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.
Columbus
The Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I should have told him no
Oh, Columbus
I never should have let you go
Now, aching wires, midnight fires
Things I could not know
Oh, Columbus
You don't suppose there'd
Be room in here somewhere for me
I think I just need
Someone's words to reassure me
I don't blame any of you
And I don't blame myself
Waiting for my small reward
It's going to come somehow
Oh, Columbus
I wish that you could see us now
We don't posses a single empty tear
Or furrowed brow
Oh, Columbus
I wish that you could see us now
You don't suppose there'd
Be room in here somewhere for me
I think I just need
Someone's words to reassure me
I can't change any of you
I can't change myself
The man had something strange about him
He should have let me know
Oh, Columbus
I wish I'd never let you go
You don't suppose there'd
Be room in here somewhere for me
I think I just need
Someone's words to reassure me
I don't blame any of you
And I don't blame myself
Columbus
is a song by the Australian rock band The Church, released in 1986 on their album Heyday. The lyrics speak to regret and longing for something lost, specifically the singer's relationship with someone named Columbus. The opening lines suggest that something changed in the 'king' (presumably Columbus) and the singer regrets not speaking up about it. The use of the name Columbus as a metaphor for the person the singer has lost is interesting, as it suggests a sense of exploration and discovery that has been curtailed.
The second verse speaks to the singer's feelings of isolation and yearning for connection, with the lines "You don't suppose there'd be room in here somewhere for me / I think I just need someone's words to reassure me." These lines suggest a desire for validation and comfort, but also a sense of being on the outside looking in. The chorus repeats the sentiment of regret for letting Columbus go, but also speaks to a sense of change and growth: "We don't posses a single empty tear / Or furrowed brow / Oh, Columbus / I wish that you could see us now."
The final verse hints at a sense of betrayal or disappointment, with the lines "The man had something strange about him / He should have let me know / Oh, Columbus / I wish I'd never let you go." The use of the word 'strange' suggests that Columbus was hiding something or not being honest, adding a layer of complexity to the relationship that is not fully explained in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
The king had something changed within him
There was a noticeable change in the king's behavior
I should have told him no
I regret not standing up to the king
Oh, Columbus
Addressing Columbus with regret
I never should have let you go
I regret allowing Columbus to embark on his journey
Now, aching wires, midnight fires
Pain and struggle
Things I could not know
Unpredictable outcomes
You don't suppose there'd
Be room in here somewhere for me
I think I just need
Someone's words to reassure me
Asking for support and reassurance
I don't blame any of you
And I don't blame myself
There is no one to blame for the current situation
Waiting for my small reward
It's going to come somehow
Patience for a positive outcome
Oh, Columbus
I wish that you could see us now
Addressing Columbus with regret and longing for his presence
We don't posses a single empty tear
Or furrowed brow
There is no visible sadness or worry
I wish I'd never let you go
Regret for allowing Columbus to leave
The man had something strange about him
He should have let me know
Oh, Columbus
Addressing Columbus with confusion and regret for not being warned
I can't change any of you
I can't change myself
There is a sense of powerlessness
Contributed by Scarlett H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@HerAeolianHarp
Coming back again to appreciate the intelligence and artistry of Steve K. and his far-reaching lyrics.
@therealshrimpleypibbles
I recall listening to this album in 1991 for the first time after getting into a band of my own. I remember sitting in front of my stereo with my headphones on and getting so depressed while listening to it knowing that I would never be able to make an album that good. The entire atmosphere of it just put me in this mood. Marty Wilson-Piper’s guitar work has always been an emotional ride, but this album just did something to me that no album has ever done since. Definitely in my Top 5 Deserted Island list since the first listen.
@iancrombie8862
I love this song...genius song writer!!!!
@BrutusMcCrunch
Possibly the most underrated band of the past 30 years
@vsander09
40 years now ;)
@keithbate9405
@Vincent Sander So many candidates for that accolade eg Wall of Voodoo, Dream Syndicate, Twelfth Night , Thin White Rope, Husker Du, Throwing Muses etc.
@everymandan4176
@Keith Bate the Chameleons.
@keithbate9405
@Everyman Dan Yes I like them too. Heavily influenced by Joy Division of course.
@everymandan4176
@Keith Bate For sure in the vocal delivery but not much else. Chameleons guitar work is miles away from JD. For me they're closer to the church; 2 dueling lead guitarist, singing bassist and a unique drummer. Kilbey sings from a Bowie-cool detached place, Burgess is more standingonthetoesfordearlife delivery.
@splat66
I'm firstly a total metalhead, but I've always loved this band. I bought Heydey on cassette when it came out, and it still holds up to this day. My favorite song from the album! Thanks