78 Saab were an Australian indie rock band, originally forming in Canberra,… Read Full Bio ↴78 Saab were an Australian indie rock band, originally forming in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory in 1995 at the Australian National University. The band was formed by Ben Nash, Gareth Tregillgas, Darren Smith and Christovac Thompson For the purpose of attaining live performance experience, the band entered the Australian National Campus Band Competition in 1996, with the band name chosen spontaneously in order to complete the entry form.

At the time, the major sponsor of the competition was Sydney company, Troy Horse, a recording and rehearsal studio that also consisted of a record label. The competition's first prize included an EP, recorded and released by Troy Horse, and a tour of Australian university campuses. 78 Saab won the competition (the band's seventh live performance) and proceeded to record its debut EP, Eastwards By Removal. After its release in 1997, the band prepared for a run of 35 dates to promote the EP. Before the tour began however, Jake Andrews joined the band as lead guitarist after Darren Smith made the decision not to continue with the band. The band then officially relocated to Sydney. With the tour finished, Christovac Thompson left 78 Saab and Nicholai Danko (whom the band had met during the campus tour) replaced him on drums.

The band released four studio albums - Picture a Hum, Can't Hear a Sound (2000), Crossed Lines (2004), The Bells Line (2007) and Good Fortune (2010).

The band announced their split in 2012, playing their final show on December 1st, 2012 at the Annandale Hotel in Sydney.

Cops
78 Saab Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Caught in a queue and the bus is on time
I fall into song
At least if I'm drinking I'll never quite know
Just how late I am

Call in the cops and security guards
They're all out of line
Straighten with answers and vote on your knees

It's a sign of the times

And I don't want to know what state I'm in
You can sing to a full moon
And it might sing right back to you

Our leaders are cowboys with money to burn
On shields in the sky
So blast me right up and blast me right down
I'm yours for the night

And I don't want to know what state I'm in
You can sing to a full moon
And it might sing right back to you
You can sing to a full moon
And it might sing right back to you

And all these lies
Are a see-through in disguise
And all these lies
Are a see-through in disguise

Caught in a queue and the bus is on time
I fall into song
At least if I'm drinking I'll never quite know
Just how late I am

And I don't want to know what state I'm in
You can sing to a full moon
And it might sing right back to you
You can sing to a full moon
And it might sing right back to you

You can sing to a full moon
And it might sing right back to you

Overall Meaning

The song "Cops" by 78 Saab touches upon themes of government corruption, social injustice, and personal disillusionment. The first verse describes the singer caught in a queue, waiting for a bus. He mentions falling into song, perhaps suggesting that music is a way to cope with the mundanity of everyday life. He also mentions drinking, which could suggest a form of escapism. The chorus repeats the line "And I don't want to know what state I'm in," which could refer to both a physical and emotional state. It suggests that the state of the world and the state of the singer's own life are overwhelming and unpleasant to confront.

The second verse refers to "leaders" who are "cowboys with money to burn" and who spend money on "shields in the sky." This could refer to military spending or the development of advanced weaponry, suggesting a critique of government priorities. The line "I'm yours for the night" could suggest that the singer is willing to be a part of a corrupt society, perhaps implying a sense of helplessness.

The bridge of the song contains the impactful lines "And all these lies / Are a see-through in disguise." This suggests that the problems in the world are not well-hidden, and people are aware of them, but choose to ignore them.

Line by Line Meaning

Caught in a queue and the bus is on time
Stuck in a line with the public transport arriving on schedule

I fall into song
I start singing to pass the time

At least if I'm drinking I'll never quite know
If I'm drinking, I won't be aware of how late I am

Call in the cops and security guards
Bring in law enforcement and security personnel

They're all out of line
They have crossed their limits

Straighten with answers and vote on your knees
Get your acts together and make decisions consciously

It's a sign of the times
It is indicative of the current era

And I don't want to know what state I'm in
I prefer to be unaware of my present condition

You can sing to a full moon
You can express yourself to the fullest

And it might sing right back to you
Your expression may receive a response

Our leaders are cowboys with money to burn
Our authorities are reckless and have abundant resources

On shields in the sky
Flying high, with their extravagant displays and excesses

So blast me right up and blast me right down
I'm ready to experience whatever you have to offer

I'm yours for the night
I'm available for whatever you wish to do

And all these lies
All the falsehood

Are a see-through in disguise
Have become transparent in their deceptiveness

And all these lies
All the untruths

Are a see-through in disguise
Are easily seen through their disguise