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."
My Shepherd
The New Pornographers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're tossing lost arts out windows
The splash and jangle of a secret science defined
You claim some golden age is upon us
You always loved short story form:
The science behind it, the hidden verse
You live for flame, your re-attraction's new
Close that stare into morning sun
When the dots form into connections
If I'm honest, you come to mind
But baby, I'm not
If I'm honest, you come to mind
But baby, I'm not
The impacts pound dust into working script
We stare in wonder at the steps we skipped
Tripping wires we have so carefully crossed
The science behind it at a perfect loss
You're my Lord, you're my Shepherd
Careful, kid, no one gets hurt
You made me
It's a pal of the French we took
The science behind it was a dirty look
Seul joue pas de rock 'n' roll [French speakers feel free to correct this]
Seul joue pas de rock 'n' roll pour moi [and this, too]
You're my Lord, you're my Shepherd
Careful, kid, no one gets hurt
You made me
You made me this way
Try to fail
The New Pornographers's song My Shepherd is a reflective and introspective piece that seems to be exploring themes of self-discovery and self-actualization. The opening lines, "Glasswork shards decorate this house, we're tossing lost arts out windows," describes a scene of destruction as the singer is getting rid of old beliefs and traditions in their life, in order to make space for something new. They go on to acknowledge that there is a "secret science defined," and that the singer is claiming that "some golden age is upon us," indicating a positive outlook for the future.
The song's middle verses delve deeper into the idea of self-discovery, as the singer reminisces about a past love, who loved "short story form." They describe this person as someone who "lives for flame" and is in the process of "re-attraction," which could suggest that the former relationship has been reignited. The singer goes on to say that when they think of this person, "dots form into connections," which suggests that they are trying to make sense of their past and how it has brought them to where they are today.
Towards the end of the song, there is a French phrase that is sung, "Seul joue pas de rock 'n' roll" which roughly translates to "Only play rock 'n' roll," suggesting that the singer is trying to break free from old traditions and embrace new ones. Throughout the song, there are references to science and discovery, which could symbolize the process of self-discovery and personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Glasswork shards decorate this house
The house is full of broken glass that adds to its decoration, emphasizing the feeling of chaos and disarray.
We're tossing lost arts out windows
We're getting rid of things we once held dear, throwing them out carelessly even though we might regret it later.
The splash and jangle of a secret science defined
There's an elusive and cryptic knowledge that surrounds us and imparts an intriguing, almost musical texture to our existence.
You claim some golden age is upon us
You believe that we're living in a time of great prosperity and positivity, despite any setbacks or hardships.
You always loved short story form:
You're fond of expressing yourself in concise and compact narratives, where every word counts and subtlety reigns.
The science behind it, the hidden verse
You appreciate the technical aspects of writing and storytelling, and you find beauty in the layers and complexities that lie beneath the surface.
You live for flame, your re-attraction's new
You thrive on passion, on the spark that ignites your soul, and on the thrill of rediscovering what you once loved.
The leather's pulled from a secret room
There's a sense of mystery and intrigue around the things we desire, the things we find alluring or fascinating, as if they're hidden away from sight.
Close that stare into morning sun
Shield your eyes from the harsh light of reality and mundane concerns, and focus on the beauty and optimism of a fresh new day.
When the dots form into connections
When we start to see the patterns and relationships between seemingly isolated or random events, we gain a sense of clarity and understanding.
If I'm honest, you come to mind
In moments of contemplation or introspection, your thoughts turn towards someone who has left an indelible mark on your life, whether for better or for worse.
But baby, I'm not
But despite this, you've moved on and you're no longer defined or limited by that person or that relationship.
The impacts pound dust into working script
The challenges and obstacles we face often serve as catalysts for creativity, pushing us to write our own stories and to find our own voice.
We stare in wonder at the steps we skipped
Looking back at our journey so far, we're amazed at how far we've come, despite the mistakes and detours we've taken along the way.
Tripping wires we have so carefully crossed
Even the things we thought we had figured out or mastered can trip us up and reveal new insights or perspectives, reminding us of our vulnerability.
The science behind it at a perfect loss
Despite our attempts to understand the world and ourselves, there's an elusive and intangible quality to life that we can't quite grasp or explain with logic.
You're my Lord, you're my Shepherd
You're the one who provides guidance, comfort, and support in my life, leading me towards my goals and helping me weather the storms.
Careful, kid, no one gets hurt
You're gentle and compassionate, and you don't want to cause harm or pain to anyone, even if that means sacrificing some of your own desires or ambitions.
You made me
You've had a profound impact on who I am today, shaping my beliefs, my values, my personality, and my sense of self.
It's a pal of the French we took
We've borrowed a little bit of the French sensibility and style, incorporating it into our own identity and culture.
The science behind it was a dirty look
The motivations and reasons behind our actions and decisions might not always be noble or pure, but they still reveal something about who we are and what we want.
Seul joue pas de rock 'n' roll
Don't play rock and roll alone (French phrase).
Seul joue pas de rock 'n' roll pour moi
Don't play rock and roll alone for me (French phrase).
You made me this way
You've played a significant role in shaping my identity and my traits, for better or for worse.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: CARL ALLAN NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind