Four albums followed - Born Sandy Devotional, In the Pines, Calenture and The Black Swan - before the group disbanded in 1989. David McComb and "Evil" Graham Lee joined the Blackeyed Susans while Martyn P Casey joined Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. McComb later pursued a solo career which failed to match the success of his time with the Triffids.
In 1996 David McComb received a heart transplant, having suffered for many years from congenital heart disease. He died in 1999 due to complications arising out of the transplant. In 2006 the Triffids' back catalogue is being remastered and re-released by Domino, beginning with Born Sandy Devotional. In June a brief European tour was undertaken by the remaining members, with guest vocalists filling in for McComb.
Tender Is the Night
The Triffids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I cannot say for sure the reasons for his decline
We watched him fade before our very eyes
And years before his time
Surrounded himsef with shiny things
First night tickets, ermine, pearls upon a string
And disappeared in all the pestilence
He never asks after her anymore
He made a point of losing her address
And every trinket that she ever touched
He keeps locked away
And just burns up in the furnace of his chest
Well I spoke to a man who says he's done it all
And the only thing that pleases or excites him now
Is hurting, hurting then hurting some more
There's someone I want to forget tonight
Don't you want to forget someone too?
I left him, and I can leave you too
Baby let's go out tonight
It will all turn out all right I'm sure
Don't want to drink at home again tonight
So let's go out
Let's go out tonight
It's getting dark earlier now
But where you are it's just getting light
Where you are it will just be getting light
The Triffids's song "Tender Is the Night" is a powerful reflection on the perils of recklessness and the human condition. The lyrics reveal that the singer had known a young man who was once kind and gentle, but who, over time, lost his way and became consumed by materialism and the pursuit of pleasure. The song suggests that the young man's decline was hastened by his desire for "shiny things," his craving for "sudden pleasure," and his obsession with hurting others. The singer hints that the young man's pain had something to do with a woman who had left him, and who he seemed intent on forgetting. The song ends with an invitation to forget the darkness and to seek the light, suggesting that it is never too late to begin again.
The song's lyrics are packed with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors. The way the singer describes the young man's descent into darkness, with images of "ermines" and "pearls" and "pestilence," is both eerie and haunting. The lyrics suggest that the young man's decline was not just a consequence of his own choices, but was also symptomatic of a larger cultural malaise, where people prioritize the pursuit of money and pleasure over the more meaningful connections that make life worth living. Ultimately, "Tender Is the Night" is a warning about the dangers of losing one's way, and a call to reconnect with the fundamental human values of caring for others and seeking the light in a world that is often full of darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
I knew him as a gentle young man
I have known him to be a calm and kind young man.
I cannot say for sure the reasons for his decline
I cannot pinpoint the exact reasons for his downfall.
We watched him fade before our very eyes
We observed his decline happen right in front of us.
And years before his time
And much earlier than expected.
Surrounded himself with shiny things
He drew close to material possessions that sparkled and glittered.
First night tickets, ermine, pearls upon a string
Such as first night tickets, ermine fur, and strings of pearls.
And disappeared in all the pestilence
Thus, he vanished within all the corruption and decay that come along with sudden pleasure.
That sudden pleasure brings
That accompany moments of pleasure.
He never asks after her anymore
He never inquires about her current state anymore.
He made a point of losing her address
He was determined to lose her mailing address.
And every trinket that she ever touched
Plus, he keeps all the small items she interacted with.
He keeps locked away
And carefully guards these items.
And just burns up in the furnace of his chest
But they fuel the fire of agony in his heart.
Well I spoke to a man who says he's done it all
I conversed with a man who claims to have experienced everything.
And the only thing that pleases or excites him now
And the singular thing that brings him joy or anticipation now
Is hurting, hurting then hurting some more
Is to inflict pain, and continue to do so.
There's someone I want to forget tonight
There is someone I wish to remove from my mind tonight.
Don't you want to forget someone too?
Wouldn't you like to do the same?
I left him, and I can leave you too
I broke free from this situation and I can do the same with you.
Baby let's go out tonight
Let's go out tonight.
It will all turn out all right I'm sure
Everything will work out fine, I am confident.
Don't want to drink at home again tonight
I don't wish to have another lonely night at home, drinking.
So let's go out
So, let's go!
It's getting dark earlier now
The nights are growing darker sooner, nowadays.
But where you are it's just getting light
But according to your timezone, it is getting lighter.
Where you are it will just be getting light
It will be bright and early, where you are.
Lyrics © PFIVE Entertainment Mexico, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID KOZ, DAVID S KOZ, EVAN ROGERS, EVAN A. ROGERS, CARL STURKEN, CARL ALLEN STURKEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@peterrothe1556
the greatest song ever written,
it pulses with dear beautiful Dave's heart.
Soon failed after giving so much.
@patrickpower3750
You are spot on
Could not agree more
Nice to know people out their can appreciate how great the triffids were
@kallenuppunen2059
Years before his time..rip Dave, 25 years already😇😇🎼🎸🎸
@r.emorse3036
the greatesy song ever written
@patrickpower3750
Just the greatest
Mmmmm no words can describe how great this track is
@bernadettegreen7745
So beautiful
@davidsiuraneta7300
Heaven knows I'm not miserable anymore.
@johnosman3550
This version of this song kills me.
@adandap
John Osman Not surprising. This version of this song kills everyone with a heart. Along with Mark Seymour's Little Bridges, this is one of the great Australian love songs.
@kathwil1764
mandurah as i remember it