The band revolves around the distinctive vocal style of songwriter Luke Steele. Stemming from a musical family, father Rick Steele is a local blues musician, two of Luke Steele's siblings are also musicians with brother Jesse a former member of The Sleepy Jackson (and currently performing with father Rick in The Hot Biscult Band) and sister Katy, who fronts another Perth indie rock band, Little Birdy.
The band formed in 1998 with the original lineup featuring Luke Steele (guitars/vocals), Jesse Steele (drums), and Matthew O’Connor (bass). This lineup recorded a self-titled debut and a subsequent single titled "Miniskirt". Both recordings were independently released. In 2000, as a result of non-musical commitments, Luke Steele suggested that his brother should redirect his attentions and concentrate on other happenings in his life which ultimately resulted in Jesse following his advice and departing the band.
The void created by Steele's departure was filled by Paul Keenan (who now drums with Eskimo Joe at their live performances). Along with numerous shows in their hometown of Perth, in late 2000, The Sleepy Jackson toured nationally with Jebediah. In March 2001, on the eve of the band’s signing with EMI Records, the band toured with Magic Dirt and Motor Ace with Ronan Charles on keyboards joining Steele, O'Connor and Keenan. Five weeks into the tour, with the band broke, exhausted, and sleeping in caravan parks rather than enjoying the luxuries their touring partners were enjoying, O'Connor, Keenan and Charles quit leaving Steele to complete the tour solo.
In signing to EMI, pressure was soon placed on Steele to produce a recording. The result was a 2001 released EP titled Caffeine In The Morning Sun which Steele recorded in Sydney with a collection of session musicians. In addition to playing solo, Steele recruited drummer Malcolm Clark into The Sleepy Jackson fold and, when some serious touring was required in support of the release, the services of Justin Burford (Guitar) and Rodney Aravena (Bass) were enlisted. In addition to The Sleepy Jackson, Steele's three colleagues were also playing around their hometown with Jonathon Dudman under the name End Of Fashion.
The Sleepy Jackson relocated to Sydney where they recorded another EP, Let Your Love Be Love. Songs from this and past releases were put together to form a self titled mini album for release on the UK market. A period of extensive touring quickly followed which saw the band playing in Australia, The United States, and Europe. The later bought the band some very enthusiastic attention from UK music paper NME. In between live appearances, The Sleepy Jackson worked on recordings that were to become their debut album Lovers. During a series of UK appearances in 2003, Burford and Aravena left the band. With a support slot for Silverchair's Diorama tour looming back in Australia, replacements were quickly sought. Clarke ironically called upon the only other End of Fashion member not previously part of The Sleepy Jackson, Jonathon Dudman.
Dudman joined the band in Sydney where he took over bass duties and the second guitarist position was filled by session musician Ben Nightingale. The Sleepy Jackson's revolving door continued when Nightingale was ultimately replaced by Jonathon Dudman's brother, Julian Dudman. But the Dudmans consequently left the band leaving Luke Steele and Malcolm Clark as the only official members of The Sleepy Jackson.
The Sleepy Jackson released their second full length album Personality - One Was A Spider, One Was A Bird in Australia on July 1 2006 where it debuted at No. 10 on the ARIA Albums Charts the following week. With its predecessor Lovers receiving generous support from both critics and radio alike, the band supported the new album's worldwide release with a series of live appearances in select markets. Joining Clark and Steele are Dave Symes and Felix Bloxsom, who both worked on the album, and Lee Jones who was formerly in Perth band Spencer Tracy.
The album was released in the United Kingdom on July 26th and in the United States on July 27th. In July 2006 the album was nominated for a J Award by Australian Radio Station, Triple J.
In 2007 The Sleepy Jackson performed at the 2007 Big Day Out, Southbound, Falls Festival and the St Jerome's Laneway festivals in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
God Lead Your Soul
The Sleepy Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All way past the rain
Like when I was a song in a man
God lead your time to them
All way past the planes
Like when I was a song in a man
Devils are in my brother's room
How long 'til God knows that?
Crime comes to them like a worried vein
Girls get married like they live in vain
How long 'til God knows that?
Dragons don't sleep at night
They live in transaction from copied light
They don't spend time with no regular
They spike all friends 'cause they speak a lie
How can I be calm?
On my mind
And how can I keep time?
On my mind
Keep your head up
Dragons don't sleep at night
They live in transaction from copied light
They don't spend time with no regular
They spike all friends 'cause they speak a lie
And how can I be calm?
On my mind
And how can I keep time?
On my mind
Keep your head up
And how can I be calm?
On my mind
How can I be calm?
How can I be calm?
How can I be calm?
How can I be calm?
How can I be calm?
On my mind
Keep your head up
The lyrics of The Sleepy Jackson's song God Lead Your Soul are open to interpretation, but a common interpretation is that lead singer Luke Steele is wishing for God's guidance for someone who is going through a difficult time, urging him to lead their soul to the other side of the rain and planes where they can find peace. Steele then questions how long it will take for God to recognize the injustices that people face in their daily lives, such as the presence of witches and devils.
The lyrics take a darker turn as Steele sings about crime and the emptiness of society, where girls get married just for the sake of it and life seems to have no meaning. The reference to dragons could symbolize the presence of malicious forces or people who thrive off of negative energy, and Steele questions how to remain calm and keep moving forward in the face of such hardship.
In the end, the refrain of "how can I be calm?" suggests that the struggle to stay positive and hopeful when faced with darkness and negativity is an ongoing process, but the message to "keep your head up" is a reminder to keep pushing forward and striving for the light.
Line by Line Meaning
God lead your soul to them
All way past the rain
Like when I was a song in a man
May God guide your soul towards a better future beyond the struggles and hardships, just like how I have experienced it when I was just a mere idea in a man's mind.
God lead your time to them
All way past the planes
Like when I was a song in a man
May God take you to places you've never been before and lead you towards a brighter future, just like how I came to existence when a man conceived me as a song.
Witches in my swimming pool
Devils are in my brother's room
How long 'til God knows that?
I feel like I'm surrounded by darkness, and it seems like no one notices it, not even God.
Crime comes to them like a worried vein
Girls get married like they live in vain
How long 'til God knows that?
People are engrossed in their wrongdoings, and it seems like they're unaware of the gravity of their actions, and I wonder if God notices it.
Dragons don't sleep at night
They live in transaction from copied light
They don't spend time with no regular
They spike all friends 'cause they speak a lie
The world is like a mythical land where dragons exist, but in reality, it's a world of deceit, and people are not true to themselves or their friends; they just live in pretense for the sake of appearances.
How can I be calm?
On my mind
And how can I keep time?
On my mind
Keep your head up
I don't know how to keep calm amidst all the chaos and confusion inside my head, but I know I have to keep moving forward no matter what.
How can I be calm?
On my mind
How can I be calm?
How can I be calm?
How can I be calm?
On my mind
Keep your head up
I keep asking myself how I can find peace within myself, and I know the only way to do it is to keep my head up and face life's challenges with courage and strength.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LUKE STEELE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TookTookDaMuffin
God lead your soul to them
All way past the rain
Like when I was a song in a man
God lead your time to them
All way past the planes
Like when I was a song in a man
Witches in my swimming pool
Devils are in my brother's room
How long 'til God knows that?
Crime comes to them like a worried vein
Girls get married like they live in vain
How long 'til God knows that?
Dragons don't sleep at night
They live in transaction from copied light
They don't spend time with no regular
They spike all friends 'cause they speak a lie
How can I be calm?
On my mind
And how can I keep time?
On my mind
Keep your head up
Dragons don't sleep at night
They live in transaction from copied light
They don't spend time with no regular
They spike all friends 'cause they speak a lie
And how can I be calm?
On my mind
And how can I keep time?
On my mind
Keep your head up
And how can I be calm?
On my mind
How can I be calm?
How can I be calm?
How can I be calm?
How can I be calm?
How can I be calm?
On my mind
Keep your head up
emart5
One of my favorite music videos of all time, and I feel like it hasn't receive the recognition that it deserves. Love this
The Stark Marvel
This Ant Knows about the Volcano lol wtf, the song isn't THAT deep dude. Just enjoy the song and relax! 😂😂😂😂 esmart is simply praising the song, nothing more. Your humor is weird.
Russell
Some of the most exquisitely beautiful creative expression I’ve seen! Damn miss the Sleepy Jackson but cherish their gigs and meeting them to have their album ‘Lovers’ signed. A prized possession to this day :)
Real
Luke Steele's new album H3000 out now, have you heard it,its Awesome 🤩🤩
TookTookDaMuffin
God lead your soul to them
All way past the rain
Like when I was a song in a man
God lead your time to them
All way past the planes
Like when I was a song in a man
Witches in my swimming pool
Devils are in my brother's room
How long 'til God knows that?
Crime comes to them like a worried vein
Girls get married like they live in vain
How long 'til God knows that?
Dragons don't sleep at night
They live in transaction from copied light
They don't spend time with no regular
They spike all friends 'cause they speak a lie
How can I be calm?
On my mind
And how can I keep time?
On my mind
Keep your head up
Dragons don't sleep at night
They live in transaction from copied light
They don't spend time with no regular
They spike all friends 'cause they speak a lie
And how can I be calm?
On my mind
And how can I keep time?
On my mind
Keep your head up
And how can I be calm?
On my mind
How can I be calm?
How can I be calm?
How can I be calm?
How can I be calm?
How can I be calm?
On my mind
Keep your head up
Recombinant DNA
This has been my all time favorite for years now, wish I could have found it years before that just so I could listen to it on repeat more times in my life! The instrumentals are beautiful, I know Luke is in Empire of the sun now but what about the rest of the band?
Luke Steels voice is pure extacy! 😍
Olan James
The Singer in my last band now fronts the band KANSAS...( Carry on,Dust etc)... I know great singers...Luke is truly gifted...
Mayra Pacheco
I love so much your music it’s magical, thank you for this song and regards from México 🇲🇽
Chanelle H
I just discovered this song today and it couldn't have come at a more fitting time with me losing my cat boxing day it cheers me up something savage and has me looking for a brighter tomorrow. I've played almost every SJ song yrs ago but never this one. This will definitely be getting a good thrashing eventhough its quiet old 🥰🥰
Real
Luke's new music project H3000 debut album out now, its more futuristic but soooooo good 😍🤩