Formed in 1992, the band originally comprised Tim Freedman (lead vocals, piano), Stevie Plunder (lead vocals, guitar) and Andy Lewis (double bass, backing vocals). The line-up has changed many times over the years with Tim the only consistent member of the band, not to mention the only original member still alive. In the current line-up Terepai Richmond hits the drums, Warwick Hornsby plays the bass, and Jak Housden steals the scene on the electric guitar alongside the ever-present Tim Freedman.
Their style of music has been described as muscular piano based pop/rock, however it has been quite varied over the life of the band. Their latest album is titled Little Cloud and is a double album, separated by the two themes of New York and Tim's homeland Sydney.
The band played their final shows in 2010, taking an extended break for Freedman to pursue a solo career.
In 2012, the band were announced as one of the headliners of the Caloundra Music Festival on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Unreliable
The Whitlams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to take her around the world
But she's so unreliable
She's so unreliable
And it would be my luck
She only likes me when she gets drunk
And lately she's been thinking
Come tomorrow
I'll be watching you cry
The song Unreliable by The Whitlams talks about a girl who the singer wants to take around the world, but she is unreliable, hence the name of the song. He implies that she's fickle-minded and may leave him stranded in the middle of their journey or just generally let him down. Despite all this, the singer is still interested in carrying on with her, but he's skeptical because of her unreliability. The singer seems to believe that the girl only likes him when she's drunk, which is not an ideal situation, and she's been considering giving up drinking.
The chorus of the song talks about the singer watching her cry, implying that the relationship has either fallen apart or that things aren't going well. Despite being heartbroken, the singer seems to be more concerned about the girl's well-being and hopes that she considers his feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a girl I know
In my social circles, there is an individual to whom I am acquainted
I want to take her around the world
It is my desire to travel with her to various locations globally
But she's so unreliable
Regrettably, she is prone to being undependable
She's so unreliable
Once again, I confirm that her reliability is quite low
And it would be my luck
If an unlucky fate was to befall me
She only likes me when she gets drunk
Her fondness for me is only apparent when she becomes intoxicated
And lately she's been thinking
Recently, she has been considering
Of giving up drinking
Cessation of alcohol consumption is an action she is contemplating
Come tomorrow
In the future, specifically the next day
I'll be watching you cry
My intention is to observe you whilst you experience an emotional outburst of tears
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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