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.
Lady Boy
The Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What can I say, I understand
She talks like a bird yet she walks like a man
She'll be here tonight I understand
She hunts in a pack yet she ends up alone
She tells you its not alright darling, why'd you worship that stone ?
Chorus
It doesn't care if you're heavy girl
Hold me closer ladyboy, if you look you can see that it's just you and me
There's nothing left of our world
So you think it's a sin, I bet it's a miracle
You think that you're safe, I tell you you're critical
The merciless gods who sometimes pour down their scorn
They cannot die and also cannot be born
(Chorus)
An open door, an extended hand, what can I say - I understand
I understand, I understand, I understand
The song Lady Boy by The Church presents a deep and complex message that goes beyond its exotic and provocative title. The lyrics are an interesting mix of observations, reflections, and questions that explore the themes of identity, acceptance, spirituality, and mortality. The opening lines set the tone by portraying the singer as a sensitive and empathetic person who welcomes and understands those who might be different from the norm. The reference to the extended hand highlights the importance of reaching out and supporting others, even if they are not entirely understood.
The main subject of the song is a character described as a ladyboy, who appears to be a transgender person, judging by the contrast between the feminine voice and masculine gait. The ambivalence and fluidity of gender roles are further emphasized by the reference to the ladyboy's hunting patterns, which suggest a desire for companionship and acceptance but ultimately lead to isolation and rejection. This duality is also reflected in the lyrics that suggest a clash between traditional beliefs and progressive attitudes towards gender and sexuality. The recurring refrain to "hold me closer ladyboy" could be seen as a plea for understanding and comfort, as well as a challenge to societal norms and prejudices.
The chorus of the song presents an intriguing and enigmatic image of a rope that drags one out of this world, regardless of their size or gender. The metaphorical rope might represent the inexorable force of destiny or the cycle of birth and death, as suggested by the reference to merciless gods who cannot die but cannot be born either. The song seems to suggest that to transcend these limitations, one needs to embrace diversity, challenge convention, and seek connection and compassion with others. The final repetition of I understand can be seen as a call for empathy, solidarity, and acceptance that transcends gender, nationality or culture.
Line by Line Meaning
An open door, an extended hand,
A welcoming invitation or offer of assistance.
What can I say, I understand
Expressing empathy or sympathy towards someone's situation.
She talks like a bird yet she walks like a man
The ladyboy possesses qualities that do not conform to conventional norms or expectations.
She'll be here tonight I understand
A confirmation that the ladyboy will be present at a particular location or event.
She hunts in a pack yet she ends up alone
Despite their attempt to fit in with a group, the ladyboy still feels isolated or misunderstood.
She tells you its not alright darling, why'd you worship that stone ?
The ladyboy questions why someone places such value in an object or belief system that seems insignificant or harmful.
Hold me closer ladyboy, there's a rope that's dragging you out of this world
The song's speaker wants to provide comfort to the ladyboy, who may be struggling with their identity in a society that doesn't accept them.
It doesn't care if you're heavy girl
The artist acknowledges that life's trials and struggles don't discriminate based on one's gender or identity.
if you look you can see that it's just you and me
Despite societal pressures and prejudices, the artist sees the ladyboy as an equal and is willing to stand by their side.
There's nothing left of our world
Due to the many injustices and imperfections of society, the artist feels like they are on the edge of losing faith in the world.
So you think it's a sin, I bet it's a miracle
The singer challenges the notion that the ladyboy's identity or lifestyle is inherently wrong, instead implying it may be something special or deserving of admiration.
You think that you're safe, I tell you you're critical
The artist warns against complacency and encourages the ladyboy to embrace their true self even in the face of opposition or danger.
The merciless gods who sometimes pour down their scorn
The song alludes to the concept of deities who reign over the world with unpredictable and unfair tendencies.
They cannot die and also cannot be born
The singer suggests that these gods exist beyond human comprehension and the limits of life and death.
An open door, an extended hand, what can I say - I understand
Reiterating the offer of compassion and acceptance towards the ladyboy's identity.
I understand, I understand, I understand
Emphasizing that the artist truly grasps the struggles and emotions the ladyboy faces on a daily basis.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARTIN HOWARD WILLSON-PIPER, STEVEN JOHN KILBEY, TIM POWLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BittersweetSymphony
on You're Still Beautiful
Sometimes I wonder if he is writing about himself