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.
Miniskirt
The Sleepy Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And to keep you by my side, never let you go home
I count all the things that make me wonder why
The pretty ones seem to get fucked up all the time
I began lifting my legs over railway tracks,
you just don't know when you might get hit by a truck
I ate all the food which should have lasted two weeks
Now that you're here
Better off on your own,
When things get tough just take a rest
And I felt stronger even though
And I felt stronger even though
Yeah you make me feel low, so low
If I was a girl I would wear a miniskirt into town
And to keep you by my side and never let you go home
I count all the things that make me wonder why
The pretty ones seem to get fucked up all the time
You're better off on your own,
When things get tough just take a rest
You're better off on your own
When things get tough just take a rest.
The Sleepy Jackson's song Miniskirt is a catchy and upbeat tune that is deceivingly deep in its lyrics. The song is about wanting to attract someone's attention and keep them close. The singer imagines herself wearing a miniskirt to get the attention of the person she desires. She wants to keep this person close by never letting them go home. The chorus repeats a phrase about how the pretty ones seem to get messed up all the time. This line is likely referring to how society often places a great deal of value on physical appearance and how that pressure can lead to destructive behavior.
The singer describes engaging in risky behavior by crossing railway tracks and potentially getting hit by a truck. This can be interpreted as her taking risks to get this person's attention. She also mentions eating all of the food that was meant to last two weeks, which could be seen as impulsive behavior driven by her desire to keep this person close. She acknowledges that it can be difficult to talk about good things, possibly because she doesn't want to come across as boasting.
The chorus repeats twice more, with the singer acknowledging that this person makes her feel low but also stronger at the same time. The final verse repeats the previous verses, ending with the statement that it's better to be alone and take a rest when things get tough.
Overall, the lyrics to Miniskirt are about the desire to attract someone's attention and keep them close, no matter the cost. There is a recognition that this type of behavior can be destructive, but there is also a sense of hope and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
If I was a girl I would wear a miniskirt into town,
If gender wasn't a factor, I would wear a miniskirt without judgement or shame.
And to keep you by my side, never let you go home
I want to be with you all the time and never let you leave.
I count all the things that make me wonder why
I am constantly analyzing and questioning the world and its ways.
The pretty ones seem to get fucked up all the time
Sadly, those who are seen as attractive often face more struggles and hardships than others.
I began lifting my legs over railway tracks,
I am risking my safety and wellbeing by crossing train tracks on foot.
you just don't know when you might get hit by a truck
There are unpredictable dangers in life that can harm us at any moment.
I ate all the food which should have lasted two weeks
I consumed all my resources in a short amount of time, leaving me with nothing for the future.
She said it's harder to talk about the good things
Expressing positivity and happiness can sometimes be challenging for people.
Now that you're here
I feel more comfortable and at ease when you're around.
Better off on your own,
Sometimes it's better to be independent and alone to avoid unnecessary complications.
When things get tough just take a rest
It's important to take a break and recharge when facing difficulties.
And I felt stronger even though
Despite the challenges I face, I am able to find strength within myself.
Yeah you make me feel low, so low
You have the ability to bring me down and make me feel sad and defeated.
You're better off on your own,
You may be better off without the burden of other people and their problems.
When things get tough just take a rest.
It's important to prioritize self-care when things become challenging.
Contributed by Elena W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
N@V@
If I was a girl I would wear a miniskirt into town
And to keep you by my side, never let you go home
I count all the things that make me wonder why
The pretty ones seem to get fucked up all the time
I began lifting my legs over railway tracks
You just don't know when you might get hit by a truck
I ate all the food which should have lasted two weeks
She said it's harder to talk about the good things
Now that you're here
Better off on your own
When things get tough just take a rest
And I felt stronger even though
And I felt stronger even though
Yeah you make me feel low, so low
If I was a girl I would wear a miniskirt into town
And to keep you by my side and never let you go home
I count all the things that make me wonder why
The pretty ones seem to get fucked up all the time
You're better off on your own
When things get tough just take a rest
You're better off on your own
When things get tough just take a rest
Saibata
Once I discovered Walking on a Dream, I was interested in Luke's musical style. My brother managed to find Miniskirt, and I remember he asked me who I thought this was. Once I figured it out, I was glad to hear that Luke has had several musical influences in his career. PNAU, Sleepy Jackson, and Empire of the Sun have simultaneously been a part of my music library, and they have a beautiful spot in my life and memory. I hope one day he returns to work more on Sleepy Jackson. but anyway it goes, I love the guy. I love this song. I've danced to his music with friends and lovers, and I thank him for that. I haven't met anyone who has ever heard of Sleepy Jackson or Miniskirt. But I know they'll be cool. Much love.
dataValis OFFICIAL
@Real yo, i will, thanks!
Real
@dataValis OFFICIAL Check out Luke Steels new project H3000 out September 17th
dataValis OFFICIAL
Thanks, you're cool too
I'd like to hang around with ya but i'm from brazil lmao
I managed to make the sleepy jackson famous in my close social group back in middle school, and by the time that Alive came out, most ppl at least in my class knew who The Sleepy Jackson were and some ppl pointed out it was him in the song and i didnt even know it was the same dude from TSJ
The song was a huge hit here, it was on "the 7 best" of jovem pan radio and stuff, i feel so proud no joke, that i could impact my fellows' music taste, i remember being the only fan of TSJ on school, then in 2013/14 the girls were blasting Alive and Walking on a Dream in the classroom during the breaks
Chiky Dj
Me encanta Luke!!! todo un genio y figura de la música. Para cuando nuevo álbum de Empire Of The Sun? con los brazos abiertos espero un nuevo álbum.
Real
Luke's New album H3000 out now 🤩🤩
Jairo Salazar
Necesito otro album de mi banda favorita del siglo 21 Empire of the sun creo que ahora sacan el 4to
Phoenix Way 27
Amor Vázquez en efecto, se llama Two Vines :)
Amor Vázquez
Soldado Gollum no me creas pero creo que ya salió se llama two vines algo así
Compact Discourse
Sleepy never full-realised its potential, even with all these wonderful songs. Miniskirt is proof that Luke always had the right stuff: It's still one of the best songs to his name. Post Walking on a Dream, I can't help but feel that LA has diluted the quirks that made him so unique in the first place.