Robert Forster (born 29 June 1957 in Brisbane, Australia) is an Australian … Read Full Bio ↴Robert Forster (born 29 June 1957 in Brisbane, Australia) is an Australian singer-songwriter, best known for his work with songwriting partner Grant McLennan with whom he co-founded The Go-Betweens.

Forster met McLennan during drama classes at the University of Queensland and, inspired by a mutual love of Bob Dylan and the New York music scene, they formed the Go-Betweens in 1977. In addition to his work with the Go-Betweens, Forster has released several solo albums, including: Danger in the Past, recorded in Berlin in 1990; Calling from a Country Phone, recorded at Sunshine Studios, Brisbane, in 1993 with members of local pop group Custard; I Had a New York Girlfriend, a collection of cover versions recorded in Melbourne in 1994; Warm Nights, recorded in London in 1996 and produced by Edwyn Collins; and The Evangelist, recorded (all but one track - "A Place to Hide Away") at Good Luck Studios, London, September - November 2007 with long time collaborators Glenn Thompson and Adele Pickvance.

Critically-acclaimed internationally as a songwriter, Forster reveals a strong literary influence in his work. In 2005, Forster began writing for the Australian magazine, The Monthly. Prior to this he had virtually no print experience, with only a column on hair care for a fanzine in the 1980s to his credit. On 25 October 2006, it was announced that Forster was the winner of the Pascall Prize for Critical Writing for his columns.

On 6 May 2006, Grant McLennan died in his sleep at his home in Brisbane. Forster picked three songs co-written by Grant McLennan, including "Demon Days", which is the last song the pair wrote together, and recorded them alongside some of his own material to produce his first album in 11 years. The Evangelist was released on April 26, 2008 through Yep Roc Records.[5]

Forster announced his return to live performance with four nights at the Queensland Music Festival in July 2007.

Beyond Their Law
Robert Forster Lyrics

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Well I agree
I look at you
You run it down
And say it just won't do

So I tell them
It was never clear
And anyway

We've got another idea

We're going to walk
Her and I
Out to full-blooded streets
Where full-blooded people walk by

And I know
That I can never be loved
By anybody but you

Tell you why
We can never be imprisoned
By chalking some line

And I know
When the cops come to beat down the door
We're beyond their law

Beyond their law

Now we're married
Forever to share
I recommend this to everybody out there

But don't do it, no, just 'cos you think you should
We picked a day in May
And man it feels so good

We're going to walk
Her and I
Out to a whole new stage
Where a whole new kind of world is going to revolve on by

And I know
That I can never be hurt
By anybody but you

Tell you why
We can never be imprisoned
By chalking some line

And I know
When it comes down to that final straw
We're beyond their law

Beyond their law
That's what I say
Beyond their law
That's what I mean
Beyond their law
That's what I say

Beyond their law
Beyond their law

It's just everything
We'd ever hoped for
And I know when we get to that final door
We're beyond their law

Beyond their law
That's what I say
Beyond their law
That's what I mean

Beyond their law
That's what I say

Overall Meaning

In "Beyond Their Law," Robert Forster sings about a love that is so strong and revolutionary that it transcends the laws of society. The song begins with Forster agreeing with his partner that something is not working in their current situation, but that they have another idea. This idea involves walking out into the full-blooded streets and being around full-blooded people, as opposed to being boxed in by societal expectations. Forster explains that he knows he can only be truly loved by his partner, but that this love also keeps them free from being imprisoned by the confines of society’s rules and expectations. They are beyond the law.

The second half of the song is about their marriage and how they found their way to each other. Forster recommends marriage to others, but only if they truly feel it is right for them, not just because it is what society expects. He again emphasizes that their love cannot be contained by societal laws and rules, and that they will always be beyond their law.

Overall, the message of "Beyond Their Law" is one of hope and freedom. Forster sings about the possibility of breaking free from societal expectations and creating a life based on true love and personal fulfillment. The song encourages listeners to think critically about the laws and rules that govern their lives and to consider what might be possible if those restrictions were lifted.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I agree
I am in agreement with you

I look at you
I observe you

You run it down
You criticize it

And say it just won't do
And deem it unacceptable

So I tell them
Therefore, I inform them

It was never clear
That it was never distinct

And anyway
Besides, in any case

We've got another idea
We have an alternate plan

We're going to walk
We intend to stroll

Her and I
My significant other and me

Out to full-blooded streets
To the lively streets

Where full-blooded people walk by
Where people who are true to themselves pass us by

And I know
I am certain

That I can never be loved
That I will never be loved

By anybody but you
By you of all people

Tell you why
Let me explain

We can never be imprisoned
We are incapable of being confined

By chalking some line
By creating arbitrary boundaries

And I know
And I am sure

When the cops come to beat down the door
When the police come to forcefully enter

We're beyond their law
We are not subject to their authority

Now we're married
We are now wedded

Forever to share
To share an everlasting bond

I recommend this to everybody out there
I advise this for everyone out there

But don't do it, no, just 'cos you think you should
However, refrain from doing it simply because you feel obligated

We picked a day in May
We chose a day in May

And man it feels so good
And it feels incredible

We're going to walk
We intend to stroll

Her and I
My significant other and me

Out to a whole new stage
To an entirely new level

Where a whole new kind of world is going to revolve on by
Where a novel kind of world will emerge

And I know
And I am certain