After busking his way around the world, the englishman found himself in Australia. Having taken in an early concert by The Church, which were at that time performing as a three-piece, Willson-Piper soon joined Steve Kilbey, Peter Koppes and Nick Ward in 1980, expanding the band's lineup and broadening its sound.
Along with contributing to each of The Church's studio releases, he has maintained a steady solo effort since the mid-1980s and released several albums under his own name. Ever since, when all commitment allows it and the opportunity provides itself, Marty has been doing sporadic solo performances all over the world as well as a few tours in Australia and the USA. So far there have been released 3 solo live-albums, all documenting the spontanity, immediacy, intimacy, joy & brilliant guitarplay which make these events so special. 2004s Live From The Other Side being the latest.
Other side projects and collaborations include two stints as guitarist for UK rock group All About Eve, David Gedge's Cinerama and work with Jules Shear, Tom Verlaine, Martin Rössel, Brix Smith of The Fall and Aimee Mann.
In 2005, Willson-Piper joined veteran band The Saints to record the album Nothing Is Staight In My House and tour. The same year he also played guitar on the track Oceans on the album Fresh Wine For The Horses by Rob Dickinson.
In 2008 he played guitar and contributed vocally on the track Beatles And The Stones, originally written by The House Of Love, on the album Treason by norwegian artist Marte Heggelund.
He also works with long-time friend Andy 'Dare' Mason under the name Noctorum
After Eight
Marty Willson-Piper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I'm alive, after five
I told you it'd be better after eight
When it's too late, after eight
And if you hear a floorboard creak
Be sure that it's not me
My feet won't touch the carpet
If you wanna be there in good time
Get off the line, drink your wine
If you don't think you'll make it, it's okay
Gone tomorrow here today
And if silence is what shocks you
It's just a different kind of noise
It's bad for you, but it's good for me
I didn't have much choice
The Marty Willson-Piper song "After Eight" is a melancholy and mysterious tune that seems to be about longing, escape, and self-preservation. The song presents a dialogue between two people who seem to be discussing a meeting or rendezvous. One person says they'll be there after five, to which the singer responds "if I'm alive, after five." This suggests that the singer is in a dangerous or precarious situation and might not survive until the meeting. The singer then offers the suggestion that it would be better to meet after eight, when it's too late. This line suggests a sense of fatalism or inevitability.
The second stanza seems to continue this sense of foreboding, as the singer implores the other person to hurry if they want to be there on time. The line "gone tomorrow here today" implies that life is short and unpredictable, and that the singer wants to make the most of the moment. The final lines seem to suggest that the singer has decided to cut themselves off from the world, to become free from the noise and stress of daily life. This decision may have been forced upon the singer by circumstance or might simply be a personal choice to escape.
Line by Line Meaning
You told me you were coming after five
You said you'd arrive early in the day
If I'm alive, after five
I'll wait for your arrival, if I'm still here
I told you it'd be better after eight
I suggested that later in the evening would be optimal
When it's too late, after eight
By then, it may be too late for us
And if you hear a floorboard creak
If you hear any noise
Be sure that it's not me
I won't be responsible for any sounds
My feet won't touch the carpet
I'll be moving quietly
Now the world has set me free
I'm finally free to do as I please
If you wanna be there in good time
If you want to arrive on schedule
Get off the line, drink your wine
Stop talking and start drinking
If you don't think you'll make it, it's okay
If you can't make it, it's no problem
Gone tomorrow here today
Things can change quickly
And if silence is what shocks you
If it's quietness that scares you
It's just a different kind of noise
Silence is a type of noise, too
It's bad for you, but it's good for me
You may not like it, but I enjoy it
I didn't have much choice
I had no other options
Contributed by Kylie J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.