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.
Oipic
Powderfinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sermons homespun before the show
One super judge that brings a change in taste
The new season's king with a brand new face
The old season's bloom seemed to run its race
And we standby for your word
Music's revenge to pave the way
Play favorites with a view to changing taste
The new season's king with a brand new face
The old season's bloom seemed to run its race
And we standby for your word
The lyrics to Powderfinger's song "Oipic" are a commentary on the fickleness of the music industry and the way artists must constantly adapt to changing trends in order to stay relevant. The opening lines, "Far may you run from what you know / Sermons homespun before the show," suggest that the singer is warning someone against relying on the same old ideas or methods, which have become tired and predictable. The "super judge" referred to in the next line, "One super judge that brings a change in taste," could represent the gatekeepers of the music industry—producers, radio programmers, critics—who have the power to shape what is considered "good" or "popular" music.
The chorus, "The new season's king with a brand new face / The old season's bloom seemed to run its race / And we standby for your word," reinforces this idea of the ever-changing tides of the music industry. The "new season's king" represents the latest hot act, with a fresh image and sound that captures the public's attention, while the "old season's bloom" has faded away, no longer able to compete. The singer seems resigned to this reality, waiting for someone else to tell them what to do in order to remain relevant.
The second verse continues this theme, with lines like "Truth and intent will lose the day / Music's revenge to pave the way / Play favorites with a view to changing taste." Here, the singer seems to be lamenting the fact that sincerity and authenticity are no longer valued in the music industry—instead, it's all about chasing the latest trends. However, the final line, "Play favorites with a view to changing taste," suggests that there might be some hope for artists who are able to ingratiate themselves with the powers-that-be, even if it means compromising their own artistic vision.
Overall, "Oipic" is a song that captures the frustration and cynicism that many musicians feel about the music industry, and the pressure they face to constantly evolve or be left behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Far may you run from what you know
You may choose to avoid what you're familiar with, seeking new experiences instead.
Sermons homespun before the show
Messages are crafted and rehearsed beforehand, designed to manipulate the audience.
One super judge that brings a change in taste
The opinion of one powerful critic can drastically alter public perception.
The new season's king with a brand new face
The latest trendsetter, with a fresh and exciting image, captures everyone's attention.
The old season's bloom seemed to run its race
What was once popular and in-demand is now out of fashion and irrelevant.
And we standby for your word
We eagerly await your judgment and approval, willing to follow your lead.
Truth and intent will lose the day
Honesty and good intentions often get overshadowed by superficial and manipulative tactics.
Music's revenge to pave the way
Through its own artistry and power, music will triumph over the corrupt influences of the industry.
Play favorites with a view to changing taste
Judging and favoring certain artists is done with the intention of shaping and influencing public taste.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JONATHAN ROBERT COGHILL, JOHN ANDREW COLLINS, BERNARD JOSEPH FANNING, IAN DAVID HAUG, DARREN STUART MIDDLETON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind