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.
Numbers
The Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Counting backwards every day
Seeing things I let decay there
I've been watching every day
I hear you screaming
Get off of my back
I hear it every day
When your world's turning black?
How can it feel so good?
'Cause you're living
Living by the numbers
Living
Living by the numbers
'Cause you're living
Living by the numbers
Looking for the signs and wonders
Live your life in disarray
When you look
Into the mirror
Do you have to look away?
When will I stop living life in the black
I'm dead, I continue to plea
Why does it feel like a knife in the back?
Why can't I just walk away?
'Cause you're living
Living by the numbers
Living
Living by the numbers
'Cause you're living
Living by the numbers
Never again
Never again
Yeah
Living my life by the numbers
Counting backwards every day
Seeing things I let decay there
I've been watching every day
I hear you screaming, get off of my back
I hear it every day
Why does it feel like a knife in my back?
Why can't I just walk away?
'Cause you're living
Living by the numbers
Living
Living by the numbers
'Cause you're living
Living by the numbers
'Cause you're living
Living by the numbers
Living
Living by the numbers
'Cause you're living
Living by the numbers
'Cause you're living
Living by the numbers
Living
Living by the numbers
'Cause you're living
Living by the numbers
The Church's song Numbers is a lyrical masterpiece that is intense, cryptic and atmospheric. The opening lines "Oh yeah, your one and only life, Ripped from the earth with these bare hands, You dare, Question the ritual" sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is a journey into the unknown. The lyrics are filled with symbolism and contrasts, and the themes explored include life, death, power, and rebellion.
The first verse talks about questioning authority and the consequences that come with it. The line "1 law for the officers, 1 for the gentlemen" suggests that the rules are not the same for everyone, and there is a hierarchy of power. The chorus talks about riding for miles and miles, chasing after something, and the feeling of being lost. The numbers represented in the chorus add to the overall mysterious and cryptic theme of the song.
The second verse brings in more contrast; the mention of flaming sun, martyrs, and stars is juxtaposed with the location and wind and sand. The lyrics are almost like a riddle, asking the listener to decipher what it all means. The female voice at the end of the song adds to the enigmatic nature of the song.
Overall, Numbers is a song that requires the listener to pay attention and analyze the lyrics to fully appreciate its richness and complexity.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yeah
Acknowledging the importance and weight of what is being said
Your one and only life
Referring to the fact that life is precious and should not be taken for granted
Ripped from the earth with these bare hands
Taking an active role in causing harm to others
You dare
Challenging the listener to question the status quo
Question the ritual
Questioning the traditions and practices that are accepted without question
Despite continual
Referring to the fact that this questioning takes place despite constant pushback and resistance
Threats of "gonna get you all"
Imposing a sense of fear and danger on those who choose to challenge the system
1 law for the officers
Commenting on the fact that those in power often have different rules and laws than the common person
1 for the gentlemen
Acknowledging the role of the upper class in perpetuating inequality
2 bad you 3 know what it's 4
Playing with numbers to create a sense of confusion and disorientation
5 for this awful dive
Commenting on the fact that this situation is unpleasant and difficult to navigate
6 for the genetics
Commenting on the role of genetics in shaping our lives
7 for the lucky pricks who went into heaven
Challenging religious beliefs and doubts about an afterlife
Nightmare
Referring to the difficult and dark aspects of reality
We ride for miles and miles
Working hard to achieve something despite the challenges and obstacles
Following the howling of our prey
Pursuing something with ferocity and determination
Out there
Emphasizing the vastness and unknown nature of what is being pursued
Reload our yellow rigs
Preparing for the next confrontation or challenge
Scrambling for shelter
Trying to find safety and security during a difficult time
Dig a void, decay
Creating chaos and destruction in order to achieve one's goals
1 for the flaming sun
Acknowledging the beauty and power of nature
2 for the location
Commenting on the importance of where we are and how it shapes us
3 for the martyrs and the stars
Honoring those who have sacrificed for a larger cause
4 for the wind and sand
Acknowledging the insignificance of humanity in the face of the vastness of nature
5 so you understand
Emphasizing the importance of this message and understanding its meaning
6 for the slips 'twixt the cup and the lips
Referring to the moment when things go wrong despite careful planning and preparation
"Come on!" is thrown in after the last singing of this verse.
Encouraging the listener to persevere despite setbacks and challenges
1 for the cockpit blues
Commenting on the difficult and stressful situations that pilots face
2 for the Panzer crews
Highlighting the brutality and violence of war
3 for the vast and molten sky
Emphasizing the beauty and power of nature
4 for the failed talks
Commenting on the lack of cooperation and resolution in difficult situations
5 for the knives and forks
Commenting on the everyday items that can be used to inflict harm and violence
6 for forbidden kicks
Commenting on the lure of danger and excitement that certain actions can provide
All the yobbos in the sticks
Referring to those who live outside of society's norms and rules
Steve may be saying "10" after the last verse.
An unclear reference or message
"C: ... 10011... 10011...
R: 10011...zeroes...
L: ...makeaveete, system overload, the ovual engine was not able to process all the required data in tone, tone, tone, tone..."
A recording that is unclear and mysterious
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
Written by: Mike Howe, Kurdt Vanderhood, Rick Van Zandt, Steve Unger, Stet Howland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BittersweetSymphony
on You're Still Beautiful
Sometimes I wonder if he is writing about himself