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.
Roofer
Robert Pollard Lyrics
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The roofers cry
Under the underdog bullwhip
A "Nothing For Granted" requested
Abusing the signal
Went forth the student of mystery
Show him the teaching tool
Only "No Ones" get through the gate
...not in my airforce
The lyrics to "Roofer" by Robert Pollard are complex and enigmatic, like many of his other songs. The first verse seems to suggest a parallel between the hardworking roofers who cry out during their wild weekends and an underdog bull being whipped into submission. The idea of people being worked hard and beaten down by life's challenges is a common theme in Pollard's music, and he often portrays himself and his fans as dissenters and outsiders who are fighting against a world that doesn't care about them. The second verse is even more cryptic, describing a situation where someone is asking for something but is being ignored or mistreated. The line "went forth the student of mystery" suggests that someone is on a quest for knowledge or enlightenment, but it's not clear whether they will find what they're looking for. The rest of the verse seems to be a warning against defying the rules or trying to buck the system- the singer says "let's waste him" and suggests that only "no ones" are allowed to pass through the gate. The final line, "not in my airforce," is another puzzling phrase that may be a reference to Pollard's military service, or just a metaphor for some other kind of rigid, hierarchical organization. Overall, "Roofer" is a provocative and thought-provoking song that invites interpretation and speculation.
Line by Line Meaning
For every wild weekend
With every weekend filled with excitement and revelry
The roofers cry
The roofers lament their strenuous job
Under the underdog bullwhip
Subjected to unfair treatment and harsh discipline
A "Nothing For Granted" requested
Asking for a chance to prove oneself
Abusing the signal
Ignoring warning signs and plowing ahead recklessly
Went forth the student of mystery
A curious seeker sets out on a quest for knowledge
Out there in the way- let's waste him
Someone obstructs our path and we plan to eliminate them
Show him the teaching tool
Forcefully impose our ideology on others
Only "No Ones" get through the gate
Only those deemed unworthy are allowed to pass
...not in my airforce
This behavior is not acceptable or welcome in my community
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ROBERT E. JR. POLLARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind