The members are Martin "Marty" Donald (guitar), Taliesyn "Tali" White (vocals, drums), and Mark "Marky" Monnone (bass) and in 2004 they acquired Mid State Orange's guitarist Louis Richter on second guitar. In the early 90's, they met Chris Crouch, who informally 'signed them' to his record label, Candle Records. Crouch consequently began releasing their records, and they began to play the Melbourne indie circuit, most notably the Punters Club and later expanded to other Australian venues such as Sydney's The Annandale Hotel or Brisbane's the Troubadour.
Self Preservation
Lucksmiths Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Getting this happy takes practice
The world would be duller without us
Blacklist anyone who tries to attack this
They can say what they like but the fact is
They know nothing about us
And, yeah, we're a mess
That we're both at our best in a tight spot
And whatever comes next
If we leave the nest
Don't settle for less than what we've got
Dive in: the summer is good to be alive in
Your boat was a long time arriving
And it's been a while since I kissed you
Timing: the temperature's high and it's climbing
How did I find the bind I'm in?
You haven't gone but I miss you
And, yeah, we're a mess
But let me just stress
That we're both at our best in a tight spot
And whatever comes next
If we leave the nest
Don't settle for less than what we've got
And right, here's what's left
And we've worked with less
I just don't get where the lines stop
Keep your cards pressed up close to your chest
And they'll never guess the hand we've got
Blacklist anyone who tries to attack this
They can say what they like but the fact is
They know nothing about us
The Lucksmiths' song "Self-Preservation" is a poignant exploration of the highs and lows of being in a relationship. The opening lines, "Breakfast, sat on a Japanese mattress/Getting this happy takes practice," immediately set the scene for a couple who are comfortable with each other and with the struggles that come with maintaining a relationship. The line "The world would be duller without us" suggests that the couple is aware of their value to each other and to the world.
The chorus, "And, yeah, we're a mess/But let me just stress/That we're both at our best in a tight spot/And whatever comes next/If we leave the nest/Don't settle for less than what we've got," encapsulates the couple's sense of loyalty to each other, even when things get tough. The lines "Keep your cards pressed up close to your chest/And they'll never guess the hand we've got" suggest that the couple is protective of their relationship and will not allow anyone to harm it.
The second verse explores the couple's sense of longing for each other when they are apart, as well as their ability to make the most of their time together. The lines "Dive in: the summer is good to be alive in/Your boat was a long time arriving" suggest that the couple is eager to embrace life and make the most of their time together.
Overall, "Self-Preservation" is a heartfelt song that speaks to the challenges and joys of being in a committed relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Breakfast, sat on a Japanese mattress
Starting my day in bed, reflecting on my life and surroundings
Getting this happy takes practice
Happiness is a skill that requires effort and practice
The world would be duller without us
We bring excitement and liveliness to the world
Blacklist anyone who tries to attack this
Protect what makes us happy and don't allow negativity to bring us down
They can say what they like but the fact is
People may have their opinions, but they're not based on facts
They know nothing about us
People's assumptions and judgments about us are unfounded
And, yeah, we're a mess
We may not have it all figured out, but that's okay
But let me just stress
I want to emphasize
That we're both at our best in a tight spot
We perform well and rise to the challenge when under pressure
And whatever comes next
No matter what happens in the future
If we leave the nest
If we venture out of our comfort zone
Don't settle for less than what we've got
We should strive for the best and not compromise on our happiness
Dive in: the summer is good to be alive in
Summer is a time of joy and vitality, so we should fully embrace it
Your boat was a long time arriving
You've been waiting a while for an opportunity or change to come
And it's been a while since I kissed you
It's been a while since we've had a moment of intimacy or connection
Timing: the temperature's high and it's climbing
The timing feels right for something exciting or adventurous to happen
How did I find the bind I'm in?
I'm not sure how I ended up in this situation or dilemma
You haven't gone but I miss you
Even when you're physically present, I still long for more closeness and connection
And right, here's what's left
This is where we currently stand, with everything that's happened in the past
And we've worked with less
We've been able to make do with less resources or support before
I just don't get where the lines stop
I'm not sure where the boundaries or limitations are
Keep your cards pressed up close to your chest
Don't reveal too much about our plans or intentions
And they'll never guess the hand we've got
If we keep our plans secret, others won't know what we're capable of achieving
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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