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
Streets of Your Town
The Go-Betweens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through the streets of your town
Everyday I make my way
Through the streets of your town
Don't the sun look good today?
But the rain on its way
Watch the butcher shine his knives
Round and round up and down
Through the streets of your town
Everyday I make my way
Through the streets of your town
I ride your river under the bridge
I take your boat out to the reach
'Cause I love that engine roar
But I still don't know what I'm here for
Round and round up and down
Through the streets of your town
Everyday I make my way
Through the streets of your town
They shut it down
They closed it down
They shut it down
They pulled it down
Round and round up and down
Through the streets of your town
Everyday I make my way
Through the streets of your town
The Go-Betweens' "Streets of Your Town" is a contemplative and introspective song that captures the essence of a small town. The song begins with the singer's repetitive journey through the streets of this town, observing the world around him. He comments on the pleasing weather, the activity of the local butcher, and the sad reality of domestic violence in the community. The chorus repeats multiple times, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and the mundanity of everyday life. The second verse reveals the singer's affinity for boats, but also underscores his uncertainty about his purpose or place in the town.
The bridge of the song shifts the perspective to the town itself, rather than the individual navigating its streets. The town has experienced changes – possibly economic or political – resulting in the closure and demolition of certain areas. The final chorus ultimately expresses the same circular nature of life, despite significant changes to the physical landscape of the town.
Interestingly, the song's lyrics have been interpreted in multiple ways, ranging from an ode to growing up in a small town to a commentary on societal decay and desperation. Nevertheless, the song has become a beloved and iconic track in Australian indie rock and pop music, noted for its beautiful melodies, poetic lyrics, and distinct instrumentals.
Line by Line Meaning
Round and round up and down
It's a routine for the singer to move in circles in the town
Through the streets of your town
The singer is exploring the town on foot
Everyday I make my way
The singer traverses through the same route every day
Don't the sun look good today?
Despite the pleasant weather, there's a sense of anticipation for something bad to happen
But the rain on its way
The positivity of a sunny day is being overshadowed by the expectation of an impending storm
Watch the butcher shine his knives
The town is full of grim sights that often go unnoticed
And this town is full of battered wives.
The town has a dark side where domestic abuse is rampant
I ride your river under the bridge
The artist takes a boat ride under the town's bridge
I take your boat out to the reach
The artist travels on a boat towards the outskirts of the town
'Cause I love that engine roar
The artist enjoys the sound of the boat's engine
But I still don't know what I'm here for
The singer is searching for a purpose in this town
They shut it down
Something significant was closed off
They closed it down
There was a permanent closure of a place
They shut it down
A significant event took place where something was closed off
They pulled it down
A structure was demolished
Round and round up and down
The same routine continues even after significant changes in the town
Through the streets of your town
The artist still wanders through the same streets despite the changes in the town
Everyday I make my way
The routine never changes for the singer
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Robert Derwent Garth Forster, Grant William Mclennan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind