Something for Kate formed in Melbourne, Victoria in 1994. The founding memb… Read Full Bio ↴Something for Kate formed in Melbourne, Victoria in 1994. The founding members of the three-piece band were vocalist and guitarist Paul Dempsey, bass player Julian Carroll (later to be replaced by Stephanie Ashworth) and drummer Clint Hyndman.

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.

Cigarettes And Suitcases
Something for Kate Lyrics

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Maybe maybe nothing could prepare you
But that something and that someday always comes
And the only thing around worth hanging onto
Is a love of twisted symmetry demanding it be done
This way, this way

you're always the last to know
Your cigarettes and suitcases

And so on the story goes
You're shell-shocked in your shoelaces
And now that you're on your own..

and it won't be so far away tomorrow
Everybody says cause everybody knows
All one by one in single file we follow
Paying out the drop like dominoes
Today, today

you're always the last to know
Your cigarettes and suitcases
And so on the story goes
You're sweet dreams and your sci-fi sunsets
And now that you're on your own (now that you're on your own)
Now that you're on your own
Where are you gonna go?

And so on the story goes
And so on the story goes
And so on the story goes

you're always the last to know
Your cigarettes and your suitcases
And on and on you go
You're shell-shocked in your shoelaces
Now that you're on your own
Now that you're on your own
Now that you're on your own, on your own

On your own, your own, your own
(now that you're on your own)

Overall Meaning

In "Cigarettes and Suitcases" by Something for Kate, the lyrics focus on the idea that life is unpredictable and one can never be fully prepared for the challenges that come their way. The lyrics suggest that there is a looming sense of uncertainty that is a natural part of life, and that everyone must go through it at some point. Even though this concept is scary, the lyrics hint at a silver lining - that love is one of the few constants in the unpredictable world that we live in.

The love being referred to in the song is "twisted symmetry," which seems to imply an imperfect yet beautiful kind of love that is worth holding on to. The lyrics suggest that this kind of love is the only thing truly worth holding on to in a world of constant change, and that we should cherish it whenever we have the chance.

The chorus repeats the phrase "You're always the last to know," which emphasizes the unpredictability of life and the sense of being caught off guard. The repetition of "Your cigarettes and suitcases" further reinforces the idea of constant movement and travel in a world full of surprises.

Line by Line Meaning

Maybe maybe nothing could prepare you
Possibly, there is no way to prepare for what's to come in life.

But that something and that someday always comes
Despite the uncertainty, certain events or situations will inevitably arise.

And the only thing around worth hanging onto
When facing difficult times, the only thing of value to hold onto is love.

Is a love of twisted symmetry demanding it be done
Love should be pure and balanced, but often circumstances complicate and demand action.

This way, this way
Proceed forward, despite the odds or obstacles.

You're always the last to know
You often find out about important matters much later than everyone else.

Your cigarettes and suitcases
The things you rely on when traveling or leaving a situation behind.

And so on the story goes
The narrative continues to unfold and develop.

You're shell-shocked in your shoelaces
You are stunned and overwhelmed while trying to find your footing.

And now that you're on your own..
You are alone and independent, entrusted to make your own decisions and move forward in life.

And it won't be so far away tomorrow
The future is not so distant and will arrive soon enough.

Everybody says cause everybody knows
Common knowledge is shared and discussed among all.

All one by one in single file we follow
We fall into line and follow one by one in a repetitive pattern.

Paying out the drop like dominoes
The consequences are sequentially and inevitably set off like dominoes falling after a drop.

Today, today
The present day holds significance and should not be ignored.

You're sweet dreams and your sci-fi sunsets
Your aspirations and imaginative visions are vulnerable.

Now that you're on your own (now that you're on your own)
Reiteration of the previous line, emphasizing the independent responsibility of the individual.

Where are you gonna go?
The open road lies ahead and future is uncertain.

And on and on you go
You proceed without end, tirelessly and endlessly.

On your own, your own, your own
Repeat of the previous refrain, highlighting the loneliness and independence of the individual.

(now that you're on your own)
Closing emphasis on the importance of individuality and independence.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ASHWORTH, DEMPSEY, HYNDMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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