Portugal. The Man centered on frontman John Gourleyâs 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. Gourleyâs 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 bandâs debut album, Waiter: âYou Vultures!â 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, âTiger and the Duke.â 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 âAmerican Ghettoâ which combines their progressive rock style from their latter albums with some of the electo style from their âIts Complicated Being A Wizardâ 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 Canât Be Living Now) Songfacts reports the bandâs 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 â "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.
Plastic Soldiers
Portugal. The Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything is the same
Within us, all together
Everything carries weight
Everything is the same
And we are all together
I'd like to step on my friends
Step on my friend
But I can't keep my head my head up
I can't seem to keep my head
Could it be we got lost in the summer?
Well I know you know that it's over
But you're still in
Treading water
But you're still in
Treading water
(Keep my head)
(Keep my head)
(I can't keep my head)
I'd hate to seem so shallow
I'd like to get deeper in
Swim deeper in
But I can't find the water
I can't seem to find my way
Could it be we got lost in the summer?
Well I know you know that it's over
But you're still in
Treading water
But you're still in
I can't keep my head above ground (I can't keep my head above ground, can't keep my head)
I can't keep my head above ground (I can't keep my head above ground, can't keep my head)
I can't keep
I can't keep my head above ground (I can't keep my head above ground, can't keep my head)
I can't keep my head above ground (I can't keep my head above ground, can't keep my head)
I can't keep
But you're still in
Treading water
Could it be we got lost in the summer?
Well I know you know that it's over
But you're still in
Treading water
You can drift along
You've got the time
The rest of us will live and die
Like plastic soldiers
Only growing older
You can drift along
You've got the time
The rest of us will live and die
Like plastic soldiers
Only growing older
You can drift along
You've got the time
The rest of us will live and die
Like plastic soldiers
Only growing older
The song "Plastic Soldiers" by Portugal. The Man is a poignant commentary on the monotony of life and the struggle to find purpose and meaning. The repeated line "everything carries weight, everything is the same" highlights the sense of stagnancy that the singer is feeling, with nothing seeming to change or matter. The line "but you're still in, treading water" further emphasizes this feeling of being stuck and unable to move forward. The use of the metaphor of "plastic soldiers only growing older" speaks to the idea that without purpose or direction, life can feel like we are simply going through the motions without any real growth or change.
The chorus, with the line "I can't keep my head up" underscores the difficulty the singer is facing in finding hope or positivity in their current state. The lyrics "I'd like to step on my friends" and "I'd hate to seem so shallow, I'd like to get deeper in" create a sense of internal conflict - the singer wants to connect with others but is struggling to find the motivation to do so. The repeated line "could it be we got lost in the summer" suggests a nostalgia for better times, but even this memory is tinged with a sense of loss and disappointment.
In summary, "Plastic Soldiers" is a thought-provoking look at the struggles of the human condition, expressing feelings of being out of sync with the world around us and the challenges of finding purpose and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything carries weight
All things have importance and meaning.
Everything is the same
All things are equal in value and significance.
Within us, all together
We are all connected and part of a larger whole.
I can't keep my head up
I am struggling to stay positive and confident.
I'd like to step on my friends
I feel angry and resentful towards those close to me.
Step on my friend
I want to dominate and control those around me.
But I can't keep my head my head up
Despite my negative feelings, I am unable to express them or act on them.
Could it be we got lost in the summer?
Did we lose sight of what is important and meaningful during a time of leisure and relaxation?
Well I know you know that it's over
We all know that something has ended or changed, but we are struggling to move on.
But you're still in
Despite the change, you are still stuck in the same patterns and behaviors.
Treading water
You are not making progress, but rather staying afloat in the same place.
I'd hate to seem so shallow
I am afraid of being perceived as superficial or lacking depth.
I'd like to get deeper in
I want to have more meaningful and substantial experiences.
Swim deeper in
I want to become more immersed and involved in life.
But I can't find the water
I am struggling to find the opportunities or resources to have these experiences.
I can't seem to find my way
I am lost or unsure of my direction in life.
I can't keep my head above ground (I can't keep my head above ground, can't keep my head)
I feel overwhelmed and unable to cope with the challenges of life.
But you're still in
Despite the difficulties, you are still persevering and trying to move forward.
You can drift along
You have the option to coast through life without making an effort.
You've got the time
You are free to use your time as you see fit.
The rest of us will live and die
Others are living their lives to the fullest while they have the chance.
Like plastic soldiers
Life can feel artificial, superficial, and lacking in meaning.
Only growing older
Time passes by quickly, and we are all getting older without making the most of our lives.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brian Joseph Burton, John Baldwin Gourley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@amberdawn2287
Everything carries weight
Everything is the same
Within us, all together
Everything carries weight
Everything is the same
And we are all together
I can't keep my head up
I'd like to step on my friends
Step on my friend
But I can't keep my head my head up
I can't seem to keep my head
Could it be we got lost in the summer?
Well I know you know that it's over
But you're still in
Treading water
But you're still in
Treading water
I'd hate to seem so shallow
I'd like to get deeper in
Swim deeper in
But I can't find the water
I can't seem to find my way
Could it be we got lost in the summer?
Well I know you know that it's over
But you're still in
Treading water
But you're still in
I can't keep my head above ground (I can't keep my head above ground, can't keep my head)
I can't keep my head above ground (I can't keep my head above ground, can't keep my head)
I can't keep
I can't keep my head above ground (I can't keep my head above ground, can't keep my head)
I can't keep my head above ground (I can't keep my head above ground, can't keep my head)
I can't keep
But you're still in
Treading water
Could it be we got lost in the summer?
Well I know you know that it's over
But you're still in
Treading water
You can drift along
You've got the time
The rest of us will live and die
Like plastic soldiers
Only growing older
You can drift along
You've got the time
The rest of us will live and die
Like plastic soldiers
Only growing older
You can drift along
You've got the time
The rest of us will live and die
Like plastic soldiers
Only growing older
@myApexTV
Great song, love it!
@crunchy-bobt313
You know the feeling you get sometimes when you listen to music thatâs like butterflies in your stomach? This whole band does that for me.
@mr.mobile3964
Yeah, the songs that make you come undone during the very first listen đđ€
@TECfan1
Absolutely. This album is a masterpiece.
@mapples007
Ditto. PTM are wizards.
@Dezmondo777
1:40 Man, this guitar part is like playing directly inside your soul
@yuppieMa
Their best album by far.
@benjamin3640
Well said
@TECfan1
Absolutely. It's my favorite of theirs.
@mummyjohn
One of the best albums of my life, by far