Portugal. The Man centered on frontman John Gourley’s abstract musical approach and corresponding upbringing. He was raised in a sort of technological isolation: his log cabin home in the winter wasteland of the fringes of Wasilla, Alaska was powered by a generator and had no telephone. Both of his parents helped completely immerse him in the unique lifestyle that comes with a land of seasonal darkness and perpetual cold with their jobs as dog sled mushers. Gourley’s innate curiosity and individual spirit combined with a fascination with science fiction and experiences of homelessness create a distinctly transcendent sound that is always open to interpretation and change.
The band’s debut album, Waiter: “You Vultures!” was released by Fearless Records on January 24th, 2006.
On June 22, 2007 they released their second full length, Church Mouth. The band then set out on a full US tour with support from The Photo Atlas, Play Radio Play, Tera Melos, and The Only Children. They then toured Europe, and followed it up with another US headlining tour with support from Rocky Votolato and Great Depression during September and October. Following this tour, they joined Thursday on a short east coast tour in November alongside Circle Takes the Square.
Portugal. The Man collaborated with the band The Sound of Animals Fighting on the re-release of their first album, “Tiger and the Duke.” Portugal. The Man remixed three of the songs on that album.
On July 30, 2008, it was announced that Portugal. The Man would release Censored Colors under its independent record label, Approaching AIRballoons, with a partnership with EQUAL VISION RECORDS. The album was released September 16, 2008.
On April 9th, 2009, Portugal. The Man announced a fourth studio album, The Satanic Satanist. It was released on July 21, 2009.
As of October 2009, It was announced through Twitter that Portugal. The Man have completed another album entitled “American Ghetto” which combines their progressive rock style from their latter albums with some of the electo style from their “Its Complicated Being A Wizard” release. A listening party was held for a group of 17 fans in Los Angeles CA. The album was released on March 2, 2010.
The Got it All (This Can’t Be Living Now) Songfacts reports the band’s sixth album and first for Atlantic, In the Mountain in the Cloud, was released on July 19, 2011.
On February 8, 2013, Portugal. The Man leaked pictures on Bonnaroo's official Tumblr page which showed that celebrated producer Danger Mouse was producing the band's new record. According to a Q&A Zach did on the band's Tumblr, their new album was influenced by Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" album.
On February 25, 2013, Portugal. The Man released the name of their new album, titled Evil Friends, on Instagram. On March 6, the band revealed the album art for Evil Friends using a Tweet-to-reveal mosaic. The next day, the video for the title track from Evil Friends was released on the band's YouTube channel. On June 4, 2013, the album was released in the United States. The album featured backing vocals by Este Haim and Danielle Haim. A music video of "Purple Yellow Red and Blue" followed.
On April 22, 2014, the band announced a partnership with Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute to release a limited-edition run of 400 records to raise awareness for critically endangered Sumatran tigers. The track, "Sumatran Tiger" does not officially exist digitally, and the copies were sent to "400 carefully chosen influencers, among them actors, activists, musicians, conservationists, bloggers and journalists," and is, as the band claims, "the first song meant to go extinct unless it's reproduced." The band encouraged fans to "scour the Internet" using the hashtags #EndangeredSong and #SumatranTiger to find recordings of the song.
In November 2014, Portugal. The Man were in the studio recording their eighth album with Mike D from The Beastie Boys producing. The band also posted pictures of themselves in the studio on Instagram, as well as showcasing small teasers of what their new album would sound like. Mac Miller was also shown working with the band as well. In May 2015, the band released teasers on social networks of what appeared to be new music with a Latin twist with huapango guitars, dream synths and drums machines. On May 5, Portugal. The Man released a Spanish version of "Purple Yellow Red and Blue" covered by a Mexican-American band called The Chamanas on their official YouTube channel to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. On December 31, 2015, Portugal. The Man posted to their website that they had completed two records followed by separate hashtags #Gloomin + #Doomin. However, on February 3, 2016, the band tweeted from their official account that the new record would be entitled Gloomin + Doomin. In February 2016 Portugal. the Man were featured on the Yoko Ono collaboration album Yes, I'm A Witch Too performing "Soul Got Out of the Box".
On November 30, 2016, Triple J radio debuted Portugal. The Man's new song "Noise Pollution". It was released as a single on December 2, and featured Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Zoe Manville. On March 3, 2017, the band released a single titled "Feel It Still", which was followed by the release of an accompanying music video three days later. It was revealed that Gloomin + Doomin "failed to complete" and was thrown out after three years. They have since completed another album, titled Woodstock, which is promoted by "Feel It Still". The album's title was inspired by an original 1969 Woodstock music festival ticket stub owned by Gourley's father. It led Gourley to a realization that almost 50 years later, music has the same mission as then – "to comment on societal and political unease." "We worked with so many rad people on this album, but ended up with just the four of us in a basement at 4 a.m. trying to say something that mattered," said Gourley. "Trying to write music that would help people feel they're not alone, even if they're angry or feeling lost." Woodstock was released on June 16, 2017. John Gourley and Zoe Manville married on New Year's Eve 2017.
60 Years
Portugal. The Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I became all mankind
As I drip from mine eyes
I washed away to a smaller size
We'll wait 1000 years until the end of time
We'll wait 1000 more dressed up in gold and white
We'll climb the mountain sides to find what's in the sky
If we see what we need we'll find
It don't make who we be
If we try would we find
That what we need is more than time
We'll wait 1000 years until the end of time
We'll wait 1000 more dressed up in gold and white
We'll climb the mountain sides to find what's in the sky
We'll dig through mountain sides to find what's deep inside
I've got everything you need
The friends you help need everything
What you need, what you need
You can help out all your friends in need
But the friends you help need everything
What you need, what you need
First you stand then you crawl
Then you sleep to be reborn
We'll wait 1000 years until the end of time
We'll wait 1000 more dressed up in gold and white
We'll climb the mountain sides to find what's in the sky
We'll dig through mountain sides to find what's deep inside
You can help out all your friends in need
But the friends you help need everything
What you need, what you need
I've got everything you need
The friends you help need everything
What you need, what you need
The lyrics of Portugal. The Man's "60 Years" are cryptic and heavily metaphorical, making it a great subject for interpretation. The song opens with "First I stand then I die // I became all mankind // As I drip from mine eyes // I washed away to a smaller size," with the singer shifting between first and third person, suggesting a universal message. The first line perhaps speaks of our initial attempt to 'stand' on our own, to become independent and walk the road alone but ultimately we all die, and in death, we return to the same place as everyone else. The image of the singer's being washing away to a smaller size could represent a rebirth, or a decrease in ego, leading to enlightenment or greater understanding.
The second stanza conveys a sense of waiting and searching for truth or understanding that may exist beyond our lives. "We'll wait 1000 years until the end of time // We'll wait 1000 more dressed up in gold and white // We'll climb the mountain sides to find what's in the sky // We'll dig through mountain sides to find what's deep inside." The mountain tops and the sky may allude to an idea of heaven, afterlife or enlightenment, and the gold and white could represent purity, clarity, or transcendence of materialism or desire. The digging through mountain sides in search of what's deep inside emphasizes the fact that while the exterior may look exciting or flashy, the real treasure or understanding that we seek may be found in the depths, or within ourselves.
The last stanza brings the singer's message to the present moment, suggesting that we can help those in need but acknowledges that giving everything may not be enough to satisfy their needs, and to truly help them, we must help ourselves too. "You can help out all your friends in need // But the friends you help need everything // What you need, what you need // I've got everything you need // The friends you help need everything // What you need, what you need." The repeated phrase "What you need" emphasizes this idea of introspection, asking the listener to consider what they truly need in order to be happy and satisfied, instead of being driven solely by external factors or the needs of others.
Line by Line Meaning
First I stand then I die
I exist until my eventual death, experiencing the human condition in its entirety.
I became all mankind
Through my experiences, I came to understand the shared humanity of all individuals.
As I drip from mine eyes
Through tears and sorrow, I let go of my ego and become part of something greater.
I washed away to a smaller size
As I become less focused on myself, I begin to see the bigger picture and my place within it.
We'll wait 1000 years until the end of time
Humanity will endure for millennia, facing and overcoming countless obstacles along the way.
We'll wait 1000 more dressed up in gold and white
Despite the passage of time, we still cling to symbols of power and status, hoping they will provide some sense of security or fulfillment.
We'll climb the mountain sides to find what's in the sky
We seek knowledge and understanding beyond what we can see and touch, striving to connect with the mysteries of the universe.
We'll dig through mountain sides to find what's deep inside
We also look within ourselves, exploring the depths of our own minds and emotions to find meaning and purpose.
If we see what we need we'll find
When we have a clear vision of our goals and desires, we are more likely to achieve them.
It don't make who we be
Our external circumstances do not determine our worth or value as individuals.
If we try would we find
We must put in effort and take action to achieve our goals and desires.
That what we need is more than time
There are things we require beyond just the passage of time, such as knowledge, experience, and personal growth.
I've got everything you need
As individuals, we are capable of meeting the needs of ourselves and others with the right mindset and resources.
The friends you help need everything
Even those we help and support require a wide range of resources and assistance to achieve their goals and dreams.
What you need, what you need
It's important to identify your own needs and desires in order to pursue personal fulfillment and happiness.
First you stand then you crawl
We begin our lives with an upright posture and growing independence, but must also learn to be vulnerable and dependent at times.
Then you sleep to be reborn
Through rest and introspection, we can renew our spirits and begin anew, shedding our old selves and embracing personal growth.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN BALDWIN GOURLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Velox Vendetta
I have yet to find a PTM song that i do not like and i have listen to just about everything from them.
Recycled Soul
@***** I agree with everything you said & i love your profile picture.
Queenie Of The Galaxy
I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH
Jennifer Johnson
this is one of my favorite portugal songs, although its super hard to narrow it down to even a top 5, this song is definitely on that list. I got to meet John last month at starry nights, it was such a blast. I honestly wasnt surprised to find how soft spoken and polite he was. I <3 this band :D
Nyto
10 years, and this album it's again à masterpiece ❤️
slypjOGh00dnigga
I really love this album. Everything they've done is amazing, but this one is just a masterpiece.
underscoresandspaces
turn this one up! it's been stuck in my head all week and I'm fine with it :D
sad cowgirl
i love their music so much.
Ian Pope
Love it
londonengland123
Great song