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
Twin Layers of Lightning
The Go-Betweens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a Mercedes parked in our street
So we stop and we discuss
Who on earth the owner could be
That's just like me
I'd evade waking up if the alarm wouldn't ring
I'd walk into quick sand
If I knew how far I'd sink
Two times that might
Twin layers of lightning
Both of us can strike
We went into a club
Bouncers got no brains
He said both of you are barred
I had to set him straight
Listen Jack, don't you know, I'm a star
(chorus)
Some people have no money
While other people have no tact
If they invite us around
Well they're going to get a double act
We scream and we shout
And then we love and we turn
Then we set a chair on fire
And we watch the whole house burn
(chorus)
It's written in big letters
Graffiti all over town
It says TROUBLEMAKERS ON THE RUN
And both our names are written down
Oh but infamy or fame
Each came in a small dose
I just wish the day would come
When the last one would be so close
In the song Twin Layers of Lightning by The Go-Betweens, the singer and their companion are walking home when they encounter a Mercedes parked in their street. In the ensuing discussion about the owner of the car, the singer reveals a bit about their own recklessness, stating that they would walk into quicksand if they knew how far they'd sink. The chorus refers to the "twin layers of trouble" and "twin layers of lightning" that both the singer and their companion possess, which can both strike at any time. The pair then go into a club where they are barred by a bouncer, but the singer asserts their own importance and celebrity before the chorus repeats. The final verse speaks to the infamous reputation that the pair has in their town, with their names written in graffiti as troublemakers on the run. Despite this, the singer expresses a wish that all their fame, whether it be positive or negative, would come to an end.
The lyrics of Twin Layers of Lightning paint a picture of two individuals who possess a certain recklessness and a bit of a rebellious streak. They seem to revel in their reputation as troublemakers and enjoy causing chaos wherever they go. The chorus, with its repeated references to lightning striking, implies that this dangerous behavior is not just a one-time occurrence, but something that could strike at any time. The contrast between the singers' desire for fame and the final verse's wish for it all to end also suggests a certain amount of internal conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
She walks me home
She escorts me to my house
There's a Mercedes parked in our street
We notice a luxury car parked on our street
So we stop and we discuss
We halt and exchange ideas
Who on earth the owner could be
We speculate about the identity of the car owner
That's just like me
I have a tendency to do the same
I'd evade waking up if the alarm wouldn't ring
I'd avoid getting up in the morning without an alarm
I'd walk into quick sand
I would unconsciously get into trouble
If I knew how far I'd sink
If I was aware of the depth of my trouble
Twin layers of trouble
Double the amount of difficulties
Two times that might
Twice the potential problems
Twin layers of lightning
Dual troublemakers
Both of us can strike
We are both capable of causing mayhem
We went into a club
We entered a nightspot
Bouncers got no brains
The club security men are unintelligent
He said both of you are barred
He told us we were not welcome
I had to set him straight
I had to confront him and make him see the truth
Listen Jack, don't you know, I'm a star
I tell him I am famous and deserving of access
(chorus)
Refrain
Some people have no money
Some people are poor
While other people have no tact
Some people lack social skills
If they invite us around
If they ask us to come over
Well they're going to get a double act
They will experience a double dose of our personalities
We scream and we shout
We yell and argue
And then we love and we turn
Then we switch to loving each other
Then we set a chair on fire
We light a piece of furniture
And we watch the whole house burn
And observe the building incinerate
(chorus)
Refrain
It's written in big letters
There's writing in large font
Graffiti all over town
Spray paint defaces the entire locality
It says TROUBLEMAKERS ON THE RUN
The graffiti proclaims that we are causing trouble
And both our names are written down
Our identities are explicitly laid out
Oh but infamy or fame
Whether we are notorious or famous
Each came in a small dose
We achieve our reputation gradually
I just wish the day would come
I hope for the day to arrive
When the last one would be so close
When the end is near
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: GRANT WILLIAM MCLENNAN, ROBERT DERWENT GARTH FORSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
deeohgee70
This has to be one of the best songs of all time.
Searchandpreserve
+deeohgee70 Totally agree!
Heath Buck
Bingo!!
JD Andrews
I commuted to college over a mountain pass, I drove 80 miles a day three times a week with some very bad weather and this was my soundtrack comforting me through the snow. This is one of my all time favs here. I thank you for posting this!
Matthew Kenneth
one of the best go-betweens songs.
Jules Brown Off The Cuff Reviews
Such a grower for me this track. Gets better all the time. 33 years on, it's a real favourite. Wonderful xx
Carlos Pires
So many memorys! Love this band!
Searchandpreserve
Definitely a true jewel - made by some real goldsmiths!
Jessica Adams
Sublime. Going to buy the album (again) just for this...
ItsYourFavBill
such a freaking epic song