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.
One Day
The Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's all so unexpected that I just can't understand
We run so hard and always end up in the same place
"Glad that went so smoothly" well that never is the case
One day the darkest cloud is bright
Who will shake away the shadows of eternal night
It's just the storm before the calm
Like the life held in your palm - it's clay, one day
Dipping into gilt-edged love that will be made at last
And the gold you spend and the hastening end
That you throw into the sea
Coming back a hundredfold, there's no guarantee
We'll walk and be like giants, we'll all be honest men
I go back to my blindness so that I may see again
A woman standing on a hill is gazing out to sea
Dreaming of a new age waiting there for me
I call her from a distance and she smiles into the sun
And men and gods begin their dance, for their time has begun
And holy wars extended and battlefields of pain
Washed away, forgotten in the perfect rain
Princes, kings and humble things are well-worn and content
Messengers come everywhere, envoys have been sent
"Na na na na, na na na na na
A palm tree nodded at me last night he said
'Hey you look so pale.' "
The Church's song "One Day" is a poetic and contemplative piece that speaks of life's uncertain journey and the hope that one day everything will make sense. The opening lines suggest a sense of confusion and lack of control over life's outcome. Despite the hard work and effort invested, things seem to always end up in the same place. The lyrics move on to acknowledge the unpredictability of life and how a seemingly dark moment can shift to brightness. The idea of a storm before the calm resonates with the listener, as many can relate to this common life experience.
The song then moves on to speak of love and its transformative power. The notion of spending "gold" and hastening end is a reference to the impermanence of material possessions and the temporary nature of life. It speaks of how the things we value cannot guarantee happiness, but it is still essential to invest in our experiences. The last verse paints a picture of a future that is waiting to be realized, where all humankind comes together and dances in harmony. There is a sense of peace and contentment that permeates the song, which is a reminder that no matter how difficult our present situation may seem, there is always the possibility of a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me, is everything unplanned?
Asking whether everything happens accidentally or there's a greater plan behind all the unexpected twists and turns of life.
It's all so unexpected that I just can't understand
Feeling confused and lost by the unpredictable nature of life.
We run so hard and always end up in the same place
Working tirelessly toward our goals, but often feeling as though we're not making any progress.
"Glad that went so smoothly" well that never is the case
Despite the occasional success, things almost never go as smoothly as expected.
One day the darkest cloud is bright
Suggesting that even the worst moments of life can eventually lead to positive outcomes.
Who will shake away the shadows of eternal night
Wondering if there's anyone or anything that can rid the world of its inherent darkness and suffering.
It's just the storm before the calm
Believing that difficult times are necessary in order to eventually achieve peace and happiness.
Like the life held in your palm - it's clay, one day
Comparing our lives to a piece of clay that can be molded and changed over time.
And you stand there, with ashes blowing past
Describing a moment of despair, where everything seems to be falling apart.
Dipping into gilt-edged love that will be made at last
Finding hope and love in the midst of chaos and destruction.
And the gold you spend and the hastening end
Reflecting on the fleeting nature of life and how our actions may ultimately be meaningless in the face of death.
That you throw into the sea
Metaphorically referring to the ways in which we let go of our possessions and our ego in order to embrace something greater.
Coming back a hundredfold, there's no guarantee
Acknowledging that taking risks and making sacrifices may pay off in the end, but it's never a sure thing.
We'll walk and be like giants, we'll all be honest men
Looking forward to a future where humanity has finally achieved greatness and is living in harmony with one another.
I go back to my blindness so that I may see again
Suggesting that sometimes we need to forget what we know in order to approach a problem with fresh eyes.
A woman standing on a hill is gazing out to sea
Painting a vivid picture of a hopeful and optimistic future, represented by a woman looking out toward the horizon.
Dreaming of a new age waiting there for me
Believing that a better future is possible, even though we're not quite there yet.
I call her from a distance and she smiles into the sun
Reaching out to the future and hoping for a better world, represented by the woman on the hill.
And men and gods begin their dance, for their time has begun
Anticipating a period of great change and transformation, where humanity and the divine are working together.
And holy wars extended and battlefields of pain
Reflecting on the many conflicts and struggles that have plagued humanity for centuries.
Washed away, forgotten in the perfect rain
Imagining a time where all past conflicts have been healed and forgotten in a peaceful and harmonious world.
Princes, kings and humble things are well-worn and content
Describing a future where everyone is equal and content, regardless of their social status or background.
Messengers come everywhere, envoys have been sent
Anticipating a time where all nations and peoples are working together for the greater good of humanity.
"Na na na na, na na na na na
A joyful and hopeful refrain added for effect, emphasizing the song's overall message of optimism and possibility.
A palm tree nodded at me last night he said
'Hey you look so pale.'
A strange and whimsical moment added for effect, highlighting the beauty and unexpectedness of life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KILBEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BittersweetSymphony
on You're Still Beautiful
Sometimes I wonder if he is writing about himself