After recording their first album, which featured the single Talking to a Stranger, the band traveled to Germany to record with famed producer Conny Plank. In 1984, the band reorganized, adding a three-piece horn section and losing the second guitarist. By 1986, the band's style was moving away from the sweat-drenched rhythmic jams of their early days to a more song-centered aproach centered on Seymour (whose younger brother Nick was a member of Crowded House). Throw Your Arms Around Me was a successful single in many countries.
The band was never able to match the worldwide attention they reached in 1986, though they continued to record with considerable success in Australia, and maintained a loyal fanbase elsewhere.
They broke up in 1998, but returned to play one concert on 14 March 2009 for "Sound Relief" at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which was a multi-venue rock music concert in support of relief for the Victorian Bushfire Crisis.
Betty's Worry or the Slab
Hunters & Collectors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was looking to see some dreams drip from your fingers
I was working in that lonely place where memory lingers
If there were words, if there was hair that I could drag you back with
If there was one single little hook that I could break your back with
Here we go
Oh yeah
Better get my head down there
Down there in that cavern where heaven grows
It's somewhere down there between daytime and the dark
And I'm gonna sweat beneath the light of a warm world
Oh yeah
Better get my head down there
Oh where?
Down there in that cavern where heaven grows
Out here in the street, naked in front of God and everyone
I'm beginning to see daylight yawning down there
And I'm just sitting here waiting for things to come
Cram that page baby, you know I'm marvellous
You think I'm sweating like this just for fun?
And hey I know it's true but I just can't say it
Say it, say it
Hey I know it's true but I just can't say it
Say it, say it
All right, all right!
Just one touch
And everything will be all right
The Hunters & Collectors' song "Betty's Worry or the Slab" is a cryptic tale about a protagonist who is searching for a connection with a past lover. The song's lyrics are filled with abstract language and surreal imagery, making it hard to pin down the song's exact meaning. The opening lines, "I was looking to see some dreams drip from your fingers, I was working in that lonely place where memory lingers" suggest a sense of longing and regret, as if the singer is trying to recapture something that has slipped away.
The song's chorus, "Better get my head down there, down there in that cavern where heaven grows" implies that the singer is searching for some kind of spiritual or emotional fulfillment, but is struggling to find it. The lines, "Out here in the street, naked in front of God and everyone, I'm beginning to see daylight yawning down there" suggest that the singer is feeling exposed and vulnerable, but is hopeful that he'll find what he's looking for.
Line by Line Meaning
I was looking to see some dreams drip from your fingers
I was hoping to see you achieve great things.
I was working in that lonely place where memory lingers
I was working in a quiet place where past events are constantly on my mind.
If there were words, if there was hair that I could drag you back with
If there was a way to convince you to come back to me.
If there was one single little hook that I could break your back with
If there was a way to get you back by force.
Here we go
Let's get started.
Oh yeah
I'm ready.
Better get my head down there
I need to focus and get to work.
Oh where?
Where exactly is it?
Down there in that cavern where heaven grows
In that secluded and special place where amazing things happen.
It's somewhere down there between daytime and the dark
It's deep in that space between light and dark.
And I'm gonna sweat beneath the light of a warm world
I will work hard under the comfort of perfect conditions.
Out here in the street, naked in front of God and everyone
Exposed and vulnerable to everyone and everything, including divine forces.
I'm beginning to see daylight yawning down there
I'm starting to see hope and a positive outcome in that special place.
And I'm just sitting here waiting for things to come
I'm patiently awaiting results and success.
Cram that page baby, you know I'm marvellous
I'm an amazing writer, so I'll just keep writing.
You think I'm sweating like this just for fun?
I'm working hard, not just playing around.
And hey I know it's true but I just can't say it
I know the truth, but I can't express it out loud.
Say it, say it
Express the truth.
All right, all right!
Okay, I'll say it now.
Just one touch
Just one action or event can change everything.
And everything will be all right
And everything will return to a positive state.
Contributed by Austin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Blackscorpion1963
I was looking to see some dreams drip from your fingers
I was working in that lonely place where memory lingers
If there were words, if there was hair that I could drag you back with
If there was one single little hook that I could break your back with
Here we go
Oh yeah
Better get my head down there
Oh where?
Down there in that cavern where heaven grows
It's somewhere down there between daytime and the dark
And I'm gonna sweat beneath the light of a warm world
Oh yeah
Better get my head down there
Oh where?
Down there in that cavern where heaven grows
Out here in the street, naked in front of God and everyone
I'm beginning to see daylight yawning down there
And I'm just sitting here waiting for things to come
Cram that page baby, you know I'm marvellous
You think I'm sweating like this just for fun?
And hey I know it's true but I just can't say it
Say it, say it
Hey I know it's true but I just can't say it
Say it, say it
All right, all right!
Just one touch
And everything will be all right
tebe23
I love that song! It has something special. Like it doesn't respect music rules and that males it so particular. Unfortunately, that kind of music is not the one we can hear on Mtv...
David Hines
This is one of perhaps five things from the 80s that I still love without reservation.
Mike FromOz
Oh god do I ever love the bass on this song. So damn brilliant. And the sharpie dancing just makes it even better
chris rees
It's the greatest. Its the Muhammad Ali of basslines. Mark waits until 2:21 to actually play his guitar then plays one riff for the rest of the song! I hear this in my head whenever I am driving out of town, any town. Thumbs up for seeing bands have fun in their videos. And thumbs up for the pub rock french horn - bring it back! I hope they play this on Grand Final Day.
andrew phillips
ok, wow!!! god why dont they make music like this anymore!! i would love to see the fumes do a cover of this song!
Blackscorpion1963
I was looking to see some dreams drip from your fingers
I was working in that lonely place where memory lingers
If there were words, if there was hair that I could drag you back with
If there was one single little hook that I could break your back with
Here we go
Oh yeah
Better get my head down there
Oh where?
Down there in that cavern where heaven grows
It's somewhere down there between daytime and the dark
And I'm gonna sweat beneath the light of a warm world
Oh yeah
Better get my head down there
Oh where?
Down there in that cavern where heaven grows
Out here in the street, naked in front of God and everyone
I'm beginning to see daylight yawning down there
And I'm just sitting here waiting for things to come
Cram that page baby, you know I'm marvellous
You think I'm sweating like this just for fun?
And hey I know it's true but I just can't say it
Say it, say it
Hey I know it's true but I just can't say it
Say it, say it
All right, all right!
Just one touch
And everything will be all right
bernie
this is bonkers! love it!
Auravahtia
Thank you, stereomusicvideo... this is nothing short of awesome <3
gonativorels
I have always loved this album. And I had one of those red ek holdens too!!! Great memories
penstir
timeless and brilliant!