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.
This Day
The Sleepy Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm just going slow I know
You miss my friends more than you ever miss me
Me, me, me...
I'm if you could see
All the things I'm going through
It'll take a while, take a while...
When you know I'm down
I'm in your town
You stay at home
You stay alone
I said I don't know how to live my life
The sun comes up in the morning and away tonight
And I've got the one, the only one I know
Na, na, na...
In the song This Day by The Sleepy Jackson, the singer seems to be addressing someone who has criticized their slow approach to life. Despite the criticism, the singer feels that it's important to proceed at their own pace. In fact, the singer seems to imply that the criticizer is more concerned with the singer's friends than the singer themselves, hence the line "You miss my friends more than you ever miss me." Although the singer acknowledges that they've been going through some things, they also indicate that it will take time to fully understand what's happening. The singer seems to want to take that time with the person they're addressing, if only they would understand.
The chorus of the song highlights a disconnect between the singer and the person they're addressing. When the singer is in town and feeling down, the other person stays at home, seemingly disengaged from their life. The singer expresses frustration with this behavior, but also seems to struggle with knowing how to live their own life. Despite this, the singer sounds somewhat hopeful in the third verse, mentioning that they have "the one, the only one" they know. Ultimately, the song seems to express a longing for connection with another person, but also a desire to proceed at one's own pace, even if it's slow.
Line by Line Meaning
This'll take some time I know
I understand that this process will take a while
I'm just going slow I know
I'm aware that I'm taking my time
You miss my friends more than you ever miss me
You seem to value my friends' company more than my own
Me, me, me...
You see me as selfish
I'm if you could see
If only you could witness
All the things I'm going through
The hardships I'm facing
It'll take a while, take a while...
It won't be a quick or easy fix
Take a while with you
I'll need your support and patience
When you know I'm down
When you're aware that I'm struggling
I'm in your town
I'm nearby
You stay at home
You remain in your comfort zone
You stay alone
You isolate yourself
I said I don't know how to live my life
I admitted to being unsure of how to navigate life
The sun comes up in the morning and away tonight
Time passes quickly and life goes on
And I've got the one, the only one I know
You are the only constant in my life
Na, na, na...
Indicates a break in the song
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LUKE STEELE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
noyet
Lyrics:
This'll take some time I know
I'm just going slow I know
You miss my friends more than you ever miss me
Me, me, me...
I'm if you could see
All the things I'm going through
It'll take a while, take a while...
Take a while with you
When you know I'm down
I'm in your town
You stay at home
You stay alone
I said I don't know how to live my life
The sun comes up in the morning and away tonight
And I've got the one, the only one I know
Na, na, na...
Danny Bowden
Sleepy Jackson came into my world as a 19 year old in 2001. Recently, I can't get this song and Acid In My Heart out of my head; no bad thing. I guess these songs hold more meaning for me now than they ever did. I had the great privilege of seeing them live at The Cockpit in Leeds, and even got the setlist from Luke. There's something about The Sleepy Jackson that always made me want to hear more of them; I've not given up hope that may happen one day. Thank you!!!
Flz Flz
I know im 12 years late, but i love this song
Andy Bernard
Sensational ! love it! ...
Silvia Maldonado
This makes me emotionally happy... Beautiful just beautiful
Stephen Gray
Best song off this album - thanks for posting
a dude
Massive Beatles vibes.. how amazing was The Sleepy Jackson
Tomás Ford
This EP still slays. Having a bit of a Sleepy Jackson marathon today as they'd sunk to the back alleys of my collection, but it sounds even better after a few years away.
Bastian Silva
this is such a perfect soundtrack!!
noyet
Lyrics:
This'll take some time I know
I'm just going slow I know
You miss my friends more than you ever miss me
Me, me, me...
I'm if you could see
All the things I'm going through
It'll take a while, take a while...
Take a while with you
When you know I'm down
I'm in your town
You stay at home
You stay alone
I said I don't know how to live my life
The sun comes up in the morning and away tonight
And I've got the one, the only one I know
Na, na, na...
ReconFlowJoe
I want to live in this era. I want to be stuck in this era.