Pretty Pimpin

Album: b'lieve i'm goin down... (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this song, the Philadelphia singer Kurt Vile looks in the mirror and doesn't recognize the man he sees, although he thinks the clothes he's wearing are "pretty pimpin."

    When you're startled by the man in the mirror, it's usually a pretty bad sign and often an effective wake-up call. In many cases, addiction or insanity is the problem, but it seems Vile just needs some rest. "I was just mentally exhausted," he told Rolling Stone. "I think most people feel like that at times."

    Vile says that the song is based on a true story.
  • Daniel Henry directed the video, which finds multiple images of Vile sharing the screen, representing the different likenesses he imagines. Other videos by Henry include "High Ball Stepper" by Jack White and "The Garden" by Yumi And The System.
  • This became Kurt Vile's first #1 on a Billboard chart when it reached the summit on the Adult Alternative Songs tally in March 2016.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Scott Stapp

Scott StappSongwriter Interviews

The Creed lead singer reveals the "ego and self-fulfillment" he now sees in one of the band's biggest hits.

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian OrchestraSongwriter Interviews

Writing great prog metal isn't easy, especially when it's for 60 musicians.

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.

Motley Crue

Motley CrueFact or Fiction

Was Dr. Feelgood a dentist? Did the "Crüecifixion" really happen?

Early Days of MTV

Early Days of MTVFact or Fiction

If you can recall the days when MTV played videos, you know that there are lots of stories to tell. See if you can spot the real ones.