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."
Fortune
The New Pornographers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And as we wander zigzag, short mysteries on our side
Then she reads them to me as we lunch on Sunday
Picnic baskets on the grave of the Lola Montez
Bingo games and black lights, apocalyptic walking
Apologies accepted, spurred by a shared design
Something fled on Henry, blazing blue down Cobb Street
I was the lucky one, too, all the same
(I was the lucky one all the same)
In the summer of my ball of flame
(In the summer of my ball of flame)
I had to rock myself in its arms, forgiven in the face of fortune
And with the lucky one, too, it broke apart
(And with the lucky one broke apart!)
Into pieces that were sold as art
(Into pieces that were sold as art!)
I had to rock myself in some famous places to replace my fortune
To replace my fortune
To replace my fortune
A dance we turn on rest here, left like breadcrumbs for you
Dropped from these skyscrapers, pieces from knots and loaves
Apocryphal and shining come the new crop circles
Our avenging angels singing in a secret code
I was the lucky one, too, all the same
(I was the lucky one all the same)
In the summer of my ball of flame
(In the summer of my ball of flame)
I had to rock myself in its arms, forgiven in the face of fortune
And with the lucky one, too, it broke apart
(And with the lucky one broke apart!)
Into pieces that were sold as art
(Into pieces that were sold as art!)
I had to rock myself in some famous places to replace my fortune
I had to rock myself in some famous places to replace my fortune
I had to rock myself in some famous places to replace my fortune
I had to rock myself in some famous places to replace my fortune
The lyrics to The New Pornographers's song Fortune depict a narrative that is open to interpretation. The first verse is particularly interesting in that it introduces the idea of a connection between suburbia and graveyards, suggesting a theme of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. As the singer and their companion wander through life's mysteries, they find solace in reading them together and enjoying a picnic on the grave of Lola Montez. The chorus speaks to the singer's experience with luck, both good and bad. They recount being lucky at one point, represented by the "ball of flame" and the need to "rock myself in its arms, forgiven in the face of fortune." However, the lucky streak ends, and their "fortune" breaks apart into pieces that are sold as art. The singer then must "rock myself in some famous places to replace my fortune."
Overall, the song seems to be about the difficulty of navigating life's ups and downs, and the fleeting nature of luck and fortune. The imagery of suburbia and graveyards, along with the references to apocalyptic walking and crop circles, suggest a larger theme of mortality and the transience of life. The chorus speaks to the idea that one's fortunes can change quickly, and that even when things are good, they might not last forever.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a straight line between suburbia and graveyards
The journey towards death is a straight path that begins in the safe and mundane suburbs of life.
And as we wander zigzag, short mysteries on our side
While we walk this path, we encounter small and puzzling events that intrigue and confuse us.
Then she reads them to me as we lunch on Sunday
As we take a break from this journey and enjoy our meal, she shares her observations and interpretations of these events with me.
Picnic baskets on the grave of the Lola Montez
We have a picnic on the grave of a famous dancer Lola Montez, who represents the fleeting nature of fame and fortune.
Bingo games and black lights, apocalyptic walking
We engage in fun group activities like playing bingo and exploring the city at night when everything seems ominous and doomsday-like.
Apologies accepted, spurred by a shared design
We apologize to each other for our shortcomings as we share a common goal or vision.
Something fled on Henry, blazing blue down Cobb Street
We witness a mysterious event where something (or someone) runs away down Henry and Cobb street in a blue blaze.
We surround it, singing, 'Here, king, accept your reign!'
We come together and welcome this unknown entity, likening it to a king who is now in control of our journey.
I was the lucky one, too, all the same
Despite these strange and uncertain events, I also feel fortunate to be on this journey with my companions.
(I was the lucky one all the same)
In the summer of my ball of flame
Referring to a passionate and intense time in my life, comparable to a fiery ball.
(In the summer of my ball of flame)
I had to rock myself in its arms, forgiven in the face of fortune
I had to find solace in this intense experience and forgive myself for any mistakes while embracing the unpredictable nature of fate.
And with the lucky one, too, it broke apart!
But just like with any fortune, it eventually falls apart and ends.
(And with the lucky one broke apart!)
Into pieces that were sold as art
The remnants of this intense experience are now being sold and displayed as art, losing their original meaning and significance.
(Into pieces that were sold as art!)
I had to rock myself in some famous places to replace my fortune
In order to regain my fortune and sense of purpose, I had to immerse myself in familiar and renowned locations.
To replace my fortune
A dance we turn on rest here, left like breadcrumbs for you
We leave behind a trail of our experiences and memories, like breadcrumbs, for others to follow and learn from.
Dropped from these skyscrapers, pieces from knots and loaves
These breadcrumbs are scattered across towering skyscrapers, representing the complexity and scale of our experiences.
Apocryphal and shining come the new crop circles
We encounter new experiences that are puzzling and cryptic, but also dazzling and luminous.
Our avenging angels singing in a secret code
As we interpret these new experiences, we feel a sense of justice and righteous anger, expressed in a covert and mysterious way.
I had to rock myself in some famous places to replace my fortune
Once again, I had to resort to familiar and esteemed locations to regain a sense of fortune and purpose.
I had to rock myself in some famous places to replace my fortune
I had to rock myself in some famous places to replace my fortune
I had to rock myself in some famous places to replace my fortune
Contributed by Samuel F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@saintdeuce
HOW is this not on one of their LP's??? This is one of the best songs I've ever heard, and possibly my favorite NP song.
@Firecloud500
All of these comments are age old but if anyone returning to this song wants to know what album it came from its from the executive edition of Challengers which had rough mixes demos and other b sides unreleased.
@pedrito77
Thank you.
@lebarosky
This song sounds like it could have been from the Summer of Love. Very sweet.
@MatteStevenson
Nicer! Hadn't heard this track until AC Newman mentioned it today, on the 11th anniversary of Challengers.
@mtw251
Easily a top 5 New Pornographers song and it's not even on an album.
@LarryKooper
love it
@TheLCola
Shockingly good song. Sometimes I think Challengers is better than Twin Cinema, but how can anything be better than Twin Cinema? A New Pornos mystery.
@Smittenriri
What album is this song from?
@captainasbestos2914
Challengers Deluxe. Super rare find now unfortunately.