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."
Challengers
The New Pornographers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We were greeting the sun
Before long
And you live with someone
I live with somebody too
Leave it there
For safe keeping
One of the west village in plains
Come dawn
On the walls of the day
In the shade of the sun
We wrote down
Another vision of us
We were the challengers of
The unknown
"Be safe" you say
Whatever the mess you are you mind okay
That is the custom
On down
Na-na na-na na-na na-na na-na
Na-na na-na na-na na-na na-na...
Until I see you around
Until we clear the accounts
Leave it there
Leave it to us
We are the challengers of
The unknown
Oh-la, oh-la, oh-la, oh-la
Oh-la, oh-la, oh-la, oh-la
The lyrics to The New Pornographers's "Challengers" paint a picture of a bittersweet encounter between two individuals who are appreciating the beauty of the sunrise together. The two are clearly in a romantic relationship with other people and are fully aware that their time together is limited. They write down their aspirations and dreams on the walls of the day in the shade of the sun, acknowledging that they are challengers of the unknown. They are fully aware of the risks of their encounter and try to reassure each other by saying "be safe" and "whatever the mess you are, your mind is okay."
Throughout the song, there is a sense of melancholy with the knowledge that this encounter is ultimately temporary. The song's final lines, "Until I see you around, until we clear the accounts, leave it there, leave it to us," suggest a struggle between holding onto the memories of this beautiful moment and knowing that they must let go and move forward in their separate lives. The song ultimately speaks to the complexity of relationships and how sometimes we find connections with people when we least expect them.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes I know it was late
I am aware that it was very late when we met
We were greeting the sun
We were staying up until sunrise to enjoy the moment together
Before long
It didn't take much time for us to fall for each other
And you live with someone
You have a partner or significant other in your life
I live with somebody too
I also have someone I live with
Leave it there
Let's not worry about that and leave it aside
For safe keeping
So that we don't have to deal with any consequences
One of the west village in plains
This could be a reference to a location or memory that the artist cherishes
That was the custom
This was a normal occurrence or something that they used to do together
Come dawn
As the morning arrived and it was time to part ways
On the walls of the day
During the daytime or in the light of day
In the shade of the sun
In a paradoxical and playful way to describe their interactions under the sun
We wrote down
We created a memorable moment or an idea together
Another vision of us
It is one of the many perspectives they have of their relationship
We were the challengers of
Together we were daring enough to confront and question the unknown
The unknown
Anything that was uncertain or out of our control
"Be safe" you say
You said to me to be safe and cautious
Whatever the mess you are you mind okay
Despite any difficulties or complications, you reassure me that everything is going to be fine in the end
That is the custom
This is something we say to each other on every occasion as an assurance and comfort
On down
Referring to the future or the rest of our lives
Until I see you around
Until the next time we meet again, either planned or coincidental
Until we clear the accounts
Until we deal with any unfinished business or feelings between us
Leave it there
Let's not worry about it for now, we'll deal with it later or maybe never
Leave it to us
We're capable enough to handle it on our own
We are the challengers of
Together we face the uncertainty and the unknown, we are not afraid to take risks
The unknown
Anything that is yet to reveal itself, or anything we're not familiar with
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CARL ALLAN NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smolboonk2061
Yes I know it was late
We were greeting the sun
Before long
And you live with someone
I live with somebody too
Leave it there
For safe keeping
One of the west village in plains
That was the custom
Come dawn
On the walls of the day
In the shade of the sun
We wrote down
Another vision of us
We were the challengers of
The unknown
"Be safe" you say
Whatever the mess you are you mind okay
That is the custom
On down
Na-na na-na na-na na-na na-na
Na-na na-na na-na na-na na-na...
Until I see you around
Until we clear the accounts
Leave it there
Leave it to us
We are the challengers of
The unknown
Oh-la, oh-la, oh-la, oh-la
Oh-la, oh-la, oh-la, oh-la
@ShimmersMuffin
Lyrics
Yes I know it was late
We were greeting the sun
Before long
And you live with someone
I live with somebody too
Leave it there
For safe keeping
One of the west village in plains
That was the custom
Come dawn
On the walls of the day
In the shade of the sun
We wrote down
Another vision of us
We were the challengers of
The unknown
"Be safe" you say
Whatever the mess you are, you're mine, okay
If that is the custom
I'm down
Until I see you around
Until we clear the accounts
Leave it there
Leave it to us
We are the challengers of
The unknown
Ooh-la, ooh-la, ooh-la, ooh-la
Ooh-la, ooh-la, ooh-la, ooh-la
@juleisha123
“Be safe,” you say. “Whatever the mess you are, you’re mine, okay?”
One of my fav lines.
@jamesbradshaw3961
Chuck got me into so many great bands...best soundtrack of any TV show!
@Adidobro
You can also find a lot of great bands in Skins, HIMYM :>
@NigelisCold
Saaaaammmme
@ritzescarpe
I agree, I mean a lot.....
@omnia9348
@@Adidobro :O like what
@carlacarolineofficial7657
I kind of feel that this belongs to Zachary's own playlists...
@joethecounselor
Watching Chuck again with the kids for the first time. So many great, sweet, bittersweet memories.
@ashantyjimenez6222
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@pueramericus
Holy hell, this is easily the most beautifully melancholy song Ive heard in a long time. It's great, so much passion!