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.
Dropping Names
The Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seven long nights to think
A handful of words, a sleeveful of birds
Casually left on the sink
Crimson beads, cut out your needs
Leave you feeling more in the pink
Seven long nights at a pre-announced site
Alter the courses, stand near my flames
Questionable sources, only dropping names
Dropping names
I taught her how to be hard or soft
She never really needed to learn
A trip into town, defenses are down
I never ever need to return
She holds me by the stars, says look at these scars
Feel my longing burn
Seven long days but I can't change my ways
Look over my shoulder and I say hey hey
The song "Dropping Names" by The Church is a complex and intricate piece, with lyrics that seem abstract at first glance but actually contain a deep and profound meaning. The opening line, "I want to break to be beautiful," is a statement that suggests the singer is tired of the constraints of everyday life and wants to break free from them in order to find true beauty. This desire is underscored by the reference to "seven long nights to think," implying that the singer needs time to reflect and meditate on their life in order to truly appreciate its beauty.
The lines "a handful of words, a sleeveful of birds casually left on the sink" suggest that the singer has been trying to express themselves in words, but feels that their words are insufficient. The "sleeveful of birds" may represent a desire to be free and unrestricted, but the birds are "casually left on the sink," suggesting that the singer is not yet ready to fully embrace this freedom.
The next stanza implies that the singer has experienced some kind of trauma, referred to as "crimson beads," and is now trying to move on from it. They are "altering courses" and seeking new experiences, but are haunted by "questionable sources" and the temptation to dwell on past events. The repeated phrase "dropping names" may be an expression of this temptation, as the singer tries to distance themselves from their past by naming and dismissing it.
The chorus offers a ray of hope, as the singer claims to have "taught her [someone else] how to be hard or soft," suggesting that they have gained a degree of wisdom and compassion through their experiences. However, the final lines of the song ("seven long days but I can't change my ways, look over my shoulder and I say hey hey") suggest that the singer is still struggling to let go of the past and is haunted by the demons of regret and longing.
Overall, "Dropping Names" is a deeply introspective song that explores themes of trauma, regret, and the quest for beauty and freedom. It is a testament to the complexity and depth of The Church's songwriting, and a reminder that sometimes the most profound truths are the ones that are hardest to express in words.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to break to be beautiful
I desire to experience a beautiful transformation despite the pain it may bring.
Seven long nights to think
I need a sufficient amount of time to ponder and analyze my present state.
A handful of words, a sleeveful of birds casually left on the sink
I have some words to say and some secrets to reveal nonchalantly.
Crimson beads, cut out your needs leave you feeling more in the pink
I have some therapeutic red beads that can satisfy your desires and make you feel better than before.
Seven long nights at a pre-announced site a head on my shoulders and I feel all right
I have scheduled some time for myself to be in a specific location to sort out my thoughts and emotions, and I'm confident about overcoming my problems.
Alter the courses, stand near my flames questionable sources, only dropping names dropping names
I am reshaping my life and attracting some questionable individuals while only revealing their names without providing further information.
I taught her how to be hard or soft she never really needed to learn
I taught her how to be adaptable and versatile, but she was already capable of doing so.
A trip into town, defenses are down I never ever need to return
A journey to the city has made me vulnerable, but it has also made me realize that I don't require a return to my old ways.
She holds me by the stars, says look at these scars feel my longing burn
She grabs me by the heavens, shows me her wounds, and makes me comprehend the intensity of her craving for me.
Seven long days but I can't change my ways look over my shoulder and I say hey hey
I have had an extended period to change my demeanor, but it's not feasible, and I turn around while yelling 'hey'.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Collins
One of the all time great bands and drummers.
Simoin Atkinson
still holds up............................................their peak
strange_invitation
Alternative? Indie? Doesn't matter... you love it :)
Nigelxman
I am so glad I got to see the Church with Mr. Ploog the first time I saw them! Amazing drummer. I was really gutted when they basically axed him.
Steven Robinson
Listen to Richard Ploog on the drums! Very good, he was sort of irreplacable yet I still loved the Church after he left but man could that dude rock the kit!
Simoin Atkinson
drum machine in
Rikitocker
Aussie 60's psych new wave ...
00Venkman
Post-Punk like The Chameleons, Joy Division, The Sound, The Cure, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Psychedelic Furs, and Siouxsie and the Banshees.
gary marquett
Punk pop
rapmaster
Wow, that sounded like Psychedelic Furs at the beginning. Is that why they're touring together?