The Church is an alternative rock band which formed in Sydney, Australia in… Read Full Bio ↴The Church is an alternative rock band which formed in Sydney, Australia in 1980. Initially linked in with neo-psychedelia acts of the period, their music later became largely defined by the interplay of guitarists Marty Willson-Piper and Peter Koppes coupled with the abstract lyrics of bassist/singer Steve Kilbey. Their debut album, Of Skins and Heart (1981), earned them their first radio hit "The Unguarded Moment". They were originally signed to EMI's Parlophone label, but record company dissatisfaction led to them being dropped overseas, which limited their exposure early on.

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.

Cut In Two
The Church Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Downtown

When you're alone and life is making you lonely
You can always go downtown
When you've got worries, all the noise and the hurry
Seems to help, I know, downtown

Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city

Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty
How can you lose? The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares

So go downtown, things'll be great when you're
Downtown, no finer place, for sure
Downtown, every thing's waiting for you, downtown

Don't hang around and let your problems surround you
There are movie shows, downtown
Maybe you know some little places to go
To where they never close, downtown

Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossa nova
You'll be dancing with him too before the night is over
Happy again, the lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares

So go downtown, where all the lights are bright
Downtown, waiting for you tonight
Downtown, you're gonna be all right now

Downtown, how can you lose?
Downtown, how can you lose?
Downtown, downtown, downtown

Downtown, downtown, downtown

And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you
Someone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand
To guide them along, so maybe I'll see you there
We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares

So go downtown, things'll be great when you're
Downtown, don't wait a minute more
Downtown, every thing's waiting for you

Downtown
Downtown

Downtown
...

Overall Meaning

The Church's song "Cut in Two" is not related to the lyrics presented in this prompt, which are from the well-known hit song "Downtown" by Petula Clark. "Downtown" is a classic love letter to city life and offers a message of hope and comfort to anyone feeling overwhelmed by loneliness or stress. The song offers the advice to "go downtown" when feeling down, as the lively city streets and the sound of traffic and music can help to chase away troubles and bring joy.

The song presents a contrast between the noise and hurry of city life with the peaceful solitude of being alone, but ultimately argues that the bustle of downtown offers more promise and excitement than staying home feeling down. The lyrics encourage the listener to explore and discover the city's many offerings, whether it's watching a movie, dancing to bossa nova music, or finding a kindred spirit to connect with. The repetition of the word "downtown" emphasizes the sense of urgency and excitement in embracing the city.

Line by Line Meaning

When you're alone and life is making you lonely
When you feel isolated and desolate

You can always go downtown
The city center could be a place for solace

When you've got worries, all the noise and the hurry
When you are concerned with life's troubles, the bustle of downtown can distract you

Seems to help, I know, downtown
I can attest that downtown can alleviate one's concerns

Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city
Pay attention to the urban clamor

Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty
Spend time admiring the attractive neon lights of signs

How can you lose? The lights are much brighter there
It's a no-fail decision since the brightness of the lights signifies something vibrant and positive

You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares
It's possible to let go of your concerns

So go downtown, things'll be great when you're
You should take the step to reach the city center; it will be fantastic.

Downtown, no finer place, for sure
The city center is the best place beyond doubt

Downtown, every thing's waiting for you, downtown
The city center offers everything you need

Don't hang around and let your problems surround you
Don't remain stuck in your worries

There are movie shows, downtown
The city center presents film projection

Maybe you know some little places to go
You could have an understanding of some of the spots around there

To where they never close, downtown
To locations that operate 24/7

Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossa nova
Pay attention to a mesmeric bossa nova tune

You'll be dancing with him too before the night is over
You'll find yourself dancing with someone.

Happy again, the lights are much brighter there
You will be quite content and cheerful; the bright lights indicate so

You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares
It's possible to let go of your troubles in the city center

So go downtown, where all the lights are bright
Seek the city center where the lights are vibrant

Downtown, waiting for you tonight
The city awaits you.

Downtown, you're gonna be all right now
You'll be fine now that you're in the city center

Downtown, how can you lose?
It's an automatic win because you'll discover something exceptional

Downtown, downtown, downtown
The city center is everything and encompasses all.

And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you
You could also find someone compassionate and empathetic to assist you

Someone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand
Someone comparable and is similarly searching for guidance

To guide them along, so maybe I'll see you there
To direct them towards the right path, maybe we'll come across each other in the city center

We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares
We could both forget our concerns

So go downtown, things'll be great when you're
Visit the city center, and everything will be fantastic

Downtown, don't wait a minute more
Don't wait another minute before heading to the city center

Downtown, every thing's waiting for you
The city center holds everything you might fancy

Downtown, downtown, downtown
The city center is everything

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN JOHN HUNT, MARTIN HOWARD WILLSON-PIPER, STEVEN JOHN KILBEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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