15 Robert Pollard Songs that Describe Exactly How You Feel

When it’s hard to find your own words for how you feel, sometimes the right song will help you speak your mind. Local rock legend, Robert Pollard, has been recording songs since the 1980s and over the years he has amassed a treasure trove of tunes to help you express yourself. So take a look at this short list of favorites and see if it helps you get some things off your chest.

1.  “Mobility” (I Sell the Circus – Guided by Voices, Inc.) – When you need them to know who they are dealing with.

Key line:  “I sell the circus, I skim the profits, I spin the tops until they come off”

The perfect song for when you realize this is your circus, these are your monkeys, and everyone else can take a flying leap off the high wire.

2.  “Do Something Real” (Speak Kindly of Your Volunteer Fire Department – Fading Captain Series) – When you need motivation to do what you need to do.

Robert Pollard did something real and now he has 3.5 days (or 84 hours)* worth of music to show for it. That’s 2,243 songs over the past 30 years.  And, yes, devotees of his music listen to it all in a row – they call this feat of fandom “Alpha Omega.”

*As of 2016

3.  “The Brides Have Hit Glass” (Isolation Drills – TVT Records) – When you’re wondering if you’ve made the right choices.

Key line:  “Someday I will know, that it’s a waste of time. That there’s a better road ahead of me, I just don’t know how to make it there.”

4.  “Don’t Stop Now” (Under the Bushes Under the Stars – Matador) – When you’re ready to throw in the towel.

This song was reportedly inspired by a real chicken Robert Pollard saw strutting around his former home in Northridge.

5.  “A Salty Salute” (Alien Lanes – Matador) – When the club is open and you’re ready to party.

If you’ve always wanted to know what some of Robert Pollard’s songs are about, as well as Guided by Voices history, you should check out Guided by Voices: A Brief History: 21 Years of Hunting Accidents in the Forests of Rock and Roll by James Greer (published 2005).  https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Voices-History-Twenty-One-Accidents/dp/0802170137

6.  “Poor Substitute” (Swimmer to a Liquid Armchair – Guided by Voices, Inc.) – When you’re not quite there yet (but you will be!)

This might remind you of that famous quote about judging a fish only on its ability to climb a tree.

7.  “Keep It in Motion” (Class Clown Spots a UFO – Guided by Voices, Inc.) – When you need to keep up the pace.

If you liked Councilman Jamm on Parks and Recreation, you’ll love the official music video for this song:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs6aJ4tc_DQ (Directed by Todd Lamb, featuring Jon Glaser).

8.  “Let it Rest for a Little While” (Zero to 99 – Guided by Voices, Inc.) – When you need to step away for a bit.

When Robert Pollard needs to switch it up a little, he creates collage art. Visit http://www.robertpollardart.com/ to learn more.

9.  “Planet Score” (Motivational Jumpsuit – Guided by Voices, Inc.) – When you’re wondering why you ever stopped collecting vinyl.

These guys felt so strongly about this sentiment they opened a record store called Planet Score Records (with Robert Pollard’s blessing, of course!) https://www.facebook.com/planetscorerecords/

10.  “Back to the Lake” (Universal Truths and Cycles – Matador ) When you need to get away with your friends.

If you decide you need to shout along to the lyrics, check out www.gbvdb.com – the online database for all things Robert Pollard and Guided by Voices.

11.  “Drinker’s Peace” (Same Place the Fly Got Smashed – Rocket #9) – When you need a few to take the edge off.

See also, “Sister I Need Wine” on Isolation Drills.

12.  “Pendulum” (Same Place the Fly Got Smashed – Rocket #9) – When you realize you’re a middle aged child, but so what?

Key Line:  “No need to get all caught up in society’s stipulations – You’re a member of the freak generation”

13.  “Motor Away” (Alien Lanes – Matador) – When you need to speed past the haters.

This is the song to play in your car with the windows down at the end of a long day.

14.  “Everybody Thinks I’m a Raincloud (When I’m not Looking)” (Half Smiles of the Decomposed – Matador) – When no one calls or cares but you’re actually pretty fine with it.

When Guided by Voices was breaking up in 2004, they played this song on their final TV appearance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien:  https://archive.org/details/GuidedByVoices-EverybodyThinksImARaincloud-LiveOnConan

15.  “Dancing Girls and Dancing Men” (From a Compound Eye – Merge Records) – When you want to dance your life away.

If you want to dance to any of these songs, check out Rockathon Records’ online store The Factory of Raw Essentials.

Read my exclusive interview with Rockathon Records.