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 (?)
Welcome Home
The Lucksmiths Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She’ll be coming down from Sydney
And if it wasn’t asking too much
Could she spend a few days with me
But it’s miserable this time of year
Don’t visit, you’ll regret it
But if you must insist on coming
Then I guess I’ll have to wear it
We can sit around all afternoon
Inside this tiny cafe
Surround ourselves with people who
Are lonely too, but nowadays
This lifestyle’s wearing thin
And I can’t foresee a change
Is this hopelessness a consequence
Of living in this place?
Do you remember when we were happy?
I want to smile again
Do you remember when we were happy?
I want to smile again
Smile in Melbourne again
Welcome home
You’ve been gone far too long
Welcome home
You’ve been gone far too long
Welcome home
In The Lucksmiths’ song Welcome Home, the singer receives a letter from someone indicating that they will be visiting them in Melbourne in a few weeks. However, the singer discourages the visit, noting that it’s miserable in Melbourne this time of year and warns that they may regret coming. Despite this, the visitor insists on coming, and the singer resigns themself to receiving them. The two will spend their days together in a small café, surrounded by other lonely people. It’s clear, however, that the singer is unhappy and feels hopeless about their life in Melbourne. They remember a time when they were happy in the city, and express their longing to feel that way again.
The melancholy tone of the song is emphasized by the contrast between the visitor’s enthusiasm and the singer’s cynicism. Despite the visitor’s positive attitude, the singer is unable to overcome their pessimism and appears resigned to their unhappy existence. Overall, the song explores themes of loneliness, hopelessness, and the difficulty of finding contentment in one’s surroundings.
Line by Line Meaning
Her letter said in three weeks
The singer received a letter indicating that the writer will visit in three weeks.
She’ll be coming down from Sydney
The writer will be traveling from Sydney to visit the singer.
And if it wasn’t asking too much
The singer feels indebted to the writer's request to visit.
Could she spend a few days with me
The writer wishes to spend a few days with the singer, but the singer is hesitant due to the miserable season.
But it’s miserable this time of year
The season is unpleasant, wet, and cold in the singer's location.
Don’t visit, you’ll regret it
The singer is cautioning the writer to reconsider visiting due to the poor weather.
But if you must insist on coming
The singer gives in to the writer's request to visit.
Then I guess I’ll have to wear it
Regardless of the weather, the singer has to withstand the writer's visit.
We can sit around all afternoon
The singer proposes spending the day in a small café.
Inside this tiny cafe
The café is small and cozy, a place to spend time indoors during the season.
Surround ourselves with people who
The singer suggests surrounding themselves with people who similarly feel alone and isolated.
Are lonely too, but nowadays
Loneliness is common and regular in life today.
This lifestyle’s wearing thin
The singer is getting tired of the same routine life and lack of change.
And I can’t foresee a change
The singer is doubtful and unsure if anything will change in the near future.
Is this hopelessness a consequence
The singer wonders if their current situation is a result of a lack of optimism and hope.
Of living in this place?
The singer questions if their unhappiness stems from their current location.
Do you remember when we were happy?
The singer reminisces on their past happy memories.
I want to smile again
The singer wishes to experience joy once more.
Smile in Melbourne again
The singer wishes to experience happiness specifically in Melbourne.
Welcome home
The singer is welcoming the writer to their home.
You’ve been gone far too long
The singer believes that the writer has been away for an extended period.
Welcome home
The singer repeats the welcoming message to emphasize it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Angel Santiago, Bradley Harrison, Christopher Applegate, Derrick Miller, Ronald Seegers, Russell Langley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind