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 band's last album, The Fragile Army, (released June 2007) the entire band swapped their trademark robes for dark coloured military-style uniforms.
The return of The Polyphonic Spree was announced with the release of the 'Bullseye' App, an interactive music video which is a collaboration between The Polyphonic Spree and Moonbot Studios.
Section 19
The Polyphonic Spree Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep yourself feeling brand new.
And love your strife with life.
Everyone wants to know why.
And love your strife with youth.
Keep yourself feeling brand new.
And love your strife with God.
Love, love, love...
Songs, which you said, with this crucifix, yeah.
You′re shaking it but you think to yourself, "Everything will be fine."
And love, what you said, with this crucifix, yeah.
You're shaking it but you think to yourself, "Everything will be fine."
Hail to the sky, hail to the sky.
Time to watch the show, time to watch the show.
The trees wanna grow, the trees wanna grow.
Grow, grow, grow.
Still a man.
It seems the time has gone away,
But all at once you knew your mission well.
You′re civilized, it seems soon to paralyze.
The thought became the mission of your life.
The best place is to find your home.
The coolest is to find your way.
The best place is to find your home in time,
Till when the fool becomes a king.
Step right up and sound off again.
The way to the new world has once begun.
We tried to find ourselves within the light,
Which made demands that much longer.
We move much closer than they have before,
To strike our ways and go forth.
The time is now, we move once again.
We reach for dreams we've never known.
Stranger to the sun you've seen the light.
Your sixteen ways will blow your mind,
If you open up to the sky.
You know the time is right when you reach for the sun.
And it makes me smile on my way.
The lyrics to "Section 19" by The Polyphonic Spree convey a message of love, self-discovery, and finding one's purpose in life. The song encourages listeners to embrace the life they choose and keep themselves feeling refreshed and renewed. It suggests that loving the challenges and struggles that come with life, as well as embracing one's youth and connection with a higher power, are essential for personal growth and fulfillment.
The lyrics also touch on the power of faith and the importance of staying positive in the face of adversity. The mention of a crucifix implies a religious or spiritual element, and the act of shaking it represents a struggle or a test of faith. Despite the challenges, the lyrics reassure that everything will be fine and that love is a guiding force through difficult times.
The song further emphasizes the significance of embracing change and growth. The references to trees wanting to grow and the idea of finding one's home and way in time suggest a pursuit of personal development and a search for one's true purpose. The lyrics imply that the journey to self-discovery and becoming the best version of oneself may involve taking risks, stepping out of comfort zones, and reaching for dreams that were previously unexplored.
Overall, "Section 19" by The Polyphonic Spree is an uplifting message about embracing life, love, faith, and personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Love the life you choose.
Embrace and appreciate the life path that you have chosen for yourself.
Keep yourself feeling brand new.
Continuously strive to maintain a sense of freshness and renewal in your life.
And love your strife with life.
Find love and acceptance even amidst the challenges and difficulties that life presents.
Everyone wants to know why.
People have a natural curiosity to understand the reasons behind things.
And love your strife with youth.
Embrace and appreciate the struggles and conflicts that come with the energy and vitality of youth.
And love your strife with God.
Embrace and accept the challenges and struggles that arise in your relationship with God or spirituality.
Yeah, everyone wants to know love...
Love, in all its forms, is a subject that intrigues and captivates everyone's curiosity.
Love, love, love...
Love is a powerful force that deserves to be emphasized and cherished.
Songs, which you said, with this crucifix, yeah.
The music and messages you express, often symbolized by the crucifix, hold deep meaning and significance.
You're shaking it but you think to yourself, 'Everything will be fine.'
Although you may face challenges or doubts, you maintain a hopeful belief that things will eventually work out.
Hail to the sky, hail to the sky.
Express acknowledgment and admiration to the vastness and grandeur of the sky.
Time to watch the show, time to watch the show.
Now is the moment to observe and experience the unfolding events of life.
The trees wanna grow, the trees wanna grow.
Nature's desire for growth and progress is reflected in the flourishing of trees.
Grow, grow, grow.
Echoing the call for growth and development in various aspects of life.
Still a man.
Even with the passage of time, one's identity as a human being remains unchanged.
It seems the time has gone away,
The passage of time has created a sense of loss or distance.
But all at once you knew your mission well.
Suddenly, you become clear and confident about your purpose or goal in life.
You're civilized, it seems soon to paralyze.
As one becomes more civilized or sophisticated, there is a risk of becoming stagnant or trapped.
The thought became the mission of your life.
A particular idea or concept has become the central driving force of your existence.
The best place is to find your home.
The most fulfilling and comforting place to be is where you feel a sense of belonging and security.
The coolest is to find your way.
The most admirable or impressive thing is to discover and follow your own unique path or direction.
The best place is to find your home in time,
The ideal situation is to find your sense of belonging and fulfillment within the passage of time.
Till when the fool becomes a king.
Until the moment when someone who was once considered foolish or insignificant rises to a position of power or influence.
Step right up and sound off again.
Confidently step forward and express your opinions or ideas once more.
The way to the new world has once begun.
The journey towards a new and better world or reality has already commenced.
We tried to find ourselves within the light,
We made efforts to discover our true selves and find enlightenment or clarity.
Which made demands that much longer.
These pursuits or aspirations required significant time and effort to fulfill.
We move much closer than they have before,
We are making progress and getting closer to our goals in a way that surpasses previous attempts.
To strike our ways and go forth.
To assert our own unique paths and move forward with determination and purpose.
The time is now, we move once again.
The present moment calls for action and prompts us to continue progressing onwards.
We reach for dreams we've never known.
We strive to achieve aspirations and desires that were previously unknown or unexplored.
Stranger to the sun you've seen the light.
Even though you may be unfamiliar with the sun, you have still experienced its illuminating influence or guidance.
Your sixteen ways will blow your mind,
Your multitude of perspectives or approaches will greatly astonish and amaze you.
If you open up to the sky.
By being receptive and open to life's possibilities, you can experience profound revelations or insights.
You know the time is right when you reach for the sun.
You possess an understanding that the opportune moment has arrived when you actively pursue ambitious goals or aspirations.
And it makes me smile on my way.
It brings joy and happiness to me as I journey through life.
Writer(s): Tim Delaughter
Contributed by Bailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.