The Lucksmiths are noted for their simple melodies rich in humour and ironic verse. The majority of songs are written by Marty Donald. Although, both Tali White and Mark Monnone have written some of the band's finest songs. Many of their lyrics are based on the eccentricities of the everyday. Several songs also deal with the more usual pop-song issues of romance in relationships, but in a unique, gentle and easy-to-relate-to way.
There is also a persistent theme of Melbourne culture, most notably that of the inner city, as seen in frequent references to Melburnian placenames and themes. For examples, see the song The Sandringham Line, and many others. The Lucksmiths are also renowned for their creative use of language. English idioms and proverbs are referred to, played with and utilised to create poetically spontaneous verse. The songs virtually define clever lyricism. Whilst many of the idioms and references are distinctly Australian, their coupling of fantastic narrative lyrics with melody makes them so internationally accessible. Further, their songs almost always maintain a solid narrative with sensible and relevant choruses. When the narrative is abandoned, it is with good cause and in support of a more simple point (see T-Shirt Weather).
Marty Donald's lyrics in particular are filled with wordplay and puns, in particular the device of twisting a common phrase or cliché. In Frisbee, he says "that was the winter of my discount tent". "The Chapter In Your Life Entitled San Francisco" refers to "the non-specific northwest". Untidy Towns says "I got some mail I didn't open / It's an unread-letter day". Sometimes this can go a bit overboard, as in 'Synchronized Sinking', which contains the lines "why don't you let go of your boy and see / You've lost none of your bouyancy"; but that song also contains "Silhouetted in the smoke / From the shipwrecks at the bar / of the Anchor and Hope", which is, what many would refer to as poetic and skillful use of the English language.
Their musical setup, however, remains unusual and refreshing in a world of drum machines, synthesisers, and other elaborate gear. Tali sings and plays a minimal drum kit standing up at the front of the stage, with Marty to his right, Mark to his left, and Louis behind. This is often seen as a novelty, but nonetheless works perfectly, with their live performances being incredibly tight.
The Lucksmiths have been critically associated with indiepop, anti-folk and retro-pop. However, the band and their fans would consider The Lucksmiths as simply a pop band. This is a much fairer (and accurate) assessment.
In 2009 the band announced their breakup, with their final shows played in August.
Discography
Albums:
* First Tape (1993)
* The Green Bicycle Case (1995)
* What Bird Is That? (1996)
* A Good Kind Of Nervous (1997)
* Happy Secret (1999)
* Why That Doesn't Surprise Me (2001)
* Where Were We? (2002)
* Naturaliste (2003)
* Warmer Corners (2005)
* First Frost (2008)
EPs:
* Boondoggle (1994)
* Staring At The Sky (1999)
* A Little Distraction (2003)
* The Chapter In Your Life Entitled San Francisco (2005)
* A Hiccup In Your Happiness (2006)
Cassingles:
* Greatest Hits (?)
Friendless Summer
The Lucksmiths Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That you'd drop in uninvited
You were ever so excited
You were never so in love
And this time it's requited
If I looked less than delighted
I was trying hard to hide it
That's fantastic – that's sarcastic
But forgive me the theatrics
I've been catching up on classics
And the springtime's been and gone
And I didn't see the dangers
Of hoping nothing ever changes
Till we said goodbye like strangers
For the first time in so long
“So long”
There's only me to blame
But I'm lonely all the same
Today of all days you decided
That you'd drop in uninvited
You were ever so excited
You were never so in love
So in love
There's only me to blame
But I'm lonely all the same
The Lucksmiths's song "Friendless Summer" talks about a surprise visit from an old friend who has recently fallen in love. The singer of the song is not as enthusiastic as the friend who has come to visit. It seems that the singer has bittersweet feelings about the friend's newfound love, as he tells him that he looks less than delighted. In the chorus, the singer admits that there is no one to blame but himself for his loneliness, despite having friends. The song's title draws attention to the singer's state of mind during the summer months when social activities are typically in full swing.
The verses of the song center around the singer's feeling of being left behind by his friend, who has a new love interest. He describes feeling "friendless," having not seen his friend for a while. The singer’s feelings of abandonment are also reflected in the line "Till we said goodbye like strangers." In the context of the song, this line implies that even though the singer has a history with his friend, they feel like strangers to each other now. The song's rhyme scheme and melody are cheerful, almost ironic given the theme of loneliness.
Line by Line Meaning
Today of all days you decided
On this specific day, you chose to come over
That you'd drop in uninvited
You arrived without prior notice or invitation
You were ever so excited
You were incredibly enthusiastic
You were never so in love
You have never been so deeply in love
And this time it's requited
Your love is finally returned
If I looked less than delighted
Even if I appeared somewhat unenthusiastic
I was trying hard to hide it
I was making an effort to conceal my true feelings
But not trying hard enough
Apparently, my facade was not convincing enough
That's fantastic – that's sarcastic
That's wonderful - I'm speaking ironically
But forgive me the theatrics
Please excuse my dramatic behavior
I've been catching up on classics
I've been reading the literary classics
And the springtime's been and gone
The season of spring has already passed
And I didn't see the dangers
I failed to see the potential threats or problems
Of hoping nothing ever changes
By wishing for everything to remain the same
Till we said goodbye like strangers
Until the moment we parted like we didn't know each other
For the first time in so long
After being familiar with each other for quite a while
There's only me to blame
I am solely responsible for this situation
But I'm lonely all the same
Despite this, I still feel isolated and alone
So in love
Truly and deeply in love
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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