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.
Destination
The Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Green shadows greet another day
Drowned for the moment, on an empty ocean bed
And I cannot lift my head
Late for an appointment, clothes everywhere
I cannot find my memory anywhere
Ah disappointment just doesn't care
Take back her keys, what shall we do today
Maybe a little lunch down at the ghost cafe
Sand in my sandals, my blood feels like red wine
They say, hey everything will work out fine
The Church's song "Destination" offers some cryptic and ambiguous lyrics, as it's typical of their music. Nonetheless, it seems to depict a surreal and dark landscape, likely of a dream or a subconscious realm. The opening verse portrays an underwater world where women move harmoniously, possibly representing the lure of temptation or a subconscious desire to let go. There's a sense of suffocation in this underwater environment that the singer can't escape from, as if he's trapped in a state of complacency. The following lines switch to a more grounded scenario, where the singer appears to be late for an appointment, and his mind is scattered, unable to remember where he has to go or what he has to do. The word "disappointment" hints at a feeling of failure or letdown, which he struggles to overcome. In contrast, there's an element of anticipation in the next line, which suggests that something is waiting for him, and maybe this could be the source of his apprehension.
The second verse continues the surreal imagery, as it suggests a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity about someone's identity. It could be the singer, or he could be referring to someone else. The "keys" mentioned could be a metaphor for power or control, and the need to take them back indicates that something has been lost, misplaced, or stolen. The scene moves to a ghost cafe, a place that could be interpreted literally or figuratively. It could be a place that no longer exists or a place where ghosts or spirits gather. Again, the sensations are physical and tactile, as the sand in the sandals and the blood that feels like red wine add a visceral quality to the lyrics. The final line offers a ray of hope, as if a mantra to reassure that everything will be alright, even if nothing makes sense.
Line by Line Meaning
Far below the surface, where the women sway
Deep within me, where my desires pull me in different directions
Green shadows greet another day
The everyday things that overshadow my innermost desires
Drowned for the moment, on an empty ocean bed
Feeling overwhelmed and lost in a vast emptiness
And I cannot lift my head
Unable to see the possibilities beyond the present situation
Late for an appointment, clothes everywhere
Feeling disorganized and behind in my plans
I cannot find my memory anywhere
Struggling to remember what's important and losing focus
Ah disappointment just doesn't care
Feeling let down by life and its setbacks
Off in the distance just waiting there
The hope of a better future that seems out of reach
Take back her keys, what shall we do today
The freedom of choice and the uncertainty of what lies ahead
Maybe a little lunch down at the ghost cafe
The surreal experience of living in a disconnected world
Sand in my sandals, my blood feels like red wine
The gritty reality of life mixed with the intoxicating feeling of being alive
They say, hey everything will work out fine
The reassurance that things will get better, despite the challenges
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gil Flores
Saw them live at the Haunt in Ithaca,NY April 13th, 2019
30th anniversary of the Starfish album tour.
I actually cried in silence when they started with this song first.
The whole show was amazing and the emotions and memories of my life back in ‘89 (in the Navy, got sober, started whole new life after discharge in ‘90), one of the top albums in that period in my life.
Show was totally worth it and recommend it with the VIP package meet and greet. The whole lot of them are a great bunch of guys, even the lady selling the merch!
Jeff
In the eighties, I never would have thought that listening to a great 80s album, would bring me to tears. I miss those times.
Vegan Higler
Do you remember jiffy peanut butter Ed mc mahon giving checks mirror mirror on the wall, well now in this reality that has never existed look up the mandella effect it's real.
John Wood
I remember driving dark, back roads at high speeds listening to this cassette. No other time will equal the eighties!!!!
The Twang Kings
Strange how much amazing music came out in the 80s. And then came the 90s and music disappeared down a black hole.
Gil Flores
John Wood got that right. as I just told my wife as my play list went on as I showered that the majority of the artists playing in my eclectic mix were sadly all DEAD!!! Prince, Rick Ocasick, Johnny Cash, Lemmy, the freakin’ Ramones! I was kind of depressed after that. it’s like those highschool/navy/college days are like an open sore on my heart when I listen anymore. they’re gone...😢😭
R
@The Twang Kings When garage bands took over, I felt like music had died and would never come back.
Luis Donado
I'm glad you lived to tell it on youtube. Hope you can read this after you posted 11 years ago :-)
josh volk
As a zillenial i can connect with you in that me and my friends have done the same thing to this song before we graduated this year
Steven Lawrence
One of Australia’s finest bands, they are so unique, to say the least, I just love them!
oliver karbus
Best Church Album ever! Bought it when it was released and still love it! Steve Kilbey at the peak of his songwriting. Simply astonishing.