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
Love Goes On!
The Go-Betweens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dreaming of birds that are blue
Sometimes girl when I'm lonely
This is how I think about you
There are times that I want you
I want you so much I could bust
I know a thing aboat lovers
Lovers lie down in trust
Love goes on anyway
Love goes on anyway
The people next door got their problems
They got things they can't name
I know a thing about lovers
Lovers don't feel any shame
Late at night with the lights down low
The candle burns to the end
I know a thing about darkness
Darkness ain't my friend
I'm gonna make you happy
I'm gonna spin you round
I'm gonna cut your strings
I put my foot flat down on the floor
I took it as far as I could
I took it down there to Sheridan Street
By the dark wood
Late at might when I want you
I lock you in my room
I know a thing about darkness
I know a thing about lovers
I know a thing about lovers
Lovers want the moon
Love goes on anyway
Love goes on anyway
The Go-Betweens's song Love Goes On! is a melancholic but hopeful track about the persistence of love despite all odds. The opening lines set the scene with a lone cat dreaming of blue birds in an alleyway, a little slice of urban isolation. The singer, clearly in a state of loneliness, thinks about their lover and how much they want them. The lines "Lovers lie down in trust / Love goes on anyway" suggest that even though trust is a risk, love continues regardless. The song's message is one of hope and resilience.
The second verse introduces the idea of external problems and the fact that everyone has their own struggles. The line "Lovers don't feel any shame" reinforces the notion that love is powerful and can transcend worldly obstacles. The candle burning to the end is a metaphor for life, and the reference to darkness suggests that the singer is fighting to keep the light of their love burning despite the odds. The lines "I'm gonna make you happy / I'm gonna spin you round / I'm gonna cut your strings" express a desire to take control of the situation and create happiness for their lover.
The final verse brings the song full circle, with the singer returning to their isolation and the darkness they know so well. The line "Lovers want the moon" is a romantic notion, suggesting that the object of their affection is out of reach but also an eternal symbol of beauty and hope. Overall, Love Goes On! is a beautifully crafted song that captures the essence of love as a force that endures in all circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a cat in the alleyway
In the dark alleyway, there is a stray cat.
Dreaming of birds that are blue
The cat is asleep and dreaming about blue birds.
Sometimes girl when I'm lonely
When I feel lonely sometimes,
This is how I think about you
I think about you in this way.
There are times that I want you
Sometimes I desire you.
I want you so much I could bust
I want you very badly and cannot contain my feelings.
I know a thing aboat lovers
I have knowledge about lovers.
Lovers lie down in trust
Lovers have trust and lay down together.
Love goes on anyway
Love does not end despite any obstacles.
Love goes on anyway
Love continues to exist no matter what.
The people next door got their problems
The neighbors face their own issues and struggles.
They got things they can't name
They experience things they cannot express or describe.
Lovers don't feel any shame
Lovers do not feel embarrassed or ashamed of their love.
Late at night with the lights down low
When it's late at night and the lights are dimmed,
The candle burns to the end
The candle continues to burn until it reaches its end.
I know a thing about darkness
I am familiar with the concept of darkness.
Darkness ain't my friend
I do not like or enjoy darkness.
I'm gonna make you happy
I will do things to bring you joy.
I'm gonna spin you round
I will twirl you around playfully.
I'm gonna cut your strings
I will free you from all constraints and restrictions.
I put my foot flat down on the floor
I stomped my foot hard on the ground.
I took it as far as I could
I took it to the maximum distance possible.
I took it down there to Sheridan Street
I went down to Sheridan Street.
By the dark wood
Next to the dense forest.
Late at might when I want you
At night, when I crave your presence,
I lock you in my room
I trap you in my room.
I know a thing about darkness
I understand darkness very well.
I know a thing about lovers
I understand lovers very well.
Lovers want the moon
Lovers have unrealistic or unattainable desires.
Love goes on anyway
Despite any challenges or obstacles, love persists.
Love goes on anyway
Love endures despite any difficulties.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT DERWENT GARTH FORSTER, GRANT WILLIAM MCLENNAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind