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."
Graceland
The New Pornographers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am listening
Through the walls, not at all
What I thought I was missing
In my case there is something in the will to escape life at last
As we ride into the sun safe we burst into flames
I don't know, I don't know how you missed us
In my life this will happen to a boy every time, the perfect crime
Which as everybody knows pays just fine
So pay my way into Graceland
To Graceland
Pay my way into Graceland
We're even, we're even
Lights out and the first of your circuits is broken
Tell the post, good to go, set it, give into motion
In my life this will happen to a boy every time
The perfect crime which everybody knows pays just fine
So pay my way into Graceland
To Graceland
Pay my way into Graceland
We're even, we're even
So pay my way into Graceland
To Graceland
Pay my way into Graceland
We're even, we're even
The lyrics to The New Pornographers' song Graceland seem to be a reflection on the struggles of life and the desire to escape from it. The countdown to zero is potentially referencing the end of something, such as life, and the singer is listening but not really hearing anything profound. Through the walls, they're not getting what they thought they needed, perhaps implying they're not finding satisfaction in anything.
The line "In my case there is something in the will to escape life at last" could mean that the singer feels trapped and wants to be freed from their struggles. This is juxtaposed with the line "As we ride into the sun safe we burst into flames," which could mean they want to escape their life but fear what might happen if they do. The next few lines could be a commentary on how people miss things that are right in front of them, like the three ghosts of Christmas in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The line "We're even, we're even" at the end could suggest the singer feels that by paying their way into Graceland, they're finally getting what they deserve.
Overall, the song seems to be about the yearning for something better, even if it means taking a risk to get there.
Line by Line Meaning
Countdown to zero, to zero
We're starting fresh, from nothing.
I am listening
I'm open to new ideas and possibilities.
Through the walls, not at all
Despite my best efforts, I'm still ignorant of what's going on around me.
What I thought I was missing
That elusive thing that I was searching for turns out to be something I already had.
In my case there is something in the will to escape life at last
I have a strong desire to break free from the monotony of everyday life.
As we ride into the sun safe we burst into flames
Taking risks can be dangerous and exhilarating at the same time.
I don't know, I don't know how you missed us
I'm surprised that we went unnoticed, despite our efforts to stand out.
Rolling by, rolling by like the three ghosts of Christmas
Time seems to pass quickly and relentlessly, like the ghosts in A Christmas Carol.
In my life this will happen to a boy every time, the perfect crime
I've found a way to cheat the system and get what I want without consequence.
Which as everybody knows pays just fine
My scheme is successful and profitable, as expected.
So pay my way into Graceland
I'm willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my desires and goals.
To Graceland
The object of my desire and ultimate destination.
Lights out and the first of your circuits is broken
Things are falling apart and the beginning of a major change is underway.
Tell the post, good to go, set it, give into motion
I'm ready to move forward and begin the next phase of my plan.
We're even, we're even
Everything has evened out and the score is settled.
So pay my way into Graceland
I'm willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my desires and goals.
To Graceland
The object of my desire and ultimate destination.
Pay my way into Graceland
I'm willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my desires and goals.
We're even, we're even
Everything has evened out and the score is settled.
Contributed by Bailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.