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.
Blood Money
The Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bought and sold.
And you pay for everything in cold, hard cash.
Better read through the fine print, you sift through the ash.
In the hand, blood money.
In the sand, blood money.
She's worth the ransom.
He says, "Do you accept my card,
Or can I pay for it now in cold, hard cash?"
I'm priceless, you're worthless, but it's not a bad match.
And I know you understand, it's blood money.
There's such a big demand, for blood money.
A hundred and fifty grand, blood money.
It's flowing under the land, like blood money.
He's worth the ransom.
She says, "Why can't you get hot?"
Because you pay for this now in cold, hard cash.
You make the front page, I'm gonna bring back the lash.
Then I know you'll understand, it's blood money.
There's duch a big demand, for blood money.
A hundred and fifty grand, blood money.
It's flowing under the land, like blood money.
The Church's song "Blood Money" is a commentary on the corruptive nature of wealth and the lengths people will go to acquire it. The lyrics describe individuals who are "blind with dollars", buying and selling without any consideration for the moral implications of their actions. The singer warns that everything is paid for in "cold, hard cash", symbolizing the detachment from humanity and the intense materialism surrounding the acquisition of wealth. They further suggest that people need to be careful and examine the fine print because, ultimately, everything has a price.
The chorus of the song is where the title and the main theme of the song is revealed, "Blood Money". The phrase alludes to the idea that wealth and power often come at a steep price, and more often than not, that price is the exploitation and suffering of others. The singer says that blood money is everywhere, flowing under the land, and that there is a high demand for it. They conclude by reiterating that the people in power can be bought with a price, whether it be $150,000 or more, making it challenging to discern whether they will act with integrity.
The song's lyrics offer an insightful commentary that is still relevant today about the dangerous consequences of wealth and power, reminding us to be cautious, mindful, and hold individuals accountable for their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Blind with dollars,
Unable to see beyond the lure of money and material possessions.
Bought and sold.
Treated as a commodity that can be traded and exploited for financial gain.
And you pay for everything in cold, hard cash.
All transactions are conducted with money that lacks any emotional attachment or intrinsic value.
Better read through the fine print, you sift through the ash.
It is necessary to examine the details and potential consequences of any agreement or contract, even if it involves dealing with the aftermath of a destructive event.
In the hand, blood money.
Money that has been acquired through immoral, unethical or illegal means.
In the sand, blood money.
Money that has been acquired through exploiting resources or people in a way that leads to environmental degradation, human suffering, or loss of life.
She's worth the ransom.
She is perceived as valuable and worth the price demanded for her release, whether in a literal or metaphorical sense.
He says, "Do you accept my card,
The artist in this line is willing to pay for something using a credit card, indicating his preference for paying with plastic and convenience in transactions.
Or can I pay for it now in cold, hard cash?"
The artist in this line is willing to pay for something using physical currency, rather than plastic or other forms of payment.
I'm priceless, you're worthless, but it's not a bad match.
The artist suggests that even though he considers himself invaluable, he is somehow aligned with the other person and their value or self-worth does not matter.
And I know you understand, it's blood money.
The singer knows that the person being addressed is aware that their money is tainted and comes from dishonest or harmful sources.
There's such a big demand, for blood money.
There is a high and enduring need or inclination to acquire and accept money that has been gained through immoral or unethical means.
A hundred and fifty grand, blood money.
A specific amount of money that has been acquired through immoral or unethical means.
It's flowing under the land, like blood money.
The money that is tainted and comes from illegal or immoral sources permeates all aspects of society, like a pervasive but invisible force.
She says, "Why can't you get hot?"
The singer suggests that the other person is not passionate or emotional enough about what they are doing, which may involve acquiring or spending tainted money.
Because you pay for this now in cold, hard cash.
The other person's reliance on physical currency indicates that they do not fully comprehend or care about the consequences of their actions and the sources of their money.
You make the front page, I'm gonna bring back the lash.
The artist implies that if the other person's actions continue to gain public attention in a negative way, they will be subject to punishment or retribution.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KURDT YORK VANDERHOOF, RONALD BRIANS MUNROE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BittersweetSymphony
on You're Still Beautiful
Sometimes I wonder if he is writing about himself