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 Jessica Numbers
The New Pornographers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
paper and fist
jessica numbers tell me if
we're clear
write me a storm
just tape the letter to the door
this thing is your mission
brave another road
jessica numbers to the wall
slip through
ever the thief
is posed to hero but we'll see
this thing is your mission
the lone wish and condition
push me through
counting the lies
measuring all our shadows by
old star
shift into red
just stick the numbers to the bed
hairchipping up
the sadness as it passes
as word across
the window frosting out
starting to feel the kicking here at last yeah
something worth keeping around
let me through
paper and fist
jessica numbers give me this
let's fall
look where we land
just write the answer on my hand
this thing is your mission
the lone wish and condition
jessica numbers how we do
jessica numbers how we do
jessica numbers how we do
The lyrics of The Jessica Numbers by The New Pornographers may appear cryptic at first, but upon closer examination, it seems to be about seeking direction and guidance from a trusted confidant or mentor. The repetition of "let me through" and "Jessica Numbers," as well as the imagery of "paper and fist," suggest a sense of urgency and a need for clear communication in order to progress.
The lyrics also include themes of determination and bravery, as the singer urges Jessica Numbers to "brave another road" and recognizes that "this thing is your mission." The use of language such as "posed to hero but we'll see" and "something worth keeping around" reinforce the idea of perseverance in the face of uncertainty. The use of metaphors such as "counting the lies" and "measuring all our shadows" suggest a search for truth and clarity in a world where things may not be as they seem.
Overall, the song seems to be about finding one's way in a confusing and uncertain world, seeking guidance and direction from trusted figures, and recognizing the importance of staying true to oneself and one's mission.
Line by Line Meaning
let me through
Allow me to pass through
paper and fist
Refers to the physical obstructions that may be encountered
jessica numbers tell me if
Asking for verification of the path ahead
we're clear
Questioning whether any obstacles have been removed
write me a storm
Requesting a persuasive message to be crafted
just tape the letter to the door
Providing clarification on how to deliver the message
this thing is your mission
Highlighting the importance and responsibility of the task at hand
the lone wish and condition
Reinforcing the idea that this is the only goal and requirement
brave another road
Encouragement to take a different journey
jessica numbers to the wall
Requesting guidance and direction
slip through
Advising caution when navigating obstacles
ever the thief
Acknowledging the possibility of theft or deception
is posed to hero but we'll see
Suggesting that someone may be pretending to be a hero, but this will be tested over time
push me through
Asking for assistance with overcoming difficulties
counting the lies
Taking stock of falsehoods and mistruths encountered
measuring all our shadows by
Judging ourselves based on comparison to others
old star
Symbolic representation of something that has been around for a long time
shift into red
Moving towards danger or excitement
just stick the numbers to the bed
Providing instructions on how to proceed
hair chipping up
Describing the physical reaction to heightened anticipation
the sadness as it passes
Reflecting on feelings of melancholy leaving
as word across
The news of change spreads
the window frosting out
Visual representation of a foggy view through the window, demonstrating uncertainty or disorientation
starting to feel the kicking here at last yeah
Feeling excitement and anticipation as things start to fall into place
something worth keeping around
Realizing that the journey or experience is valuable and worth remembering
jessica numbers give me this
Requesting something specific from the guide
let's fall
Deliberately taking a risk or plunge
look where we land
Being optimistic about the outcome of a risk or adventure
just write the answer on my hand
Requesting a direct answer or solution to a problem
jessica numbers how we do
Asking for an update on progress and direction
Contributed by Victoria Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.