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.
I Want To Be Quiet
Robert Forster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A facade to the outside world
That says I want to be quiet
Don't know who I'm replacing but I know the stance
I'd vanish through a window
Take the curtain if I just had the chance
Not this constant volume that brings me to my knees
I want to be quiet
This century will end when Garbo and Beckett are dead
Now they're both dead
I feel alright and I know how little they said
I want to be quiet, that's what I need
Not this constant volume that brings me to my knees
I want to be quiet
I want to be quiet
The lyrics of Robert Forster's song "I Want To Be Quiet" speak to the desire for quiet and seclusion, away from the noise and chaos of the world. The facade that the singer puts up to the day, the night, and the outside world is one that communicates the need for peace and quiet. However, the singer admits that they do not know who they are replacing with this facade, but they know the stance they want to take.
The notion of disappearing is also present in the lyrics, with the singer expressing the desire to vanish through a window and take the curtain with them. The repeated phrase 'I want to be quiet' drives the point home that the singer yearns for stillness and silence. The singer acknowledges that the constant volume of the world, both the literal and figurative noise, is too much for them to handle, bringing them to their knees.
The lyrics then take a turn towards the end, with the mention of Garbo and Beckett, two figures known for their reclusiveness. The singer notes that now that both are dead, they feel alright, implying that their way of living was a model for the peace and quiet the singer desires. In the end, all the singer wants is to be quiet and left alone, with no more facades to put on.
Line by Line Meaning
A facade to the day, a facade to the night
I put on a fake smile and a fake personality during the day and night
A facade to the outside world
I pretend to be someone I am not in front of others
That says I want to be quiet
I actually want to be left alone and not engage in social interactions
Don't know who I'm replacing but I know the stance
I am not sure whose place I am taking but I know how to act like them
I'd vanish through a window
I'd rather escape from situations than deal with them directly
Take the curtain if I just had the chance
If given the opportunity, I would take any means necessary to distance myself from others
I want to be quiet, that's what I need
I desire peace and solitude for myself
Not this constant volume that brings me to my knees
The constant chatter and noise of the world around me is overwhelming and exhausting
This century will end when Garbo and Beckett are dead
The passing of these two celebrated figures will signify the end of an era
Now they're both dead
And I am able to find some peace in the silence they left behind
I feel alright and I know how little they said
Their minimalistic approach to life and work inspires me to seek quiet and simplicity
I want to be quiet
I crave a stillness and calmness in my life
Contributed by Michael J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.