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.
It's Early Days Yet
Hunters & Collectors Lyrics
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An uncertain spotlight is burning for you
I lit it up with an engine, now its rolling for you
And a thousand little golden eyes are watching over the hillside
Into this valley of discontent
Let everybody see them trees untwisted
You may think the night is over
And you may think this dream is finished
Has already thrown the switch
It's early days yet Jack, it's early days
It's early days
An uncertain spotlight is shining on you
An uncertain spotlight is burning for you
It's early days yet Jack, it's early days
You'll be cleaning your scars soon
You'll be living in a Savlon world
You'll be giving orders and taking them too
Just like them aging gunrunners do
An uncertain spotlight is shining on you
The song "It's Early Days Yet" by Hunters & Collectors opens with an image of an uncertain spotlight shining on the listener. The language of uncertainty is key to the song, as it hints at the idea that the future is open and anything can happen. This spotlight is described as burning and having been lit up with an engine to add to the ominous tone of the opening lines. The reference to a thousand little golden eyes watching over the hillside creates an image of surveillance and adds to the unease of the lyrical content.
The next verse moves into a valley of discontent, adding to the sense of unease that has been building. The lyrics then suggest that the trees have become untwisted, as if something that was once hidden has now become visible or uncovered. The listener is told that they may think the night is over and that the dream is finished, but it is too early to assume this. The image of big daddy's claw throwing the switch suggests that there is still a long way to go before a resolution is found.
Line by Line Meaning
An uncertain spotlight is shining on you
You are in the spotlight, but it is uncertain and unpredictable
An uncertain spotlight is burning for you
The spotlight is burning hot and intense on you
I lit it up with an engine, now its rolling for you
I created the spotlight, and now it is following you
And a thousand little golden eyes are watching over the hillside
There are many small things watching over you, like a thousand golden eyes
Into this valley of discontent
In this place full of dissatisfaction
Let everybody see them trees untwisted
Let everyone see that things are getting better
You may think the night is over
You may believe that the difficult times are past
And you may think this dream is finished
And you may believe that your goals have been achieved
Well you may think that big daddy's claw
Has already thrown the switch
You might think that the situation is predetermined or controlled by others
It's early days yet Jack, it's early days
Don't give up hope yet, it's still early
It's early days
It's the beginning stages and there's still time for things to change
An uncertain spotlight is shining on you
The spotlight on you is still uncertain and unpredictable
An uncertain spotlight is burning for you
The spotlight is still burning hot and intense on you
It's early days yet Jack, it's early days
There's still hope for a better future
You'll be cleaning your scars soon
You will have to deal with your emotional wounds soon
You'll be living in a Savlon world
You will have to live with the consequences of past mistakes
You'll be giving orders and taking them too
You will be responsible for others and expected to follow orders
Just like them aging gunrunners do
Similar to how aging gunrunners are in a position of authority but also have to take orders from others
An uncertain spotlight is shining on you
The spotlight on you is still uncertain and unpredictable
Contributed by Jayden E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.