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
Cattle and Cane
The Go-Betweens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
through fields of cane
to a house of tin and timber
and in the sky
a rain of falling cinders
from time to time
the waste memory-wastes
I recall a boy in bigger pants
just waiting for a chance
his father's watch
he left it in the showers
from time to time
the waste memory-wastes
I recall a bigger brighter world
a world of books
and silent times in thought
and then the railroad
the railroad takes him home
through fields of cattle
through fields of cane
from time to time
the waste memory-wastes
the waste memory-wastes
further, longer, higher, older
The Go-Betweens’ “Cattle and Cane” is a nostalgic song that tells the story of a young boy’s journey through life. The first verse describes his journey home from school through fields of sugar cane, to a modest house made of tin and timber. The “rain of falling cinders” in the sky is a reference to the sugarcane fields being burned before harvest, a common practice in Australia, where the band members hail from.
The second verse describes the boy growing up and leaving his childhood behind. He is now wearing “bigger pants” and is “just waiting for a chance.” He forgets his father’s watch in the showers, a small but significant moment that represents the passing of time and the memories left behind. The refrain “from time to time, the waste memory-wastes” speaks to the theme of memory and how it can both preserve and consume us.
In the final verse, the boy has become a young man and has ventured out into the world, “a world of books and silent times in thought.” He takes the railroad home, through fields of cattle and cane, a symbol of his connection to his roots. The final line “further, longer, higher, older” suggests that life is a journey, and we are continually traveling toward an unknown destination.
Line by Line Meaning
I recall a schoolboy coming home
The singer remembers a time when they were a schoolboy and returning home.
through fields of cane
The singer walked through fields of sugarcane to get home.
to a house of tin and timber
The singer lived in a house made of tin and wood.
and in the sky
The artist looked up into the sky.
a rain of falling cinders
The artist saw bits of ash and debris falling from the sky.
from time to time
Occasionally, this would happen.
the waste memory-wastes
Memories can fade over time and become lost.
I recall a boy in bigger pants
The artist remembers a time when they wore pants that were too big for them.
like everyone
This was a common occurrence.
just waiting for a chance
The artist was waiting for an opportunity or a lucky break.
his father's watch
The singer's father had a watch.
he left it in the showers
The watch was left behind in the shower area.
I recall a bigger brighter world
The singer remembers dreaming of a bigger and brighter world.
a world of books
The singer imagined a world where books were highly valued.
and silent times in thought
In this world, there were moments of quiet reflection.
and then the railroad
The artist remembers seeing a train.
the railroad takes him home
The train would take the artist back home.
through fields of cattle
The train passed through fields with cows.
further, longer, higher, older
This line represents the passage of time and how things change as time goes on.
through fields of cane
The train also passed through fields of sugarcane.
from time to time
Occasionally, the artist would pass through these fields.
the waste memory-wastes
Memories can fade and be lost over time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT DERWENT GARTH FORSTER, GRANT WILLIAM MCLENNAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leokimvideo
A song that breaks all the rules and works so well.
@floydgondolli7321
It can't break rules that weren't invented yet
@themetr0gn0me
@@floydgondolli7321 the sentiment "avoid writing in 5/4 + 2/4 + 4/4 if you want to succeed in Western popular music" certainly pre-dates this song.
@shellbbach
I was driving through the bush in 1994 when I first heard this song - clear night, stars everywhere and the stark trees of the WA hills around me with not another soul in sight. It was the first time I ever felt Australian. It still makes me feel Australian.
@allenpavo
Rad
@DJKinney
Sounds made up.
@glendenehall-xv9jv
My favourite song of all time.
@RoxUniverse
I’m a native Californian, but I’ve been singing & playing Grant McLennans songs forever. He once ate dinner with me in la Luna & we only spoke in poems. Here’s to Paul Kelly too, he also makes me feel Australian, even though I only lived there from 1988-1991, I drove across the Nulaboor plain and performed everywhere there was love ❤
@jamesbrunhilde
I used to drink with Grant at a bar in Brisbane called Rics in the late 90s. He was a REAL gentleman. He was incredibly well read, and a very gentle, unassuming man. I had spent quite a few sessions on the piss with him, before finally asking him: "what do you do?" He looked at me shyly, and said: "Umm.. I do Music." Such a modest man. And such a fantastic ear for a melody. I will never forget GW McLennan.
@dermot51
Grant was genius songwriter , say no more