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.
Tommy
Portugal. The Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now he's running through the jungle all, "Yes sir" (yes sir)
Fingers cold and fire
When you get so tired and we're so tired
Lazing back in this desert
Waitin' for that sunny day
Tommy was a preacher's son
Those fire eyes will get ya (get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya)
When you get too tired and we're so tired and
Eyes blister beaded fortress rolling fevered freight trains in
Well, I met three men with friends in office
Smooth, dark skin and ivory teeth smiles
Our boots come alive in this mud, in this mud and this shit
This mud, in this mud and this shit
(Life is hard to fill with teeth that bite)
Through August fall of '69, Jesus had birthed him
He spoke in guns through crippled sheets, for Jesus had birthed him
Sugar cubes, fingernails, worming snakes that built the fire
When you get so tired and we're so tired
Oh, Jimmy got impatient
Waiting for that sunny day
Well, I met three men with friends in office
Smooth, dark skin and ivory teeth smiles
Our boots come alive in this mud, in this mud and this shit
This mud, in this mud and this shit
Well, I met three men with friends in office
Smooth, dark skin and ivory teeth smiles
Our boots come alive in this mud, in this mud and this shit
Well, I met three men with friends in office
Smooth, dark skin and ivory teeth smiles
Our boots come alive in this mud, in this mud and this shit
This mud, in this mud and this shit
The song "Tommy" by Portugal. The Man is a vivid depiction of a man named Tommy who is running away from something in his past. The lyrics suggest that Tommy was the son of a preacher but has since become involved in selling drugs on the streets. Throughout the song, the imagery of fire and exhaustion is used to convey the intensity and chaos of Tommy's situation.
The first verse describes Tommy running through the jungle, with his fingers cold and on fire. The lyrics "when you get so tired and we're so tired" suggest that Tommy is not alone in his struggle, and that others are also experiencing exhaustion and burnout. The second verse brings the action to the streets, where Tommy is now selling cocaine. The imagery of fires and blistering eyes continues, depicting a world that is dangerous and unpredictable.
The chorus of the song provides a moment of respite, with the lyrics "lazing back in this desert, waitin' for that sunny day". This line suggests that despite the chaos and exhaustion of Tommy's life, he is still hopeful for a better future.
The next verse introduces three men with friends in office, further emphasizing the corrupt and violent world that Tommy is running from. The line "he spoke in guns through crippled sheets" suggests that Tommy is using violence to protect himself, while "sugar cubes fingernails worming snakes that built the fire" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the deceptive nature of the people who surround him.
Overall, "Tommy" is a complex and engaging song that uses intricate and evocative lyrics to paint a picture of a man struggling to survive in a world that is simultaneously dangerous and wearying.
Line by Line Meaning
Tommy was a preacher's son
The singer Tommy used to be the son of a preacher.
Now he's running through the jungle (Yes sir!)
Tommy has started running through the jungle, for reasons unknown.
Fingers cold and fire
Tommy's fingers are cold, but there is fire within him that drives him forward.
When you get so tired and we're so tired
Both Tommy and those around him are exhausted, but they keep pushing forward.
Lazing back in this desert
The artist is currently relaxing in a desert.
Waitin' for that sunny day
The singer is waiting for a better day, a brighter future.
Now he's running through the streets sellin' up that cocaine
Tommy has turned to selling cocaine on the streets.
Those fires will get ya
The dangers of Tommy's lifestyle will eventually catch up to him.
Eyes blister beaded fortress rolling fevered freight trains in
Tommy's eyes are exhausted, and he feels trapped like a fortress surrounded by freight trains.
Well I met three men with friends in office
The artist has met three men who have friends in positions of power.
Smooth dark skin and ivory teeth smiles
The three men the singer met have dark skin and bright, white smiles.
Our boots come alive in this mud and this shit
The artist's boots are getting dirty as they travel through unpleasant circumstances.
"Life is hard to fill with teeth that bite and eat up our fears"
The singer reflects on how difficult it is to find true happiness and overcome our fears.
Through August fall of '69
The singer is remembering an event that occurred in August of 1969.
Jesus had birthed him
Tommy feels like he has been reborn through his experiences.
He spoke in guns through crippled sheets
Tommy communicates through violence.
Sugar cubes fingernails worming snakes that built the fire
The artist uses surreal imagery to describe the chaos and destruction caused by Tommy's lifestyle.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Gourley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DocM
Flawless storytelling!! Gifted artists who understand the roots of Punk and the meaning of Punk, to speak against the injustices in the world, PTM have so much talent!!
Omni Optometrist
One of the greatest albums!!
LaMelo Ball
dude wow. this album is so underrated
Keren
Dylan Ross been thinking that for over a decade
GeneralRyGy4532
I know
justbuildit
one of my favorite songs, been in my ipod for about 2 years now i do believe
Ludy Guerrier
Yeah the last 5 songs were always my favorite songs they flow so well together I have to listen to all of them
TKTrippin
I feel like this song would make an amazing remix. not that it's not amazing already, it would just be cool
Sidharth Sajid
I still can't believe this song has only 15k views
Rob Wallace
I can't believe this song has a dislike