am stuck in a negative and dangerous environment.
Don't stop kicking me down
Keep pushing me down and causing me pain.
You've got to do it because it feels good
You do it because it gives you satisfaction and pleasure.
Of course we're all very impressed with your face
Everyone thinks you are physically attractive.
You've got the sea salt in your eyes
You have a certain charm or appeal, perhaps a beachy aura.
You say we're not quite California
You don't think our group or place is as cool as California.
So when we fail it will be no surprise
You expect us to fail and won't be shocked by it.
So easy to toss aside your own perfect alibi
It's easy for you to ignore your own flaws and rationalize them away.
It's so easy, you see
You find it simple to do this.
If you don't stop your hitting
If you don't stop hurting and attacking me.
If you don't stop your kicking
If you don't stop pushing me down and beating me up.
Hell, I may never ever leave
I might be stuck in this negative situation permanently.
Am I speaking my mind again?
Am I being truthful and honest in my words once more?
Are you listening to me?
Do you hear and understand me?
Hey, I am talking to you
I want your attention and engagement.
Don't stop kicking me down
Keep pushing me down and causing me pain.
Don't stop kicking
Keep attacking me.
Oh, don't stop your kicking, kicking me down
Keep hurting and pushing me to punishment's extreme ends.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind