The two dozen members often take to the stage costumed in flowing robes or military style uniforms, an appropriate backdrop for their happy and uplifting musical message that's a mix of catchy pop minimally laced with gospel. Fans have compared them to both the Flaming Lips and the Beach Boys, with a smidgen of lively Godspeed-like attitude thrown into the mix.
The Polyphonic Spree was founded by Tim DeLaughter, who led Dallas, Texas based alternative rock band Tripping Daisy (best known for their 1996 minor hit "I Got A Girl") until 1999, when Wes Berggren(founding member and guitarist) died of a drug overdose. Tripping Daisy posthumously released a self-titled record on Sugar Fix records and called it quits.
DeLaughter and other surviving members of Tripping Daisy regrouped as the Polyphonic Spree in 2000, adding about 20 more members. They put together a demo titled The Beginning Stages of...The Polyphonic Spree and distributed it to fans during performances. The album was subsequently released on DeLaughter's own imprint, Good Records and picked up by 679 Recordings.
The fluctuating group boasts a choir, a pair of keyboard players, as well as a percussionist, bassist, guitarist, flautist, trumpeter, trombonist, violinist, a French horn player, a theremin player, and an electronic effects wizard. DeLaughter holds the post of musical director and contributes lead vocals.
Tours require more than a dozen full-sized vans, but the band's spectacular shows in intimate clubs and gigs as big as 2003's Reading Festival generate the feeling of a gospel revival meeting. Single "Light and Day" was featured in Volkswagen commercials, an episode of Scrubs and on the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind soundtrack, earning the Polyphonic Spree even more exposure. Their proper first album Together We're Heavy was released jointly by Good Records and Hollywood Records in summer 2004. New music was released in the form of the soundtrack for the film 'Thumbsucker' in 2005.
In the autumn of 2006, The Polyphonic Spree released the Wait EP, which features covers of Nirvana's "Lithium" and "Sonic Bloom" by DeLaughter's former band, Tripping Daisy.
For the The Fragile Army, (released June 2007) tour, the entire band swapped their trademark robes for dark colored military-style uniforms.
In 2014 the band released the studio album Psychphonic
Afflatus was released on April 16, 2021. Afflatus is a cover album featuring songs by bands such as INXS, The Bee Gees, and Rush.[19]
On November 17, 2023, The Polyphonic Spree released their eighth studio album, Salvage Enterprise.
Light & Day
The Polyphonic Spree Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because all
My feelings are more
Than i can let by
Or not
More than you've got
Just follow the day
Follow the day and reach for the sun!
You don't see me flyin to the red
One more you're done
Just follow the seasons and find the time
Reach for the bright side
You don't see me flyin to the red
One more you're nuts
Just follow the day
Follow the day and reach for the sun
Just follow the day
Follow the day and reach for the sun!
You don't see me flyin to the red
One more you're nuts
Just follow the seasons and find the time
Reach for the bright side
You don't see me flyin to the red
One more you're nuts
Just follow the day
Follow the day and reach for the sun!
Just follow the day
Follow the day and reach for the sun!
Just follow the day
Follow the day and reach for the sun!
The Polyphonic Spree's song Light & Day is a whimsical and upbeat anthem that encourages listeners to embrace positivity and reach for their dreams. The lyrics start with the line "Light and day is more than you'll say," suggesting that there is more to life and our experiences than we can express or understand. The second line, "Because all my feelings are more than I can let by," acknowledges that we have emotions and aspirations that may be suppressed or difficult to articulate. The next line, "Or not, more than you've got," suggests that some people may not have the same level of ambition or optimism as others.
The chorus continues with the invitation to "Follow the day and reach for the sun," urging listeners to stay focused on the present and pursue their goals. The line "You don't see me flying to the red" may refer to the idea of being undeterred by obstacles or setbacks, as though the singer is saying that they won't give up even if they fail once (the red being a metaphor for failure). The chorus repeats several times, with variations on the final line "Just follow the day and reach for the sun," emphasizing the importance of perseverance and hopefulness.
Overall, the song embodies a sense of joy and optimism, encouraging listeners to embrace life's possibilities and pursue their dreams with dedication and enthusiasm.
Line by Line Meaning
Light and day is more than you'll say
The world is full of wonder and beauty that cannot be fully expressed in words.
Because all
Because everything in the world, including our emotions, is connected and complex.
My feelings are more
My emotions are bigger and more intense than I can express.
Than i can let by
Than I can let go of and move on from.
Or not
Or perhaps it's hard for me to let go on purpose.
More than you've got
More than you could ever understand or empathize with.
Just follow the day
Just keep moving forward and experiencing life as it comes.
Follow the day and reach for the sun!
Keep striving for joy and fulfillment, even in difficult times.
You don't see me flyin to the red
You don't see me giving up or getting distracted from my goals.
One more you're done
If you give up or lose sight of your purpose, you'll fail.
Just follow the seasons and find the time
Follow the natural rhythms of life and make time for what's important.
Reach for the bright side
Focus on the positive and hopeful aspects of life.
One more you're nuts
If you give up or lose sight of your purpose, you'll be seen as crazy.
Follow the day and reach for the sun!
Keep striving for joy and fulfillment, even in difficult times.
Just follow the day
Just keep moving forward and experiencing life as it comes.
Follow the day and reach for the sun!
Keep striving for joy and fulfillment, even in difficult times.
Just follow the day
Just keep moving forward and experiencing life as it comes.
Follow the day and reach for the sun!
Keep striving for joy and fulfillment, even in difficult times.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Timothy Delaughter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ColonelAuctioneer
It’s been quite a few years since I saw them live. The last time was at a very small venue. It was a basement bar under a restaurant in St. Louis. That might it snowed several inches and the sold out show only had about 30 people show up. My wife and I were a part of something great that night. Despite the low turn out they played for hours and sat around with us at tables and played and included us all. It was a night I will never forget.
@mrfonch
lucky man
@moon_mint
I last saw them at their anniversary show in Dallas like 5 years ago, SUCH a freaking blast. Happiest vibes on the planet were in that room. And most of us were blazed lmao.
@denverrandy7143
That's awesome!!! pretty cool it was sold out already so they still got a little money to put in their pocket.🤘🤪👍
@benjaminepstein5856
That's such an amazing experience.
@KoolKeithProductions
@@moon_mint Been wondering this for 20 years. Are they a cult? lol
@patops34
I love this band playing in Scrubs :) It was the one of the best episodes!
@teizle1
When I first saw these guys it was on scrubs, and I thought it was a joke band, I was cracking up. Then I googled them and found out that this was actually a group.
@leehemmings3436
Same scrubs brought me here
@craigandrews7601
I'm one of the grumpiest sods you will ever meet, but this song never fails to make me happy and put a big smile on my face :)