2. Doom/Sludge band from Saramento, CA - formed by members of Caulfield
Not to be confused with Australian 1980’s band The Church most famous for their hit-single “Under The Milky Way”.
North South East and West
Church Lyrics
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The real estate's prime, the number plates rhyme (liquidity)
Wear a gun and be proud, but bare breasts aren't allowed (in this city)
Dream up a scam and then rake in the clams (liquidity)
(It's neither here nor there) It's neither here nor there
North and south and east and west
(It has to be somewhere) It oughta be somewhere
North and south and east and west
I take my payment, I catch my flight,
And don't wait up for me tonight
(And you might find me there) and you might find me there
North and south and east and west
Have a quick throw or host your own show (in this city)
To a wolf from a lamb for just half a gram (liquidity)
The face of today just a scalpel away
Restore your lost soul for two dollars plus toll (liquidity)
Backs are patted when calves are fatted (in this city)
The emperor's clothes are host for the proles (liquidity)
The guys with the brains are all bitter and vain (stupidity)
The guys with the luck got the bimbos and bucks (liquidity)
(Chorus)
The lyrics of Church's song "North South East and West" describe a city where a war is being waged, and the world is just a stage. The real estate is prime, and the number plates rhyme, which represents the wealth and excess of the city. The song talks about the contradictions in the city's laws and culture, where it is okay to wear a gun and be proud, but bare breasts are not allowed. However, dreaming up a scam and making money is encouraged.
The chorus talks about how this city is neither here nor there, but it has to exist somewhere. The character in the song takes their payment and catches a flight, indicating they are a part of this world, but they don't want to be there all the time. The second verse goes on to describe the culture of the city, where people can have a quick throw or host their own show. It also mentions how one can go from a wolf to a lamb for just half a gram, portraying the prevalence of drugs and their effects in the city.
The lyrics use a lot of alliteration and wordplay to describe the city's culture and the people who reside there. Church's sardonic tone and satirical portrayal of the city adds to the song's overall message.
Line by Line Meaning
A war's being waged and the world's just a stage (in this city)
In this city, there's a constant battle going on and it feels like the entire world is watching and judging.
The real estate's prime, the number plates rhyme (liquidity)
The value of property is high and people are wealthy enough to customize their license plates.
Wear a gun and be proud, but bare breasts aren't allowed (in this city)
While it's acceptable to carry weapons, nudity is not permitted.
Dream up a scam and then rake in the clams (liquidity)
Many people in this city make money through fraudulent schemes.
(It's neither here nor there) It's neither here nor there
The situation is undecided and there's no clear answer or outcome yet.
North and south and east and west
(It has to be somewhere) It oughta be somewhere
North and south and east and west
The solution or direction may be unclear, but it's possible that it exists in any possible location.
I take my payment, I catch my flight,
And don't wait up for me tonight
(And you might find me there) and you might find me there
North and south and east and west
I'm leaving this city with my earnings and I won't be back soon, but I may be located anywhere.
Have a quick throw or host your own show (in this city)
In this city, you can either participate in cheap and fleeting activities or become a celebrity by hosting your own show.
To a wolf from a lamb for just half a gram (liquidity)
People are willing to trade drugs for their own pleasure or gain, even if it means exploiting someone weaker.
The face of today just a scalpel away
Restore your lost soul for two dollars plus toll (liquidity)
In this city, people can change their appearance or undergo surgery to feel better about themselves for a price.
Backs are patted when calves are fatted (in this city)
In this city, people are congratulated when their efforts lead to profits, even if it's at the expense of others.
The emperor's clothes are host for the proles (liquidity)
In this city, the rich use their status to gain further wealth, while the poor are taken advantage of.
The guys with the brains are all bitter and vain (stupidity)
Sadly, in this city, the intelligent people often struggle and become cynical while the wealthy and powerful are often lacking in intelligence.
The guys with the luck got the bimbos and bucks (liquidity)
In this city, success and wealth often come from luck rather than skill or intelligence.
(Chorus)
Despite the chaos and uncertainty, it's possible that the answer or solution exists in any part of the world, in any direction.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind