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.
Pandanus
Robert Forster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I went down to the beach
The afternoon was dying
There was purple at its feet
I love the shades of nightfall
The faded blues and greys
The silver on the water
Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
Well, the candle of the day
Has burnt down to wick
The candle of the night
Has not yet been lit
One hour and five minutes
That's all I ever need
To take the faith from the mothership
See the glory god this is what I need, what I need
What I need
What I need
Woo hoo
One hour in that air
Some gentle people there
Nothing's going to get you or bring you down
And the sun has gone and it's taken your troubles somewhere, somewhere
Aw, somewhere
Somewhere, somewhere, somewhere
Aw, somewhere
Somewhere, somewhere
Woo hoo
Somewhere, somewhere
Aw yeah
What I need, mmm yeah
What I need, what I need
What I need, what I need
Somewhere
What I need
Woo hoo
The song “Pandanus” by Robert Forster starts off with the singer describing a moment when he went to the beach at five thirty in the evening. He appreciates the shades of nightfall and finds peace in the quietness of the day reaching its end. He likes the way the silver of the water seems to push so many things away. The candle of the day has burnt down to wick but the candle of the night hasn't been lit yet. In the second verse, he reveals that all he needs is one hour and five minutes for everything he needs. He’s able to take the faith from the mothership and see the glory of God. For him, being surrounded by gentle people and the sunset’s beauty takes away all of his troubles.
This song talks about finding inner peace in a beautiful moment. Forster’s lyrics are evocative enough to make listeners feel like they’re right there on the beach with him. The song’s message is to cherish beautiful moments like these, moments where the world seems entirely beautiful and you feel at peace. Sometimes it only takes an hour and five minutes of immersion in beauty to feel satisfied and content. Pandanus is a beautiful ode to these types of moments.
Line by Line Meaning
It was one day at five thirty
The artist narrates the time of day when the event being described took place.
I went down to the beach
The artist indicates the physical location of the event.
The afternoon was dying
The artist metaphorically describes the time of day as something that is ending or deteriorating.
There was purple at its feet
The artist uses a poetic image to describe the sky as having purple tones near the horizon.
I love the shades of nightfall
The artist expresses a personal preference for the colors and atmosphere during sunset.
The faded blues and greys
The artist specifies the hues he is fond of during this time of day.
The silver on the water
The artist observes the reflection of the fading light on the ocean as a silver shimmer.
Seems to push so many things away, all away
The artist suggests that the sight of the water at this moment is purifying or mind-clearing.
Well, the candle of the day
The artist employs a metaphor to describe the end of daytime, comparing it to a physical object being consumed by fire.
Has burnt down to wick
The artist furthers the metaphor, indicating that the flame has almost entirely consumed the source of its burning.
The candle of the night
The artist contrasts daytime with nighttime by suggesting that another candle is about to commence.
Has not yet been lit
The artist indicates that the night is about to begin, but it is still in a state of potential and anticipation.
One hour and five minutes
The artist quantifies the duration of time that he will spend in a certain setting.
That's all I ever need
The artist suggests that this amount of time is sufficient for his needs or desires.
To take the faith from the mothership
The artist employs another metaphor, suggesting that during this time he will disconnect from external distractions and connect to himself or his inner beliefs.
See the glory god this is what I need, what I need
The artist expresses an affirmation that he seeks a spiritual experience of some kind.
One hour in that air
The artist refers to the specific environment he is in, which is likely outdoors on a beach or by the ocean.
Some gentle people there
The artist states that there are other individuals present in the same setting.
Nothing's going to get you or bring you down
The artist suggests that this setting offers a feeling of safety or protection from negative influences.
And the sun has gone and it's taken your troubles somewhere, somewhere
The artist reiterates the transformative, purifying effect of sunset, indicating that the sun has carried away one's problems or worries.
Somewhere, somewhere, somewhere
The artist emphasizes the ethereal or intangible nature of the place where our worries go.
What I need
The artist restates his earlier assertion that he is seeking something specific in this setting.
Aw yeah
The artist verbally expresses his affirmation or enjoyment of the current experience.
Woo hoo
The artist exclaims a sound of enthusiasm or elation that is not tied to any particular lyric.
Contributed by Dylan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
kevinpkevin
Reminds me of an A A meeting