After signing to Arista in 1988, they saw their largest international success with the album Starfish and the American Top 40 hit "Under The Milky Way" which resurfaced on the soundtrack of the cult movie "Donnie Darko". Whilst the band remain feted by their peers, subsequent commercial success proved elusive: 1990s follow-up album "Gold Afternoon Fix" failed to capitalise on their success, and the band weathered several line-up changes after its release, first losing long-term drummer Richard Ploog, then Peter Koppes following 1992s "Priest = Aura". That album baffled and confused many fans upon its release as to what band The Church was considered to be, but is now considered a seminal album and one of the most revered by Church connoisseurs. The vacant drum-stool on Priest=Aura being occupied by Jay Dee Daugherty of Arista labelmate Patti Smiths group, and it was produced by Gavin MacKillop of Moose.
Reduced to a two-piece, Kilbey & Willson-Piper re-grouped with the assistance of drummer/producer Tim Powles to record 1994's "Sometime Anywhere", concluding their obligations to the Arista and Mushroom labels. The commercial decline, combined with the Church being ignored again by a music press more focused on the Nineties' music trends, could have brought about the demise of the band, had it not coincided with the breakthrough of the internet, thus enabling direct communication from the band to its passionate cult fanbase.
This brought about a new beginning for The Church, with Peter Koppes rejoining the band for recording 1996s "Magician Among The Spirits". The band (with Koppes back into the fold, and Powles now as the permanent drummer ), hit a re-newed creative surge and with regained selfconfidence, released "Hologram Of Baal" 2 years later, and toured Australia, the USA and Europe.
The first decade of the 21st century found the band releasing severeal highly critically acclaimed albums, like 2002's aptly named "After Everything Now this" and 2003's "Forget Yourself", the latter breaking new ground with bandmembers swapping instruments in the recording process. Live performances stray from high profile events like the 03 concerts at Sydney Opera House and the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, to low-profile gigs for smaller audiences, often confusing old 80s fans, surprised to find the band still playing, wrongly assuming the band just being one in the never-ending string of reunion acts.
2009's album "Untitled#23" marked yet another highlight.. its essence represented in just 10 songs, and with a strong less-is-more approach, the albums core identity being on par with Starfish, it also finds Steve Kilbey breaking new ground as a vocalist.
2010 saw their 30th anniversary, with extensive touring in the US and Australia. Their unique position and importance in the australian music scene was recognized with an ARIA award.
Their album, "Further Deeper", was released in 2014, and "man woman life death infinity" in 2017.
Ancient History
The Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You just cannot comprehend the things that I do
The truth is so fragile, the ties are so true
Lying in the nettles where the blossoms once grew
So now you're asking what is this mystery
And all these questions, ancient history
Sometimes I wonder what is left to be said
If I'm consumed and fading will the children be fed?
You say I'm just existing and you leave me for dead
Sometimes I can see your love is a sled
Sliding down the slopes that will lead to your bed
Some of us are white, some of us are red
Some have got these visions going 'round in our heads
As you go just blow a kiss to me
And as it falls, ancient history
Sometimes a joke can get out of hand
Laughing like a conqueror in a new land
Convinced down to his buttons this was how it was planned
Turns his back on ruins, that was nothing but sand
Crossing your Alps the ice and cold blister me
And all the rest, ancient history
The lyrics of The Church's song Ancient History seem to delve into the complexities of a relationship that has started to unravel. The singer wonders how they got mixed up with their romantic partner, who fails to understand and appreciate their actions. Despite the fragility of the truth and the strength of their ties, they find themselves lying in nettles where blossoms once grew. The partner is at a loss, now asking about the mystery of their situation, but the singer feels there is nothing left to be said. They wonder if their own fading and decay will affect future generations, if the children will still be fed.
The singer then describes the creaking roof and the stone that has been bled, indicating the passage of time and the wear and tear of the relationship. The partner accuses the singer of just existing and leaves them for dead. There are moments of passion and love as well, but eventually, the relationship becomes a sled sliding down the slopes to the partner's bed. The singer is aware of different perspectives and visions among people, some of them are white and some are red. The partner blows a kiss to the singer, but it feels like an act of finality, as their entire history together seems to be ancient history now.
The song seems to be about a relationship that has reached its conclusion, with both parties aware that it is heading to its end. The lyrics are filled with beautiful metaphors and imagery, hinting at the painful and sad emotions involved in the process. The singer's poetic lyrics impress upon the listeners the strong sense of nostalgia, confusion, and loss that come alongside the end of a romantic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I wonder how I got mixed up with you
I sometimes question how our paths crossed and why we ended up together.
You just cannot comprehend the things that I do
You don't understand my actions and decisions.
The truth is so fragile, the ties are so true
The truth is vulnerable while our relationship is solid.
Lying in the nettles where the blossoms once grew
We are now in a place of discomfort where things were once better.
So now you're asking what is this mystery
Now you're curious and questioning what's really going on.
And all these questions, ancient history
All of these questions are irrelevant and unimportant now.
Sometimes I wonder what is left to be said
At times, I think there's nothing else worthwhile to talk about.
If I'm consumed and fading will the children be fed?
If I'm struggling and not doing well, will those who depend on me suffer?
The roof is always creaking, the stone has been bled
The house is falling apart and resources have been depleted.
You say I'm just existing and you leave me for dead
You think I'm just surviving and abandoning me.
Sometimes I can see your love is a sled
Your love is reckless and impulsive, like a sled careening downhill.
Sliding down the slopes that will lead to your bed
Rushing down a path that leads to an outcome that can't be changed.
Some of us are white, some of us are red
We all have different beliefs and backgrounds, but we are all human.
Some have got these visions going 'round in our heads
Some of us have dreams and ambitions that we can't shake.
As you go just blow a kiss to me
As you leave, show me a small sign of affection.
And as it falls, ancient history
As the kiss falls, everything becomes irrelevant and a distant memory.
Sometimes a joke can get out of hand
Sometimes a lighthearted comment can escalate into something serious.
Laughing like a conqueror in a new land
Feeling victorious in a new situation or relationship.
Convinced down to his buttons this was how it was planned
Believing that everything has worked out according to the plan.
Turns his back on ruins, that was nothing but sand
Ignoring the wreckage of a failed plan or endeavor.
Crossing your Alps the ice and cold blister me
Overcoming challenges and difficulties that hurt and damage the person.
And all the rest, ancient history
All issues and concerns are no longer relevant and belong only to the past.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KILBEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BittersweetSymphony
on You're Still Beautiful
Sometimes I wonder if he is writing about himself