After a series of vinyl releases on Australian independent labels and success on the Australian independent music scene, they released several singles and an album on the UK indie label Sarah Records, three of which reached the Top 5 of the Melody Maker and New Musical Express independent music charts in 1992 and 1993. 'Blue Suburban Skies' was one of five tracks on a 7" EP released on Sarah Records which also featured an inspired guitar-led cover of New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle". They also released one album on Sarah, "Feral Pop Frenzy", an eclectic 17 track collection of songs that received many favourable reviews. A single from the album, 'Falling Down the Stairs', received wide airplay in the UK on BBC Radio 1 in 1993, but major commercial success eluded the band.
Between 1992-3 the group recorded three sessions for John Peel and one session for Mark Goodier for BBC Radio 1. They were among the few Australian bands to record Peel Sessions – others were The Birthday Party, The Triffids, The Go-Betweens and Laughing Clowns. A session was also recorded for Radio France. The band's music is an unusual hybrid of accessible pop and more experimental elements. Some commentators[who?] consider them to be key figures in the post-C86 subculture in the UK, although their music breaks out of conventional pop moulds to experiment with forms.
Nothing Ever Happens
Even as We Speak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's only one train every forty-five minutes
And you're the only one there
Except the man who sells the tickets
He can hardly speak English
And you stand on your own
You wish you were home
But you don't really care
Nothing ever happens
Nothing ever changes
And nothing goes right
Can't stand to be alone on a Saturday night
And you know
It's a cold hard feeling
And you spent all your money
And have nothing to show
And you wish you were home
But the meter keeps running
And you know
Nothing ever happens here
The lyrics of Even as We Speak's song "Nothing Ever Happens" describe a feeling of ennui and despair that arises from feeling stuck in a particular place, time or situation. The song sets the scene of a desolate train station, where the singer is waiting for a train that comes only once in 45 minutes. The station is empty except for the person selling tickets who can barely speak English. The singer is alone and wishes to be home, but they don't particularly care as they're likely to experience the same boredom and despair at home. The singer knows that nothing ever happens, nothing changes and nothing goes right, and the intense feeling of loneliness, which is heightened on a Saturday night, only adds to their misery. Even though they have spent all their money and have nothing to show for it, they continue to stay where they are because the meter keeps running, and they see no way out of the situation.
The lyrics of "Nothing Ever Happens" express a common sentiment among many people who feel trapped in their circumstances, whether it is living in a small town, working in a dead-end job or being in a stagnant relationship. The song resonates with people who feel that their lives are monotonous and without direction. The song also speaks to the sense of isolation and alienation that many people experience. The sense of being alone, with no one to talk to or share their feelings with, creates a feeling of hopelessness, which is mirrored in the bleakness of the train station. In essence, "Nothing Ever Happens" is a song about the human condition, where people feel trapped and beholden to the harsh realities of existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing on the station looking down the line
You are standing alone on a train station, looking ahead to see the straight train tracks.
There's only one train every forty-five minutes
The frequency of trains coming to the station is very low, with one train arriving in every 45 minutes.
And you're the only one there
You are the only person present on the station, waiting for the train.
Except the man who sells the tickets
There is only one person apart from you on the station, and he is the ticket seller.
He can hardly speak English
The ticket seller is struggling to communicate with you because of language barriers.
And you stand on your own
You are standing there without any company or anyone to talk to.
You wish you were home
You are feeling homesick and want to be at your own place.
But you don't really care
At the same time, you have a sense of detachment from everything around you and don't really care much about anything.
And you know
You understand the situation and your emotions.
Nothing ever happens
There is no excitement or interesting things happening in your life.
Nothing ever changes
Your life has become monotonous, with no new and exciting experiences.
And nothing goes right
Everything seems to be going wrong in your life, and you feel helpless about it.
Can't stand to be alone on a Saturday night
You are feeling lonely and sad, especially on a weekend night.
And you know
You understand your situation and feelings.
It's a cold hard feeling
The sense of detachment and isolation you are feeling is very harsh and painful.
And you spent all your money
You have spent all of your money and have nothing left.
And have nothing to show
Despite spending all your money, you have nothing to show for it.
And you wish you were home
You still miss your home and want to be there.
But the meter keeps running
However, time keeps ticking away, and you have to keep waiting for the train to arrive.
And you know
You understand your situation and emotions.
Nothing ever happens here
The place you are right now is boring and uneventful, with nothing exciting happening.
Contributed by Ruby P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ELXOSE80
Thanks for sharing this brilliant Indie-Gem,
*10*
Segi gise
this hurts and is so beautiful
doylustheboy
You Sir/Madam, have made my night...........
giacomo tiberia
a beauty
Cockatoo Magnet
I love the band name.
abel coss
Wow
Sister Sister
steady as she goes huh lol
Arcalaus Vampa
Brief but Placid.
Nahuel
im to high to give a comment
Sauriosification
Nahuel Sonzini you took all the credit!