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.
Space Saviour
The Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's my one and only
All the love just stone me
And I can't let it go
Like a siphon or straw
Something to adore
On the fatal flaw
Oh my little saviour
On her good behaviour
All the self she gave you
Now you can't let it go
Like a needle or tack
When she's giving you back
And the stages go black
And you can't let it go
And I gotta get up
And I gotta get on
And I gotta get off
And I gotta get out
And I gotta get up
And I gotta get on
And I gotta get off
And I can't let it go
My little heart
With a cosmic handshake
Hammer on till daybreak
I can't let it go
Like a Zorro or zealot
Bite it just too feel it
She gonna reveal it
Then you can't let it go
Oh my little wonder
Makes you stop to ponder
Makes me kind of fonder
I can't let it go
Like I live and I learn
Like a Chinese burn
Just wait till you turn
I can't let it go
I gotta get up
I gotta get on
I gotta get off
I gotta get out
I gotta get up
I gotta get on
I gotta get off
And I can't let it go
My little panda
I don't understand her
With her natural grandeur
I can't let it go
Like a trick or tornado
No she ain't afraid
Nothing gets delayed
And she won't let it go
My little golden
Her love and her holdin'
Only serves to embolden
And I can't let it go
Like a fraction or flake
I do it all for her sake
I do it all for her sake
Then I can't let it go, no, no
And I gotta get up
And I gotta get on
And I gotta get off
And I gotta get up
And I gotta get on
And I gotta get off
But I can't let it go
Can't let it go
It doesn't know
Cause I can't let it
I can't let it go
Baby don't say no
Can't let it go
I can't let it go
Can't let it go
The Church's song Space Saviour is a dreamlike and psychedelic love song that examines the complexities of infatuation and devotion. With its cryptic and enigmatic lyrics, the song skillfully blends surreal imagery and surrealistic language with playful puns and metaphors to create a captivating yet inscrutable narrative.
The opening lyrics immediately capture the song's dreamlike essence, with the phrase "My little lonely" serving as a metaphor that suggests the singer's yearning for romantic companionship. Throughout the song, the singer grapples with intense feelings of love and obsession, using vivid and sometimes bizarre imagery to convey the depth of his emotions.
In particular, the lyrics "Like a siphon or straw" and "Like a needle or tack" evoke a sense of urgency and longing, suggesting that the singer is willing to do whatever it takes to hold onto his love. Similarly, the phrase "Like a Zorro or zealot" hints at a sense of chivalry and idealism that underpins the singer's love. Ultimately, the song is a vivid and captivating exploration of the complexities of romantic love and the power it holds over our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
My little lonely
Referring to a special someone who, despite being lonely, is the only one that the singer needs
She's my one and only
Emphasizing how important and irreplaceable this person is
All the love just stone me
Expressing how overwhelming and intense the love is
And I can't let it go
Acknowledging the fact that the singer is unable to move on from this person
Like a siphon or straw
Using a metaphor to describe how the person is someone who draws the singer's attention and adoration
Something to adore
Elaborating on the previous metaphor and describing how the person is worthy of affection
On the fatal flaw
Referring to the person's imperfections and how the singer is still incapable of letting go of them
And I can't let it go
Repeating the sentiment that the singer is unable to move on
Oh my little saviour
Addressing the person as someone who has saved the singer in some way
On her good behaviour
Emphasizing the person's positive qualities
All the self she gave you
Acknowledging the sacrifices that the person has made for the singer
Now you can't let it go
Repeating the sentiment that the singer is unable to move on from this person
Like a needle or tack
Using a metaphor to describe how the person is causing pain by drawing the singer's attention and adoration
When she's giving you back
Referring to the person's actions and how they are impacting the singer
And the stages go black
Describing how the person is causing the singer's world to narrow and become more difficult to navigate
And you can't let it go
Repeating the sentiment that the singer is unable to move on from this person
And I gotta get up
Expressing the need to move forward and get through life
And I gotta get on
Further emphasizing the need to move forward and start living life again
And I gotta get off
Describing the need to remove oneself from the current situation
And I gotta get out
Emphasizing the need to escape from the situation entirely
My little heart
Addressing the person as someone who has captured the singer's heart
With a cosmic handshake
Using a metaphor to describe how the person's touch feels out of this world
Hammer on till daybreak
Describing how the person's impact on the singer is unrelenting and lasting
I can't let it go
Repeating the sentiment that the singer is unable to move on from this person
Like a Zorro or zealot
Using a metaphor to describe how the person is taking control and leading the way in the singer's life
Bite it just too feel it
Describing how the person is willing to experience pain in order to live life more fully
She gonna reveal it
Anticipating the moment when the person will reveal their true self or intentions
Then you can't let it go
Repeating the sentiment that the singer is unable to move on from this person
Oh my little wonder
Addressing the person as someone who is wondrous and amazing
Makes you stop to ponder
Describing how the person is causing the singer to reflect and think deeply
Makes me kind of fonder
Expressing the singer's growing affection for the person
I can't let it go
Repeating the sentiment that the singer is unable to move on from this person
Like I live and I learn
Using a metaphor to describe the singer's life experience and how it affects their perception of the person
Like a Chinese burn
Using a metaphor to describe the pain and discomfort caused by the situation
Just wait till you turn
Anticipating the moment when the situation will change, for better or worse
I can't let it go
Repeating the sentiment that the singer is unable to move on from this person
I gotta get up
Repeating the need to move forward and get through life
I gotta get on
Repeating the need to start living life again
I gotta get off
Repeating the need to remove oneself from the current situation
And I can't let it go
Repeating the sentiment that the singer is unable to move on from this person
My little panda
Addressing the person as someone who is adorable and unique
I don't understand her
Admitting that the person is confusing and difficult to comprehend
With her natural grandeur
Describing how the person has an inherent beauty and grace
I can't let it go
Repeating the sentiment that the singer is unable to move on from this person
Like a trick or tornado
Using a metaphor to describe how the person is unpredictable and powerful
No she ain't afraid
Describing how the person is brave and fearless
Nothing gets delayed
Describing how the person is able to move forward without hesitation or delay
And she won't let it go
Describing how the person is not willing to change or let go of the situation
My little golden
Addressing the person as someone who is valuable and precious
Her love and her holdin'
Describing how the person is affectionate and supportive
Only serves to embolden
Explaining how the person's actions make the singer feel more confident and secure
And I can't let it go
Repeating the sentiment that the singer is unable to move on from this person
Like a fraction or flake
Using a metaphor to describe how the person is someone small, but still incredibly valuable
I do it all for her sake
Explaining how the singer is willing to do anything for the person
Then I can't let it go, no, no
Repeating the sentiment that the singer is unable to move on from this person
Can't let it go
Repeating the sentiment that the singer is unable to move on from this person
It doesn't know
Suggesting that the situation itself is causing distress and confusion for the singer
Cause I can't let it
Repeating the sentiment that the singer is unable to move on from this person
I can't let it go
Repeating the sentiment that the singer is unable to move on from this person
Baby don't say no
Advising the person not to reject the singer's feelings
Can't let it go
Repeating the sentiment that the singer is unable to move on from this person
I can't let it go
Repeating the sentiment that the singer is unable to move on from this person
Contributed by Cole R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BittersweetSymphony
on You're Still Beautiful
Sometimes I wonder if he is writing about himself