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.
Is There Anybody In There?
Hunters & Collectors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's nothing there to see
I needed inspiration
So I turned on the TV
Is there anybody in there?
Well, Reagan finally cracked
and the Yankees went to war
And looked into the sore
Is there anybody in there?
Is there anybody in there?
Is there anybody in there?
Yeh, well...
Well everyone was watching
As we counted out the dead
All these people bleeding
In someone else's head
Is there anybody in there?
Is there anybody in there?
Is there anybody in there?
Don't leave it uncovered
Better cover it over
Don't leave it uncovered
Better cover it over
Don't leave it uncovered
Cover it over
I got the box between my hands
I shook it all around
I got Judgment Day on long form
But there wasn't any sound
Is there anybody in there?
So I bolted out the backgate
I can't watch TV no more
What with all these dyin' children
Screamin' at my door.
Is there anybody in there?
Is there anybody in there?
Is there anybody in there?
Yeh, is there anybody in there?
Did you ever ask yourself?
Did you ever wonder why?
Why you quake and tremble
When you look up at the sky?
Don't leave it uncovered
Better cover it over
Don't leave it uncovered
Better cover it over
Don't leave it uncovered
Cover it over
Yeeeaah
In this song, Hunters & Collectors delve into the theme of anxiety and disillusionment in relation to politics and the media. The singer begins by looking out the window in search of inspiration, but finds nothing outside, so he turns to the TV instead. The subsequent references to Reagan cracking and Yankees going to war imply a feeling of unrest and uncertainty within the political sphere. The bandages being peeled away and the sore being looked into suggest exposure of something unpleasant or painful. All the while, the refrain of "is there anybody in there?" seems to be asking whether anyone is really paying attention to what's happening or if everyone is just mindlessly consuming media.
As the song progresses, the singer watches as people die and bleed, though he emphasizes that it's "someone else's head." This seems to suggest a feeling of disconnect, even apathy, that people might feel towards the violence and trauma being reported on the news. The repeated refrain of "don't leave it uncovered, better cover it over" also implies a desire to shield oneself from the harsh realities of the world.
The singer ultimately disengages from the TV, citing a "backgate" as his escape route, and speaks of "dyin' children" screaming at his door. This could be seen as a metaphor for the overwhelming nature of the problems facing the world and the inaction or sense of helplessness that some people feel in response. The final lines of the song ask listeners to consider their own anxiety and fear when looking at the sky, perhaps implying a sense of powerlessness in the face of seemingly insurmountable problems.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I was lookin' out the window
I was gazing out of the window.
There's nothing there to see
I couldn't see anything outside.
I needed inspiration
I was in want of some new ideas.
So I turned on the TV
I switched on the television set.
Is there anybody in there?
Is someone paying attention?
Well, Reagan finally cracked
President Reagan underwent a breakdown.
and the Yankees went to war
The Yankees began a war.
We peeled away the bandages
We removed the dressings.
And looked into the sore
And gazed upon the wound.
Is there anybody in there?
Does anybody really care?
Is there anybody in there?
Is anyone paying attention?
Is there anybody in there?
Does anyone care about this?
Yeh, well...
Yeah, okay...
Well everyone was watching
Everyone was looking on.
As we counted out the dead
As we tallied up the fatalities.
All these people bleeding
All these individuals hurt.
In someone else's head
In someone else's thoughts.
Is there anybody in there?
Is anyone trying to help them?
Is there anybody in there?
Does anyone care?
Is there anybody in there?
Does someone care enough to act?
Don't leave it uncovered
Don't leave it out in the open.
Better cover it over
It's best to conceal it.
Don't leave it uncovered
Don't leave it exposed.
Better cover it over
It's best to keep it hidden.
Don't leave it uncovered
Don't keep it unguarded.
Cover it over
Keep it hidden.
I got the box between my hands
I held the box tightly.
I shook it all around
I jostled it aggressively.
I got Judgment Day on long form
I obtained a long version of Judgment Day.
But there wasn't any sound
But I didn't hear anything.
Is there anybody in there?
Is anyone there?
So I bolted out the backgate
So I ran out the back door.
I can't watch TV no more
I can't bear to watch television anymore.
What with all these dyin' children
Due to all these children dying.
Screamin' at my door.
Screaming outside my home.
Is there anybody in there?
Is anyone going to save them?
Is there anybody in there?
Does anyone care?
Is there anybody in there?
Does anyone want to help?
Yeh, is there anybody in there?
Yeah, does anyone care?
Did you ever ask yourself?
Did you ever inquire of yourself?
Did you ever wonder why?
Did you ever speculate as to the reason?
Why you quake and tremble
Why you shiver and shake.
When you look up at the sky?
When you gaze upward at the heavens?
Don't leave it uncovered
Don't leave it exposed.
Better cover it over
It's best to keep it hidden.
Don't leave it uncovered
Don't keep it accessible.
Better cover it over
It's best to conceal it.
Don't leave it uncovered
Don't leave it exposed.
Cover it over
Keep it hidden.
Yeeeaah
Yes.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Douglas Falconer, Jeremy Smith, John Archer, John Howard, Mark Seymour, Michael Waters, Robert Miles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ronizzard1970
Amazing band and Human Frailty is still one of my favourite albums…..and I have a lot of albums.
@kippen64
Seriously thought there'd be hundreds of comments. It's unreal to see only one. Have to add another to slightly fix that. One of my favourite bands.
@bruceevennett955
You got wonder how the youchou algorithm selects
@gossy351
Me too. H&C were always so under rated. Seen them about 20 times over the years and their Brass section just elevates their music to another level, just like the OILS. Clever lyrics, great authentic film clips, oh I reminisce.
@leonardwalsh930
One of my favourites too, only 5K views after 10 years? People don't know what they're missing.
@melthed4306
If Hoodoo Gurus and th Sunnyboys r the tasty guitar gravy pop pie of 80's rock then these guys r the bit of gristle inside- tough and sinewy- that rhythm section is as hard and muscular as a Central oz Big Red Roo- with a tasty flaky covering of brass and backup singing...unb-eaten.