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.
I Understand What You Want But I Just Don't Agree
The Sleepy Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I play with caller's files when alone
They don't mean bad when they fool you on the phone
The way they walk led them to dream on their own
ohhh
Four thirty A.M. and I'm creeping out
Hang on to the only one
When all the lovers turn and prey on the phone
And the eyes turn around at you
I understand what you want
And the eyes turn around at you
I understand what you need
And the eyes turn around at you
But I just don't agree
I'm incredible
You just don't see
I'm incredible
you just don't agree
Close my eyes and there will be crying
Oh
Close my eyes and there will be love, love, love
And the eyes turn around at you
I understand what you want
And the eyes turn around at you
I understand what you need
And the eyes turn around at you
But I just don't agree
Don't agree, don't agree
I'm incredible
You just don't see
I'm incredible
you just don't agree
And the eyes turn around at you
I understand what you want
And the eyes turn around at you
I understand what you need
And the eyes turn around at you
But I just don't agree, don't agree
I understand what you want
And the eyes turn around at you
I understand what you want
And the eyes turn around at you
I understand what you want
And my eyes turn around at you
But I just don't agree, don't agree
And the eyes turn around at you
And the eyes turn around at you
And the eyes turn around at you
I just don't agree
The Sleepy Jackson's song titled "I Understand What You Want But I Just Don't Agree" appears to be a complex lyrical representation of the struggle for the expression of individual perspectives, opinions, and beliefs in relationships. The very first line, "Running all my love in your snow," suggests that the singer is trying to show love to someone, but the love is not being received the way that it was intended. The mention of "caller's files" suggest that the relationship may be strained or rocky, with the couple perhaps not understanding each other very well. The singer acknowledges that the other person does not have bad intentions and may simply have a different perspective, referring to how "they dream on their own."
There is an apparent lack of agreement between the singer and the other person, and the singer seems to feel unheard or not acknowledged. The line, "I'm incredible, you just don't see," implies a frustration and feeling of being underestimated or not appreciated by the other person. The repeated line, "And the eyes turn around at you," may symbolize a moment when two people are facing each other and trying to understand each other's perspectives, but ultimately, the singer simply cannot agree with the other person.
Overall, the song is a reflection on the difficulties of communication and understanding in personal relationships, and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging individual perspectives and beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Running all my love in your snow
I'm giving you all my love and affection
I play with caller's files when alone
I distract myself with trivial activities when I'm alone
They don't mean bad when they fool you on the phone
People who deceive you on the phone don't necessarily have ill intentions
The way they walk led them to dream on their own
People who walk a certain way may have their own unique ambitions and dreams
Four thirty A.M. and I'm creeping out
I'm leaving in the early hours of the morning
I play the courtroom when I meet your snow
I act defensive when I'm around you
Hang on to the only one
Hold on to the person you love
When all the lovers turn and prey on the phone
When other people are being deceitful on the phone, stay true to your loved one
And the eyes turn around at you
When people look at you
I understand what you want
I know what you're looking for
And the eyes turn around at you
When people look at you
I understand what you need
I know what you require
And the eyes turn around at you
When people look at you
But I just don't agree
But I don't share the same viewpoint
I'm incredible
I'm amazing in my own way
You just don't see
You don't recognize my value and worth
Close my eyes and there will be crying
Whenever I close my eyes, I feel emotional
Close my eyes and there will be love, love, love
Whenever I close my eyes, I think of love and care
But I just don't agree, don't agree
But I can't come to a mutual understanding or agreement
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LUKE STEELE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind