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.
From Ghost Town
Robert Forster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From Ghost Town
To a place no one can trace
Maybe there's peace there in the streets there
It's gone, yes, yes, yes
Not to return, why, no, no
Burned, yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes, yes
David wrote in his good-bye note
"It's all different now"
And he's right, I hope I get it right
As I go on, as I move on
It's strong, yes, yes, yes
What we made for a thousand years
It will not fade, no, no, no
No, no, no
No, no, no
Da, da, da
Da, da, da
There are places he could have stayed
But he had to go because he loved the rain
There were hearts, there was help
But he couldn't love them because he didn't love himself
It's gone, yes yes yes
It's wrong and why should this be so
Yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes, yes
And he knew more than I knew
And I hated what he hated too
This world, now that's gone
A girl a thousand words
A swirl and why, why, why
Why, why, why
Why, why, why
Da, da, da
Da, da, da, da
Da, da, da
Da, da, da, da, da
There are people who love the moon
Its milky warmth and its brilliant gloom
They hate the day it's just too rough
They go in the morning when they've had enough
David wrote in his good-bye note
"It's all different now"
And it is there's much I'll miss
As I go on, as I move on
It's gone, yes, yes, yes
Its wrong and why should this be so
Why, why, why
Why, why, why
Why, why, why
The song "From Ghost Town" by Robert Forster touches upon themes of departure, loss, and moving on. The lyrics suggest that something - perhaps a person or a place - has been lost forever, and that it has left a void that cannot be filled. The "ghost town" in question is a symbol of this loss, a place that is now deserted but still haunted by memories of what once was. The secret of what happened there is now gone, as are the people who once lived there.
The song's first verse paints a picture of a place that no longer exists. The "books and clothes" that once belonged to the people of Ghost Town are gone, and the town itself has been erased from the map. The second verse suggests that a person named David played a role in this disappearance, leaving behind a note that said "It's all different now." The singer hopes that they can move on from this loss, but acknowledges that it will be difficult to do so.
The chorus repeats the phrase "yes, yes, yes" several times, emphasizing the finality and certainty of the loss. The song's third verse discusses the reasons why someone might leave a place they love, even if it means giving up the help and support of others. The final verse returns to the theme of David's departure and the singer's attempt to grapple with what has been lost.
Line by Line Meaning
The secret goes with its books and clothes
The secrets of Ghost Town will forever remain hidden.
From Ghost Town
Referring to the town that was abandoned and left deserted.
To a place no one can trace
No one knows where the town's secrets have gone.
Maybe there's peace there in the streets there
Perhaps these secrets were the only source of peace in that town.
It's gone, yes, yes, yes
The town has been completely destroyed and is now lost forever.
Not to return, why, no, no
There is no hope for the town to ever return to its former state.
Burned, yes, yes, yes
The town has been burned down and is now ashes.
David wrote in his good-bye note
David left a note behind before departing from Ghost Town.
"It's all different now"
The town has changed drastically since he last knew it.
And he's right, I hope I get it right
The lyrics express a sense of admiration and respect for David's bravery for leaving Ghost Town.
As I go on, as I move on
The singer is also moving on from Ghost Town.
It's strong, yes, yes, yes
The memories of what was made in Ghost Town will remain powerful.
What we made for a thousand years
The things made and memories created in Ghost Town will last for many generations.
It will not fade, no, no, no
The memories and legacy of Ghost Town will not be forgotten.
There are places he could have stayed
David had other options but chose to leave Ghost Town.
But he had to go because he loved the rain
David left Ghost Town because he preferred change and transformation.
There were hearts, there was help
There were people in Ghost Town who were willing to help David.
But he couldn't love them because he didn't love himself
David had issues with himself which prevented him from connecting with others.
And he knew more than I knew
David had knowledge and wisdom that the singer did not possess.
And I hated what he hated too
The artist shared some of David's views and perspectives.
This world, now that's gone
The world of Ghost Town is gone forever.
A girl a thousand words
The ghosts of the past are captured in the memories and stories of the people who lived in Ghost Town.
A swirl and why, why, why
The lyrics express confusion and sadness about the loss of the town.
There are people who love the moon
The lyrics shift to talk about other people who have their own preferences.
Its milky warmth and its brilliant gloom
The moon is described as having qualities which people love.
They hate the day it's just too rough
Some people dislike daytime because of its harshness and lack of romance.
They go in the morning when they've had enough
They prefer to retreat to their own thoughts and desires in the morning.
"Its all different now"
This line is repeated as a reminder that the town has changed and is now gone.
And it is there's much I'll miss
There is a sense of loss and regret about leaving Ghost Town behind.
Why, why, why
The lyrics end with a cry of distress about the loss of Ghost Town.
Contributed by Alice F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.