Tim Rogers formed the first version of the band in Sydney, Australia, with his school friend Nick Tischler and his older brother Jaimme in December 1989. This initial line-up was short lived and by the end of 1990 both Nick and Jaimme had left the band. They were replaced by the group's one-time sound mixer Andy Kent on bass and Mark Tunaley on drums.
The band released several EPs and singles in the early 90s, though the real breakthrough came when Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth caught the band performing at 1993's Big Day Out festival and was impressed enough to produce their fourth EP, Coprolalia, and later the debut album, Sound as Ever, which went on to win the 1993 ARIA Award for Best Alternative Release.
After the release of their first album, Mark and the band parted company. He was replaced by the charismatic Russell Hopkinson (formerly of Nursery Crimes) creating the core line-up to this day. Since then, the band has been augmented by Davey Lane of The Pictures on guitar.
You Am I had toured the US extensively during the mid 90s, including playing with Soundgarden on the Lollapalooza festival, Red Kross, The Strokes and Smoking Popes to name a few. Despite little success overseas, the band became well known throughout Australia for their Pete Townshend-esque guitar windmills and their upbeat "ponce and thuggery" take on Rock 'n' Roll.
Further success came with the albums Hi Fi Way and Hourly Daily, with both picking up ARIA Awards. Hourly Daily was the first album released on the Shock label to go to number one in the ARIA charts upon launch. For many, the suburban inspired, 60s bop and folky 12 string melodies were a welcome departure from ever pervasive 70s rock sounds, or even grunge rock.
Subtle country influences became apparent on their 1998 Number 4 Record, which included the poignant Heavy Heart. A heart wrenching, almost karaoke inspired ballad about being 'dropped' by your girlfriend. Evidently each subsequent album has had a few countryish twang which have polarised some fans, who idolise the band's earlier warts and all rock beginnings.
1999 saw frontman Tim Rogers release his first solo album What Rhymes With Cars And Girls, followed up in 2004 by the record Spit Polish. In 2005 he released the critically acclaimed double-LP 'Ghost Songs' and 'Dirty Ron'.
After an album absence prolonged by touring and record label interference, Dress Me Slowly was released April 2001. Arguably containing some of the bands' best work including Damage and Kick a Hole in the Sky there were also some stellar b-Sides on the commercial singles that accompanied the album. These include a song called Older Guys which is track 2 on the Get Up single. Older Guys was one of the stand out songs on Gram Parsons' group The Flying Burrito Brothers album Burrito Deluxe and although the You Am I b-side is an original, Rogers is recognised as a keen student of music history and some connection can be assumed.
Dress Me Slowly was second guitarist, Davey Lane's first bona fide appearance on a studio record. Lane had come to the band's attention from his own work with The Pictures and transcribing, with almost scary accuracy, the band's guitar tabs on the You Am I web site. The band's last collective studio effort was Deliverance in 2002.
The likes of Nic Cester of Jet have mentioned that You Am I, at the very least, reminded them that you don't have to be American to be a successful rock band. Iconic references to Australian everyday suburban life remain a constant theme of Roger's material. The Vines also credit You Am I as a major influence and Silverchair take their name, in part, from You Am I's song Berlin Chair.
Their seventh album "Convicts" was released in May 2006. An about face on the previous two albums, Convicts rocks hard all of the way through with much more straight forward production and higher energy that makes you jump.
Their eighth album "Dilettantes" was released in September 2008.
Get Up
You Am I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pullin' out the knot, I just can't lose
Grabbin' my shoulder, turned out the night
Like a smile after you've cried
The lady out walkin' with her popcorn pup
To get out and smoke before her husband wakes up
Eyes to the asphalt, plastic bag hands
Well I'm all thumbs and toes
With the way that it comes and the way that it goes
(Get up, get up)
I gotta loosen this load
(Get up, get up)
Get some fire in my throat
(Get up, get up)
See the man in the corner tryin' to make em all smile
And missin' the one who matters all the while
And she'll beat him senseless but he just can't see
It ain't for the crowd that you bleed
So be good to your barkeep man
Its more than yer drink, he's got his hand
Can see that your nervous and it shits him to tears
Yeah he just don't want to wait and he don't care about your band
Well I'm all thumbs and toes
With the way that it comes and the way that it goes
(Get up, get up)
I gotta loosen this load
(Get up, get up)
And put some fire in my throat
(Get up, get up)
I need a life dedicated
Not this endless parading
Help me, alright
(Get up, get up)
Yeah I gotta loosen this load
(Get up, get up)
And get some fire in my throat
(Get up, get up)
I want a life dedicated
Not this endless parading
Help me, alright
I need to do more, but I ain't been sleeping
For the longest time
For the longest time
For the longest time
If I could live for one day without being sorry I know
One day without being sorry, I know
One day without being sorry, I know
One day without being sorry
The lyrics of You Am I's song "Get Up" are a compelling exploration of themes related to the modern human experience. The song is at its core an anthem for breaking away from the mundanity of daily life, and for embracing the transformative power of taking risks and pursuing passion. The opening lines speak of a kiss on the neck from a cartoon - this can be interpreted as a symbol for something joyful and childlike, from which the singer is taking inspiration. This symbol contrasts with the image of the lady walking her dog, who is trying to escape an unhappy domestic life. The singer exhorts the listener to be good to their bartender and to put reverence into parts of their life beyond the stage or the spotlight.
The lyrics are layered and poetic, and they highlight the importance of taking risks and living a life that is true to oneself. The final lines of the song - "If I could live for one day without being sorry I know, One day without being sorry, I know" - can be interpreted as an appeal for the singer to be able to live his life without apology or regret. The song paints a picture of modern life as one in which people often feel trapped, but in which there are glimpses of beauty and inspiration that can be used to motivate one to "get up" and take action.
Line by Line Meaning
Got a kiss on the neck from a mornin' cartoon
I woke up with a love bite on my neck
Pullin' out the knot, I just can't lose
I'm trying to fix a problem, but it keeps slipping away
Grabbin' my shoulder, turned out the night
The night is over, but I can still feel it lingering
Like a smile after you've cried
A brief moment of happiness after a long struggle
The lady out walkin' with her popcorn pup
A woman taking her dog for a walk with a bag of popcorn
To get out and smoke before her husband wakes up
She wants to smoke without her husband knowing
Eyes to the asphalt, plastic bag hands
Focusing on the ground, carrying something insignificant
Just get on outta there, just get away from that man
She needs to leave her husband and escape his control
Well I'm all thumbs and toes
I feel clumsy and out of control
With the way that it comes and the way that it goes
The ups and downs of life
(Get up, get up)
I gotta loosen this load
I need to let go of my burdens and move forward
(Get up, get up)
Get some fire in my throat
I need to find my passion and speak up
See the man in the corner tryin' to make em all smile
A performer trying to make people happy
And missin' the one who matters all the while
Ignoring the person he truly cares about
And she'll beat him senseless but he just can't see
His loved one is hurting him, but he can't see it
It ain't for the crowd that you bleed
The sacrifices we make aren't for the audience, but for ourselves
So be good to your barkeep man
Treat your bartender with respect
Its more than yer drink, he's got his hand
The bartender has a lot on his plate
Can see that your nervous and it shits him to tears
The bartender can tell you're anxious and it upsets him
Yeah he just don't want to wait and he don't care about your band
The bartender is impatient and doesn't care about your music
I need a life dedicated
I want to live with purpose
Not this endless parading
Not just going through the motions
Help me, alright
I need some assistance
(Get up, get up)
Yeah I gotta loosen this load
I need to let go of my burdens and move forward
(Get up, get up)
And get some fire in my throat
I need to find my passion and speak up
I want a life dedicated
I desire a life with purpose
Not this endless parading
Not just going through the motions
Help me, alright
I need some assistance
I need to do more, but I ain't been sleeping
I want to do more, but I haven't been well-rested
For the longest time
For an extensive period
If I could live for one day without being sorry I know
If I could have one day without regret
One day without being sorry, I know
One day free of guilt
One day without being sorry, I know
One day without remorse
One day without being sorry
One day without regret
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Tim Rogers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kikikdrama1k202
This song is amazing.
@jimbojones3292
Fkn killer man Tim and the boys always bring it rock n roll lifers man 👌🏻
@genzale
<3 You Am I forever!
@CarefreeAus
EFFIN EPPPICCCCCCCCCCCCC
@RRRanty
Fckn epic!
@mammothlars7301
Get up and and get a dog inya!
@KittyRoseCupCakes
Why does this song only have 1200 views?
@hbjiyoiho8477
why does this song only have one comment?
@antho9921
HBJIY oiHO Why does this comment have only 1 reply?
@Truthmoses
because God can keep a secret.