Pollard began releasing solo records in 1996, alongside regular releases from Guided by Voices. These albums were typically recorded with a small group consisting of current or former Guided by Voices members, and they were generally considered to informally be part of the Guided by Voices canon, as that band would regularly perform selections from the solo releases in concert.
After the dissolution of Guided by Voices in 2004, Robert Pollard launched his official solo career with the release of From a Compound Eye in February 2006. Pollard's recent studio work has eschewed the live-band format, instead relying on the multi-instrumental talents of Todd Tobias, who produced several Guided by Voices albums. In 2006, he resumed touring with a new band informally dubbed "The Ascended Masters", which featured Tommy Keene on lead guitar and keyboards, Dave Phillips on guitar, Jon Wurster on drums, and Jason Narducy on bass. After Normal Happiness was released, the band returned to the road but subsequent to the cancellation of some 2006 dates due to a leg injury, Pollard announced his retirement from touring. Pollard, however, has since toured with Boston Spaceships.
Pollard resides just outside of Dayton, OH. with his wife, Sarah.
Chance to Buy an Island
Robert Pollard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not so bad
Check out the "FOR SALE" sign- It's for you
And hey, it's really nice
Can I offer you a find?
Can I oil your rusty mind?
If I tell you all I know
Can I pack it up and go?
And now you're ten years colder
At least you're alive
And that's not too bad
And you can't afford an island
Put it up for sale
And hey, don't think twice
The song "Chance to Buy an Island" by Robert Pollard seems to be a commentary on the human desire for material possessions and status. The lyrics suggest that there is an island for sale, which is apparently in good condition and desirable. The singer offers to sell it to the listener, but also questions whether the listener really needs it or whether it will truly make them happy. The line "Can I oil your rusty mind?" implies that the listener is stuck in a certain way of thinking, and the singer is trying to offer them a new perspective.
The chorus suggests that the singer is trying to wake up the listener to the realities of life, that ten years have passed and they have not achieved their dreams. The singer seems to be implying that the listener should sell their possessions, including the offered island, and move on. The final line "And hey, don't think twice" seems to be a call to action, encouraging the listener to let go of their attachment to material things and move forward in life.
Overall, "Chance to Buy an Island" can be seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of materialism and the importance of living in the present.
Line by Line Meaning
Chance to buy an island- I'll sell it to you
I'm offering you a chance to buy an island that I possess and I am open to negotiation.
It's not so bad
The island is actually a great purchase and it's not in a bad condition.
Check out the "FOR SALE" sign- It's for you
The sign clearly states that the island is for sale and it's targeted towards you.
And hey, it's really nice
The island is truly beautiful and I'm sure you'll love it.
Can I offer you a find?
Would you like me to provide you with an attractive offer?
Can I oil your rusty mind?
Can I help you make a smart decision by providing valuable advice?
If I tell you all I know
If I give you all the information I have on this matter,
Can I pack it up and go?
Can I conclude this deal and leave?
And now you're ten years colder
After contemplating the offer, you might feel hesitant or skeptical.
At least you're alive
The good news is that you're still alive and can make a wise choice.
And that's not too bad
It's not a bad thing to be cautious, we can work through this together.
And you can't afford an island
If you cannot afford to buy the island, let's explore other options.
Put it up for sale
If you can't finance the island, then you can put it up for sale and make a profit instead.
And hey, don't think twice
Don't hesitate to sell the island or let it go, it's not worth worrying over.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT E. JR. POLLARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind