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.
Wrinkled Ghost
Robert Pollard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It ripples like a song and I ask you please
Are your lasers applied?
Is your contribution generous enough to go inside?
With good in everyone
For this we have been striving
This trip is a task to long
Will you go where youre steered?
Do you call your boyfriend Little John?
Do you call his father weird?
Do you love him the most?
Does he iron out the nasty creases
From your wrinkled ghost?
Some guys have very sharp eyes
And some are simply hiding
And some might testify
To the best of worlds colliding
Ill set sail today
Without the gods to bless me
Youd like I should go away
But I shall refuse endlessly
The lyrics of "Wrinkled Ghost" by Robert Pollard are intriguing and open to multiple interpretations. The first stanza seems to be a request for someone to show their worth, asking if they are applying their lasers and making a generous contribution. The second stanza emphasizes the goodness within everyone and frames the journey they are embarking on as a task too long, insisting the other person does the driving. The third stanza asks a series of questions - whether they will follow where they are steered, whether they call someone Little John and his father weird, whether they love the person the most, and whether they iron out the nasty creases from their wrinkled ghost.
The first stanza could be interpreted as a reference to some sort of task or mission that requires everyone's utmost effort, and the singer is urging someone to step up and prove their worth. The second stanza could be seen as emphasizing the importance of working together and drawing on the goodness within each person to achieve the common goal. The third stanza may hint at themes of love and sorrow, raising questions about loyalty, judgment, and the ways in which people support each other.
Overall, "Wrinkled Ghost" is a mysterious and thought-provoking song that leaves much to the imagination. It touches on themes of purpose, teamwork, love, and loyalty, among others, and invites listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
There is wind in the trees
The world around us is dynamic and always moving, with the natural elements like the wind influencing everything.
It ripples like a song and I ask you please
The sounds and movement in the world are like music, and the singer is asking for collaboration to create something new and beautiful.
Are your lasers applied?
The singer is questioning if the other person is fully and intentionally using their skills and talents.
Is your contribution generous enough to go inside?
The artist is asking if the other person's contribution is truly meaningful and valuable.
With good in everyone
The artist believes that everyone has the potential for good and is striving to live up to that potential.
For this we have been striving
The pursuit of goodness and kindness is a shared goal that is worth dedicating oneself to.
This trip is a task too long
The journey towards being a better person and making the world a better place can be difficult and arduous.
I insist you do the driving
The artist trusts the other person to take charge and lead the way towards their shared goal.
Will you go where you're steered?
The artist is asking if the other person is willing to follow a common path and work towards the same goals.
Do you call your boyfriend Little John?
The artist is asking a personal question about the other person's romantic relationships.
Do you call his father weird?
The singer is being critical of the other person's judgment or values.
Do you love him the most?
The artist is questioning the depth and sincerity of the other person's affections.
Does he iron out the nasty creases
The singer is using a metaphor to describe how the other person's romantic partner makes them feel better or more comfortable.
From your wrinkled ghost?
The singer is referring to the other person's past experiences and how they may have affected them.
Some guys have very sharp eyes
Some people are more perceptive or insightful than others.
And some are simply hiding
Some people may be hiding their true selves or intentions.
And some might testify
Some people may have valuable insights or perspectives to share.
To the best of worlds colliding
Even when things seem to be going wrong or clashing, there is still potential for good and growth.
I'll set sail today
The singer is ready to embark on a new journey or chapter in life.
Without the gods to bless me
The artist is acknowledging that they may not have external support or guidance, but they are still forging ahead.
You'd like I should go away
The artist is aware that some people may not support or understand their choices.
But I shall refuse endlessly
Despite potential obstacles or opposition, the artist is determined to keep going and pursuing their goals.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT E. JR. POLLARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind