After completing several East Coast tours, they released a split EP in 2006 with local Cairns band Sleeping in Trains. Their debut album The Recordings of the Middle East was released on 24th April 2008, shortly before the band announced their first split. They reconvened eight months later, and in the autumn of 2009 released their album in the United States as an abridged EP, also called The Recordings of the Middle East.
Their song "Blood" is featured in the films Accidents Happen, It's Kind of a Funny Story. and Crazy, Stupid, Love, as well as in an episode of the Australian television comedy-drama series Offspring and an advertisement for European bank BNP Paribas.
At the start of their appearance at 2011's Splendour in the Grass music festival, the band announced that their set that night would be their last show ever, thanking fans in attendance for making their finale special for the band.
Jesus Came to My Birthday Party
The Middle East Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I was seventeen
I thought it was a dream
But I know I seen him standing there
With his long hair
I know I seen him there
That was a long time ago
Now I’m down in the city
And I think I seen him in the eyes
Of the strangers that pass
In the eyes of the poor
Jesus came to my birthday party
When I was seventeen
It was a long time ago
Jesus came to my birthday party
When I was seventeen
It was a long time ago
Jesus came to my birthday party
I thought it was a dream
But I know I seen him there
Jesus came to my birthday party
A long time ago
The Middle East's song "Jesus Came to My Birthday Party" is a powerful reminder of the impact that a meaningful experience can have on one's life. The song follows the singer's recollection of an extraordinary event that occurred when they were seventeen years old. In an unexpected turn of events, Jesus attended their birthday party. At first, the singer couldn't believe that it was happening and thought it was all dream-like. However, they know for sure that they saw Jesus, with his long hair, standing right there in front of them.
The memory of Jesus's visit has stayed with the singer over the years, and they haven't seen him since. However, as the singer walks the streets of the city, they feel as though they see Jesus's eyes in the stranger's gaze and the eyes of the poor. The song is a poignant reminder of how a single experience can shape a person's life and vision of the world in profound ways. The song's message appears to be a call to recognize the value of every human being, even those we might dismiss or ignore in our daily lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesus came to my birthday party
I experienced a moment of spirituality where I felt the presence of Jesus in my life
When I was seventeen
This happened during a pivotal time in my life - a transition into adulthood
I thought it was a dream
At first, I couldn't believe what was happening to me
But I know I seen him standing there
Despite my initial disbelief, I am certain that I saw Jesus in person
With his long hair
His appearance was distinct and memorable
That was a long time ago
This event happened in the past and a lot has changed since then
And I haven’t seen him in a while
While I haven't had a similar spiritual experience recently, I still remember the impact it had on me
Now I’m down in the city
I have since moved to a new and different environment
And I think I seen him in the eyes
I still try to find meaning and connections in my current life by looking for similarities to my past experiences with Jesus
Of the strangers that pass
Even though I may not know these people, I still search for spiritual connections with them
In the eyes of the poor
In particular, I find myself looking for Jesus in those who may be struggling and forgotten by society
A long time ago
This spiritual experience may be in my past, but it still holds a significant place in my life
Contributed by Jordan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Super GT
Absolutely awesome track!!
hywel jones
This song just played on radio 6, instantly fell in love with it.
Steven French
So much love for this band and so much love to Triple J bringing them to us all . Kingsmill is nothing short of the most influential (and best) Australian
OceanSprayxxx
What a lovely song!
GH1215
Saw them at On the Bright Side in Perth 2010 AMAZING definitely one of my favorite Aussie bands
Lachlan O'Donnell
best debut album in a long time
TheCarpecarp
So so catchy. Awesome guitar soloing.
Insomniac_618
This proves that Jesus came to her 17th birthday party, but hasn't been around to see her in a while. And also that she moved to the city. And now I can relax to a brilliant new song I heard on the radio in lab. Life.
Oby 1
I always send strangers I meet online this song. The folk who stick around after are some of the best personalities out there :)
Greycoat
I’ve hooked with you to this song :3