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
Finding You
The Go-Betweens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And saw me beside you
Not in a dream but in a song?
Would you float like a phantom
Or would you sing along?
Don't know where I'm going
Don't know where it's flowing
What would you do
If you saw me driving by in a car
The quickest you've ever seen me spin?
Would you smile and wave
Or would you bow and get in?
Don't know where I'm going
Don't know where it's flowing
But I know it's finding you
But then the lightning finds us
Burns away our kindness
We can't find a place to hide
Come the rainy season
Surrender to our treasons
Can we even find our tears?
Don't know where I'm going
Don't know where it's flowing
But I know it's finding you
The lyrics in "Finding You" by The Go-Betweens explore the idea of how a person would react if they unexpectedly encountered the singer in different scenarios. In the first verse, the singer asks if their presence in a song would cause the listener to "float like a phantom" or if they would actively participate in the song. The second verse poses a scenario where the singer is driving by in a car and asks if the listener would acknowledge them with a smile or join them on the journey. The refrain repeats throughout the song with the singer admitting that they don't know where their path is taking them but they believe it's leading them to the person they are searching for.
The third verse introduces a darker tone, discussing how unexpected events such as lightning can change the nature of a relationship. The line "burns away our kindness" suggests a significant rift has occurred. The rainy season and the concept of surrendering to our own treachery emphasize the idea that relationships can be complicated and difficult to navigate. The final line of the song, "But I know it's finding you," implies that despite the obstacles, the singer still believes they will ultimately find the person they are looking for.
Line by Line Meaning
What would you do if you turned around
If you suddenly saw me beside you, what would be your reaction?
And saw me beside you
If I was really there with you.
Not in a dream but in a song?
If I appeared before you through music rather than a dream.
Would you float like a phantom
Would you be scared or surprised as if seeing a ghost.
Or would you sing along?
Or would you join me in singing the song?
Don't know where I'm going
I am uncertain about my path.
Don't know where it's flowing
I am unsure where this journey is taking me.
But I know it's finding you
But I have a strong feeling that my path is leading to you.
What would you do
What would your reaction be?
If you saw me driving by in a car
If you saw me driving past you in a car.
The quickest you've ever seen me spin?
If I was driving faster than you've ever seen me drive before.
Would you smile and wave
Would you acknowledge me with a smile and a wave?
Or would you bow and get in?
Or would you join me in the car and go wherever we're headed?
But then the lightning finds us
But sometimes unexpected and destructive events happen to us.
Burns away our kindness
These events can make us lose our compassion for others.
We can't find a place to hide
We feel exposed and vulnerable.
Come the rainy season
In difficult times, such as during a 'rainy season' metaphorically speaking.
Surrender to our treasons
We may submit to our own faults and mistakes.
Can we even find our tears?
We may become so overwhelmed that we can't even find the strength to cry.
Don't know where I'm going
I am still uncertain about my path.
Don't know where it's flowing
I still don't know where this journey is taking me.
But I know it's finding you
But I am still confident that my path is leading to you.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT DERWENT GARTH FORSTER, GRANT WILLIAM MCLENNAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeanfrancoiscantot4003
Listening to these songs today
And also to the House of love tonight
Is not like being old or young
Is not like being in our out of tune
Is more about being in another place
Like it’s always been
When the Beatles and the Stones
Made it good to be alone
When you needed a whispered song
To tell you about the bachelor kisses.
A rock’n’roll friend, anyhow, anyway
@choms43
The most underrated Australian band of all time ….they deserved to have more success than they did ..
@anitaunderwood4996
The worst part about this song is that It has to end!! The go- betweens are the best band Australia ever produced, without a doubt!!
@massimopipolo
for almost 30 years I listen to the Go-Betweens and more recent Robert and Grant ... They are the only artists who seem to have a song for every feeling or occasion.that comes up in my life..
..Love you guys
@arlettehovinga
Try The Tragically Hip!
@deadbeatuniversity
what is robert and grant?
@andrewbell6057
An extraordinary song.
I find it hard to listen without welling up.
@brianhall9958
One of the best Aussie songs ever. By one of the best bands Australia ever produced.
@mauonline
Ten years have passed since I first heard this wonderful piece of art?? This song is timeless. I'll never forget you, Grant. Thank you!!
@ericbackhouse3967
Biggest sadness musically in my life not seeing this wonderful band in life and to the two musical genius's behind this wonderful band,Thankyou Robert and Grant forever admired.
@dartmouthhoop
Beautiful, as always.....RIP Grant,,,you were one of a kind