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.
Is This Where You Live
The Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blueish features in the lower reaches
We raise our traffic flares to him
Fishnet, girlish, the red ones spark
Holy arcs tracked in the dark
The more I see, the less I look
Here's another name I took
The remnants of their eveningwear
Branching off, the road winds east
Deluxe locations just near completion
Come dine with wine and oyster feast
The pearls are real, have one for free
They're washed up by the foam waved sea
The more I look the less I smile
Never mind let's stay awhile
The fans blow secrets on the night
Out of mind but not out of sight
Is this where you live
Broken voices the nylon choir
Nothing left to stoke that fire
All they own is on their tongues
They never see or wonder if
Is this where you live
Thin dogs don't vie for bones
Why desert just to be alone
All they own is on their backs
They can't believe it's you I'm with
Is this where you live
Don't blush as I brush your touch
No need for any speed or rush
All you own is on the floor
I'm buying all you're gonna give
Is this where you live
Coffee stories, the lying truth
Electric lights don't help my youth
All I owned is on my face
Urbane mirror anger myth
Is this where you live
The Church's song "Is This Where You Live" is a complex and mysterious piece that requires deep interpretation. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a surreal location that is full of ambiguity and strange things. The song is rich with symbolism, poetic imagery, and enigmatic words that challenge the listener's perception and leave a lingering sense of intrigue.
The song opens with the description of "Oceanic lights" that are "cleverly dim." The blueish features in the lower reaches add further to the perplexing ambiance. The next line, "We raise our traffic flares to him," is a possible reference to a hypnotic leader or a malevolent force that is being worshiped or appeased. The "Fishnet, girlish, the red ones spark" line suggests that the location is full of temptations and deceptive allure.
The lyrics shift to "Holy arcs tracked in the dark," which may refer to some religious significance or spiritual phenomenon. The line "The more I see, the less I look" implies the futility of trying to understand the place fully. The mention of "another name I took" suggests that the singer is also lost in the ambiguous nature of the location. The chorus, "Is this where you live," is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the singer's confusion and questioning.
The next verses talk about "Deluxe locations just near completion" and "pearls washed up by the foam waved sea." These could be alluding to a luxurious lifestyle or the dream of a better life that is just out of reach. The line "The more I look the less I smile" emphasizes the dissatisfaction of the singer with the perceived reality. The mention of "broken voices," "nylon choir," and "thin dogs" further heightens the atmosphere of desolation and misfortune.
Overall, "Is This Where You Live" is a cryptic and evocative piece that captures the listener's attention with its striking imagery and symbolic language.
Line by Line Meaning
Oceanic lights are cleverly dim
The lights from the ocean are dimmed down to create a calming atmosphere.
Blueish features in the lower reaches
The features beneath the water's surface have a blue tint to them.
We raise our traffic flares to him
We offer our lights as a symbol of tribute or respect to someone (possibly a god).
Fishnet, girlish, the red ones spark
The fishnets, although traditionally masculine, take on a feminine quality due to the red sparks they produce.
Holy arcs tracked in the dark
Religious symbols or gestures, such as crosses or arcs, are made in the dark.
The more I see, the less I look
The more someone sees, the less they actually pay attention and take in their surroundings.
Here's another name I took
The singer has taken on a new identity or is referring to someone else.
Listen! In the early morning air
A call for someone to listen in the early morning when the world is quiet and still.
The remnants of their eveningwear
The leftovers of what people wore during the evening, possibly discarded or forgotten.
Branching off, the road winds east
The road takes a turn and leads to the east.
Deluxe locations just near completion
Luxury places that are almost finished being built.
Come dine with wine and oyster feast
An invitation to come and enjoy a luxurious dinner with wine and oysters.
The pearls are real, have one for free
Genuine pearls are being offered for free, possibly as a lure or gesture of goodwill.
They're washed up by the foam waved sea
The pearls were found from the sea foam and waves.
The more I look the less I smile
The singer's mood diminishes with every passing moment or observation.
Never mind let's stay awhile
Despite the diminishing mood, the artist suggests staying in the moment and enjoying the experience.
The fans blow secrets on the night
The fans (possibly literal or metaphorical) carry secrets and information through the night.
Out of mind but not out of sight
Something or someone may not be at the forefront of the mind, but they are still visible or present.
Is this where you live
A question possibly directed at someone else, inquiring if this is their residence or familiar surroundings.
Broken voices the nylon choir
The artist is hearing a choir of voices (singers or instruments), but they sound broken or damaged.
Nothing left to stoke that fire
There is no more fuel or passion to ignite that 'fire'.
All they own is on their tongues
People's values and possessions are expressed through what they say.
They never see or wonder if
The same people do not take notice of their surroundings and ask questions.
Is this where you live
Another repetition of the question, inquiring if this is where someone calls home.
Thin dogs don't vie for bones
Less fortunate or hungry dogs do not fight over bones.
Why desert just to be alone
Why abandon or leave a place to be alone?
All they own is on their backs
People's possessions are limited and only held on their backs.
They can't believe it's you I'm with
Others are surprised or disbelieving when seeing who the artist is with.
Is this where you live
One final time the question is asked, wondering if this is the place someone considers home.
Don't blush as I brush your touch
As the singer touches someone, it is so delicate and subtle that the person should not blush or be embarrassed.
No need for any speed or rush
There is no hurriedness or urgency, everything can take its time.
All you own is on the floor
Not having many possessions, everything you own is on the floor (possibly referring to a minimalist lifestyle).
I'm buying all you're gonna give
The artist is willing to take all that someone has to offer or give.
Is this where you live
A final question, asking if this is truly the place someone considers home.
Coffee stories, the lying truth
Hearing stories or gossip over coffee that may not be entirely true or accurate.
Electric lights don't help my youth
The bright lights of the city do not help the artist feel young or youthful.
All I owned is on my face
Everything the singer has experienced is reflected on their face.
Urbane mirror anger myth
Looking in the mirror and feeling angry or frustrated with oneself, creating a false image or myth of oneself.
Is this where you live
The final line, once again questioning if this is truly someone's home or familiar environment.
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