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 (?)
Myopic Friends
The Lucksmiths Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We can't deny our love affair was so short-sighted:
You go this way, I'll go that,
Our paths will cross again someday
It's funny how things always work that way for us
I'm on a bus
I couldn't stand another day
I left in a rush – I couldn't stay
Should I stay or go? I can't decide
Should I say “your go”
And throw your way the dice?
When we look back on it
Our little love affair
Come a little closer dear
When we look back on it
Come closer, I need to see you over here
By the fire
When we look back on it
Our affaire de coeur was something no-one wanted
But if you're cooking for me
I can't ignore we've got something in common:
I love to eat, you love to cook
And you work wonders with the wok
And though I'm lying on the floor
There's room for more, you can be sure
This grateful guest has become a painful pest
This grateful guest has become a painful pest
The Lucksmiths's song "Myopic Friends" speaks about a short-sighted love affair between two people who couldn't see beyond their differences. The singer acknowledges that their love was fleeting and that they might cross paths again. He or she appears to be torn between staying and leaving, unsure whether to throw the dice and take a chance or not. The lyricist creates a sense of nostalgia and longing, as if the singer is looking back on their love affair and trying to make sense of what went wrong.
The second verse reveals that the love affair was not something that anyone wanted, but the singer finds solace in the fact that they share a love for cooking and eating. The last two lines of the verse express the singer's sense of self-awareness and frustration, as he or she realizes that they have become a burden to their partner. The idiom "grateful guest has become a painful pest" captures the singer's feelings of guilt and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
When we look back on it
Reflecting on our past
We can't deny our love affair was so short-sighted:
We were not thinking about the long-term consequences of our relationship.
You go this way, I'll go that,
We are separating and headed in different directions.
Our paths will cross again someday
We may encounter each other again in the future by chance.
It's funny how things always work that way for us
It's interesting how our lives and circumstances often intersect in unexpected ways.
I'm on a bus
I am traveling on a bus.
I couldn't stand another day
I cannot tolerate my current situation any longer.
I left in a rush – I couldn't stay
I departed quickly because I could not remain any longer.
I always run, sometimes hide
I often flee from situations without fully confronting them.
Should I stay or go? I can't decide
I am uncertain if I should leave or remain.
Should I say “your go”
Should I yield to another in a situation?
And throw your way the dice?
Should I leave my fate to chance?
Our little love affair
Our brief romantic relationship.
Come a little closer dear
Please move closer to me.
When we look back on it
Reflecting on our past.
Come closer, I need to see you over here
I need a closer view of you.
By the fire
Near a source of warmth and light.
Our affaire de coeur was something no-one wanted
Our love affair was not socially acceptable.
But if you're cooking for me
We share a common interest in food.
I can't ignore we've got something in common:
We share a common interest that cannot be overlooked.
I love to eat, you love to cook
I enjoy consuming food, and you enjoy preparing it.
And you work wonders with the wok
You are skilled at cooking with a wok.
And though I'm lying on the floor
Although I am reclining on the ground.
There's room for more, you can be sure
There is space for additional food.
This grateful guest has become a painful pest
I have overextended my welcome and become bothersome.
This grateful guest has become a painful pest
I have overextended my welcome and become bothersome.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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