The Go-Betweens were a critically-acclaimed cult act famously summarised by Village Voice critic Robert Christgau thus: “Robert Forster and Grant McLennan are the greatest songwriting partnership working today.”
Early drummers Lissa Ross and Tim Mustapha were followed by Lindy Morrison, who was a constant member through the six albums the band recorded in their first and most prolific era. Robert Vickers made the band a four piece when he joined on bass for the third album - "Spring Hill Fair". He left following the fifth album, to be replaced by long-time Brisbane muso John Wilsteed. Amanda Brown (violin, oboe and vocals) was the other key member, heavily influencing the Go-Betweens sound on the final two albums in this period.
The Go-Betweens toured overseas numerous times and produced such indie hits as "Cattle and Cane" (1983) and "Streets of Your Town" (1988). After recording six acclaimed albums, Forster and McLennan disbanded The Go-Betweens in December 1989.
Forster and McLennan pursued solo careers throughout the '90s but were inspired to work together after they were invited by fans at French music magazine Les Inrockuptibles to perform at the magazine's 10th anniversary.
In 2000, Forster and McLennan reformed The Go-Betweens, assisted by all three members of Sleater-Kinney, and recorded the album The Friends of Rachel Worth.
The most recent line-up (2005) included Forster, McLennan, Adele Pickvance (bass) and Glenn Thompson (drums).
In October 2005 The Go-Betweens finally achieved mainstream recognition, with the album Oceans Apart (produced by Mark Wallis and Dave Ruffy) winning an ARIA award for Best Adult Contemporary Album.
Grant McLennan died in his sleep at his home in Highgate Hill, Brisbane on May 6, 2006. He was preparing for a party at his home when he mentioned he was feeling ill, and went to lie down. He was found later that night, and is believed to have suffered a heart attack. With McLennan's death, Robert Forster announced that the Go-Betweens are no more.
"The Go-Betweens have made their final album. They have played their final show. We let it rest at that, being very proud of what we have done." - Robert Forster (May 7th 2006). In June 2007, a tribute album, Write Your Adventures Down, was released in Australia.
Discography:
Non-Album Singles
* "Lee Remick/Karen" (Able Label, 1978)
* "People Say/Don't Let Him Come Back" (Able Label, 1979)
* "I Need Two Heads/Stop before You say It" (Missing Link/Postcard, 1980)
Albums
* Send Me A Lullaby (1982)
* Before Hollywood (1983)
* Spring Hill Fair (1984)
* Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express (1986)
* Tallulah (1987)
* 16 Lovers Lane (1988)
* 16 Lovers Lane Acoustic Démos (1996)
* Live on SNAP (1999)
* The Friends of Rachel Worth (2000)
* Bright Yellow Bright Orange (2003)
* Oceans Apart (2005)
* Live At The Tivoli, Brisbane (2006)
Compilations
* 1978-1990 (1990)
* Bellavista Terrace: Best of the Go-Betweens (1999)
* 78 'til 79 the Lost Album (1999)
Previous Members:
* Malcolm Kelly ("People Say")
* Jaqueline / Candice ("People Say")
2) The Go-Betweens [60s] A american garage band, made one single 1965.
Knock Knock / Have Her for My Own
Bow Down
The Go-Betweens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Apart at the seams
Now you know I live beyond my means
Beneath my bed
There's gold in the earth
Above the price
That gold is now worth
Don't you ever slow down
You live with a prince
You live with a cape
Yous see things my memoirs just won't say
Don't be so down
Don't be so sad
Start counting bodies
We'll both go half mad
Never to bow down
Don't you ever slow down
Break it to me gently
Speak in our code
We're show people
Speak in our code
Bad news I'll leave
Bad news I'll grieve
Good and bad, baby I'll leave
Never to bow down
Don't you ever slow down
I left the house with all the lights on
You see the lights
Nothing is wrong
The television works
The telephone rings
And late at night all good children they sing
Never to bow down
Don't you ever slow down
Never to bow down
Don't you ever slow down
Bow down too far
Bow down no
Bow down don't
Don't you ever slow down
Slow down bow down bow down slow down bow down
Slow down bow down
Slow down
The Go-Betweens’ song Bow Down tells the story of being betrayed by someone who opened the singer’s mail and found out that he lives beyond his means. This is a metaphor for a larger issue of someone who knows too much about the singer’s life and can use it against him. The singer mentions the gold hidden under his bed, which symbolizes his value and potential, but now that it’s been exposed, it’s only worth what someone else will pay for it. The singer tells the listener never to bow down or slow down, which means not to let anything get in the way of their dreams, despite whatever bad news may come their way.
The lyrics also talk about a prince and a cape, which could be symbols of power or prestige. The singer says that he sees things that are not in his memoirs, meaning that he has experiences that are too painful or personal to share. The singer urges the listener not to be sad or down, but to count bodies, which could mean to keep track of their accomplishments or to remain steadfast in the face of adversity. The song ends with the singer leaving the house with all the lights on, as if to say that he’s ready to face whatever comes his way.
Line by Line Meaning
You opened my mail
Someone unlawfully accessed my personal letters and messages
Apart at the seams
It has caused me significant damage or distress
Now you know I live beyond my means
The intruder may have learned that I have financial difficulties or am taking risks to maintain my lifestyle
Beneath my bed
In a secret and personal space
There's gold in the earth
There is something precious and valuable hidden or protected
Above the price
It is worth more than can be measured or purchased
Never to bow down
I will not submit to others or sacrifice my principles
Don't you ever slow down
Stay active and engaged, don't lose your momentum
You live with a prince
You have a secure and privileged life
You live with a cape
You have a flamboyant or heroic persona
Yous see things my memoirs just won't say
You have insights or experiences that cannot be fully expressed or captured in words
Don't be so down
Don't be sad or discouraged
Start counting bodies
Be aware of the death toll or consequences of actions
We'll both go half mad
We will become emotionally unstable or irrational
Break it to me gently
Deliver bad news or critique with compassion and sensitivity
Speak in our code
Use a shared language or indirect references understood only by us
We're show people
We are performers or public figures
Bad news I'll leave
Negative information or situations will no longer affect me
Bad news I'll grieve
I will experience sorrow or mourning over the same issues
Good and bad, baby I'll leave
I will abandon both positive and negative aspects of my current situation
I left the house with all the lights on
I exited my home in an open and conspicuous manner
You see the lights
You observe the external appearance of my place
Nothing is wrong
There are no obvious signs of danger or disturbance
The television works
There is a functioning source of entertainment or information
The telephone rings
There is potential for communication or connection with others
And late at night all good children they sing
Innocent or naïve people may be oblivious to the harsh realities of the world
Bow down too far
Submitting to authority or power beyond a reasonable degree
Bow down no
Refusing to compromise or sacrifice
Bow down don't
Avoiding unnecessary submission or subservience
Slow down bow down bow down slow down bow down
The repeated phrase emphasizes the importance of remaining vigilant, assertive, and self-aware
Slow down bow down
The last lines advise against complacency, obedience, or defeat
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GRANT MCLENNAN, ROBERT DERWENT GARTH FORSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Denman Gouskenberg
always gives me the chills. simply epic
Eric Filsinger
magnificent album
flachi32
Their best!
Dave Sommerville
what an awesome song ! Can't believe there aren't more comments here.Happy memories of listening to this album,loving it.
steven whyte
A beautiful song
Searchandpreserve
"You see things my memoires won´t sayl"
scream62
this record is needed
Heath Buck
Brilliant.
Brandon Frye
I found gold. Thingslostinfire, thanks for being a treasure ;)>.