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.
Living Upside Down
Robert Pollard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Living upside down
Stretching a perspective
Noticing how clean
The ceiling is being
Like a living room
Where no one lives
Like a breathing space
Waiting for the drop
Not knowing
Sure does get the blood flowing
The lyrics to Robert Pollard's song "Living Upside Down" describe the exhilaration of encountering a different perspective. Pollard sings about the experience of existing in an upside-down world, where everything appears familiar but from a vastly different angle. He notes the heightened awareness of his surroundings that comes with this new perspective, and how even the cleanliness of the ceiling, something that might normally go unnoticed, becomes conspicuous. The upside-down living room becomes "fully occupied" and paradoxically, this empty space becomes a space that is "waiting for the drop."
Through its swirling guitars and driving rhythm, "Living Upside Down" seems to suggest that embracing uncertainty and relinquishing control can be invigorating. Waiting for something to happen, not knowing what the future holds, can be a terrifying prospect. But the song suggests that this state of anticipation can also be an exciting one, one that provokes energy and creativity. In the end, living upside down serves as a metaphor for exploring uncharted territories, and for recognizing the possibilities that come with letting go of preconceptions and embracing the unexpected.
Line by Line Meaning
It certainly is a blast
Sarcastic expression to convey that living upside down is not really enjoyable.
Living upside down
Metaphorical reference to an unconventional lifestyle or perspective.
Stretching a perspective
Expanding one's understanding or viewpoint of things.
Noticing how clean
Observing the minute details and changes in the surroundings.
The ceiling is being
The ceiling being the new floor, depicting the inversion of the roles and norms.
Like a living room
An analogy to the new visual and physical arrangement of the room.
Where no one lives
Symbolising desolation or isolation resulting from a radically different point of view.
Like a breathing space
An alternate reality where one can think, ponder and breathe differently.
Fully occupied
The mind is stimulated and active in the newfound way of living.
Waiting for the drop
Anticipating the unknown and the repercussions of unconventional choices.
Not knowing
Implying the excitement and fear induced by the lack of familiarity in the present way of life.
Sure does get the blood flowing
Literal sense of physical blood flow due to being in an upside-down position, as well as a figurative sense of experiencing the unknown and invigorating change.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Robert Pollard Jr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind