After recording a 7-track demo in 1995, the band signed to Murmur Records, a subsidiary of Sony. In 1996, they released the 7-track EP The Answer to Both Your Questions, recorded and mixed by Greg Atkinson of Sydney band Big Heavy Stuff.
In November of 1996, the 3-track single "Dean Martin" was released. Early in 1997, the band released a 5-track EP titled Intermission as they recorded their first album, Elsewhere for Eight Minutes, in New Zealand and mixed and mastered it in New York with U.S. producer Brian Paulson. (Brian had previously produced albums for Wilco, Archers of Loaf, Superchunk and Slint, amongst others.) Something for Kate's first full-length album was released in July of 1997. Bass player Julian Carroll was then replaced by Toby Ralph, who toured with the band for the release of the album.
Four singles were released from Elsewhere for Eight Minutes: "Captain (Million miles an hour)", "Prick", "Working Against Me" and "Roll Credit". Bass player Toby Ralph was replaced by Stephanie Ashworth (of Melbourne outfit Sandpit) in March 1998. The band then wrote their second album, Beautiful Sharks, which was released in April of 1999. Beautiful Sharks was recorded in Melbourne, once again by producer Brian Paulson.
Four singles were released from Beautiful Sharks: "Electricity", "Hallways", "Whatever You Want" and "The Astronaut". When the band went on the road with this album they took on an extra touring musician, Wally Gunn, to play the incidental guitar and keyboard parts.
In 2000, as the band were writing for their third album, Murmur released Q & A With Dean Martin, a re-release of the sold-out first EP and single. Also released in 2000 was Big Screen Television, a video collection of 12 of the band's music videos along with some bonus footage.
In June of 2001, the third album, Echolalia, was released. Produced by the band and Trina Shoemaker (whose other recording credits include Queens of the Stone Age, REM, Whiskeytown and Sheryl Crow), Echolalia was recorded at INXS bass-player Garry Gary Beers' Mangrove studio in the Central Coast of NSW.
Four singles were released from Echolalia: "Monsters", "Three Dimensions", "Twenty Years" and "Say Something". When touring this album, the band took on two touring musicians, Pip Branson (ex Sydney band Sidewinder) and Simon Bourke, again, to play the increasing amount of keyboards and extra guitar parts featured on the album.
In 2002 the band released their first DVD, A Diversion, which is a document of the writing, recording and touring of the Echolalia album.
In 2003 the band recorded and released their fourth album, The Official Fiction. Produced once again by the band and Trina Shoemaker at Mangrove studios, it spawned the singles "Deja Vu", "Song for a Sleepwalker", "Best Weapon" and "Moving Right Along".
After supporting David Bowie on the Australian leg of his Reality Tour, the band toured Europe in 2004, taking in Germany, France, Denmark, Scotland, Ireland and the UK, before returned to Australia to release Phantom Limbs, a double album of the band members' and their fans' favourite b-side tracks from over the years.
On the 30th of June 2006, Something for Kate released their fifth album, Desert Lights. Since then, Something for Kate has released 2 singles, Cigarettes and Suitcases which was released on the 5th of May 2006, just under 2 months before the second EP, Oh Kamikaze which was released on the 1st of September 2006.
Born Yesterday
Something for Kate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All this pressure
All these distractions
A bigger picture
I can see it with my eyes
I can taste it in my mouth
I could sit here all night
Shake all the right hands
Disigned to please
A slight habit, a slight tendency to repeat, to repeat, to repeat...
He can see it with his eyes
It's like salt in his mouth
He can sit here all night
But he's got his hands full now
It's just another night
So switch off the light and sleep for a while
Tomorrow things will be alright
If you open your eyes
It's just another night
So switch off the light and sleep for a while
Tomorrow things will be alright
If you open your eyes
If you open your eyes
Open your eyes
The problem isn't the problem
The solution is the problem
Can't hear
Can't hear
You can't hear
Can't hear
It's just another night
So switch off the light and sleep for a while
Tomorrow things will be alright
If you open your eyes
It's just another night
So switch off the light and sleep for a while
Tomorrow, tomorrow things will be alright
I can see it with my eyes
I can taste it in my mouth
I can sit here all night
But I've got my hands full now...
I've got my hands full
Got my hands full
Got my hands full
Got my hands full
If you open your eyes
The lyrics of Born Yesterday touch on themes of feeling overwhelmed by the noise and pressure of life, the need to repeat certain behaviors, and the importance of opening one's eyes to the bigger picture. The first stanza lists various sources of noise and pressure that threaten to drown out the singer's ability to see and taste, and suggests that they have a lot on their plate. The second stanza repeats these ideas, but shifts the focus to a second person who also seems to be bogged down by the same pressures. The chorus offers a sort of consolation, suggesting that sleep and a new day can bring clarity and hope, as long as one is willing to open their eyes to the possibilities.
The final lines of the song, "I've got my hands full / If you open your eyes," suggest that the singer has come to terms with the demands of their life, and is ready to face them head-on. The lines "The problem isn't the problem / The solution is the problem / Can't hear" hint at the idea that the noise and pressure of life can distract from the real issues that need to be addressed in order to find a way forward. Ultimately, the song seems to be a call to action, urging the listener to shake off their distractions and face their challenges with eyes wide open.
Line by Line Meaning
All this loud noise
There is so much noise and chaos happening around.
All this pressure
There are so many expectations and demands being placed on me.
All these distractions
I am constantly being pulled in different directions.
A bigger picture
There is a larger, more meaningful goal that I am working towards.
I can see it with my eyes
I have a clear vision of what I want to achieve.
I can taste it in my mouth
I can feel the excitement and anticipation of success.
I could sit here all night
I could spend all my time dreaming and planning.
But I've got my hands full
I am busy with other responsibilities and tasks.
Shake all the right hands
I have to network and make the right connections.
Designed to please
I have to be likable and meet other people's expectations.
A slight habit, a slight tendency to repeat, to repeat, to repeat...
I have a nagging feeling that I am stuck in a rut and not making progress.
He can see it with his eyes
He also has a vision of what he wants to achieve.
It's like salt in his mouth
He can feel the excitement and anticipation too.
He can sit here all night
He also has dreams and goals that he could pursue endlessly.
But he's got his hands full now
He also has other responsibilities and tasks that are taking up his time.
The problem isn't the problem
The real challenge is not the difficulty of the task itself.
The solution is the problem
The real obstacle is finding the right approach to solve the problem.
Can't hear
I am being overwhelmed by the noise and distractions.
You can't hear
You are also being overwhelmed by the noise and distractions.
It's just another night
This is just another ordinary time.
So switch off the light and sleep for a while
Take a break and rest for a bit.
Tomorrow things will be alright
Things will improve in the future.
If you open your eyes
If you stay alert and aware of opportunities.
I've got my hands full
I'm too busy to focus on everything at once.
Got my hands full
I have a lot of responsibilities to take care of.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CLINT WESLEY HYNDMAN, JULIAN MATTHEW CARROLL, PAUL ANTHONY DEMPSEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind