Portugal. The Man centered on frontman John Gourleyโs 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. Gourleyโs 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 bandโs debut album, Waiter: โYou Vultures!โ 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, โTiger and the Duke.โ 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 โAmerican Ghettoโ which combines their progressive rock style from their latter albums with some of the electo style from their โIts Complicated Being A Wizardโ 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 Canโt Be Living Now) Songfacts reports the bandโs 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 โ "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.
My Mind
Portugal. The Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That float above such shining notes
They know just where we should rest
Policed and waiting patiently
We knew where we'd gone and where we'd be
We know this should never drown the seeds (just where their feet are moving)
(Just why their feet are moving), oh
My mind is all
My mind is all
My mind is all gone
My mind is all
My mind is all
My mind is all gone
Deaf and dumb but fluent speech
Speaking speaks and listening
While eating piled tangled sugar weaves (just where their feet are moving)
(Just why their feet are moving), oh
My mind is all
My mind is all
My mind is all gone
My mind is all
My mind is all
My mind is all gone
You are my hands, do as I please
I feel my body moving, I feel these feet a-moving
You are my hands, do as I please
I feel my body moving, I feel these feet a-moving
A messy mess of fruits and pies
That dance about these aging eyes
They know just what becomes of seeds (just where their feet are moving)
(Just why their feet are moving)
A busy suit of dirty boys
Feeling rude in lazy lies
Oh my, my, oh my, my, my my (oh my, oh my, my, my my), oh
My mind is all
My mind is all
My mind is all
You are my hands, do as I please (my mind is all, my mind is all)
I feel my body moving, I feel these feet a-moving
You are my hands, do as I please (my mind is all, my mind is all)
I feel my body moving, I feel these feet a-moving
You are my hands, do as I please (my mind is all, my mind is all)
I feel my body moving, I feel these feet a-moving
The lyrics to โMy Mindโ by Portugal. The Man are quite abstract and open to interpretation, as is typical of the bandโs style. One possible meaning of the song is the idea of surrendering to oneโs thoughts and letting the mind drift away. The first verse talks about โfloating floats,โ which can be interpreted as a metaphor for ideas or thoughts that are floating through the mind. The line โthey know just where we should restโ could be seen as a reference to the idea that the mind knows when it needs to slow down and take a break from constant thinking.
The second verse talks about being โdeaf and dumb but fluent speech,โ which can be interpreted as a contrast between inner and outer communication. The idea is that even when we are outwardly silent or our words may seem meaningless or confused, inside our minds we are still processing and communicating with ourselves. The line โwhile eating piled tangled sugar weavesโ emphasizes the idea of a jumble of thoughts and sensory experiences that are all tangled up together.
The chorus repeats the phrase โmy mind is all gone,โ which can be seen as a reference to the feeling of losing oneself in oneโs thoughts or letting the mind wander. The idea of being in control of oneโs own body, but not necessarily oneโs thoughts or feelings, is also present in the lines โyou are my hands, do as I please / I feel my body moving, I feel these feet a-moving.โ
Overall, the song seems to be about the complexities and contradictions of the human mind, and the idea that sometimes itโs beneficial to let go and allow oneself to get lost in thought.
Line by Line Meaning
Stepping steps of floating floats
Moving forward in life with lightness and buoyancy.
That float above such shining notes
Being in a state of bliss and freedom, rising above the mundaneness of daily life.
They know just where we should rest
The universe knows exactly where we need to be, and guides us towards our destination.
Policed and waiting patiently
Conforming to societal norms, while waiting for the right opportunity to present itself.
We knew where we'd gone and where we'd be
Having a clear understanding of our past and future, and being confident in our decisions.
We know this should never drown the seeds
Despite the obstacles and challenges we face, we must not let them extinguish the spark within us.
My mind is all
I am consumed by my thoughts.
My mind is all gone
I am overwhelmed and lost in my own mind.
Deaf and dumb but fluent speech
Being in a state of disconnect with the world, yet still having the ability to express ourselves.
Speaking speaks and listening
The art of communication lies not just in speaking, but also in listening.
While eating piled tangled sugar weaves
Indulging in the sweetness of life, despite its complications and challenges.
You are my hands, do as I please
The power to take control of our lives lies within us, and we must use it wisely.
I feel my body moving, I feel these feet a-moving
Being in tune with our physical movements and instincts, and using them to navigate through life.
A messy mess of fruits and pies
Life is a chaotic mix of sweet and sour flavors that we must learn to navigate.
That dance about these aging eyes
Despite the passing of time, there is still beauty and joy to be found in life.
They know just what becomes of seeds
The universe has a plan for us, and the seeds we plant will eventually blossom into something beautiful.
A busy suit of dirty boys
Society often judges us by our appearances, even if they do not reflect who we truly are.
Feeling rude in lazy lies
Being dishonest with ourselves and others only leads to regret and discomfort.
Oh my, my, my
Expressing surprise and disbelief at the wonder and complexity of life.
Lyrics ยฉ Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Baldwin Gourley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zoe C
My Mind
Portugal. The Man
Stepping steps of floating floats
That float above such shining notes
They know just where we should rest
Policed and waiting patiently
We knew where we'd gone and where we'd be
We know this should never drown the seeds
(Just where their feet are moving
Just why why their feet are moving.)
My mind is all
My mind is all
My mind is all gone
My mind is all
My mind is all
My mind is all gone
Deaf and dumb but fluent speech
Speaking speaks and listening
While eating piled tangled sugar weaves
(Just where their feet are moving
Just why why their feet are moving.)
My mind is all
My mind is all
My mind is all gone
My mind is all
My mind is all
My mind is all gone
You are my hands, do as I please
I feel my body moving, I feel these feet a-moving
You are my hands, do as I please
I feel my body moving, I feel these feet a-moving
A messy mess of fruits and pies
That dance about these aging eyes
They know just what becomes of seeds
(Just where their feet are moving
Just why why their feet are moving.)
A busy suit of dirty boys
Feeling rude in lazy lies
Oh my, my, my
Oh, my, my, my my
My mind is all
My mind is all
My mind is all
You are my hands, do as I please
I feel my body moving, I feel these feet a-moving
(My mind is all
My mind is all
My mind is all)
You are my hands, do as I please
I feel my body moving, I feel these feet a-moving
(My mind is all
My mind is all
My mind is all)
You are my hands, do as I please
I feel my body moving, I feel these feet a-moving
Joseph Thoke
Love this band!
DocM
Great track off a great album!!
THE MIะDFUCKER
Epic song.
Up2Eight
Wow this song is absolutely incredible.
Oscar Flores Torres
Portugal The Man is the mutha' fucking greatest best phenomenal amazingly super outstanding fabolous band ever in the whole world!!!!
Zoe C
I'm loosing my mind in this song, feel so fantastic!๐๐ซ๐๐ซ๐๐ซ๐๐ซ๐๐ซ๐๐ซ๐
Luke Willis
how is it this band is phenomenal yet not that popular.
RaptorJesus
+Luke Willis Not a damn clue, it's kind of impressive.. I found them through Evil Friends which I LOVED, and just that album and its lack of popularity yet was pretty surprising, and then I realized they had MORE ALBUMS. So I listened to those albums, here I am, questioning how ears work as if I'm Jayden Smith because this stuff can't be real.
Luke Willis
RaptorJesusย ย Haha yeah, right? It's such great music in my opinion. I guess it shows how much control huge music labels that produce a bunch of pop garbage have over it all. Cause this is GOLDย
L N
+Luke Willis you're so right