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.
Gone Gone Gone
You Am I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But no-one could hear me out when I leant back to scream
Coming through the shelves to live in the dirt
To keep from the sun, to keep from getting hurt
Gettin' gone
You got a lot to learn
Gone gone gone
Been feeding on contributions from the folks on the bridge
Throw the scraps on out when they need a trip
So I flap my tail and give a high-pitched squeak
Just so they could leave me in between the rocks to sleep
Gettin' gone
I wasted so much time that I
Oh wouldn't swap the line of getting
Gone gone gone
You got a lot to learn
Ahh got a lot to learn from getting
Gone gone gone
I don't know where the sadness starts
'Coz I'm so happy I could die
Just give me long enough to live
Yeah an' it's only when I fly
I wasted so much time that I
Oh wouldn't swap the line of getting
Gone gone gone
You got a lot to learn
Ahh got a lot to learn from getting
Gone gone gone
The opening lyrics of "Been living underwater but I sure dug the sea" depict an individual who is struggling with their life's journey. It is as if the person has allowed themselves to sink metaphorically and is stuck in a deep and dark place. The line "But no-one could hear me out when I leant back to scream" signifies that the person has made an effort to make themselves heard in the past, yet it's gone unheard. In the next set of lyrics "Coming through the shelves to live in the dirt, to keep from the sun, to keep from getting hurt," the metaphorical use of shelves that the person is coming through is a reference to the constraints of society. The individual has felt compelled to stay hidden and avoid exposure to the outside world due to fear of getting hurt or experiencing pain.
The theme of the song is about breaking free from self-doubt and nurturing one's self-discovery. The lyrics suggest that the individual has begun exploring their options and is looking towards self-discovery or finding one's self. The phrase, "Gettin' gone" is repeated throughout the song and is a reference to the process of letting go of emotional and mental baggage to start afresh.
Line by Line Meaning
Been living underwater but I sure dug the sea
I have been living a life that feels suffocating, but I still appreciate the beauty around me.
But no-one could hear me out when I leant back to scream
Despite feeling trapped, no one understands or hears my cries for help.
Coming through the shelves to live in the dirt
I have descended into a hidden world to protect myself from harm and danger.
To keep from the sun, to keep from getting hurt
I am avoiding emotional pain and harm by hiding away from the world.
Gettin' gone
I am preparing to leave this current state of being behind.
You got a lot to learn
There is much knowledge and understanding to be gained.
Ahh got a lot to learn from getting
By leaving behind old patterns and ways of being, I can learn and grow.
Gone gone gone
It's time to move on and leave the past behind.
Been feeding on contributions from the folks on the bridge
I have been relying on others for my own survival and well-being.
Throw the scraps on out when they need a trip
Once those who helped me no longer have use for me, they discard me.
So I flap my tail and give a high-pitched squeak
I try to demonstrate my worth and usefulness to others.
Just so they could leave me in between the rocks to sleep
Despite my efforts to prove myself, I am still abandoned and forgotten.
I don't know where the sadness starts
I am unsure of the root of my sadness and pain.
'Coz I'm so happy I could die
Despite my struggles, there are moments of happiness and joy that feel overwhelming.
Just give me long enough to live
I just need more time to experience and enjoy life.
Yeah an' it's only when I fly
Only by breaking free of my current state can I truly experience and live life to the fullest.
I wasted so much time that I
I have spent too much time in a negative and unfulfilling state.
Oh wouldn't swap the line of getting
I wouldn't exchange the experience of leaving behind my old life and starting anew.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: TIM ADRIAN ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind