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.
North South East And West
The Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The real estate's prime, the number plates rhyme (liquidity)
Wear a gun and be proud, but bare breasts aren't allowed (in this city)
Dream up a scam and then rake in the clams (liquidity)
(It's neither here nor there) It's neither here nor there
North and south and east and west
(It has to be somewhere) It oughta be somewhere
I take my payment, I catch my flight,
And don't wait up for me tonight
(And you might find me there) and you might find me there
North and south and east and west
Have a quick throw or host your own show (in this city)
To a wolf from a lamb for just half a gram (liquidity)
The face of today just a scalpel away
Restore your lost soul for two dollars plus toll (liquidity)
Backs are patted when calves are fatted (in this city)
The emperor's clothes are host for the proles (liquidity)
The guys with the brains are all bitter and vain (stupidity)
The guys with the luck got the bimbos and bucks (liquidity)
(Chorus)
The Church's song "North South East And West" is a commentary on the state of society in a large, bustling city. The lyrics suggest that a war is being fought, but it is not clear what kind of war it is. The emphasis seems to be on the superficiality of the city, where real estate is seen as more important than people, and where wearing a gun is more socially acceptable than showing a woman's bare breasts. The lyrics also suggest that people in the city are focused on making money, regardless of the harm it may cause to others. The song suggests that those who are lucky enough to make money through scams or other means are the ones who succeed in this city, while those who are more intellectual are left feeling bitter and frustrated.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "north and south and east and west," suggesting that this sense of superficiality and greed is not limited to one particular area of the city but exists everywhere. The verses, on the other hand, describe specific instances of how these values are manifested. The first verse, for example, talks about how number plates rhyme and real estate is prime, but also describes the contradiction of how wearing a gun is acceptable while nudity is not. The second verse describes how people in the city are willing to do whatever it takes to make money, even if it means scamming others or turning to drugs.
Line by Line Meaning
A war's being waged and the world's just a stage (in this city)
There's a constant battle happening with everyone performing their roles in this bustling city.
The real estate's prime, the number plates rhyme (liquidity)
Property values are high and even license plates have a certain luxury to them, highlighting the city's emphasis on wealth.
Wear a gun and be proud, but bare breasts aren't allowed (in this city)
While it may be acceptable to carry a firearm openly, the city has strict moral standards when it comes to nudity.
Dream up a scam and then rake in the clams (liquidity)
Opportunities to make money through dishonest means abound, and many people take advantage of them to amass great wealth.
(It's neither here nor there) It's neither here nor there
The city's location is not particularly relevant to its character or influence.
North and south and east and west (It has to be somewhere)
Despite its ambiguous location, the city must exist somewhere in the world.
I take my payment, I catch my flight,
And don't wait up for me tonight (And you might find me there)
People come to the city to make money, but they are not tied to it and may leave at any time. The singer himself may be found in the city at any given time.
Have a quick throw or host your own show (in this city)
Entertainment is plentiful in the city, with options ranging from gambling to creating one's own performance.
To a wolf from a lamb for just half a gram (liquidity)
Dangerous substances are readily available and can easily turn someone from innocent to ruthless with only a small payment.
The face of today just a scalpel away
Restore your lost soul for two dollars plus toll (liquidity)
Cosmetic surgery is common and is seen as a means to regain one's sense of self for a relatively low price.
Backs are patted when calves are fatted (in this city)
People are praised for their financial success and are encouraged to continue pursuing wealth.
The emperor's clothes are host for the proles (liquidity)
The wealthy elite often use the lower classes for their own gain, giving them the illusion of power while maintaining their own control.
The guys with the brains are all bitter and vain (stupidity)
Those who possess intelligence are often unhappy and self-absorbed, while those with less intellect are more content in their ignorance.
The guys with the luck got the bimbos and bucks (liquidity)
Those who have good fortune in their lives often end up with fame, wealth, and attractive partners.
(Chorus)
Despite the city's flaws, it can be found in any direction and continues to attract people seeking money and excitement.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BittersweetSymphony
on You're Still Beautiful
Sometimes I wonder if he is writing about himself