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.
Prom Is Coming
Robert Pollard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where tanks corrode & airplanes dissolve
Indians race on foot
Up to the fallen idol
And there is no longer fight
Only the stolen set list
Clutched in seizure
Disregard injury
Out of the universe by sundown
And I will stay
To help you prepare
For what it was
You said I could not afford to miss
The lyrics of Robert Pollard's song "Prom Is Coming" describe a scene of chaos and desperation, with individuals racing towards a fallen idol, seizing control of a stolen setlist, and disregarding injury in the process. The imagery presented in the lyrics is one of a battle, with tanks corroding and airplanes dissolving, creating a sense of tension and unease. The reference to Indians racing on foot towards the fallen idol adds to the sense of urgency and desperation, with the individuals attempting to reach their goal by any means necessary.
The final lines of the song, "And I will stay To help you prepare For what it was You said I could not afford to miss," suggest that the chaos described earlier in the song is part of a journey towards some greater goal, and that the singer has taken on the role of a guide, helping the listener to navigate through this chaotic world. The sense of urgency and drama created by the lyrics is heightened by the urgent quality of the music, with powerful guitars and driving drums underpinning Pollard's vocals.
Overall, "Prom Is Coming" is a song that creates a strong sense of atmosphere, with vivid imagery and an urgent pace that draws the listener into its world.
Line by Line Meaning
In this greater battle
In this grand conflict
Where tanks corrode & airplanes dissolve
Where military vehicles rust and aircrafts break down
Indians race on foot
Native Americans run on foot
Up to the fallen idol
Towards the collapsed statue
And there is no longer fight
And the conflict has ended
Only the stolen set list
Only the list of songs that was taken
Clutched in seizure
Held tightly due to intense excitement
Disregard injury
Ignore any physical pain
And race madly
And run in a frenzied manner
Out of the universe by sundown
Out of this world before the sun sets
And I will stay
And I will remain behind
To help you prepare
To assist you in getting ready
For what it was
For whatever it was
You said I could not afford to miss
You said I should not miss it under any circumstances
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JIM SHEPARD, ROBERT E. JR. POLLARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind