Since then the side-project has recorded (using a variety of lineups) six full length albums, several singles, and two movie soundtracks. In 1994, McCaughan released his first Portastatic album I Hope Your Heart Is Not Brittle; followed in 1995 by a second album, Slow Note from a Sinking Ship, and the "Scrapbook" EP. The Nature of Sap appeared in 1997, and the moniker emerged again with 2000's EP "De Mel, De Melao", which paid homage to classic Brazilian artists like Caetano Veloso and Arnaldo Baptista. In 2001, McCaughan returned with Looking for Leonard, the score to a film written and directed by Superchunk fans Matt Bissonette and Steven Clark.
The full-length Summer of the Shark was released in 2003, followed closely by its partner EP "Autumn Was A Lark", which was also made full-length by including acoustic versions of older songs. 2005's Bright Ideas was Portastatic's first album that did not contain a single track recorded on a Portastudio. McCaughan's most recent commercial album under the Portastatic moniker was Be Still Please, released in 2006. However, in 2008 Merge Records released a limited edition collection entitled Some Small History that contained previously unreleased tracks, tracks only on EPs, B-sides, and rarities.
Josephine
Portastatic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You could be my Josephine
We could go to drive-in films
In my red convertible
If I were Napoleon
I might be in magazines
I′d write some science fiction
You could be my Josephine
Just you and your chaperone
Let you be my Josephine
Josephine
If I were Napoleon
You could be my lady love
Look into my soft blue eyes
Run your fingers through my hair
If I were Napoleon
You could be my turtle-dove
Living out in Corsica
In our summer cottages
And you could be my Josephine
And we could be Siamese twins
Let you be my Josephine
Josephine
The lyrics to Portastatic's song "Josephine" appear to be a playful and imaginative exploration of a fictional romantic relationship between the singer and his love interest, comparing themselves to the historical figures Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. The song suggests a sense of longing and escapism, as the singer dreams of a glamorous and adventurous life with his beloved.
The first verse presents the idea that if the singer were Napoleon, a powerful and famous historical figure, his love interest could be his Josephine. They could enjoy simple pleasures like watching movies at a drive-in theater in a red convertible. This imagery symbolizes the desire for a carefree and romantic relationship.
In the second verse, the singer imagines being featured in magazines as Napoleon, possibly as a result of his writing science fiction stories about his love interest. This suggests a desire for recognition and fame, fueled by the inspiration he finds in his romantic connection.
The chorus reinforces the longing for the love interest to become his Josephine, using the repeated line, "Just you and your chaperone," which may allude to a need for privacy or secrecy in their relationship. The singer envisions a life together, comparing themselves to Siamese twins, inseparable and deeply connected.
Overall, "Josephine" appears to be a whimsical and imaginative song about yearning for romantic and adventurous love, using historical references to add a layer of intrigue and nostalgia.
Line by Line Meaning
If I were Napoleon
Imagining a world where the singer has the power and status of Napoleon Bonaparte
You could be my Josephine
Referring to the listener as a romantic partner, like Napoleon's love interest Josephine Bonaparte
We could go to drive-in films
Imagining leisurely activities that the singer and the listener could enjoy together
In my red convertible
Describing a specific car that the artist owns as a symbol of freedom and adventure
If I were Napoleon
Continuing the imagination of having the same power and fame as Napoleon
I might be in magazines
Anticipating the singer's popularity and presence in media if they were Napoleon
I′d write some science fiction
Expressing the singer's creative side, suggesting they would write stories
Science fiction about you
Imagining that the artist's science fiction stories would revolve around the listener
You could be my Josephine
Repeating the desire to have the listener as a romantic partner, comparing them to Josephine
Just you and your chaperone
Acknowledging the presence and importance of someone accompanying the listener
Let you be my Josephine
Expressing the singer's willingness to commit to a romantic relationship with the listener
Josephine
Repeating the name Josephine, emphasizing its significance
If I were Napoleon
Reiterating the idea of having the power and influence of Napoleon
You could be my lady love
Describing the listener as a potential romantic partner and emphasizing their importance
Look into my soft blue eyes
Creating a romantic and intimate image, suggesting the singer's affection
Run your fingers through my hair
Inviting physical intimacy, expressing a desire for touch and closeness
If I were Napoleon
Repeating the theme of having the power and fame of Napoleon
You could be my turtle-dove
Referring to the listener as a term of endearment, comparing them to a turtle-dove
Living out in Corsica
Imagining a shared life in Corsica, reflecting a sense of escape and tranquility
In our summer cottages
Envisioning a comfortable and idyllic living situation for the artist and the listener
And you could be my Josephine
Reiterating the desire for the listener as a romantic partner, emphasizing their importance
And we could be Siamese twins
Using Siamese twins as a metaphor for a close and inseparable relationship
Let you be my Josephine
Repeating the willingness to commit to a romantic relationship with the listener
Josephine
Emphasizing the name Josephine and its significance in the artist's desires
Writer(s): Stephin Merritt
Contributed by Logan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.