From their third album (Neon Ballroom) onward, the band have tried to experiment with slightly more complex song structures, pop influences, and the usage of orchestral backing on a few songs, most notably on their fourth album Diorama with composer Van Dyke Parks contributing to three of the tracks. This change is shown on their performance in their only live album "Live At Faraway Stables" where the band plays two sets - the first comprising newer material where they are backed by two keyboardists to simulate orchestral arrangements, and the second containing their earlier material.
2007 saw the release of the band's latest album Young Modern, featuring the lead single Straight Lines; the song reached number one on the ARIA singles charts. The album was supported by a full tour of North America (their first since 1999), and an extensive tour of Australia and New Zealand with fellow Aussie post-grunge rockers Powderfinger, entitled "Across the Great Divide."
To quote Daniel Johns, "I've been thinking a lot since we finished [[album artist=Silverchair]Young Modern] about where this fits into the other stuff we've done. The way I see it, the first album was naivete, the second one was anger, the third one was depression and the last one was escapism. Young Modern is all about acceptance."
The band announced an indefinite hiatus in May 2011:
"We formed Silverchair nearly 20 years ago when we were just 12 years old. Today we stand by the same rules now as we did back then ... if the band stops being fun and if it's no longer fulfilling creatively, then we need to stop. [...] Despite our best efforts over the last year or so, it's become increasingly clear that the spark simply isn't there between the three of us at the moment. Therefore after much soul searching we wanted to let you know that we're putting Silverchair into "indefinite hibernation" and we've decided to each do our own thing for the foreseeable future".
—Daniel, Ben and Chris, chairpage.com (Silverchair Official Website), 25 May 2011.
Members:
* Daniel Johns (vocals, guitar)
* Chris Joannou (bass)
* Ben Gillies (drums)
Albums:
* Tomorrow (EP) (1994)
* Frogstomp (1995)
* Freak Show (1997)
* Neon Ballroom (1999)
* The Best Of - Volume One (2000)
* Diorama (2002)
* Rarities 1994-1999 (2002)
* Live From Faraway Stables (2CD & DVD) (2003)
* Young Modern (2007)
Across the Night
Silverchair Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was the moon that stole my slumber
Across the night
I fell in love with people sleeping
And hugged a man's arthritic shoulder
I fell tired, asleep in a golden ocean
Your eyes perspired, a spike in my fascination
I don't mean to make you cry
But this feeling will run right through the night
And I'll only make you cry with these feelings
Sleepless, untamed without a leash on the light around me
So let us be married and have another baby
'cause I don't want to be lonely I just want to be alone
Yeah let's just get married shouting baby, baby, babies
"You'll never sleep at all"
But I don't want to be lonely
Never seen the sunshine
From higher ponts than sunrise
I don't want to be lonely
I just want to be alone
The lyrics of "Across the Night" by Silverchair are an intricate depiction of sleeplessness and love. The opening lines suggest that the moon has stolen the singer's sleep, and she finds herself wandering through the night, observing the people who are sleeping. She even hugs a man's arthritic shoulder, highlighting the peculiar intimacy one can experience in the middle of the night. The mention of a golden ocean further sets the dreamy landscape.
As the song progresses, the singer's fascination is piqued by someone else's eyes. She admits that this feeling might make the other person cry, and it is something that will run through the night. The lines, "Sleepless, untamed without a leash on the light around me," talks about a sense of restlessness that is akin to a heightened sense of awareness. There is no leash to control the emotions, which are like the light that surrounds her.
The song ends on a note of loneliness and the desire to be alone. It seems that the singer is confused about wanting to be with someone but also wanting to be alone. She suggests getting married and having a baby, but at the same time, acknowledges that she doesn't want to be lonely. The final lines, "Never seen the sunshine, from higher points than sunrise, I don't want to be lonely, I just want to be alone," is a poignant way to end the song. It is an acknowledgment that sometimes one can feel the most alone in the middle of the night, but that doesn't mean they necessarily want to be with someone.
Line by Line Meaning
Across the night
In the darkness of night, during a time outside of the norm.
It was the moon that stole my slumber
The beauty of the moon kept me awake and alert, and unable to sleep.
I fell in love with people sleeping
The peacefulness of sleep on others made me appreciate and even love them more.
And hugged a man's arthritic shoulder
I connected with an older man who had visible signs of wear and tear, but still remained kind and present.
I fell tired, asleep in a golden ocean
I became so exhausted that it was like I had fallen asleep within a golden ocean - a luxurious and immersive experience.
Your eyes perspired, a spike in my fascination
I became intensely interested and captivated by the emotion in your eyes, as if they were producing sweat.
I don't mean to make you cry
I am not purposely trying to upset you.
But this feeling will run right through the night
This powerful emotion will last and stay with me all through the night.
And I'll only make you cry with these feelings
My strong emotions may be overwhelming and cause you to cry as well.
Sleepless, untamed without a leash on the light around me
I am unable to sleep and my thoughts run wild, free from any control or constraint.
So let us be married and have another baby
Let's be together and have something more to nurture and care for in life.
'cause I don't want to be lonely I just want to be alone
I don't necessarily need others around me, but I do not want to feel lonely in my solitude.
Yeah let's just get married shouting baby, baby, babies
Let's start a family together and bring children into the world.
"You'll never sleep at all"
Having a child means that you will be sleep deprived and exhausted.
But I don't want to be lonely
Again, I do not desire to be completely on my own and without any kind of companionship.
Never seen the sunshine
Metaphorically, I have never experienced joy or lightness in my life.
From higher points than sunrise
But I still have the potential and ability to see hope and beauty in places that others may not.
I don't want to be lonely
Final repetition emphasizing the desire for connection and community.
I just want to be alone
But also acknowledging the need for personal space and time to oneself.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DANIEL JOHNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BruninhoAdams
Across the night
It was the moon that stole my slumber
Across the night
I fell in love with people sleeping
And hugged a man's arthritic shoulder
I fell tired, asleep in a golden ocean
Your eyes perspired, a spike in my fascination
I don't mean to make you cry
But this feeling will run right through the night
And I'll only make you cry with these feelings
Sleepless, untamed without a leash on the light around me
So let us be married and have another baby
'cause I don't want to be lonely I just want to be alone
Yeah let's just get married shouting baby, baby, babies
"You'll never sleep at all"
But I don't want to be lonely
Never seen the sunshine
From higher ponts than sunrise
I don't want to be lonely
I just want to be alone
@reecesmith5819
Even though I love everything Daniel and Silverchair have done. Am I the only one here who really wishes before they all split up and did their own things. That they made a few songs based on this sound, whenever I hear Across The Night and Tuna In The Brine (not to forget Emotion Sickness) I just want to hear more songs like that! It's so hard to find a fusion of Rock elements and Classical music elements (technically it has elements of an oratorio cause of the vocals but you know XD). But classical because you know, it has a main section then a sort of development and such. But it's all so intricate, from the guitar patterns, to the harpsichord and piano, and the strings. Just everything is so perfect! Why can't there be more bands (that I am aware of) that have this sound. And no, I don't mean adding a violin or more strings to hard rock like Red do, that's not what I mean. I mean like, well.. This! If only Silverchair made more songs like this amazing song (and album) before turning to pop, then making an undone album that we can't hear, and then split up.
I understand as Daniel rightly said (and I know as a musician myself) that playing the same stuff over and over again gets boring and you basically end up wanting to try something different after a while. It's like playing the same game for far too long or listening to the same track over and over it gets really boring. And for musicians you do get bored, because you just play the same thing over and over. Kurt Cobain did that with Smells Like Teen Spirit (I played that song live odd enough) he played it over and over and got so bored that he ended up forgetting the lyrics to the song (at least that's what I think happened).
But oh my Jesus! If only I could make these sort of songs! I would have found bliss, literally. I would be as happy as a dog hearing it's owner come through the door if I could hear and make songs like this.I mean, it's magical. Just want more of this sound! (Not saying I want Silverchair to come back and do something they don't want to do because I know this was over ten years ago but I'm just pining for more! This was their true sound (to me) no matter what anyone says. You can forever live in the 90's as much as you want if you say Frogstomp or Freak Show were their best albums. Not saying they're bad albums they`re awesome, but as Daniel said, he got sick of making songs based around anger and depression so then this was born (and unfortunately had an early burial). Plus he also said that he only knew how to play power chords and some open chords (even though he could still make some tasty solo's :P). And he also claimed that he watched musicals and stuff (what influenced these songs) to improve his vocals, and he definitely did, it's hard for most guys to go as high as he does in this amazing song!
:( I don't know if there'll be anything like it again :'( even if they come back some day and never make songs like this, I really want to hear Silverchair stuff again (new stuff not old, I've heard everything pretty much hahaha). Loved this band since I was three when I heard Diorama in the car at night (beautiful, trust me) and I was literally one month when Neon Ballroom came out. I know it's not many teens and people's childhood band. Most are like Gorrilaz, Linkin Park, Nirvana, etc. But I'm glad to say this along with Third Eye Blind, Green Day and lots of others were mine. Silverchair will always be one of my most favorite bands :)
P.S. Sorry for ranting a bit, kinda happens, I try to make it short, but end up dissecting the hell out of it and making some sort of essay.. That's what happens after studying English.
P.S.S If you read all of this, you legend :P
@kadokili5595
It's almost potraits chapters on our life, we're no longer listening, we're experiencing all the emotion back throught Diorama.
It will be perfect if it is directed in style same as ' Across The Universe', a movie inspired by The Beatles's song.
I really hope they will be.
And i still hoping.
I
@orangeassassin3729
As someone who suffers from insomnia stemming from depression, I appreciate this song so much. The fact he decided to turn his personal problems into music with positive vibes is such an admirable quality and really inspires me to believe that things get better. Thank you Daniel.
@kuladiamond4505
Same here
@the1truebeliever
Me too. I resonate with this song so much.
@user-xq2ve2ki9b
Just recently got into Silverchair’s discography and I’m obsessed. They’re literally all I listen to in my car. Diorama is my favorite. I’m hoping that hell freezes over and they’ll get back to making more music together. They were magic together. ❤️
@kylesmith1408
It got me through my teenage years 2 decades ago... amazing music.
@RachaelsLibrary
Frogstomp was my first love. Good ol' 90s. Still jamming to their albums 🥲
@sarahcallaway2606
Same!!!
@stephaniefhn
🙏🏻
@chrisranzetta2932
Never saw them live sadly as I had really bad anxiety OCD and clinical depression and didn't leave the house for nearly a year .
But started to get better in 2003 and They got me through some really rough days.
I remember sitting in a car just listening to emotion sickness in a daze for hours on repeat.
Young modern is also a brilliant album.
@rafanj824
This song is a masterpiece of composition. Daniel's melodies, the string and horn arrangements, it's just so beautiful and incredible. Diorama became one of my favorite albums.