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.
No Explanation
The Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Talking like the harpy again
I've got this heartache in my coat
Since I don't remember when
It's guaranteed to live and to bleed
And you feed it with your bitterest lies
[Chorus]
But I don't care to look into your eyes
There's no explanation
Dream tongued man from the golden land
Standing with the keys to your door
I had to laugh as I shook his hand
Didn't know he'd been here before
I know him well but I never can tell
If he sees right through my futile disguise
[Chorus]
Walking alone down the path to your home
On a silent and sensual day
It almost could be my very own
Before I went and lost my way
Directions aren't clear when you're standing here
And you cheer me with your faithless surprise
[Chorus]
The Church's song No Explanation is an introspective exploration of the complexities and confusion present in a romantic relationship. The song begins with the singer's partner talking aggressively, likening her to a "harpy," while the singer suffers from a constant heartache. The partner feeds this heartache with their "bitterest lies," and the singer is unable to look into their eyes or seek an explanation for why they have caused so much pain.
The chorus emphasizes the lack of explanation, highlighting the uncertainty and confusion in the relationship. The singer seems resigned to this lack of closure, feeling the effects of the relationship but unable to fully articulate or understand them.
The second verse introduces a "dream tongued man" who holds the keys to the partner's door. The singer finds it difficult to discern the man's intentions and is unsure if he sees through their own disguise. The final verse finds the singer walking alone towards their partner's home, reflecting on the ways in which they have lost their way in the relationship. The partner's "faithless surprise" cheers the singer, but also contributes to their ongoing heartache.
Overall, No Explanation is a poignant and thoughtful reflection on the pain and confusion that can arise in relationships, and the difficulty of finding closure or understanding in the absence of clear communication.
Line by Line Meaning
You pull the sheets around your throat
You are avoiding confrontation by hiding behind a shield of fabric
Talking like the harpy again
You are using a screeching, nagging tone that wears on me
I've got this heartache in my coat
I have been carrying the pain of this relationship for too long
Since I don't remember when
I can't pinpoint when the discomfort started
It's guaranteed to live and to bleed
The pain is chronic and severe
And you feed it with your bitterest lies
You are making it worse by lying to me and being cruel
Hope you can see what that's done to me
I wish you could understand the damage you have caused
But I don't care to look into your eyes
I don't want to make a connection or show vulnerability
There's no explanation
There is no excuse or justification for the pain you have caused
Dream tongued man from the golden land
An attractive stranger has entered our lives
Standing with the keys to your door
He has access to you and our relationship
I had to laugh as I shook his hand
I laughed nervously, realizing the potential threat he poses
Didn't know he'd been here before
I didn't realize he had a past history with you
I know him well but I never can tell
I am familiar with his type, but can't predict his actions
If he sees right through my futile disguise
I fear he may be able to perceive the pain I am hiding
Walking alone down the path to your home
I am approaching your doorstep by myself
On a silent and sensual day
The atmosphere is peaceful and romantic
It almost could be my very own
I could see myself in this relationship
Before I went and lost my way
Before the pain and complications of our relationship overwhelmed us
Directions aren't clear when you're standing here
It's hard to see the way forward when we are in the middle of this chaos
And you cheer me with your faithless surprise
You are paradoxically offering hope while being deceitful and unreliable
There's no explanation
There is no way to justify the confusion and pain we are experiencing
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KILBEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BittersweetSymphony
on You're Still Beautiful
Sometimes I wonder if he is writing about himself