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."
The Electric Version
The New Pornographers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lights and magnets, bolts and wires
Strayed from the road, this very one
Still to come
The sound of tires is the sound of God
The electric version.
The power and blood will pulse through your song
Sounds lost
Sounds lost
Sounds lost
Streaming out of the magnets
Strung together like Christmas lights
Twelve whole seconds of history might
Lead you from where you went off the track
Welcome back!
Our electric version calls
You alone create the full
Spectrum of light, so what could go wrong?
Just as long as it
Sounds lost
Sounds lost
Sounds lost
Streaming out of the magnets
The card you're dealt by the crowd goes wild
Make believe you are an only child
Here are the clothes, please put them on
Still to come
A new parade of faith and sparks
The electric version harks
Back to the day when there was no wrong
Just as long as it
Sounds lost
Sounds lost
Sounds lost
Streaming out of the magnets
Bah-bah-bah-bah-bah-bah-bah-bah
The Electric Version by The New Pornographers speaks to the power of music and its ability to transport us. The opening lines connect the sound of tires screeching, which is often associated with danger, to the sound of God, suggesting that moments of chaos and uncertainty can lead to spiritual connections. The use of technology and electricity is also present in the song, with the repeated mention of magnets and the title of the track being "The Electric Version." The lyrics suggest that through music, we can tap into a divine power that connects us all and allows us to feel a sense of oneness.
The song also explores the idea of starting over and finding one's way back after going off track. The line "lead you from where you went off the track, welcome back!" reflects a sense of acceptance and a desire to help others find their way. The repeated phrase "sounds lost" can also be interpreted as a call to embrace the unknown and explore new territory, rather than being afraid of getting lost or making mistakes. The lyrics suggest that it is through experiencing new things and taking risks that we can truly connect with the divine and find our purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
The sound of God is the screech of tires
The noise made by tires is akin to the voice of God.
Lights and magnets, bolts and wires
This new electric version is made up of light and magnetism, metal and electricity.
Strayed from the road, this very one
The path we were on diverted, but this new route is the one we must continue on.
Still to come
The journey continues, there is more to come.
The sound of tires is the sound of God
The sound of the tires is all encompassing, it's the voice of a higher power.
The electric version.
This new power source is the updated version of what we had before.
The power and blood will pulse through your song
Your music will be energized by this new electric version, it will bring life to it.
Just as long as it
As long as your music...
Sounds lost
Is in sync with the mystical, divine forces surrounding us.
Sounds lost
Continues to make such an ethereal sound.
Sounds lost
Echoes beyond the physical realm.
Streaming out of the magnets
Flowing out from the electromagnetic field.
Strung together like Christmas lights
Connected in a chain, like holiday decorations.
Twelve whole seconds of history might
A brief moment in time that could be significant in the future.
Lead you from where you went off the track
It could guide you back to the right course.
Welcome back!
You found your way back and are now part of the main path again.
Our electric version calls
Our new method of operating is calling to us.
You alone create the full
Your actions are what make up the complete picture.
Spectrum of light, so what could go wrong?
You have complete control of the outcome when you have this much power at your fingertips.
The card you're dealt by the crowd goes wild
The reaction you receive from the people around you is unpredictable.
Make believe you are an only child
Pretend that you are the only one who matters.
Here are the clothes, please put them on
Here is what you need to do, dress yourself up and step into the limelight.
Still to come
There's always more to come.
A new parade of faith and sparks
A bold new display of conviction and energy.
The electric version harks
The new way of life echoes back to a simpler time.
Back to the day when there was no wrong
A simpler time when you could do no wrong.
Bah-bah-bah-bah-bah-bah-bah-bah
Nonsensical filler lyrics.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Carl Allan Newman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind