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 sky
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 lyrics to The Church's "Under the Milky Way" paint a picture of a person at a crossroads in their life, feeling lost and searching for meaning. The opening lines describe a sense of emptiness and loneliness, as the singer is surrounded by silence and fading light. They reflect on their fascination with the idea of love and romance, pondering the mysteries of the universe under the vast expanse of the Milky Way.
As the song continues, the narrative shifts to a more specific situation: the singer is in Memphis, but has no time for personal interactions or intimate conversations. They remain fixated on the awe-inspiring sight overhead, still searching for answers and hoping to find something meaningful. The chorus repeats the line "Wish I knew what you were looking for, might have known what you would find," underscoring the theme of uncertainty and missed opportunities.
The final lines offer a glimmer of hope and redemption, suggesting that despite the unknowns and obstacles, the singer is on a journey that has brought them to this place at this moment. The "something quite peculiar" that they sense is a mystical force that draws them toward a higher purpose, despite their own doubts and fears. "Under the Milky Way tonight" becomes a kind of mantra or affirmation, reminding the listener to trust in the journey and to find joy in the mysteries of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes when this place gets kind of empty
There are times when this place feels deserted or abandoned.
Sound of their breath fades with the light
The quietness of the place amplifies the fading breath sounds of people around.
I think about the loveless fascination
My thoughts drift to the concept of being fixated on something, without a feeling of love attached to it.
Under the Milky Way tonight
All these thoughts happen under the clear sky filled with stars.
Lower the curtain down on Memphis
The city of Memphis slowly comes to a halt.
Lower the curtain down all right
The city shutting down is expected and accepted.
I got no time for private consultation
There is no time for personal or private discussions.
Under the Milky Way tonight
Despite everything, one thing that remains constant is the beautiful sky above.
Wish I knew what you were looking for
I wish I had an understanding of what you were seeking or hoping to find.
Might have known what you would find
If I had known earlier what you were looking for, your current state would not have been a surprise to me.
And it's something quite peculiar
Whatever it is that you found, it is unique or unusual.
Something shimmering and white
The object of your desire glows and shines like a white light.
Leads you here despite your destination
Despite not knowing where you were headed, you still ended up here because of that peculiar thing that caught your attention.
Under the Milky Way tonight
All of these events took place under the beautiful star-filled sky.
Under the Milky Way tonight
The sky is an ever-present witness to everything that happens below.
Under the Milky Way tonight
The song ends with a final reminder of the peaceful and beautiful sky above.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: KARIN GUNILLA JANSSON, STEVE KILBEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bleep77
There are certain 80’s songs that give me an overwhelmingly painful and bittersweet sense of nostalgia. This is definitely one of them.
@guibox3
Yup. For me it is the music AND videos together that do it for me. "She's So Young' by Pursuit of Happiness, 'Mad About You' by Belinda Carlisle, 'Our Lips Are Sealed' by The Gogos. "One More Color" by Jane Siberry. These songs make my heart ache with nostalgia. Ugh...If I could time travel back to the 80s, I would do it in a heart beat.
@Scipio7189
Unfortunately I know exactly what you mean.
@lorraineeasydoesit8448
"The Ghost in You" by the Psychedelic Furs affects me greatly to this day still. I am 62. If that doesn't say something about the 80's music, I don't know what could.
@garycarpenter6057
Nostalgia and for me too tears, loss, longing.
@ApacheJulie
Definitely, this, No One is to Blame, Mellt With You...
@tracispain2993
My son passed away in January 2022. This song was saved in his videos. Now it’s saved in MY videos, and I listen almost every day. I’m so glad he saved it. I knew he had great taste in music. ❤️💔❤️🩹
@davidhawley3337
My condolences.
@giorgiomartinico3774
May he rest in peace!
@tracispain2993
@@giorgiomartinico3774 thanks so much. ❤️