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.
Under the Milky Way
The Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sound of their breath fades with the light
I think about the loveless fascination
Under the Milky Way tonight
Lower the curtain down on Memphis
Lower the curtain down all right
I got no time for private consultation
Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find
And it's something quite peculiar
Something shimmering and white
Leads you here despite your destination
Under the Milky Way tonight
Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find
Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find
And it's something quite peculiar
Something shimmering and white
Leads you here despite your destination
Under the Milky Way tonight
Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find
Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find
Under the Milky Way tonight
Under the Milky Way tonight
Under the Milky Way tonight
The Church's "Under the Milky Way" is a song about a loveless fascination and the desire to understand it. The song begins with the singer observing the empty surroundings and the fading sounds of distant breaths, which sets his mind racing. He then delves into the mysterious and fascinating phenomenon of loveless attraction, as he contemplates the universe and the galaxies beyond. The singer expresses his own fascination with the enigma of the Milky Way and uses it as a metaphor for the lost love that haunts his thoughts.
The second verse takes on a slightly different tone, with the singer invoking the image of the lowering of the curtain over Memphis. The metaphor conjures up the image of closing down a show or event, indicating that something has come to an end. The singer conveys a sense of urgency as he has no time for private consultation, and is feeling a need to take action on this loveless fascination. The song then returns to the chorus where the singer once again bemoans not understanding the object of his fascination, wishing he knew what was being sought, and might have known what would have been found.
Overall, "Under the Milky Way" is a contemplative and reflective song that speaks to the human condition of longing and the inevitability of our destined paths.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes when this place gets kind of empty
During moments when this place is devoid of people.
Sound of their breath fades with the light
The sound of people breathing becomes faint as the light begins to dim.
I think about the loveless fascination
I ponder about how eager people are to experience love, despite not truly comprehending what it entails.
Under the Milky Way tonight
Beneath the magnificent Milky Way in the present evening.
Lower the curtain down on Memphis
Close the curtains and end the show in Memphis.
Lower the curtain down all right
Conclude things without issue or concern.
I got no time for private consultation
I am too busy to engage in private conversations with individuals.
Under the Milky Way tonight
Beneath the mesmerizing Milky Way in the current nightfall.
Wish I knew what you were looking for
I desire to understand what it is you seek.
Might have known what you would find
I speculate that I could have foreseen what you would come across.
And it's something quite peculiar
It is an odd and astounding occurrence.
Something shimmering and white
It is a gleaming and snowy object.
Leads you here despite your destination
It causes you to arrive here, even though it wasn't your intended location.
Under the Milky Way tonight
Beneath the remarkable Milky Way in the current nighttime.
Wish I knew what you were looking for
I desire to comprehend what it is you are in search of.
Might have known what you would find
It is possible that I could have anticipated what you encountered.
Wish I knew what you were looking for
I am curious to discover what you endeavor to find.
Might have known what you would find
It is probable that I could have predicted what you ultimately stumbled upon.
Under the Milky Way tonight
Beneath the magnificent Milky Way in the present evening.
Under the Milky Way tonight
Beneath the fascinating Milky Way in the current nightfall.
Under the Milky Way tonight
Beneath the stunning Milky Way in the present nightfall.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Karin Gunilla Jansson, Steven John Kilbey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brianwatson3705
Here we are again , meeting once again. 2024 and still under the milky-way tonight. Hope this song brings you all the feels you are needing right now
@jaymhegalarce893
😔😔😔😔😔
@jousepaula
Yeah I'm feeling better now
@sharonsiders6377
as u
@tracydumka1970
Takes me back to long ago. My heart yearns for the people and places and music of that time. All alone now. Everything & everyone lost to me.
@steph9571
Marvelous song
@BruceColon-BSides
Any band where the bassist is also the lead singer = instant greatness.
@qstaratma9096
Geddy Lee of Rush!
@lorini11
absolutely,,,, golden like the Cars
@cloudedthoughts909
James Dewar with Robin Trower