Taylor's life took an unusual turn in 1979 when he was first of the 100 chosen, from 20,000 applicants, to spend the summer at John Davidson's summer camp. At the camp, Taylor spent time learning from singers like Tony Orlando, Florence Henderson, and John Davidson. Also that year, Taylor heard one of his biggest influences, The Clash's London Calling. "It saved my life, musically," said Taylor.
Taylor recorded a demo of original songs that took the Contemporary Christian music world by surprise. Taylor first began to write for the musical group The Continentals, then recorded his debut solo EP I Want To Be A Clone in 1982 and released it in January, 1983.
Taylor quickly gained a reputation as a "controversial" artist, using his lyrical ability to sharply criticize other Christian beliefs and practices that he believed were incompatible with Biblical Christianity. However, his lyrics would also prove to be quite humorous as well.
In 1984, Taylor recorded his first full length album, Meltdown with some of the demo material that was not included on Clone plus some new material. His video single of the title track, Meltdown (at Madame Tussaud's) was widely played on MTV, which was unusual for a Christian artist at the time. The video featured an appearance by actress Lisa Whelchel, from NBC's The Facts of Life television series.
Taylor followed that release with On The Fritz, produced by Foreigner's Ian McDonald. In 1987, Taylor once again lived up to his controversial reputation with a song called I Blew Up The Clinic Real Good. The song criticizes anyone who claims to be a pro-life activist who would blow up abortion clinics or kill doctors. Like much of his music, it was meant as a satire. Unfortunately, the point of the song was lost on many and resulted in Taylor's album, I Predict 1990, being pulled from the shelves at some Christian record stores. Taylor himself would occasionally call those stores to explain the song to them.
Taylor then took a break from music, until 1990 when he returned as the lead singer of Chagall Guevara. The band's first recording was Tale o' the Twister, which appeared on the soundtrack to the 1990 film Pump Up the Volume. The band released their only album, the self titled Chagall Guevara, in 1991 on MCA records that year. A follow up album was begun, but due to label restructuring the band was released from its contract.
Taylor returned with another solo album, Squint, and a live CD, Liver, in the mid 1990's.
A tribute to Taylor entitled I Predict A Clone was released in 1994, which features performances by Sixpence None The Richer, Fleming and John, Starflyer 59 and others.
In the years following those releases, Taylor focused his efforts on running a record label, Squint Entertainment, and producing projects for other artists, including Sixpence None The Richer's self titled 1997 release that featured the hit singles Kiss Me and a cover of The La's There She Goes. Squint Entertainment lost its financial backing in 2001 and Taylor was forced out of the company. He is also noted for his work in production and songwriting with the Newsboys.
Taylor is currently working full time as a film maker and has directed music videos for Fleming and John, Rich Mullins, Sixpence None The Richer, Newsboys, Guardian, and two video albums for himself. While still running Squint, Taylor had begun work on a major film project called St. Gimp. That film was abandoned with the company. He has cowritten, coproduced, and directed a film starring Michael W. Smith entitled The Second Chance, released February 17, 2006.
Taylor appears in the documentary film Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music? (released on DVD in 2006), in interview segments and performing part of a song.
Down Under
Steve Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ever wonder how you got in?
Down under
Down under
Pick a cell you'd like to rot in
Down under
Asking for election day
Didn't care to lick El Presidente's boots
Got that, Pinochet?
Down under
Disappeared without a trial
Down under
Down under
We don't have that name on file
Down under
Ivan told his brothers in the fellowship
Not to tow the party line
Now he gets to take a sentimental trip
To a prison mine
Down under
Would you care for bread and water?
Down under
This was Daddy's alma mater
Ain't no Yankee jive
Ain't no commie plot
I don't lean left or right
I stand on solid rock
We hold this truth
To be as dear to life as bread
People think better
When they don't have a gun at their head
Miko looked around and saw her Seoul on ice
Organized a student parade
Someone told the state police to shoot on sight
And they all obeyed
Down under
Say the word and we will lock you
Down under
Down under
Doctors here will likely shock you
Down under
Down under
Down under
Down under
...
The song "Down Under" by Steve Taylor is a commentary on the oppressive political regimes that have existed throughout history, particularly in Chile, Korea, and other countries. The lyrics refer to fictional names and stories that are meant to represent the many people who have been imprisoned, tortured, or killed for standing up against the governments in power. The first line, "Ever wonder how you got in?" is addressed to the listener, as if asking them to imagine themselves in the position of the prisoners. The next line, "Pick a cell you'd like to rot in," continues the theme of forced captivity.
