In 1981, a fan of the Clean founded the Flying Nun label to release their first single, "Tally Ho." A follow-up track off one of their early EPs, "Beatnik", also achieved success, as did the second single, "Getting Older". The Flying Nun label went on to be New Zealand's biggest independent record company, championing the Dunedin Sound, a loosely-connected style of music largely produced by bands from this southern city. Others on the label included The Chills, The Verlaines, The Bats, and Sneaky Feelings.
During much of the 1980s, The Clean disbanded, and during this time the Kilgour brothers worked together on an experimental album and EP using the deliberately punning titles "The Great Unwashed" and "Clean Out of Our Minds". Reforming in the late 1980s, the band explored a slightly poppier vein of music while still retaining their experimental edge.
In June 2008 a live album recorded during the 2007 New Zealand tour was released in New Zealand on Arch Hill Records, entitled "Mashed". A new studio album, titled Mister Pop was released on September 7, 2009 on Arch Hill, and on September 8 in the United States on the Merge label.
In December 2009, The Clean announced their first European dates in more than 20 years, supporting the cult U.S band Pavement at Brixton Academy on the 10th of May. They also played at the Pavement curated ATP at Butlins Minehead on the 14th of May. Other dates on the tour included Amsterdam (May 22), Hamburg (May 23), Berlin (May 25) and Barcelona's Primavera Sound festival May 29).
Point That Thing
The Clean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll faint and know it's not true
I know when you hold me
You won't see it through
Don't point me out of the crowd
Don't point that thing at me
Going uptown as fast as I can go
Going out, all around
Up and down to the speed freak sound
The Clean's "Point That Thing Somewhere Else" is a song about love's emotional ambiguity. The song is about a person who longs for the affection of someone who they suspect is only playing with their feelings. The lyric "Baby when you say you want me, I'll faint and know it's not true" is a line that suggests the singer is jaded when it comes to love and knows not to trust the promises of their desired partner. The song's main theme revolves around trusting someone too much and not knowing how much you mean to them.
The chorus, "Don't point me out of the crowd, don't point that thing at me," is a metaphor for the confusion and hurt that can occur in love relationships. The "thing" being pointed is a symbol for the mixed signals that the singer is receiving. The uncertainty causes the singer to question whether they want to be with this person or not. The last verse's lyrics: "Going uptown as fast as I can go, going down and don't feel low, going out, all around, up and down to the speed freak sound" describe the singer's attempts at distraction through partying and other worldly pleasures in an effort to avoid the pain that comes with a broken heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby when you say you want me
When you express your desire for me, I feel overwhelmed and lose my senses.
I'll faint and know it's not true
I'll swoon in disbelief because I know your affection is not sincere.
I know when you hold me
I am aware that when you embrace me, it's just a temporary moment of closeness.
you won't see it through
You won't follow through and commit to a lasting relationship.
Don't point me out of the crowd
Please don't single me out or draw attention to me in public.
don't point that thing at me
Don't direct negative energy or blame towards me.
Going uptown as fast as I can go
I'm moving quickly towards a more positive and fulfilling future.
Going down and don't feel low
Despite any setbacks, I remain hopeful and optimistic.
Going out, all around
I'm exploring different experiences and opportunities.
up and down to the speed freak sound
I'm embracing the fast-paced and erratic rhythms of life.
Contributed by Xavier G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kate Sweeney
The best song ever written. RIP ❤🔥
DaggylMc Gra
Witnessed the talent of these three at Waikato Varsity/Uni, O Week back in the 80s. Standing/ grooving, right beside them, No elevated stage. I swear, two guitars and a snare drum plus mics and speakers obviously, but they sounded this bloody awesome! Could just wring the noise out of an instrument, made it look so simple and basic to come up with a great stomping tune and beat like this with so little. What I consider gifted artists. Have always particularly loved "Point That Thing" since that night. These blokes are Legends!
jim jim
Mate, totally agree.
I never saw them back in the 80s, due mostly to being a small child, but have had the pleasure on numerous occasions in the subsequent decades.
Absolute legends, the lot of them.
Pena.
TOO RIGHT M8,They Certainaly Had A (Stooges like Passion.re;Enemy.T.Love.
glad you Saw them @that Time..very Cool.🔊👂👍🔊🔊👀☺
Emil
I'm jealous.
alfajuj
Truly a transformational song.
Martina BadReligionTina Brito
I met the lead singer David Kilgour a year ago in LA. He is a fantastic guitar god! Genius musician and lovely soul. So chill. I swear he never ages. Hands up if you know DK in person now! I had the honor of sending him a birthday card. All around great guy.
Jim Hinkley
I met him at San Fran after the launch of Bobbie's a Girl gig, he was super nice and down to earth and signed my copy of the album too. I asked him about whether there was a Clean reunion on the cards and he said something to the effect of "brothers, eh, yeah, nah nothing at this stage". Sadly that won't happen now. RIP Hamish
sueli de magalhaes lima
a maior band de rock alternative de todos os tempos
Just Another Betrayed Brit
Absolute love this song. My favourite from Flying Nun.