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.
Bird
Robert Forster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They've gone and left the scene for me
There's little on the bones, just some dust and stones, nothing no one owns
They carried what they could, they told me what was good, and are gone
I'm here floating in the sky
I judge the moment to arrive
Time to hit the ground, time to walk around, time to do my thing
Eat only what I eat, breathe only what I breathe, and then leave.
Time to walk around, time to hit the ground, time to do my thing
Eat only what I eat, breathe only what I breathe, well that's me.
In Robert Forster's song "Bird," the lyrics depict a sense of isolation and detachment from the world. The opening lines suggest that the singer feels out of sync with the people around them, arriving late to find that everyone has already left. This feeling of being left behind is reinforced by the mention of dust and stones, representing the emptiness and abandonment that surround the singer. The phrase "nothing no one owns" suggests a lack of attachments or possessions, emphasizing their sense of being adrift.
The second verse shifts the perspective to a more introspective view. The singer describes themselves as floating in the sky, suggesting a detachment from the earthly realm and a metaphorical separation from others. This detachment gives them a unique perspective, allowing them to judge when the right moment is to re-engage with the world. The repeated line "time to hit the ground, time to walk around, time to do my thing" signifies a desire to reconnect and take action. However, the final line, "and then leave," suggests that the singer's engagement with the world is temporary and fleeting.
Overall, "Bird" portrays a sense of detachment, isolation, and transience. The lyrics convey the feeling of being left behind and disconnected from others while also expressing a desire to participate in the world, albeit briefly.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm late there's no one I can see
I arrived late and everyone has already left, so there is no one around.
They've gone and left the scene for me
They left the place and I am the only one remaining.
There's little on the bones, just some dust and stones, nothing no one owns
There's very little value left, only some worthless debris that nobody possesses.
They carried what they could, they told me what was good, and are gone
They took what was important to them, shared their knowledge, and then disappeared.
I'm here floating in the sky
I am in a state of weightlessness, detached from the earthly realm.
I judge the moment to arrive
I carefully determine the opportune time to make my presence known.
Time to hit the ground, time to walk around, time to do my thing
It's now time to land and explore, to engage in my own unique actions.
Eat only what I eat, breathe only what I breathe, and then leave.
I consume only what sustains me, inhale only what is essential, and then depart.
Time to walk around, time to hit the ground, time to do my thing
It's time to wander, touch the earth, and follow my individual path.
Eat only what I eat, breathe only what I breathe, well that's me.
I nourish myself with only what aligns with my being and take in only what resonates with my essence. That's who I am.
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH
Written by: ROBERT DERWENT GARTH FORSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind