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.
Good Dancers
The Sleepy Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I love to watch good dancers talk
My heart is stronger than you all
But I love to watch good dancers talk
The war's good and I'm so tired
Don't always dream for what you want
My heart is stronger than you all
But I love to watch good dancers talk
The wars good and I'm so tired x4
When you think with your mind you've got a place to go now
When you think with your mind you've got a place to go now
Don't always dream for what you want
But I love to watch good dancers talk
(When you think with your mind you've got a place to go now)
My heart is stronger than you all
(When you think with your mind you've got a place to go now)
But I love to watch good dancers talk
(When you think with your mind you've got a place to go now)
The Sleepy Jackson's "Good Dancers" is a reflective and introspective song that encourages listeners to take a moment to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. It is a reminder that we should not always pursue our dreams recklessly without enjoying the present moment. The song starts with the lines, "Don't always dream for what you want, But I love to watch good dancers talk." This suggests that the singer understands the importance of enjoying the journey and not just the destination.
The next line, "My heart is stronger than you all, But I love to watch good dancers talk," demonstrates that the singer realizes that sometimes they have to let go of their pride and embrace the pleasure and joy that comes from even the simplest things. The repetition of the line, "The war's good and I'm so tired," suggests that the singer has been through a lot and is exhausted. However, they find solace in watching good dancers talk.
The bridge of the song, "When you think with your mind, you've got a place to go now," encourages listeners to be conscious of their thoughts and make rational decisions that lead to a fulfilling life. This goes back to the idea of pursuing our dreams but also enjoying the present moment. The song ends with the repeated line, "When you think with your mind, you've got a place to go now," which leaves listeners with a sense of empowerment and self-reflection.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't always dream for what you want
Don't obsess over your dreams and desires; focus on reality and be content with what you have.
But I love to watch good dancers talk
Despite the previous line, I have a fondness for watching people who are skilled at expressing themselves through dance and movement.
My heart is stronger than you all
I have a powerful emotional strength that sets me apart from others.
The war's good and I'm so tired
There is a struggle going on, and I am exhausted from dealing with it.
When you think with your mind you've got a place to go now
Using logic and reason can guide you towards a destination or goal.
But I love to watch good dancers talk
Despite the previous line, I still enjoy watching talented dancers express themselves.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LUKE STEELE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joycehoward4592
This video is the clearest one of this song to watch. Love it.
@tarantulagirl
This a video is haunting like a dream when you fall in love with somebody in a dream and they you wake and they are gone, but you left with the feeling of a lost love for the rest of the day. A Luke Steele Masterpiece.
@shc3754
This song was my late teens and car rides to nursing homes to see my grandma
@thegod-fearingatheist
How is this song not better known?! Or the band for that matter?! As an American, it seems like The Sleepy Jackson never took off here. Empire of the Sun did though.
@ethanfox9357
Sleepy Jackson were well known in the Aussie music scene but it wasn't until Empire of The Sun that they landed global success.
@colonelsanders4006
I saw these guys around 2006 at the cockpit in Leeds, UK. the leader singer took a polaroid of me and my mate and gave it to us, still got it somewhere. the venue no longer exists unfortunately, but memories live on forever. blessed to have experienced the live music scene of the 00s, some truly great bands and experiences.
@ishtarbabylon4869
Miss the simpler days..covid 19 blues ..please stay safe everyone ..love and healing from the blue mountains ❤❤❤❤
@benjiprocobis2424
Nearly through it all
@sharonarthy7110
This was my wedding song... even though we’ve been separated for 7 years, it’s still a gem of a song!!! Well done team for making such a brilliant clip for this song 💞
@shc3754
Sorry about that it happens to the best of us