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.
Don't look back
The Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Funny how they shape your thoughts
Right out loud
Some days you laugh
Some days you cry
So deep in a night
It leaves you stranded high and dry
Keep to yourself, keep it in case
For your face
Walk out in the sun
Walk out in the rain
Keep on walking
And don't look back here again
The lines in the song "Don't Look Back" by The Church, depict a person who is deep in thought while watching a cloud, which in turn ignites a series of thoughts in their mind. Sometimes, these thoughts can make them laugh, but other times, it can make them cry. The lyrics suggest that the thoughts could be so intense that it leaves the person feeling stranded and reinforces the idea of keeping them to oneself.
The chorus encourages the listener to keep moving forward in life, even when faced with difficult times. The lines "walk out in the sun, walk out in the rain, keep on walking, and don't look back here again," are a metaphorical representation of never staying stuck in the past, even when it seems easier. The song exudes an ambiance of determination and a push to pursue positivity, even through times of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometime up here, watching a cloud
Sometimes, while alone and in a contemplative state, gazing up at the sky and watching the shapes of the clouds, one's mind can wander and drift.
Funny how they shape your thoughts
It's strange how external, seemingly random factors such as cloud shapes can have an impact on your internal thought processes.
Right out loud
Sometimes these thoughts are so loud that they seem to be spoken aloud.
Some days you laugh
Life is not always serious, and some days bring joy and laughter.
Some days you cry
On other days, sorrow and sadness may overtake us.
So deep in a night
In the depths of a particularly difficult moment or time, when everything seems dark and hopeless.
It leaves you stranded high and dry
These tough times can leave you feeling helpless and alone, like you're stuck in the middle of nowhere with no help in sight.
Keep to yourself, keep it in case
Hold onto your thoughts and emotions, and keep them to yourself just in case you need them later.
Keep it when you need it for a pretty smile
Keep those positive thoughts and emotions close so that you can draw on them when you need to put on a happy face.
For your face
To present a positive and cheerful exterior to the world, even when you may not feel that way inside.
Walk out in the sun
Take on challenges and adventures with bravery and positivity, as if basking in the warmth and light of the sun.
Walk out in the rain
Even when things get tough or the environment is undesirable, keep moving forward with purpose and resilience.
Keep on walking
Don't ever give up or become complacent; keep pushing forward and striving for progress.
And don't look back here again
Leave the past behind and don't dwell on or get bogged down by past struggles or mistakes as you move forward towards a brighter future.
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