The second stanza tells of Carlos, who was imprisoned for asking for election day in Chile, and then disappeared without a trial. The third verse tells the story of Ivan, who urged his brothers in a Christian fellowship to resist political pressure, and was subsequently arrested and put in a prison mine. The fourth verse tells of Miko, who organized a peaceful student demonstration in Korea, only to be met with lethal force from the state police.
Throughout the song, Taylor emphasizes the need for people to stand up against oppression and tyranny, and to resist the pressure to conform and obey. The chorus, "Down under, we don't have that name on file," is a metaphor for people who are off the government's radar, who refuse to be controlled or monitored.
Line by Line Meaning
Down under
The singer/singer is referencing being imprisoned or held captive somewhere located below the earth's surface.
Ever wonder how you got in?
The singer asks if the listener has ever questioned how they ended up in the situation where they are now living as prisoners or captives in a dark and sinister place that is below ground.
Pick a cell you'd like to rot in
The singer/singer is telling the listener/captive to choose a cramped, foul, unsanitary cell to spend their life in whilst imprisoned below the earth's surface.
Carlos went from college to a prison suit
Asking for election day
Didn't care to lick El Presidente's boots
Got that, Pinochet?
The lyrics tell the story of Carlos, a college student, who was sent to prison after vocalizing his desire for the right to vote in free and fair elections. He did not want to fawn over the military leader, Pinochet and his dictatorship.
Disappeared without a trial
The captive who is being held in this below-ground prison was removed from society and kidnapped by the authorities without any evidence of criminality or trial, and is now being held without any legal representation
We don't have that name on file
This is the response that the captives get while inquiring about people who have been wrongly arrested and held in the underground prisons. It is a dismissive reply and conveys the message that the prisoners have no hope of escape or release.
Ivan told his brothers in the fellowship
Not to tow the party line
Now he gets to take a sentimental trip
To a prison mine
Ivan advised his fellow comrades to stop supporting the ruling government and their ideology, resulting in his being sent to a terrible prison where he likely will die. The trip is sentimental for him as it is his alma mater, where he went to school and was once free before being arrested for his views.
Would you care for bread and water?
The only sustenance provided to captives or prisoners in the underground prison. This statement, seemingly kind to some, is intense irony given that there is no other form of sustenance provided to the prisoners.
This was Daddy's alma mater
Indicating that the captor or administrator of the underground prison could be part of the totalitarian regime that has the prison in the basement. It underscores this group’s influence, their connections, policies, and tactics.
Ain't no Yankee jive
Ain't no commie plot
I don't lean left or right
I stand on solid rock
These lyrics are reflective of the artist’s ideological independence and freedom from both ideological extremes. They stand firmly on what they see as true and solid rock/proof; they don't follow the rhetoric of the left or the right, the commies or the Yankees, or any other political ideology.
We hold this truth
To be as dear to life as bread
People think better
When they don't have a gun at their head
Freedom, acquired through human rights and liberty, is the same necessity as bread, the essential sustenance for human beings. The singer believes that free people, when not threatened or coerced with violence or guns, will think intelligently and comprehensively. This truth underlines the importance of the basic human rights and the power of freedom when prioritized in contrary to all malevolent repression.
Miko looked around and saw her Seoul on ice
Organized a student parade
Someone told the state police to shoot on sight
And they all obeyed
Miko is a student/organizer who attempted to peacefully organize a protest for freedom of speech and democratic principles in her city because too many of her beloved citizens were being silenced by the totalitarian government. After someone within the police or government learned of the protest, she was grouped with, and the state police were instructed to shoot her and anyone they deemed a protester on sight.
Say the word and we will lock you
Down under
The singer, perhaps an interrogator, threatening to imprison someone and draw them down underground where there will be no possibility of fairness, humanity, or rights.
Doctors here will likely shock you
In this particular facility, doctors are experienced and are always available to administer electroconvulsive therapy. This 'treatment' is wielded for somebody considered ill, and it involves exposing them to electrically induced seizures that may result in life-threatening injuries.
Down under
This line is a chorus of the song, each repetition reminding the listener about their state of captivity, lost hope and the powerful ever-present menace.
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