After adding former Aliens guitarist and keyboard player Geoffrey Stapleton and Adelaide born guitarist Robert James, "Ganggajang" became their self titled debut album. With sales in excess of 120,000, it spawned the hit singles "Gimme Some Lovin", "House of Cards", "Giver of Life", "The Bigger They Are" and what some regard as the unofficial Australian national anthem - "Sounds of Then (This is Australia)".
A second album, "GANGAGAIN" was completed in 1987 with the band members going on to pursue individual projects.
In 1991, the band reformed (without Kayellen and Marilyn, who had gone on to successful careers in the film industry), and took to the road for one brief tour.
The audience response was so overwhelming it encouraged the band to record the 3rd album "Lingo" which was released in 1994.
Ganggajang continue to perform across Australia and the world and in February 2001 they completed their third tour of Brazil, performing to enormous crowds .
October 2002 saw the release of the long awaited fourth album, "Oceans and Deserts".
The Bigger They Are
GANGgajang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mow the lawn and read the papers, the afternoon game will be on the set
Sunday breakfast and an hour at church, I think I'll have a beer with the boys at lunch
Colourful shirts and colourful trousers, just the shot for a spot on the set
They don't worry about tomorrow, today's what counts and they're here today
Well I don't give a damn anyway, new gadgets and fashions of distraction
You know it was different in my day, quiet evenings at home with the family
Read the story now lots of adventure, follow the plot and it will take you away
Flashy fights and royal blue murder, anything to take your mind of today
I think I understand just what Sam said, when he said he's gonna live inside his head
Well, interesting facts and fascinating figures, the science of tomorrow is the pulp of today
And I don't find it all so amazing, loud and noisy and totally useless
Well I don't give a damn anyway, new gadgets and fashions of distraction
You know it was different in my day, quiet evenings at home with the family
The bigger they are the bigger they get.
Well I don't give a damn anyway, new gadgets and fashions of distraction
You know it was different in my day, quiet evenings at home with the family
The bigger they are the bigger they get.
In GANGgajang's song "The Bigger They Are," the lyrics speak to the contrast between an older generation who enjoyed simple pleasures like a quiet evening at home with the family, and a younger generation who are more focused on the latest gadgets and flashy distractions. The song opens on a Sunday morning with the singer observing the routines of the day, mowing the lawn and reading the papers, and goes on to highlight the desire for distraction from the present day through adventure stories, flashy fights, and fascinating figures, all of which provide temporary relief from the noise and chaos of modernity.
However, the refrain "The bigger they are the bigger they get" suggests that this endless search for bigger, better, and more exciting experiences can become a trap, leading to a sense of disconnection from one's own values, family, and community. The message of the song seems to be a warning against losing oneself to the temptations of mass culture and instead advocating for a return to simpler pleasures and connection with the people around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunday morning and it's 10 am, the last day of the weekend again
It's the last day of the weekend again and it's already 10 am on Sunday morning.
Mow the lawn and read the papers, the afternoon game will be on the set
Mow the lawn and read the papers now, and watch the afternoon game later on TV.
Sunday breakfast and an hour at church, I think I'll have a beer with the boys at lunch
Have breakfast and go to church for an hour, and plan to have a beer with friends at lunch.
Colourful shirts and colourful trousers, just the shot for a spot on the set
Put on colorful shirts and trousers, perfect for appearing on TV.
They don't worry about tomorrow, today's what counts and they're here today
They don't care about tomorrow, they only focus on today and enjoy the present moment.
Well I don't give a damn anyway, new gadgets and fashions of distraction
I don't really care about the latest gadgets and fashion trends, they are just distractions.
You know it was different in my day, quiet evenings at home with the family
Things were different in my time, we used to have peaceful evenings at home with family.
The bigger they are the bigger they get.
The more attention one gets, the more their fame and popularity grows.
Read the story now lots of adventure, follow the plot and it will take you away
Read the story now and get immersed in the various exciting adventures.
Flashy fights and royal blue murder, anything to take your mind of today
The flashy fights and murders in the story are just meant to distract you from reality.
I think I understand just what Sam said, when he said he's gonna live inside his head
I can relate to what Sam said when he mentioned living inside his own mind.
Well, interesting facts and fascinating figures, the science of tomorrow is the pulp of today
Fascinating information and intriguing statistics are just the building blocks of tomorrow's science.
And I don't find it all so amazing, loud and noisy and totally useless
I don't find it amazing at all, it's just loud, noisy and ultimately useless.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK JOHN CALLAGHAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yuri Teixeira
I grew up to this sound, guys - this wonderful feelgood song and all the others from your first album. Attended a concert in Porto Alegre in the 90's. And yet, this is the very first time in my life I watch this video. It really captures the essence of the feeling I have whenever I listen to your precious records. Many thanks to the internet/Youtube era, and to you for sharing this gem. Love all the way from Brazil!!...
Daniel Rocha
Quando vi o clipe me deu uma sensação nostálgica Yuri. Sou de Porto Alegre tb, hoje moro em Criciúma. Ganggajang tocou muito nas rádios de POA.
fabio bonifacio
Isso sim música de vdd
Daniel Rocha
Esse Som era do primeiro álbum dos caras. Fizeram muito sucesso no Brasil, pena que são pouco reconhecidos mundialmente.
Amazing tune !! Thx from Brazil
Wagner Bispo Bispo
@Daniel Rocha sim com outras bandas iradas , não gosto nem de lembra perdi esse sou e do Men at Work, eles passaram por aqui,,,
Wagner Bispo Bispo
@Fernando Kuroski essa turne passou aqui tbm no ES, bandas incríveis com musicas tão lindas, mas com pouco publico, bem alternativo amo Ganggang...som de alto nível
joao carlos
Caracas o a galera brazuca rs
Fernando Kuroski
2001 perfect
Fernando Kuroski
Eles dissera que tocarão em 11 Estados aqui mano...tem vídeo delos com os mamonas, junto com Alexandre Pires...nada ver ..né.. eu vi o show uns 3 metros ...dos caras
Colin White
A great band and unique sound.............love their music!!!!!!