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.
Mistress
The Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Black, wrinkled fingers on ivory keys
Just five years old, my church shoes a dangling
Yeah, she's long gone and I'm still chasing this song
With a guitar full of freedom and a head full of lines
That nightlife full of demons has been a hell of a ride
I got a crazy heart, but I was born to lose it
No hope and squarely solitary
Enough whiskey and Coke, boys, to get me in a bind
Amps juiced, the whole damn block could hear me
Even that cop car rolling past
By the time they hit the front door
I was out the back
With a guitar full of freedom and a head full of lines
That nightlife full of demons has been a hell of a ride
I got a crazy crazy heart, and I was born to lose it
Married to a dream with a mistress named music
White calloused fingers on bronze and nylon
These same old boots are still tapping time
Not quite the buzz I used to tie on
But 'til I'm gone, I'll be chasing this song
With a guitar full of freedom and a head full of lines
That nightlife full of demons has been a hell of a ride
I got a crazy heart, and I was born to lose it
Married to a dream with a mistress named music
I'm married to a dream with a mistress named music
The Church's song "Mistress" is an ode to the power of music in the life of a musician. The song begins with the singer recounting memories of his childhood, sitting in church with his "church shoes a dangling" as he listened to a woman named Miss Bessie sing and play piano. The memory of her "black, wrinkled fingers on ivory keys" stayed with him and seemed to plant the seed of his love for music.
As the song progresses, the singer describes his own journey as a musician. He speaks of the "nightlife full of demons" and the struggles that come with living a life dedicated to music. Despite the difficulties, he remains dedicated to his craft, describing himself as "married to a dream with a mistress named music". The love he feels for music is all-consuming and while it may lead him down a difficult path, it is a path that he feels he was always meant to follow.
The lyrics of "Mistress" are a powerful commentary on the importance of music in the life of a musician. The song highlights the joys and struggles of dedicating one's life to music and the way in which it can become a kind of mistress to those who love it. For the singer, this mistress is both beautiful and dangerous, offering him both love and pain in equal measure. Ultimately, however, he remains committed to his dream and his love for music.
Line by Line Meaning
I still remember Miss Bessie singing
I have fond memories of Miss Bessie singing.
Black, wrinkled fingers on ivory keys
Miss Bessie played the piano with her experienced aged hands.
Just five years old, my church shoes a dangling
I was a young boy, wearing my shoes to church and enjoying Miss Bessie's music.
Yeah, she's long gone and I'm still chasing this song
Miss Bessie has passed away, but I continue chasing my passion for music.
With a guitar full of freedom and a head full of lines
I have my guitar and artistic inspiration ready to produce my music.
That nightlife full of demons has been a hell of a ride
I have experienced a rough and tumultuous nightlife full of struggles and hardships.
I got a crazy heart, but I was born to lose it
I have a restless and wild spirit that can never be tamed.
Married to a dream with a mistress named music
Music is my one true love, with whom I've devoted my life.
No hope and squarely solitary
I am without hope, left feeling lonely and isolated from society.
Enough whiskey and Coke, boys, to get me in a bind
I consume enough alcohol and soda to leave me in a difficult situation.
Amps juiced, the whole damn block could hear me
I turn up my amps so loud that everyone in the area can hear my music.
Even that cop car rolling past
Even the police can hear my music while driving past my studio.
By the time they hit the front door, I was out the back
I am quick to run away from authority, avoiding confrontation.
White calloused fingers on bronze and nylon
My fingers have become tough and rough from playing guitar so much.
These same old boots are still tapping time
My boots have been with me for a long time, still in use as I create music.
Not quite the buzz I used to tie on
I am not as heavily invested in alcohol and other substances as I once was.
But 'til I'm gone, I'll be chasing this song
I will continue pursuing music for the rest of my life.
I'm married to a dream with a mistress named music
I have dedicated my life to music, and it will always be my one true love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Casey Beathard, Eric Church
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BittersweetSymphony
on You're Still Beautiful
Sometimes I wonder if he is writing about himself