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.
Dancing Girls and Dancing Men
Robert Pollard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dancing men it's what you know, you do your best
And if you call me back tomorrow night
You'll call and I'll be gone
'Cause you know that I won't dance
And you're knocking us all down
Be selected and your bride will be known
On your highway
In your high
Dancing girls could use a break I must confess
Dancing men could do for oxygen express
For paris in the hole
I will not be enslaving nor bewitched
For position how we bitched
In condition to be hitched
Be selective and your pride will be shown
If you find it I'll be thrown
On your highway
In your high
And if you please I may
Escort you all the way
Just sit you down and say
Be thankful everyday
For everything and pray
For dancing girls and dancing men
To dance
Their lives away
The song "Dancing Girls and Dancing Men" by Robert Pollard is a reflective piece on the vanity and emptiness of life. In the first verse, Pollard sings about the two groups of people that seem to dominate the social scene – the dancing girls and dancing men. He claims that he can control the dancing girls and make them hum, but for the dancing men, they just have to do their best. The tone in this verse is condescending, as if Pollard believes that he is above these people and their shallow ways.
The second verse takes a turn as Pollard becomes reflective and introspective. He dismisses the idea of being enslaved or bewitched by the social ladder and the need for position. He acknowledges how he and others have complained about their circumstances and the pressure to marry the right person, but he also understands that these things are not what truly matter in life. He encourages gratitude and prayer for the simpler joys in life, such as dancing.
Overall, "Dancing Girls and Dancing Men" is a commentary on the superficiality of social status and the importance of appreciating the small pleasures in life. It is a reminder to not get caught up in the rat race of trying to impress others and to instead focus on the things that truly bring us joy.
Line by Line Meaning
Dancing girls I'll make you hum, I'll pin my chest
I can make dancing girls really enjoy themselves with my moves and confidence.
Dancing men it's what you know, you do your best
Dancing men are expected to be good at it and try their hardest to impress.
And if you call me back tomorrow night
However, if you try to contact me again tomorrow...
You'll call and I'll be gone
...I won't be answering because I've left.
'Cause you know that I won't dance
I refuse to dance anymore.
And you're knocking us all down
Everyone else who is still dancing feels let down by my absence.
Be selected and your bride will be known
Only the chosen ones who are great dancers will find love and happiness.
If she gets you I'll be thrown
If a dancing girl wins your favor, I'll be out of the picture.
On your highway
I'll have to find a new path in life.
In your high
Without the thrill of dancing in my life.
Dancing girls could use a break I must confess
To be honest, dancing girls would benefit from some rest and time off.
Dancing men could do for oxygen express
Dancing men could use some fresh air to get their energy back.
For paris in the hole
Instead of obsessing over dancing, we ought to focus on other important things.
I will not be enslaving nor bewitched
It's time to break free from the enslaving and bewitching grip of dancing.
For position how we bitched
We used to argue and complain about our dancing positions.
In condition to be hitched
We thought that being good at dancing would help us find someone to marry.
Be selective and your pride will be shown
Choose which things you want to invest your time and talent in and your skills will shine.
If you find it I'll be thrown
If you discover what truly matters in life, my old ways will seem pointless.
And if you please I may
If it suits you, I can offer you some guidance on this journey.
Escort you all the way
I'll support you every step of the way.
Just sit you down and say
Don't rush into anything, take a moment to reflect and think.
Be thankful everyday
Remember to be grateful and appreciate the good things in your life.
For everything and pray
And pray for guidance and strength.
For dancing girls and dancing men
Whether you're a dancing girl or a dancing man...
To dance
...it's okay to dance and enjoy life, but know that there's more to it than that.
Their lives away
Don't forget to live your life to the fullest outside of dancing.
Writer(s): Robert Pollard Jr
Contributed by Anthony H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.