Immigrant Union recently completed their self titled debut LP set for release in April 2012. The band travelled to Portland, Oregon, to record at The Trench, with producer Gregg Williams (Sheryl Crow, The Dandy Warhols, Blitzen Trapper). In an inspired burst, they recorded fourteen songs in fourteen days.
The AU Review, after seeing the band, summed up their style of song¬writing nicely in a review of the live show, writing:
“Their music is the classic story telling style of songs that is reminiscent of Neil Young and Bob Dylan… a relaxed set of soulful, folk infused country songs”.
The band is the result of Harrow and DeBoer’s chance meeting at Melbourne’s famous Cherry Bar, and subsequent friendship. After learning that Harrow was a fan of The Dandy Warhols and DeBoer was a fan of Harrow’s favourite artists, the two decided to write some songs together and start a band. There was, inbetween, at least one night spent on a farm outside of Nagambie drinking VB cans and strumming classic country and rock till dawn.
The songs on Immigrant Union’s debut LP are the culmination of many weeks of songwriting on DeBoer’s in-laws back patio. Indeed, the working title for the album was ‘Val’s Backyard’, a tribute to that very “workshop”. Alongside these wonderful original songs with a distinctly “classic” feel, the band recorded two covers; a great take on The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s “The Ballad Of Jim Jones”, and a sensational romp through the Cheech & Chong number, “Up In Smoke”.
Immigrant Union have been building their name through live perform¬ances at some of Australia’s most iconic venues, such as a month-long residency at The Tote (sharing the stage with Stonefield), a successful headline gig at Northcote Social Club, kicking off Boogie 5 Festival and supporting the likes of Graveyard Train and Shayne Nicholson. The band hit the national spotlight with their acclaimed rendition of Rose Tattoo’s “Bad Boy For Love” on Adam Hills In Gordon Street Tonight in 2010 on ABC TV.
Shameless
Immigrant Union Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I give it time
Stop my brain going away and high
I saw a scene of a man in a photograph
from a past that I did not like
When you sit down for the ride
trust the Gods and it'll be alright
and I thought it had to be alright
I saw the green grass over there
And I dreamed of a life where I shouldn't care
but I had to stop and make things right
like a soldier guarding through the night
hahaha hahaha hahaha…hahaha hahaha hahaha ha ha ha
hahaha hahaha hahaha…hahaha hahaha hahaha ha ha ha
While the others walked away
down the road to see a better day
I turned my back, thought it over
and I wondered if I would live to see the light of day
Then a woman came and got my back
you don't see that all the time
I have seen some things in the course of life
and I know when it's just not right
hahaha hahaha hahaha…hahaha hahaha hahaha ha ha ha
hahaha hahaha hahaha…hahaha hahaha hahaha ha ha ha
I saw the warning on a sign
Long ago it's never left my mind
And it told me then what I know right now
I have lived to have some piece of mind
And now as I lay on the greenest grass just shamelessly in the sun
Oh my mind goes back to those days of love
That have made this thing that I've become
hahaha hahaha hahaha…hahaha hahaha hahaha ha ha ha
hahaha hahaha hahaha…hahaha hahaha hahaha ha ha ha
The song "Shameless" by Immigrant Union appears to be a story of introspection and personal growth. The opening lines suggest that the singer needs to take a step back and give themselves space to process what is going on in their life. They describe a memory of a past they didn't like, and then use the metaphor of fool's gold to describe a situation in which they have deceived themselves into thinking everything will be fine. The chorus ("hahaha") is a release of tension, perhaps a way to laugh at themselves and their own foolishness.
The second verse introduces another character, a woman who offers support and help. The singer acknowledges that this is not something that happens every day, and suggests that they have learned from their experiences and have a sense of what is right and wrong. The third verse brings back the memory from the beginning of the song, but this time the singer has a sense of peace and acceptance. They are able to lay shamelessly in the sun, thinking back on the love that has made them who they are today.
Overall, "Shameless" seems to be a song about personal growth and the importance of learning from past experiences. The singer has been through difficult times, but has come out the other side with a sense of peace and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
If I give it time
If I take some time to reflect on my situation
Stop my brain going away and high
Stop my mind from wandering and getting lost in the moment
I saw a scene of a man in a photograph
I came across a photograph that reminded me of a past I didn't like
from a past that I did not like
from a past that I didn't enjoy or felt ashamed of
When you sit down for the ride
When you're on this journey
trust the Gods and it'll be alright
Believe in fate and everything will work out fine
So I pulled fool's gold out of thinner air
I created something out of nothing valuable
and I thought it had to be alright
and I believed it would be okay despite the lack of value
I saw the green grass over there
I noticed the grass was greener on the other side
And I dreamed of a life where I shouldn't care
And I wished for a life where I didn't have to worry
but I had to stop and make things right
But I realized I had to fix what was wrong
like a soldier guarding through the night
Like a soldier protecting something valuable at night
While the others walked away
While others left the situation
down the road to see a better day
in search of a brighter future
I turned my back, thought it over
I walked away and pondered the situation
and I wondered if I would live to see the light of day
And I questioned whether or not I would survive the situation
Then a woman came and got my back
Then a woman supported me
you don't see that all the time
It's not something you see very often
I have seen some things in the course of life
I have experienced many things in life
and I know when it's just not right
And I can tell when something isn't right
I saw the warning on a sign
I noticed a sign that gave a warning
Long ago it's never left my mind
It's been stuck in my mind for a long time
And it told me then what I know right now
It revealed a truth that I now understand
I have lived to have some piece of mind
I have lived to find some peace of mind
And now as I lay on the greenest grass just shamelessly in the sun
And now as I lie in the sun without shame on the greenest grass
Oh my mind goes back to those days of love
Oh, my mind wanders back to my past romantic experiences
That have made this thing that I've become
That have shaped me into who I am today
Contributed by Luke G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@drpepperr
Such an interesting artistic collab this appears to have become. We see Courtney's chops on guitar, but none of the dry humor of her own songs. And we get to hear Brent's soothing voice and social conscience at the fore...so different from the Dandy Warhols. Thank you all!
@elwrongo
bet she was pissed off she stuffed up the end of her lead break. It was going good until then
@andrewwabik5125
@elwrongo this is Brent's band..
@wahooknows1
I really like this. I'm a child of the 60s and this rings my bell, big time.
@dennykeaton79
You can ring my bell 🎶🎵🎼
@karmaone27
I have to listen to this song at least once a week to lift my spirit
@bellerophon30
This song is fantastic. I can see why Brent either didn't take it to the other Dandys, or they told him "This really isn't US, you know?" But the music is great, and he's a really good singer.
@warumjoe78
This song is pure joy !
@ryanleeman7446
I want this song played at my funeral
@BlueRosebuds
Brent and Courtney B are two of the loveliest folks in music I've ever met!