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.
JC
Powderfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For time is passing with the wind blows new decrees
Canned for life, your used by date is faded
And followers of you now watch TV
What could I do?
And tonight your dress is looking shaded
Count the loss I see you moving on now
Pressure's off, no more people to drag you down
What could I do?
On my own I stand naked
Jesus Christ, don't look at me that way
The lyrics to Powderfinger's song "JC" serve as a commentary on disillusionment with religion and the concept of "Jesus Christ" as an authority figure. The opening lines set the tone of questioning authority, questioning what name "Jesus Christ" goes by now that time has passed and new decrees have been made. The second line suggests that even though time is passing, the ways in which people follow and interact with religion may not have changed much.
The second verse seems to address a specific person, perhaps a leader or figurehead of a religious group, who is past their prime and on the decline. The line "canned for life, your used by date is faded" is particularly scathing and suggests that this person is no longer of use to their followers. The lines "tonight your dress is looking shaded, the colors don't seem to captivate" further emphasize the idea of fading relevance and a lack of vibrancy. The final line of the verse, "pressure's off, no more people to drag you down," seems to suggest that the singer is happy to see this person fade away and no longer have influence over others.
The chorus repeats the line "What could I do?" which could be interpreted as a feeling of helplessness or frustration with the state of religion and the world at large. The final line "On my own I stand naked" could be seen as a rejection of the trappings of religion and a desire to stand on one's own two feet, without the need for a divine authority figure.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Jesus Christ, what name do You go by now
The singer is questioning how Jesus is currently known
For time is passing with the wind blows new decrees
Time is constantly moving and things are always changing
Canned for life, your used by date is faded
The singer feels that Jesus's message has become outdated
And followers of you now watch TV
The artist believes that people who claim to follow Jesus are not truly invested in his message or teachings, and instead focus on materialistic things like television
What could I do?
The artist is expressing helplessness and lack of agency in their situation
And tonight your dress is looking shaded
The singer is using a metaphor to describe how society no longer finds Jesus's teachings interesting or relevant
The colors don't seem to captivate
People are no longer impressed by Jesus's teachings
Count the loss I see you moving on now
The artist believes that Jesus's message is being lost and that people are moving on from his teachings
Pressure's off, no more people to drag you down
The artist is saying that Jesus no longer has to deal with the pressures of fame or the negativity of people who don't believe in his message
On my own I stand naked
The artist is revealing their vulnerability and lack of support in their beliefs
Jesus Christ, don't look at me that way
The singer is addressing Jesus directly and feeling guilty or uncomfortable about expressing their doubts and criticisms
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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youscooba
Once many many moons ago at the Playroom this band supported my band and played covers..hats totally off to the boys now. What a band they became.
Claire Mahony
Woah! What the h*ll! That is crazy!
P.s. Is your band still together?
youscooba
@Claire Mahony yeah nah, like I said, many moons ago. The 90s gold coast music scene was awesome. Twas truly a golden time...
Neo Griffin
Growing up with Video Hits and Rage on TV, I was never really exposed to the Violin, until I saw these guys live at a festival on the Gold Coast (in 1996?). The violin seemed to be food for my soul. Even today when I listen to it, it resonates something deep with in me and brings me to tears. One of the most moving songs I have ever heard. What could I dooooo? On my own I sta-and nay-ked. And then the violin comes in and takes me away.
Claire Mahony
This song will NEVER get old!
Oh, JC your used-by-date has faded ..... so true!!
Richard Leslie Wilson
Love This Song
weburnitatbothends
Timeless
Matthew Gale
So what could i do.
Ben Mackay
It’s violin and cello actually...
Erin Gregory
Jolene....Jolene.....Jolene.......Jolene........