Carl Newman, who writes most of the band's material, has said, "When I seriously started to try to write songs, my main influences were, like, Burt Bacharach, Jim Webb, and Brian Wilson. Those were the guys I kinda looked at their music and went, 'What the hell are they doing here?' I was just fascinated by the structures and the harmonics."
The melody of the first and eponymous track on their second album Electric Version, for instance, begins with an arpeggiated diminished triad --- a rare and strange opening flourish for a pop song.
The band have released a series of well-received albums: Mass Romantic (2000), Electric Version (2003), Twin Cinema (2005), Challengers (2007), Together (2010), Brill Bruisers (2014) and Whiteout Conditions (2017). In 2019 they released In the Morse Code of Brake Lights.
The band members include:
- Carl Newman - vocals, guitar, ebow, synthesizer, harmonica, pump organ, xylophone
- Dan Bejar - vocals, guitar, synthesizer, melodion
- Kathryn Calder - vocals, piano
- Neko Case - vocals, tambourine
- John Collins - bass, guitar, synthesizer, ebow, vocals
- Kurt Dahle - drums, percussion, vocals
- Todd Fancey - guitar
- Blaine Thurier - synthesizer
The New Pornographers are frequently referred to as an indie supergroup because of the following members' associations:
- Carl Newman, solo artist (as A.C. Newman), also of Superconductor and Zumpano
- Dan Bejar of Destroyer,Swan Lake and Vancouver Nights.
- Kathryn Calder of Immaculate Machine.
- Neko Case, solo artist, also of Maow and cub
- John Collins of The Evaporators
- Kurt Dahle of Limblifter and Age of Electric
- Todd Fancey of Fancey
- Blaine Thurier, independent filmmaker
Newman, however, doesn't care for the term: "I'm really tired of that supergroup label, and I wish people would stop using it. None of us were known at all outside of Canada --- I just don't think it's accurate."
All For Swinging You Around
The New Pornographers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The song All For Swinging You Around by The New Pornographers is a commentary on the vibrant, fast-paced world of international culture and entertainment. The lyrics describe the excitement and energy of being swept up in a whirlwind of experiences, sights, and sounds. The singer is caught up in this world, exploring everything it has to offer, until suddenly the night shows and the chaos comes to a halt.
The chorus of the song, "Was it all for swinging you around?", suggests that all of the excitement and spectacle was ultimately just a means to an end - to sweep someone off their feet and give them a thrilling ride. The song is a reflection on the fleeting nature of these experiences, and the way in which they can be both exhilarating and exhausting.
The lyrics are filled with references to the golden age of entertainment, suggesting that the singer is looking back on a time when things were simpler and more straightforward. However, even in this mythical era, there were still elements of madness and chaos, as evidenced by the "remnants" and "overstayed" elements that the singer encounters.
Overall, the song is a wistful and bittersweet ode to the thrill of the ride, and the sense of lost innocence that often accompanies it.
Line by Line Meaning
Exploding international, the scenes, the sounds, and famously the feeling that you can't squeeze ground
The excitement is explosive, everywhere you look there are things to see and hear, and a vibrant feeling of being alive that can't be contained, while also feeling like there's no solid ground to stand on.
While tearing off another page of loose change outrage
Continuing to experience the frustration of a system that does not work in your favor, despite small moments of hope.
It's another perfect day until the night shows
Everything seems great until the dark side of the world appears.
Exploding international, the wind did howl. The sky above was thick with rings of smoke and clouds, and hanging on the bleeding end of conscious, who's this?
Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of the world, with a strong sense of anxiety and uncertainty about what's next.
Was there anything I missed, as far as you know?
Asking if there is anything you missed or didn't understand about the situation.
Was it all for swinging you around?
Wondering if all the excitement and chaos was just for the sake of entertaining you and keeping you moving.
Exploding international, the sun, the sights, the moments you are viewing through a beam of light, propel you through the golden age
Feeling exhilarated by the beauty of the world and the moments of happiness and connection that come with it.
We crash-land the first page on a crumbling world stage, into the front rows
Feeling like you've been thrown into the middle of the chaos and drama of the world, without any warning or preparation.
All for swinging you around. And off your feet, all the love you found, spinning ground
Feeling like all of the chaos and confusion is worth it because it also leads to moments of love and happiness that make you feel alive.
We're twisting incognito with no time, can't talk, can't tell if this is fantasy or culture shock, or remnants of a golden age that's near mint unplayed, or a welcome overstayed beneath the lightshow
Feeling disoriented and unsure of what is real or fake in the midst of all the excitement and chaos, questioning whether this is just a fleeting moment of happiness or something deeper.
All for swinging you around.
Despite everything, feeling that the ups and downs of life are worth it for the moments of joy and connection that come with them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CARL ALLAN NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ramone Machismo
This is literally my dream band. Brilliance all across the aspects.
catnipforclones
So much joy in this video. The colour palette is pure early 00s and I'm absolutely here for it
discod
20th anniversary? 😮 I always loved this song so much, still do!
Larry Bliss
Pure fun! We need more fun pop songs...
Uremawife Nowdave
To me The New Pornographers always sound like an unknown Scottish band on Chemikal Underground. I don’t know whether it’s the arrangements or just the general vibe, but it’s the first thing that pops into my head whenever I hear them.
Ramone Machismo
Love this!!
Sir McPepper
New P' rule the world !
Rick Rocks
Mood at the next NP concert
Kevin Milner
some of those dance moves are straight out of the video for The Laws Have Changed
mel m
i'm having ptsd from the early 00s fashion in this vid, still love this song tho!