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."
Moves
The New Pornographers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've had something that's mine
All this time
Slow to singalong crawl
Fork it over
I live among
The alarms, where I trip
Slow to singalong crawl
They come over
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Up the hill
Goes the time, rides the beat
Of my step
Slow to singalong crawl
Undiscovered
And all the years
At quarter speed, haloed and
Trembling clean
Slow to singalong crawl
Turning over
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Slow down, ladies
Slow down now
These things get louder
These things get louder
The live alarms
And your true villain love
Are kept at bay
Slow to singalong crawl
Like you wrote it
Will the beams
Be broke and crossed, motion sense
It's our heat
Slow to singalong crawl
It's not over
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Slow down, ladies
Slow down now
These things get louder
These things get louder
Slow to singalong crawl
Slow to singalong crawl
You will find moves
You will find moves
You will find moves
You will find moves
You will find moves
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
The lyrics to The New Pornographers's song "Moves" seem to be about the singer feeling like they've been missing something from their life for a long time and wanting it back. The opening line "I believe you've had something that's mine all this time" suggests that the singer is addressing someone who has been holding onto something that belongs to them. The repeated phrase "slow to singalong crawl" seems to evoke a sense of longing or hesitation, as if the singer is reluctant or unable to fully engage with the situation they find themselves in.
The second verse continues to build on this theme of uncertainty and unease, with the singer describing themselves as living "among the alarms", where they trip and struggle to keep up with the pace of life. They describe the experience as a "slow to singalong crawl", which again suggests a feeling of being out of sync with the world around them. The repeated refrain of "oh oh oh oh oh oh" is ambiguous, but it could be interpreted as a cry of frustration or a call for help.
As the song progresses, the singer seems to gain a sense of clarity or purpose. They describe themselves as making moves, as if they're finally taking control of their life and making progress towards something. The repeated phrase "you will find moves" suggests a sense of optimism and determination, as if the singer is convinced that they'll be able to overcome the obstacles in their path and achieve their goals.
Overall, "Moves" is a contemplative and introspective song that wrestles with themes of longing, uncertainty, and personal growth. It's a complex and emotionally resonant piece of music that rewards careful listening and interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
I believe
I have a strong conviction
You've had something that's mine
You have been holding onto something that belongs to me
All this time
For an extended period of time
Slow to singalong crawl
Moving with a slow pace
Fork it over
Hand it over to me
I live among
I reside alongside
The alarms, where I trip
The places where I stumble and falter
Where they sing
Where the alarms sound
They come over
They overwhelm me
Up the hill
Progressing uphill
Goes the time, rides the beat
Time passes as the music plays
Of my step
To the rhythm of my movement
Undiscovered
Not yet revealed or explored
And all the years
All the time that has passed
At quarter speed, haloed and
Moving slowly, with an aura
Trembling clean
Shaking and pure
Turning over
Changing or transitioning
Slow down, ladies
Take your time, women
These things get louder
These events become more intense
The live alarms
The sounding alarms
And your true villain love
And your sincere yet harmful affection
Are kept at bay
Are kept away or under control
Like you wrote it
As if it were planned or scripted
Will the beams
Will the structure support
Be broke and crossed, motion sense
Be damaged and intertwined in movement
It's our heat
It's our passion or energy
It's not over
It's not finished or concluded
You will find moves
You will discover actions or steps
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Repetitive musical interlude
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CARL ALLAN NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thomas Minarchick Jr.
Somehow I’ve never seen this. Julie Klausner as Neko Case is perfect. Jon Wurster, AP Mike and the bunch make it feel like a Best Show production. Love this band. Been down a rabbit hole with them lately
I2ecreate
Had this song deep in my favorites list, then it played on the new show 'Go On' intro and I instantly recognized them! Now playing their whole album on repeat again. :)
Sarah R
after years of discovering new bands, having new obsessions, I ALWAYS come back to the New Pornographers. A phenomenal band, forever my favorite.
Michael Berman
Congratulations on making the RS list! This is truly #1 on my favorite music video list.
Casey Allegree
What a masterpiece! Can’t believe I’ve never seen it. Mr. Scharpling, you are a treasure and should be celebrated the world over.
p337teh1337
great song, great video. they perform this song (and all their others) BEAUTIFULLY live. I'd highly recommend anyone to go see them.
Rob Potvin
This band is in my top 10
Love the music man. Thanks for the music!
Ryan Ahr
Wow, my first time hearing these guys. They are REALLY good. Perhaps there's hope for modern rock yet.
panamcail
This is hilarious. I've gotten a little cold on them their last 2 albums, but they are still a GREAT band. I play their first 3 albums STILL every day. Favorite song from them still remains "Wild Homes".
BaglessUpright
PERFECT! hahaha Shout out to AP Mike and Terre T! <3 I don't know how this video came out 2.5 years ago and I'm just seeing it for the first time. I love the New Pornographers and Tom Scharpling. But I'm glad this video is finally in my life!