Newman began his musical career in the 1990s as a member of the Vancouver grunge/pop group Superconductor. After a brief stay, he joined the Vancouver-based pop group Zumpano. The band released two albums with Newman in the mid-1990s, Look What the Rookie Did and Goin' Through Changes, both of which received favorable reviews. Though Zumpano never officially announced their breakup, they have not recorded any new material since the 90s.
Newman is a founding member of the successful Vancouver-based pop supergroup The New Pornographers. The band has released five full length albums since 2000, all of which received favorable reviews. In 2007, Blender ranked the group's debut album, Mass Romantic, the 24th best indie album of all time. Newman is the band's main songwriter and vocalist, and is generally regarded as the band's leader.
His debut solo album, The Slow Wonder, was released in Summer 2004, and his sophomore album, Get Guilty, was released in early 2009. He released his third album, Shut Down the Streets, in 2012.
Like A Hitman Like A Dancer
A.C. Newman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the soul, on the soul
Like the old champion about to go under
Oh my soul, oh my soul
You'd like a change, man
Without a change, man
You could've changed sides
Changed sides
But you wanted to win
Like a fourth wall, cop chase on blue screen
All eyes roll, all eyes roll
Like a snowfall that blankets a city
Swallowed whole, swallowed whole
You'd like a change, man
Without a change, man
You could've changed sides
But you wanted to win
Changed sides
But you wanted to win
Like a hitman, oh, like a dancer
On the soul, on the soul
Like a balancing act or a stage whisper
It's all I know, it's all I know
You'd like a change, man
Without a change, man
You could've changed sides
But you wanted to win
Changed sides
But you wanted to win
Like a change, man
Without a change, man
You could've changed sides
But you wanted to win
Changed sides
But you wanted to win
Like a hitman, oh, like a dancer
Like a hitman, oh, like a dancer
The song "Like A Hitman Like A Dancer" by A.C. Newman is rich in metaphors and figurative language. The opening lines, "like a hitman, oh, like a dancer / on the soul, on the soul" suggest that the singer is comparing themselves to someone who is both skilled and graceful but also capable of violence. The repetition of "on the soul" implies that these actions are leaving a significant impact on the singer's emotions and psyche.
The following lines, "like the old champion about to go under / oh my soul, oh my soul" evoke the image of a former great struggling to maintain their status, as if the singer is on the verge of losing something important to them. This is reinforced by the repeated line "you'd like a change, man / without a change, man", suggesting that the singer is stuck in a place they don't want to be in.
The imagery in the second verse continues this sense of feeling trapped, using a cop chase on a blue screen and a snowfall that blankets a city as symbols of being overwhelmed and suffocated. The final stanza returns to the initial comparison of a hitman and a dancer, emphasizing the delicate balance between the two. Overall, the song seems to be about feeling stuck in a difficult situation, wanting to make a change, but ultimately feeling like there are no good options.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a hitman, oh, like a dancer
Comparing oneself to a hitman and a dancer, embodying their precision and grace.
On the soul, on the soul
Imbuing one's actions with deep significance and impact.
Like the old champion about to go under
Feeling past one's prime and as if one's defeat is imminent.
Oh my soul, oh my soul
Exclaiming personal distress at this realization.
You'd like a change, man
Desiring a transformation in oneself or one's circumstances.
Without a change, man
Acknowledging that change is necessary for growth and success.
You could've changed sides
Considering altering one's path or allegiances.
But you wanted to win
Opting to remain on one's current trajectory to attain victory.
Changed sides
Recognizing that switching paths would have led to different outcomes.
Like a fourth wall, cop chase on blue screen
Drawing a parallel between one's life and an action movie scene that is artificially constructed.
All eyes roll, all eyes roll
Highlighting the superficiality of the observed spectacle and the audience's jadedness.
Like a snowfall that blankets a city
Invoking a peaceful image to represent a change that envelops one's environment.
Swallowed whole, swallowed whole
Feeling overwhelmed and consumed by the change.
Like a balancing act or a stage whisper
Analogizing one's actions to a delicate performance or a quiet suggestion.
It's all I know, it's all I know
Indicating a devotion to one's craft or way of life despite its difficulties.
Like a change, man
Reiterating the desire for transformation.
Without a change, man
Acknowledging the stagnant state of affairs.
You could've changed sides
Reiterating the possibility of altering one's path or allegiances.
But you wanted to win
Affirming the commitment to remaining on one's current course to achieve success.
Changed sides
Contemplating the potential outcomes of switching allegiances.
But you wanted to win
Highlighting the importance of the decision and its potential impact on the pursuit of victory.
Like a hitman, oh, like a dancer
Returning to the initial comparison to sum up the intensity and finesse of one's actions.
Like a hitman, oh, like a dancer
Closing line to emphasize the central metaphor and its relevance throughout the song.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CARL ALLAN NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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