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
Don't Call Me Gone
The Go-Betweens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Didn't want to, didn't want to
Never cared enough to take my calls
Made excuses, why you put me through this
My friends kept tellin' me
But I did not believe
Your bullshit came for free
But it's, too late to run away
Don't call me
Don't call me yours
If you don't even care no more
So undefined
Fucked with my mind
If you don't even care
Don't call me yours
Oooo undefined were we (Don't call me, don't call me, don't call me)
Oooo undefined were we (Don't call me, don't call me, don't call me, call me yours)
Made me think that what we had was real
Were you lyin'
Were you fakin' it
Told me all the things I wanna hear
But you were hidin' (Hidin', hidin')
Were you feelin' it
My friends kept tellin' me
But I did not believe
Your bullshit came for free
But it's, too late to run away
But now at least I know
Don't call me
Don't call me yours
If you don't even care no more
So undefined
Fucked with my mind
If you don't even care
Don't call me yours
Oooo undefined were we (Don't call me, don't call me, don't call me)
If you don't even care, don't call me yours, yeah
Oooo undefined were we (Don't call me, don't call me, don't call me, call me yours)
Oooo undefined were we
Oooo undefined were we
Don't call me
Don't call me yours
If you don't even care no more
So undefined
Fucked with my mind
If you don't even care
Don't call me yours
Don't call me
Don't call me yours
If you don't even care no more (If you don't even care no more)
So undefined
Fucked with my mind
If you don't even care
Don't call me
Called me all these pretty words (Your your yours)
What you did ain't what I heard be real with me (Your your yours)
You don't even care
Done with all your schemin' ways
I'm just gonna have to face the truth 'bout you
You don't even care
Don't call me
Don't call me, yours
If you don't even care
Don't call me
The lyrics to The Go-Betweens' song "Don't Call Me Gone" depict the aftermath of a failed relationship and the realization that the singer's former partner never truly cared. The first verse suggests that the signs of trouble were evident but ignored. The singer notes that they should have seen the "writing on the wall" but chose not to because they didn't want to face the truth. Despite their efforts to reach out, the partner never bothered to answer their calls, constantly making excuses for their behavior. The singer's friends tried to warn them, but they were blinded by love and unable to see through the partner's lies.
As the chorus repeats the phrase "Don't call me yours," it becomes clear that the singer is taking a stand and refusing to be associated with someone who no longer cares. They express their frustration and feeling of being played with and manipulated. The relationship is described as "undefined" and having messed with the singer's mind. The singer finally acknowledges that the partner's actions were insincere and their love was not genuine.
In the second verse, the singer questions the partner's intentions, wondering if everything they claimed was a lie. The partner may have said all the right things, but their true feelings were hidden. The singer's friends again tried to warn them, but they didn't believe it until it was too late. The chorus is then repeated, solidifying the singer's resolve to distance themselves from a relationship that lacked care and authenticity.
The song exposes the pain and disappointment of being in a relationship with someone who didn't genuinely care, highlighting the importance of recognizing red flags and standing up for oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Shoulda seen the writing on the wall
I should have been able to predict the outcome based on clear signs and indications.
Didn't want to, didn't want to
I consciously chose to ignore those signs because I didn't want to confront the truth.
Never cared enough to take my calls
You didn't have enough concern or interest to answer my calls.
Made excuses, why you put me through this
You constantly came up with justifications for your actions and the emotional distress you caused me.
My friends kept tellin' me
My friends consistently warned me about your behavior.
But I did not believe
Despite their warnings, I refused to accept or believe the truth about you.
Your bullshit came for free
You freely expressed insincere and deceptive statements without any cost or consequence.
But it's too late to run away
I can no longer avoid facing the reality of the situation or escape from the consequences of my choices.
But now at least I know
However, I have gained knowledge and understanding of the truth.
Don't call me
Please refrain from contacting me.
Don't call me yours
Do not claim any ownership or attachment to me.
If you don't even care no more
If you no longer have any feelings or concern for me.
So undefined
Our relationship was unclear and lacked definition.
Fucked with my mind
You manipulated and distorted my thoughts and emotions.
Oooo undefined were we
We were in a state of ambiguity and lack of certainty.
Made me think that what we had was real
You deceived me into believing that our relationship was genuine and authentic.
Were you lyin'
Were you intentionally deceiving me?
Were you fakin' it
Were you pretending and not being genuine?
Told me all the things I wanna hear
You said exactly what I wanted to hear, playing on my desires and hopes.
But you were hidin' (Hidin', hidin')
Behind your words, you were concealing your true intentions and feelings.
Were you feelin' it
Did you genuinely experience any emotions or attachment?
If you don't even care
If you have no emotional investment or concern.
Oooo undefined were we
We remained in a state of ambiguity and lack of clarity.
If you don't even care, don't call me yours, yeah
If you have no feelings or commitment, please do not refer to me as yours.
Called me all these pretty words
You used beautiful and enticing words to describe me.
What you did ain't what I heard be real with me
Your actions did not align with what you claimed, so please be honest and genuine with me.
You don't even care
You lack any emotional investment or concern.
Done with all your schemin' ways
I am tired and finished with your deceitful and manipulative behavior.
I'm just gonna have to face the truth 'bout you
I have to confront and accept the reality regarding your character.
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: BENJAMIN LEE BARSOCCHINI, ELISE ANNE C. GO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Timmybear
First comment! One of my fave Go-B's b-sides. :)