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 (?)
Shine on Me
The Lucksmiths Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the church at the foot of the council flats that I pass when I walk home
And here I am with time on my hands and newsprint on my elbows
And she's all heart
But I'm all thumbs
And we're both just skin and bones
My life is changing
Sometimes it feels as though it changes with the weather
She laughs at that old saying ‘let a smile be your umbrella'
I tell her ‘the next time that it's raining I will hold it over you'
I like the way that she looks at me
I like every little bit of this
When she's here I'm always happy
And when she's not I'm happyish
Today it's raining
There is nowhere I would rather be than this room
Let's close the doors until the air hangs heavy with wet wool
I'm feeling reckless: let's have breakfast in the middle of the afternoon
She's all smiles
And I'm also
And we're always wonderful
The Lucksmiths's song "Shine on Me" is about a relationship that is evolving through time. The singer talks about his view from his friend's window, which overlooks a church near the council flats he passes to get home. He describes himself as someone with time on his hands and newsprint on his elbows, and the woman he is with as someone who has all heart, while he is all thumbs. They are both just skin and bones, yet he loves the way she looks at him.
He talks about the changing of his life, which sometimes feels like it is changing with the weather. Even though it was winter for a while, the sun is shining through now, and he is happy. He mentions that his partner likes to laugh at the old saying of ‘let a smile be your umbrella.' He replies that the next time it rains, he will hold it over her. He likes every little bit of being with her and how she looks at him. When she's not around, he is still happyish.
He says that there is nowhere he would rather be than in this room on a rainy day. It is raining outside, and the air is hanging heavy with wet wool. They are feeling reckless, so they have breakfast in the middle of the afternoon. She is all smiles, and so is he, and they are always wonderful. The song is an expression of the joy and love the singer feels in his relationship, even when times are tough.
Line by Line Meaning
If it's not raining you can see right down the hill from my friend's window
At my friend's place we can see far away from the hill, but only when it's not raining.
To the church at the foot of the council flats that I pass when I walk home
We can see a church near some council flats that I walk by on my way home.
And here I am with time on my hands and newsprint on my elbows
Currently, I have nothing to do and some pieces of newspaper on my elbows.
And she's all heart
My companion is loving and kind-hearted.
But I'm all thumbs
I am clumsy when it comes to showing affection.
And we're both just skin and bones
Both of us are thin and bony in appearance.
My life is changing
I am experiencing many changes in my life.
Sometimes it feels as though it changes with the weather
My life changes as sporadically as the weather does.
It was winter for a while but now the sun is shining through
Previously, my life was cold and gloomy but now there is a hint of happiness.
She laughs at that old saying ‘let a smile be your umbrella'
My companion finds the phrase 'let a smile be your umbrella' amusing.
I tell her ‘the next time that it's raining I will hold it over you'
I promise her that during the next rainy day, I will shield her from the rain.
I like the way that she looks at me
I enjoy how she gazes at me.
I like every little bit of this
I cherish every aspect of our time together.
When she's here I'm always happy
Whenever she's present, I am content.
And when she's not I'm happyish
Although I'm not as happy when she's not around, I still find some joy in life.
Today it's raining
Currently, it's a rainy day.
There is nowhere I would rather be than this room
There is no other place I'd rather be than in this room with my companion.
Let's close the doors until the air hangs heavy with wet wool
We should shut the door and enjoy the rainy atmosphere from a distance.
I'm feeling reckless: let's have breakfast in the middle of the afternoon
I'm feeling adventurous, why not have breakfast in the afternoon.
She's all smiles
My companion is happy and joyful.
And I'm also
I am too.
And we're always wonderful
Together, we are always fantastic.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBIN J HARRELL, MICHAEL J O'HARA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind