Formed in 19… Read Full Bio ↴Powderfinger were a rock band from Brisbane, Australia.
Formed in 1989, the band managed to keep the same line up since they hit the big time, Bernard Fanning (Vocals, guitars), Darren Middleton (guitars), Ian Haug (guitars), John Collins (Bass) and Jon Coghill (drums). Powderfinger are winners of nearly every major award in Australia – including the ARIA (Australian Record Industry Awards) for Album of the Year, Best Rock Album and Song of the Year.
Their musical style changed significantly over the years from a predominantly Grunge influenced one (Parables for Wooden Ears, Double Allergic) to their own brand of Alternative Rock on the following albums Internationalist and Odyssey Number 5. Several songs on Vulture street were in tribute to classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin and AC/DC and Songs on Dream Days at the Hotel Existence feature a prominent Neil Young influence- to whom they owe their band name from his song of the same name.
The band released seven studio albums and a greatest hits album, Fingerprints - The Best of Powderfinger 1994-2000, in 2004. Their final album, Golden Rule, was released in late 2009. Despite their popularity in Australia, Powderfinger never achieved similar success overseas.
They toured with Silverchair on the "Across the Great Divide" Concert, from August to October 2007, trying to raise awareness of the indigenous people of Australia.
On the 9th of April 2010, it was announced at a press conference and on the band's website that after 20 years together, Powderfinger would be disbanding after their farewell Sunsets Tour. Of the split, frontman Bernard Fanning stated:
With the completion of our last album, Golden Rule, we feel that we have said all that we want to say as a musical group. We firmly believe that it is our most complete and satisfying album and can't think of a better way to farewell our fans than with music that we all believe in and also with, hopefully, our best tour to date.
All Of The Dreamers
Powderfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hear you rattle your jewellery
But in a hard bitten irony
You're a, a pillar of the community
When you come down to the barrio
To get a feel for the people's scenario
It's your grand opportunity
Now all of the dreamers
Are jumpin' at shadows in the dark
Follow the leader
Don't follow the leader into the dark
Down in the night it gets so cold
Under the shadow that you've thrown
The disciples stand at dawn
Wait for the world to be reformed
I never promised you the world
I just followed it round as it unfurled
So I string you up and along
With all of the dreamers
So you speak out loud like a libertine
But you're just another cog in the great machine
But in a cold bitter irony
You're a, a hero of the community
When you come down to the barrio
To get a feel for the people's scenario
It's your last opportunity
To steal a march on the enemy
Now all of the dreamers
Are jumpin' at shadows in the dark
Follow the leader
Don't follow the leader into the dark
Down in the night it gets so cold
Under the shadow that you've thrown
The disciples stand at dawn
Wait for the world to be reformed
I never promised you the world
I just followed it round as it unfurled
So I string you up and along
With all of the dreamers
Yeah I string you up and along
With all of the dreamers
All of the dreamers
Ooh
All of the dreamers
The lyrics to Powderfinger's song "All Of The Dreamers" seem to be a critique of those who hold high positions of power but are detached from the struggles of the average person. The opening lines accuse the subject of living in an ivory tower, where they are too absorbed in their own wealth and luxury to care for the concerns of those around them. The line "rattle your jewelry" is particularly biting, implying that this person is flaunting their wealth in a way that is insensitive to those who cannot afford such luxuries.
The song then takes on a more sinister tone, suggesting that this person is not just disconnected, but actively harmful. The line "steal a march on the enemy" implies that they are a part of a system that oppresses and exploits the marginalized in society. The chorus then speaks to the fear and paranoia of those who are oppressed, who are "jumping at shadows in the dark" and unable to trust even their own leaders.
The second verse continues the critique, accusing the subject of being a "cog in the great machine," complicit in the workings of a larger, oppressive system. The line "hero of the community" is ironic, suggesting that this person is only seen as a hero because of their wealth and status, not because of any real contributions to society. The song ends with a call to action, suggesting that we should not blindly follow these leaders who have led us into darkness, but instead look to the dreamers who seek to create a better world.
Line by Line Meaning
From your tower of ivory
You have a privileged position in society.
I hear you rattle your jewellery
You flaunt your wealth and status.
But in a hard bitten irony
Your situation is in fact bitter and unpleasant.
You're a, a pillar of the community
You are seen as an important and influential figure.
When you come down to the barrio
When you visit the poorer areas of town.
To get a feel for the people's scenario
To understand the circumstances of the local residents.
It's your grand opportunity
It's your chance to make an impression.
To steal a march on the enemy
To gain an advantage over your opponents.
Now all of the dreamers
Everyone who has aspirations and ideals.
Are jumpin' at shadows in the dark
They are anxious and nervous in uncertain times.
Follow the leader
People are blindly following those in power.
Don't follow the leader into the dark
Don't follow blindly, or you may end up in a bad situation.
Down in the night it gets so cold
In difficult times, things can seem dark and bleak.
Under the shadow that you've thrown
Your actions have consequences for those around you.
The disciples stand at dawn
Those who believe in a cause wait patiently for change.
Wait for the world to be reformed
They hope for a better future for all people.
I never promised you the world
I never made unrealistic promises.
I just followed it round as it unfurled
I simply did what I could, as events unfolded.
So I string you up and along
I keep you hanging, waiting for change that may never come.
With all of the dreamers
Alongside everyone else who hopes for a better world.
Yeah I string you up and along
I want to keep you hopeful, even if change is slow.
All of the dreamers
Everyone who hopes for a better world.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BERNARD JOSEPH FANNING, DARREN STUART MIDDLETON, IAN DAVID HAUG, JOHN ANDREW COLLINS, JONATHAN ROBERT COGHILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ozzygorton9953
I was born and raised in Australia, and moved to the United States many years ago. I play Powderfinger songs everyday so loud all my American co-workers hear Powderfinger:) Powderfinger helps me with homesickness. Powderfinger rock!!!
@nickgates5914
Yeah I suppose when yr os and ya miss home Australian music takes ya back home only for a little while a
@jarrodgwynne5492
This video came out 10 years ago and I’m still constantly coming back to it. I’m so sad I didn’t get to see this amazing band live. Fingers crossed they will do a comeback tour one day.
@arthurwatts1680
Aaah, Brissie - they've slapped up a lot more highrise since this was filmed. It was still just a big country town in 1990 - such is life.
@alesaints
I'm crying thinking about Brisbane and Powderfinger..I spent there the best year of my life..cheers from Italy
@1061sarahs
my mate from aus recomended this band to me.. F*** what have i been missing.. these guys are absolutely awesome
@annashijayde
Powderfinger, land of the giants. Your such a towering band!!!
@tootster1
Brissy based and Brissy localities shown! Proud of them. Guess what, I think I can see my old workplace across from the Sofitel. Haha! Keep it up guys x. Thanks for posting.
@tbone8111
Powderfinger hit it out of the park yet again !
@Taipan77
Best Band ever from Brisbane :))