Robert Pollard (born October 31, 1957) is a Dayton, Ohio singer-songwriter,… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Pollard (born October 31, 1957) is a Dayton, Ohio singer-songwriter, who is the leader and creative force behind indie rock group Guided by Voices. During his high school years, he was a successful basketball and baseball player. Pollard was a fourth grade schoolteacher until 1994, when Guided by Voices first broke into the national consciousness with the release of the album Bee Thousand. With over 1300 songs registered to his name with BMI, Pollard is among the most prolific songwriters of his time. In 2006 Paste Magazine listed him at the 78th greatest living songwriter.

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.

Kick Me and Cancel
Robert Pollard Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I′ll leave it with you when II go
It's honestly the way I am
I honestly don′t think you
May think it's time
Lucky when you're gone
I resign
When you think you′re on
Why decide

Parasites around the sun
Good times shine on everyone
The hair is golden on your gun

And now we have and we now know
Conditions met? I don′t think so
I honestly think that we're
Wasting the day
Happy so to speak
Why′re you wired?
I won't let it leak
Or confide in

Parasites around the sun

Good times shine on everyone
The hair is golden on your gun

Overall Meaning

In Robert Pollard's song "Kick Me and Cancel," the lyrics capture a sense of self-awareness and resignation. The opening lines, "I'll leave it with you when I go, It's honestly the way I am," suggest a willingness to accept one's flaws and let others experience them. The phrase "I honestly don't think you, May think it's time," points to a possibly strained relationship, where the singer feels misunderstood or disconnected from the other person's perception of time.

As the song progresses, there is a hint of longing for freedom and relief when the person they are addressing is gone: "Lucky when you're gone, I resign." However, there is also a sense of indecision, as seen in the line "When you think you're on, Why decide." This could reflect a hesitation to fully let go or move on.

The chorus contains abstract imagery with the lines "Parasites around the sun, Good times shine on everyone, The hair is golden on your gun." These lyrics could allude to the idea that even in difficult or parasitic situations, there are moments of joy or beauty. The hair being golden on the gun may symbolize unexpected positive elements amidst a potentially dangerous or tense environment.

In the second verse, the lyrics "And now we have and we now know, Conditions met? I don't think so, I honestly think that we're, Wasting the day" suggest a dissatisfaction with the current state or progress of a relationship. There is a questioning of whether the necessary conditions for success or fulfillment have been met, leading to a feeling of wasting time.

The lines "Happy so to speak, Why're you wired? I won't let it leak, Or confide in" reflect a guardedness or reluctance to openly express emotions. There may be a fear of vulnerability or rejection, which leads to a lack of mutual understanding or communication.

Overall, "Kick Me and Cancel" explores themes of self-acceptance, longing for freedom, uncertainty, and the complexities of relationships. The lyrics possess a certain introspective quality, urging listeners to reflect on their own experiences with honesty and introspection.

Line by Line Meaning

I′ll leave it with you when II go
I will entrust something to you when I depart

It's honestly the way I am
Genuinely, this is my true nature

I honestly don′t think you
Truly, I believe you do not

May think it's time
Possibly you may consider it appropriate

Lucky when you're gone
Fortunate when you are absent

I resign
I surrender

When you think you′re on
When you believe you are succeeding

Why decide
What is the reason to make a choice

Parasites around the sun
Intruders circling the sun

Good times shine on everyone
Moments of joy illuminate all

The hair is golden on your gun
The adornment is glowing on your weapon