The ban… Read Full Bio ↴Epicure was an Australian rock band from Ballarat, Victoria.
The band started in 1996 as a school rock band called Pima's Little Finger. Epicure's five original members Juan Alban, Michael 'Brownie' Brown, Tim Bignell, Dom Santamaria and Luke Cairnes played their first gig at the Dunnstown Football Club in 1996. They released their first recording in 1996 - a demo tape named The Least of These.
Their "home" was Ballarat's local live music pub nicknamed "The Rat" (The Bridge Mall Inn, now known as Tubbie's Bar). After they released their first EP The Means to an End, they were picked up by Flugelhorn Records and managed by Mark Eatock, who bought out the Bridge Mall Inn in early 1999.
Triple J radio helped bring Epicure to the Australian consciousness when they added Feet From Under Me and Johnny Venus to their playlists in 2000. Both songs are featured on the Fold album. The original lineup would record one more EP together the following year titled Elevator. At this time they also released the album Airmail, a collection of their early works which were no longer available by this time.
Shortly after the release of Elevator, Michael Brown and Luke Cairnes both decided to leave the band. The remaining members recruited 2 new musicians - Dan Houlihan (lead guitar) and Dean Shannon (keyboard). These two new members brought about a new feeling to the band, and Dean became quite popular with the crowds for his showmanship.
Epicure came to national prominence in 2003 when two more of their tracks, Armies Against Me and Life Sentence, were picked up by Triple J. These songs are featured on The Goodbye Girl album, released in March 2004. Both reached the Triple J Hottest 100, 2003, whilst a third track from the album, Self Destruct in Five, made the Triple J Hottest 100, 2004.
The band spent much of 2003/04 touring Australia, particularly regional areas. In late 2003 they supported US rock group Live on their Australian tour, and also played at the Big Day Out festival in January 2004. They played at both Falls Festivals in December 2004.
Unfortunately, a dispute between the band and Dean occurred in mid 2004 which resulted in Dean leaving and a new keyboard player, Heath McCurdy joining.
Their 3rd full length album Main Street was released in October 2005, and features the single Tightrope Walker.
In late 2006, lead guitarist Dan Houlihan decided to leave the band. Mick Hubbard (guitarist for Jen Cloher) took the position of lead guitarist in time to record their upcoming album, to be released in 2007. In June/July 2007 the band took a break from recording their upcoming album and played a number of supports for Mia Dyson on the east coast of Australia.
The band announced in 2007 that they were working on a new album and posted a video of recording sessions on their myspace. They then asked fans which song featured in this video should be released as their first single, with the choice being between Landslide and Cobra Kisses. The latter was eventually chosen and has been released. The album, titled Postcards From A Ghost was released in October 2008
Tim has done the cover art for all five of their LPs, along with the majority of their EPs and singles.
Epicure announced a farewell tour with the last show being played in their hometown at Karova Lounge on the 29th of May 2010.
In May 2015 Epicure celebrated the vinyl release of The Goodbye Girl by playing reunion shows at the Northcote Social Club in Melbourne and the Karova Lounge in Ballarat.
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Tightrope Walker
Epicure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Would you pick me up and out of this pain?"
She says, "Darling I can't recall why my chest insists to rise and fall."
And as he's watching her eyelids close in the T.V. glow,
He can't help thinking that...
She's a tightrope walker... and he's the streets below.
I was just watching you sleep.
So put that crown down sugar.
This ain't no crucifixion.
I was just watching you sleep...
I was just watching you.
She says, "I'm praying everyday, but no one hears me"
"No one gives a fuck about me and my pain."
She says, "Darling I can't recall why my heart wants to beat at all."
And as he's watching her eyelids close in the T.V. glow,
He can't help thinking that...
She's a tightrope walker... and he's the streets below.
So put your arms down honey.
This ain't no execution.
I was just watching you sleep.
So put that crown down sugar.
This ain't no crucifixion.
I was just watching you sleep...
I was just watching you...sleep.
I was just watching you... sleep
I was just watching you wave me goodbye.
So put your arms down honey.
This ain't no execution.
I was just watching you sleep.
So put that crown down sugar.
This ain't no crucifixion.
I was just watching you sleep... I was just watching you.
The lyrics of "Tightrope Walker" by Epicure is a somber reflection on the struggles of a loved one who is battling through tough times. The song seems to be written from the perspective of someone who is observing their partner slipping into depression and hopelessness. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, as the person seeks help by pleading with their loved one, asking them if they would save them from the agony they are experiencing. The chorus paints the mental image of a tightrope walker, where the person's partner is balancing themselves precariously on a rope while the singer is standing on the ground, looking up in desperation.
The second verse reveals that the partner is feeling completely isolated and unheard. The partner's pain feels all-encompassing, which reflects in the lyrics, "No one gives a fuck about me and my pain." The words highlight how loneliness can amplify suffering, making it difficult to battle mental health conditions without support. The chorus is repeated for emphasis, with the same haunting melody sung to depict the despair that the partner feels, as the person watching them feels powerless to help.
The bridge of the song, in which the singer merely watches their partner sleep, reveals that the person is not trying to hurt their partner or cause them harm, and that they only wish to provide care and support. The lyrics also seem to address the idea that the partner may feel helpless, as the singer tells them to "put your arms down," and that they are not there to execute them but to watch over them. The final lines of the song, "I was just watching you wave me goodbye," show the resignation of the singer, accepting that they may not be able to save their partner from their pain.
Line by Line Meaning
She says, "I'm dying everyday, would you save me?"
She expresses her suffering and desire to be saved from it.
"Would you pick me up and out of this pain?"
She asks for help in getting rid of the pain she feels.
She says, "Darling I can't recall why my chest insists to rise and fall."
She is questioning the purpose of staying alive when it causes her pain.
And as he's watching her eyelids close in the T.V. glow,
He sits and watches her sleep while the TV shines on her.
He can't help thinking that...
He contemplates about her situation.
She's a tightrope walker... and he's the streets below.
Her life is like she is walking on a tightrope, while he watches from below, hoping she won't fall.
So put your arms down honey. This ain't no execution.
He tells her to relax, as he is not here to harm her.
I was just watching you sleep.
He clarifies that he was simply observing her while she was sleeping.
So put that crown down sugar. This ain't no crucifixion.
He tells her not to worry or feel pressured, as he is not trying to punish her for anything.
I was just watching you.
He reiterates that his intentions were pure and innocent.
She says, "I'm praying everyday, but no one hears me"
She feels powerless and ignored, despite her efforts to seek help and relief.
"No one gives a fuck about me and my pain."
She laments the lack of attention and care she receives for her struggles.
She says, "Darling I can't recall why my heart wants to beat at all."
She questions the purpose of her existence, and why she should continue living when it hurts her so much.
I was just watching you wave me goodbye.
He simply watched her leave without saying anything, allowing her to go on with her struggles as she needs to.
Contributed by Caleb T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.