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.
You Don't Know Me
The Polyphonic Spree Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's time to let go
Don't let the people think they know you
They don't know
You move around, you say goodbye to them
There's always more to you than there are of them
Don't keep yourself low
It's easy to forget what you came here for when you get old
There's always someone there to bring you down again
There's always more to you than there are of them
Hey, hey, you don't know me
Hey, hey, you don't know me
Hey, hey, you don't know me
Hey, hey, you don't know me
I know you will hide
When I'm around
Hey, hey, you don't know me
Hey, hey, you don't know me
There's always someone there to bring you down again
There's always more to you than there are of them
I know you will hide
When I'm around
I know you will hide
When I'm around
Watch them follow you all around
Watch them follow you all around
The Polyphonic Spree’s song “You Don’t Know Me” is a powerful track about self-awareness, not letting others get in the way of one’s true identity and staying true to oneself. The song encourages the listener to jump in and let go, to keep moving and saying goodbye to those who do not truly know them. The lyrics in the chorus “Hey, hey, you don't know me” point to the fact that others often have their own preconceived ideas and judgments about who someone is, but that ultimately only the individual themselves truly knows who they are. The song also talks about the importance of remaining true to oneself and not conforming or lowering oneself to satisfy others. The lyrics “Keep yourself high, don't keep yourself low” encourage the listener to strive towards personal growth and not to let others bring them down.
The song also touches on the idea that there will always be those who attempt to bring others down, and it’s important to recognize who those people are and to not let them get in the way of one’s own personal growth. The line “there's always someone there to bring you down again” highlights the fact that not everyone will understand or support one’s journey. The repetition of the phrase “there’s always more to you than there are of them” emphasizes the idea that one’s life is their own and there is always more to someone than meets the eye.
Overall, “You Don’t Know Me” is an anthem for individuality and self-confidence, encouraging listeners to embrace who they are and to not let the opinions of others hold them back.
Line by Line Meaning
It's time to jump in
Take a leap of faith.
It's time to let go
Let go of your fears and doubts.
Don't let the people think they know you
Don't let others define who you are.
They don't know
Only you truly know yourself.
You move around, you say goodbye to them
You don't owe anyone an explanation for your actions or choices.
There's always more to you than there are of them
You are unique and have greater depth than others may assume.
Keep yourself high
Value yourself and your worth.
Don't keep yourself low
Don't underestimate yourself or your potential.
It's easy to forget what you came here for when you get old
Don't lose sight of your purpose in life.
There's always someone there to bring you down again
There will always be people who try to diminish your spirit.
Hey, hey, you don't know me
You can't truly understand me or my experiences.
I know you will hide
I see through your facade.
When I'm around
I have the ability to expose your true self.
Watch them follow you all around
Others may be drawn to you, but they still can't fully comprehend you.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: TIMOTHY NEWTON DE LAUGHTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
theneedledrop
I really like the chorus on this track: "There's always more to you than there are of them."
olhungers
My thoughts exactly. One of my most favourite line of lyrics ever.
nweeezy
this never gets old
Scoops
Great job!
Bluexhox
Love this
Mark Wilson
why have i not heard this before now? Fantastic track
Colleen Keegan
Texas local...great music comes from here
starcycle
Great song! Love the driving bass, the harmonies, and the John Lydon sound on the vocals.
Cassio Rodrigues
song and video both flawless <3
Celine Geers
This song is so brilliant!!!