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.
Don't Stop Now
Robert Pollard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and I probably shouldn't think it
and I don't so now I do
A panoramic expo
hey, give me a ballpark estimate
I don't drive a good car or a bargain
so now I do
here's what I have done for you
a life on the run
a foxhole and a gun
a roof that blocks out the view
I never had one
I didn't want one
and I don't so now I do
The opening lines of "And I Don't" by Robert Pollard sets the tone for the rest of the song as he delves into his thoughts, questioning whether he should be thinking what he is thinking as he finds himself in a box of mesmerizing trinkets. It's as if he is unsure if he should even allow himself the luxury of indulging in such thoughts. The second line implies that he decides to push himself to think those thoughts anyway by saying, "and I probably shouldn't think it, and I don't, so now I do." Essentially, he's saying that he shouldn't allow himself to think what he's thinking, but he does anyway.
The rest of the song seems to be a reflection on his life, his choices, and the things he has or hasn't done. He talks about a panoramic expo, asking for a ballpark estimate, which could mean he wants to know what the big picture is. Perhaps he wants to know how his life will pan out, or he wants to know what the future holds. He talks about not driving a good car or a bargain, but he does now, suggesting that he's come into some money, achieved some success, or has made a change in his life. The chorus suggests that he's done things for someone else, giving them a life on the run, a foxhole and a gun, and a roof that blocks out the view, but he never had one and didn't want one. It's unclear who he's done these things for, but it's evident that he's reflecting on the choices he's made and the sacrifices he's made for someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
I crept into a box of mesmerizing trinkets
I found myself drawn into a fascinating yet perplexing situation
and I probably shouldn't think it
Although I know it's perhaps unwise, I cannot help but ponder and consider it
and I don't so now I do
Initially, I had no intention of thinking about it, but now I find myself doing so
a panoramic expo
A grand display that captures an extensive view
hey, give me a ballpark estimate
Can you please provide a rough estimate for me?
I don't drive a good car or a bargain
I lack possession of either an expensive luxury car or a reasonably priced one
so now I do
However, that has now changed, and I possess such a vehicle
here's what I have done for you
I present to you what I have accomplished on your behalf
a life on the run
I have lived a nomadic existence, always on the move
a foxhole and a gun
I have experienced war and the perils of combat, fighting for survival
a roof that blocks out the view
I now have a home, but it obscures the beauty of the outside world
I never had one
I did not have a home previously
I didn't want one
Initially, I did not desire a home
and I don't so now I do
I did not want a home before, but my mind has since changed, and I now have one
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ROBERT E. JR. POLLARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind