Despite having their commercial peak seemingly behind them, Bodyjar remain a major attraction on the all-ages circuit in Australia, and continue to tour and play festivals. Selections from their discography have also been repackaged and released for the American and Japanese markets, where they have consolidated live followings.
Band members are also part of other side projects – Daughters of the Rich and Burn the City.
Despite an announcement on the official Bodyjar website, as of the 10th of January 2008, a new album "looks to be shaping up for late in the year". However, the band announced on September 4, 2009 they would be calling it quits after a farewell tour.
Bodyjar reunited in March 2012 to perform No Touch Red in its entirety at Melbourne's Corner Hotel, together with former tour mates One Dollar Short and Antiskeptic. Regarding the show, bassist Relf remarked, "When a good friend of Bodyjar’s says they want to start a label and release one of your old albums on vinyl, you don’t have to think too long or too hard about the response. No Touch Red kicked some arse back in the day and still holds its head up high all these years later, so I say let there be vinyl and a show to boot."
As of February 2013, Bodyjar has performed as a support act for various touring bands in Australia, such as The Descendents. Read explained in an October 2013 interview that, following the Descendants tour, the band had "a little bit of money in the bank" and decided to write and record for a new album: "we just thought let's write some songs and if they are good enough we can record them and if they're not then we can spend the money on beer I guess. But they turned out really well."[4]
Satisfied with their new songs, the band announced the release of a new record, Role Model, which is the first collection of new material in eight years. The first single, "Fairytales", premiered on 12 September 2013.
Read also explained that Tom Larkin of New Zealand band Shihad produced the album at his own studios in Brunswick, Melbourne, Australia, and that the band referenced the sound production of the bands Refused, Foo Fighters and Starmarket for the recording process. Joey Cape from the U.S. band Lagwagon and Ahren Stringer from the Australian band The Amity Affliction contributed vocals to the album.
Bodyjar enlisted Australian independent music label UNFD to release Role Model on 18 October 2013, and bundle packages that included a skateboard deck, a t-shirt and a stubby holder were released. Baines hired Dutch design company ATTAK to create the artwork for the album.
Hazy Shade of Winter
Bodyjar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And see what's become of me
While I look around
For my possibilities
I was so hard to please
Look around
Leaves are brown
Could a Salvation Army band
Down by the riverside
It's bound to be a better ride
Than what you've got planned
Carry a cup in your hand
Look around
Leaves are brown
And the sky, is a hazy shade of winter
Hang on to your hopes my friends
That's the easy thing to say
If your hopes should pass away
Simply pretend, that you can build them again
Look around
Can't decide
If it's alright
It's the springtime of my life, life, life…
Look around
Leaves are brown
And the sky, it's a hazy shade of winter
Look around
Leaves are brown
There's a patch of snow on the ground
Look around
Leaves are brown
There's a patch of snow on the ground
Look around
Leaves are brown
There's a patch of snow on the ground
Look around
Leaves are brown
There's a patch of snow on the ground
The opening lines of Bodyjar's song "A Hazy Shade of Winter" seem to convey a sense of nostalgia and introspection. The repetition of the word "time" highlights the passing of time and how it has affected the singer, leading him to look around for his possibilities. The line "I was so hard to please" suggests that the singer has been unhappy with his life, leading him to search for something more fulfilling.
The second verse introduces the picture of a Salvation Army band down by the riverside, suggesting that the singer could find something better if he only looks for it. A cup carried by the band members possibly refers to an offering of charity, showing that the singer needs to be receptive to help from others. The chorus ties the lyrics together with the image of a winter landscape, with brown leaves and a hazy sky. The season is often associated with death, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the singer's sense of discontent.
The song's final verse suggests that the singer is at a crossroads in his life, unable to decide whether the changes he's making are the right ones. However, he urges his friends to hold on to their hopes and dreams, even if there's a risk that they may not come true. The repetition of "look around" reinforces the need to search for something better, both inside and outside oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Time, time, time
Reflecting on the passing of time
And see what's become of me
Evaluating how one's self has changed over time
While I look around
Observing one's surroundings
For my possibilities
Searching for potential opportunities
I was so hard to please
Admitting to being difficult to satisfy
Look around
Taking notice of the environment
Leaves are brown
Autumn has come and things are changing
And the sky, is a hazy shade of winter
The weather is cold and dreary
Could a Salvation Army band
Suggesting the idea of seeking joy from something as simple as music played by a charity organization
Down by the riverside
Imagining finding happiness by the water's edge
It's bound to be a better ride
Believing that it would be a more enjoyable experience
Than what you've got planned
Assuming that the current plans won't lead to happiness
Carry a cup in your hand
Possibly referring to taking a cup for donations while enjoying the music
Hang on to your hopes my friends
Encouraging others to hold on to their dreams
That's the easy thing to say
Acknowledging that it's easier said than done
If your hopes should pass away
Contemplating the possibility that hopes might go unrealized
Simply pretend, that you can build them again
Suggesting the idea of rebuilding one's hopes through imagination
Can't decide
Uncertain of what to do next
If it's alright
Questioning whether the current situation will turn out well
It's the springtime of my life, life, life…
Contemplating the current phase of life
There's a patch of snow on the ground
Noticing winter still has a strong presence in the midst of spring
Look around
Reiterating to observe the surroundings
Leaves are brown
Assuming the fall season has remained stagnant or has come back
And the sky, it's a hazy shade of winter
The weather is still cold and gloomy
There's a patch of snow on the ground
Further highlighting the presence of winter in the midst of spring
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Modified Release
This is the track I’m looking for! This version in my opinion should’ve been used for the umbrella academy series, sounds faster, crunchier and cooler, perfect for a soundtrack.
Phat Khant
WOW! I haven't heard this in yeeeears! Now I suddenly feel the urge to play this loud as fark and break shit..... well, there's my weekend sorted.
Daniel Jay
seen them play it 3 or 4 times live, bodyjar are very good live, especially considering how old they all are now, last saw them about 2 months ago at the espy
AYDN
Just heard the song in a trailer, directly remembered this one. Best one of all the covers out there!
Mak Mak G
Umbrella Academy?
Marc
this version is awesome, seen these guys play this a few times in the 90's, sick...
Babis V
the best cover out there
boris czech
This is a bad ass cover!
Rebecca Hill
I nearly forgot how much i love this cover! Was this originally recorded for Triple J's home and hosed or like a version? I remember first hearing it on the radio in one of their segments but it was sooo long ago :)
Shirley Music
Live at the Wireless. I taped it off the radio. adored it.