Grand Ole Party (2006-2009) was a three piece composed of Kristin Gundred (… Read Full Bio ↴Grand Ole Party (2006-2009) was a three piece composed of Kristin Gundred (singer/drummer), John Paul(guitar) and Mike Krechneyak (bassist). They started playing in San Diego in mid 2007, having moved from the San Francisco area. The three met while attending college at University of California Santa Cruz.

They were nominated for "best new artist" in the 2007 San Diego Music Awards. Many in the local music community found their loss(to Kite Flying Society) suprising.

As of 2007 it was reported that they were getting ready to record in march in los angeles.

They have opened for CSS, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Rilo Kiley, and have headlined sold-out shows at the Casbah in San Diego.

As of mid february, 2007, they had not yet signed with management or a label, though local newspapers have reported that they are talking to 3d Management of Los Angeles. San Diego City Beat "Local's Only" Column.

Troubadour
Grand Ole Party Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn
Let us bridge gaps, let us brave frontiers
Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn
Let us bridge gaps, let us brave frontiers
Get into your ship
Count heads if you like
Have you checked your list of men?
Have you checked it twice?

Did you pack your pantry well?
Does the underbelly swell
With collective anticipation?
Like a troubadour of the water
Your ship marched along
Its own beat, the lonely seas
From point A to point B
Is your shipped rigged right for whales
Or perhaps for sunken treasure?
Do you pursue some sort of science
With the help of your poor sailors?
Glimpsing paradise in rolling waves
Struck by gold in hidden caves
And all their lives
That won't be saved
Like a troubadour of the water
Your ship marched along
Its own beat, the lonely seas
From point A to point B
Driven to make a constant voyage
The globe a chart of personal feat
It's a life-long tally of one man's courage
But the sea's a foe who can't be beat
And to keep in always motion
On top the dark ocean
Drop off your used men
Pick up some new men
Like a troubadour of the water
Your ship marched along
Its own beat, the lonely seas
From point A to point B
Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn
Let us bridge gaps, let us brave frontiers
Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn
Let us bridge gaps, let us brave frontiers
Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn
Let us bridge gaps, let us brave frontiers

Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn
Let us bridge gaps, let us brave frontiers

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Grand Ole Party's song Troubadour appear to be about the journey of a sea captain and his crew as they navigate the seas. The song begins by referencing the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, two lines of latitude that mark the northernmost and southernmost points where the sun can be directly overhead. The singer calls for the bridging of gaps and the braving of frontiers, suggesting a desire for exploration and discovery.

As the song continues, the captain is depicted as preparing for the voyage ahead, counting heads and checking lists. The lyrics suggest that the ship may be rigged for either whale hunting or treasure hunting, and that the crew may be pursuing some form of scientific exploration. The metaphor of the troubadour of the water is employed to describe the ship, which marches along to its own beat on the lonely seas, from point A to point B.

The final section of the song emphasizes the challenges and dangers of life at sea, with the captain constantly picking up new crew members as old ones die or are left behind. The repetition of the lines about bridging gaps and braving frontiers suggests a sense of determination and purpose that drives the captain and his crew forward despite the hardships they face.

Line by Line Meaning

Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn
Let's connect the North and South hemispheres, let's explore new territories

Let us bridge gaps, let us brave frontiers
Let's unite people and lands, let's face challenges together

Get into your ship
Embark on a journey

Count heads if you like
Check how many crew members you have

Have you checked your list of men?
Have you prepared and organized your crew accordingly?

Have you checked it twice?
Have you double-checked to ensure everything is in order?

Did you pack your pantry well?
Have you stocked enough food and supplies for the voyage?

Does the underbelly swell / With collective anticipation?
Is everyone excited and eager for the journey ahead?

Like a troubadour of the water / Your ship marched along / Its own beat, the lonely seas / From point A to point B
Your ship sails with its unique rhythm through the vast and isolated sea, navigating from one location to another

Is your ship rigged right for whales / Or perhaps for sunken treasure?
Have you prepared your ship for potential encounters with whales or for finding sunken treasure?

Do you pursue some sort of science / With the help of your poor sailors?
Are you conducting scientific research with the assistance of your crew?

Glimpsing paradise in rolling waves / Struck by gold in hidden caves / And all their lives / That won't be saved
Discovering beauty in the sea and finding treasure, even if it comes at the cost of risking their lives

Driven to make a constant voyage / The globe a chart of personal feat / It's a life-long tally of one man's courage / But the sea's a foe who can't be beat
Motivated to embark on a continuous journey and to achieve personal accomplishments, though acknowledging that the sea is an unbeatable opponent

And to keep in always motion / On top the dark ocean / Drop off your used men / Pick up some new men
To continue sailing and never stop, though replacing crew members who are no longer fit for the journey