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
Bye Bye Pride
The Go-Betweens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a hole in the sky,
The mangroves go quiet.
In la Brisa de la Palma
A teenage Rasputin
Takes the sting from a gin,
When a woman learns to walk
A line front her letter May twenty-four
And out on the bay
The current is strong
A boat can go lost.
But I didn't know someone
Could be so lonesome
Didn't know a heart
Could be tied up
And held for ransom.
Until you take your shoes
And go outside, stride over stride.
Walk to that tide because
The door is open wide.
Turned the fan off
And went for a walk
By the lights down on Shield Street.
The birds in the trees
Open their wings
He goes home again.
He dreams resistance,
They talk commitment,
Things change over long distance.
Took the shirt off his back
The eyes from his head
And left him for dead.
But I didn't know someone
Could be so lonesome
Didn't know a heart
Could be tied up
And held for ransom.
Until you take your shoes
And go outside, stride over stride,
Walk to that tide because
The door is open wide.
Little lies, they'll take your pride.
Until you take your shoes
And go outside, stride over stride,
Walk to that tide because
The door is open wide.
Stride over stride
Walk to that tide.
Bye bye pride.
Because the door is open wide.
The door is always open wide.
The door is always open wide.
The Go-Betweens's song "Bye Bye Pride" is a poignant and introspective track that explores themes of loneliness, independence, and resistance. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery, such as the opening lines that describe a white moon appearing like a hole in the sky and the mangroves going quiet. The references to la Brisa de la Palma and a teenage Rasputin taking the sting from a gin create a sense of place and time. The song then delves into the idea that when a woman learns to walk, she becomes independent and no longer dependent on anyone else. This idea is reinforced by a line from a letter dated May 24th that emphasizes this newfound independence.
The song then shifts to a darker tone as it discusses a man being left for dead after having his shirt taken off his back and his eyes removed. The juxtaposition of this violence with the earlier theme of independence and resistance creates a sense of hopelessness and despair. The lyrics express surprise at the depth of loneliness and the idea that a heart can be tied up and held for ransom. The chorus then repeats the idea that the door is always open wide and that it takes walking to the tide to reclaim that sense of pride and independence.
Overall, "Bye Bye Pride" is a powerful song that explores complex themes of independence and loneliness. The poetic lyrics and vivid imagery create a strong emotional impact that draws the listener in.
Line by Line Meaning
A white moon appears
The night is clear and the moon is bright
Like a hole in the sky,
The moon looks like a gap in the sky
The mangroves go quiet.
The trees by the shore become silent
In la Brisa de la Palma
In Palm Breeze
A teenage Rasputin
A young man full of mystery and dark influence
Takes the sting from a gin,
Drinks gin from which bitterness is removed
When a woman learns to walk
When a woman becomes independent
She's not dependent anymore
She does not rely on someone else anymore
A line front her letter May twenty-four
A sentence from her May 24th letter
And out on the bay
On the bay area
The current is strong
The water flow is powerful
A boat can go lost.
A boat could get lost in the conditions
But I didn't know someone
I did not realize that somebody
Could be so lonesome
Can feel so lonely
Didn't know a heart
Was not aware of a heart
Could be tied up
Could be emotionally restrained
And held for ransom.
And held captive by emotions
Until you take your shoes
Unless you take action
And go outside, stride over stride.
And move forward, step by step
Walk to that tide because
Get up and do something, because
The door is open wide.
Opportunities are plentiful
Turned the fan off
Stopped the spinning of the fan
And went for a walk
Went outside to stroll
By the lights down on Shield Street.
Passing the illuminated streets of Shield Street
The birds in the trees
The perched birds on the trees
Open their wings
Spread their wings
He goes home again.
He returns to his haven
He dreams resistance,
He dreams about rebellion
They talk commitment,
They discuss promises
Things change over long distance.
People and situations are transformed with time and distance
Took the shirt off his back
Took away everything he had
The eyes from his head
Took his ability to see
And left him for dead.
Left him alone and helpless
Little lies, they'll take your pride.
Small lies can damage your self-esteem
Stride over stride
Step by step
Bye bye pride.
Goodbye ego
The door is always open wide.
Opportunities are always available
The door is always open wide.
Opportunities are always available
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT DERWENT GARTH FORSTER, GRANT WILLIAM MCLENNAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kelvin Redward
True Aussie band with strong lyrics, the Oboe solo makes this song 🎵 unforgettable
Russell Howchin
The oboe solo at the end of the song and especially the last note of it are so beautiful, it’s repeated so it stays with you long after the song is over.
Erryday
I was lucky enough to see this band play live in Dublin in 1989. They were playing support to REM. A great night.
Alfredo CA
80's REM with The Go Betweens both at the same time, now that's a show
roberto c
Wow. I always thought Robert sang this. But what vocals from Grant. This is a masterpiece.
Mark O'Cain
An instant classic....and what a great groove. reminds me of being back in my 20's in the pubs of Sydney, just passing time while this plays on the Juke Box. caught these guys live a few times...class act all the way.
Jim Jones
The ending....the best 30 seconds in Oz rock history
Instagraham
Perfection. An Aussie classic ❤️
Carl Lloyd
Still sends shivers up the spine!
Adriano Pieretto
they was a very symphatic great band the line up of the band 2 girls and 2 boys was perfect i am a big fan of them,,forster solo albums are also amazing,thank you guys for the beautiful music