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.
The Butler Stands for All of Us
Robert Pollard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you can't climb from your crime
Follow the detour arrows and green lights and
Don't lose your patience, nor time
If you come Saturday, or just for once
On another day now
If you come over here
We are too old enough not to reach you
You are too old enough, the butler stands for us all
Come off with your wild aspirations, dear
Loquacious at gossip church
Step up to your dreams from your night-lights
(???) and bright lights
Surround her and longer
And safer and stronger
It pays to know who you are
Cos that's who you are
If you can't wait for your pride, stripped there
Give your old coat a new shine
Come to the pristine mirrored cotillion
Be number one million and one
If you come mothers' day, or fathers' day
Or just today now
They'll sit in their waiting rooms
To stand
There will be nothing useless around you
There will be all you want, everything is at your command
He's off on your querulous side-kicks
Stop looking behind them
So comical, it involves you
Turn over, everything's
Around her and longer
And safer and stronger
It pays to know who you are
Cos that's who you are
Chasing twilight for plunder
Facing the (???) back and forth
Cos he does, he stands for us
And he waits for us everyday
The song "The Butler Stands for All of Us" by Robert Pollard is a call for community and support. The opening lines affirm that the singer will be there for someone who is struggling, and encourages them to take detours and follow green lights in order to stay on track. The song then moves to a more general call for people to step up to their dreams, and to know themselves in order to better reach them. The titular butler represents the strength and constancy that can be found in a supportive community.
The lyrics of the song are open to interpretation, but one possible reading is that they speak to the importance of finding and relying on a network of people who can help us achieve our goals and weather the challenges of life. The idea of the pristine mirrored cotillion suggests that there is a place we can go to be refreshed and rejuvenated, and the repeated refrain that "it pays to know who you are" seems to urge listeners to do the hard work of self-reflection and self-improvement in order to become more confident and capable individuals.
The final lines of the song emphasize the importance of community support once again, with the butler waiting for everybody every day. Overall, the message of the song seems to be that we are stronger together, and that we should seek out and rely on the people in our lives who can help us build a stronger, more resilient community.
Line by Line Meaning
If you go down on your life, I'll be there
I'll support you even when life isn't going the way you want it to.
If you can't climb from your crime
If you can't overcome your wrongdoing.
Follow the detour arrows and green lights and
Follow the path that leads you to success.
Don't lose your patience, nor time
Be patient and make the most of your time.
If you come Saturday, or just for once
If you visit me on any day, even just once.
On another day now
I'll be waiting for you whenever you're ready to visit.
If you come over here
If you come to see me in person.
To call
To talk or meet with me.
We are too old enough not to reach you
We are experienced enough to understand and support you.
You are too old enough, the butler stands for us all
We can count on the butler's loyalty and support.
Come off with your wild aspirations, dear
Stop chasing unrealistic dreams.
Loquacious at gossip church
Talking too much about others can ruin your credibility.
Step up to your dreams from your night-lights
Take action to pursue your realistic goals.
(???) and bright lights
Enjoy the pleasures of life.
Surround her and longer
Stay close to the people who matter to you.
And safer and stronger
They will provide you comfort and strength.
It pays to know who you are
Self-awareness can lead to personal growth.
Cos that's who you are
Be true to yourself.
If you can't wait for your pride, stripped there
If you can't wait for your ego to be broken down.
Give your old coat a new shine
Reinvent yourself and start anew.
Come to the pristine mirrored cotillion
Join a refined and glamorous party.
Be number one million and one
Be unique and stand out from the crowd.
If you come mothers' day, or fathers' day
If you visit me on a special occasion, like Mother's or Father's Day.
Or just today now
Or even just on a regular day today.
They'll sit in their waiting rooms
They'll be patiently waiting for you to arrive.
To stand
To welcome and assist you.
There will be nothing useless around you
Everything you have will be purposeful or valuable.
There will be all you want, everything is at your command
You will have access to everything you need or desire.
He's off on your querulous side-kicks
He has turned away from your problematic companions.
Stop looking behind them
Don't dwell on negative people or experiences.
So comical, it involves you
It's laughable how much they have tried to hurt you yet couldn't.
Turn over, everything's
Leave behind the negativity and focus on the positive.
Chasing twilight for plunder
Looking for treasures during the twilight hours.
Facing the (???) back and forth
Trying to overcome conflicting or confusing feelings.
Cos he does, he stands for us
The butler is always prepared to help and support us.
And he waits for us everyday
He'll always be waiting and ready for our arrival.
Writer(s): Robert Pollard Jr
Contributed by Kennedy J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.