The New Pornographers – Myriad Harbour

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  General Comment:Saw the band play this song a few weeks ago at Terminal 5 in NYC. During the start of the song Carl told the audience song that this song was about "you" meaning about New York City. What the song is about I cant be sure, but it is filled with NYC referances. Bleeker St is a haven for music, it was once the home of the famed CBGB's. It starts almost as random observation and wanderings in New York.

  Flag DarthBobulon June 30, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:PS1 is also in New York.

  Flag inapurplebasketon May 05, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:Well the lyric is definitely 'stranded at Bleeker and Broadway', which is in New York, not Vancouver.
  
  

  Flag rkpetersenon July 14, 2009   Link

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  My Interpretation:supaah song. that opening riff reminded me of another song but i couldn't place it for forever. i just realized 2 minutes ago it's "i bleed" by the pixies. crazy shit

  Flag hugrobotson April 17, 2009   Link

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    Interesting you bring that up, I thought the way they go "Look out upon the Myriad Harbour-rah-ah-ah" was very Black Francis-ish. Love finding Pixies influences.

    Flag DeepDishPizzaon April 30, 2009  
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  General Comment:Sorry, lalalola. Replace ugly with beautiful and you got it right.

  Flag hahaineversaidon March 25, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:This song is about Vancouver, not New York. Dan Bejar lives in Vancouver, thus Broadway fits appropriately. Also, it is "stranded ugly girl on Broadway, lookin' for something to do"

  Flag lalalolaon March 23, 2009   Link

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    This song is about New York, not Vancouver. The lyric is "stranded at Bleeker and Broadway, looking for something to do." Bleeker and Broadway is an intersection in Greenwich Village. Rather famous, too. Furthermore, "PS1" is an old New York public school (New York City elementary schools are labeled "PS," for Public School, plus a number, like PS29, or, PS1). PS1 happens to be particularly famous because it has been converted to a center for contemporary art (see ps1.org), which is why they're sticking stuff on the wall there.

    Flag alcibiadesmyst77on July 11, 2009  
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  General Comment:I think it is about someone new in New York City and they are intimidated by it.
  
  Since a guy is singing, he is wondering how all these really attractive girls got to be so attractive in the new york.
  
  New york city is a big music hub, with all different kinds of American music aka the "American music anthology" from the song.
  
  The myriad harbor is new york (new york is very diverse)
  
  The line "Someone somewhere asked me
  Is there anything in particular I can help you with?
  (All I ever want to help with was you)"
  
  could mean a New Yorker is offering to help this guy, but all the guy needs help with is understanding the new yorker.

  Flag seldon452on February 05, 2009   Link

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    Yes! I'm sure this song is about diversity. Bejar has a peculiar, tangential way with words but the line "look out upon the myriad harbour" really speaks to me, like he's saying "look at all this amazing, unfamiliar stuff". Hadn't picked up on the scariness before, but it makes sense.
    
    I think he's also telling off his bandmates for keeping their heads down and missing out on it all.

    Flag chrisrazoron October 12, 2010  
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  General Comment:i think this song is great - it makes me smile everytime i hear it!

  Flag labeano2002on October 10, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:"do you think the girls here ever wonder how they got so pretty? well i do..." :)

  Flag music_is_my_life001on April 27, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:"someone somewhere asked me, is there anything in particular i could help you with? all i ever wanted help with was you."
  
  this part made me legit cry. so, so pretty.

  Flag unoodostreson March 24, 2008   Link

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