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.
Plans
You Am I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Two prophylactics and forty-five dollars cash
Corduroy jacket and some fifty buck shoes
That can lead like a lamp when they're a scrubbing up new
Sunday best on a Friday night alright
I'll meet you at the corner beneath the Goodyear foot sign
Where all dates are made by mobile
I'll send you a smoke signal just be there by nine
This smoke, I left it for you
To show Mum and Dad your new tattoo alright
So they're my plans, how'd they fit with you?
There's a streetlight for each night your heart hit the deck
This drink says I love you, this drink says I couldn't care less
Kiss me so I know I'm alive
The drinks taste crap but they keep coming til five
Numbers on the wall, I got my ears like a shell
The phone stinks of chips, cheap wine, mouthwash and gel
C'mon we'll drink the last of the rent
And I'll leave my number right down on the strap of your dress
And it's late, and she's Sue
'cause I read it on the back of her boyfriends neck alright
So they're my plans, how'd they fit with you?
Yeah, I had a plan, but how'd it fit with you?
The song "Plans" by You Am I tells the story of a night out on the town, trying to impress someone with the perfect outfit and a little bit of cash, hoping to make a connection. The first verse sets the scene, with the singer carefully choosing his clothes and heading out to meet his date at a predetermined location. The second verse focuses on the drinks and the environment, with the singer remarking on the streetlights and the way they symbolize a series of heartbreaks. He notes that although the drinks taste bad, he keeps drinking them anyway, hoping to make a connection with the girl he's with. The final verse describes the number of a person's heart and how it shows that he's not alone. The singer leaves his number with the girl in the hopes that she'll call him.
Overall, the song is about trying to make a connection with someone, and the hope and energy that goes into that. The lyrics suggest that the singer is willing to try anything to make things work, from carefully planning his outfit to drinking too much, all in the hopes of finding someone to connect with.
Line by Line Meaning
Brush your hair to some Eurodisco trash
Get ready to go out by listening to some upbeat Eurodisco music.
Two prophylactics and forty-five dollars cash
Prepare for a potential sexual encounter by bringing condoms and money.
Corduroy jacket and some fifty buck shoes
Dress up in nice attire for the night out.
That can lead like a lamp when they're a scrubbing up new
New shoes can light the way when heading out for a night on the town.
Sunday best on a Friday night alright
Dress up in your nicest clothes for a night out, regardless of the day of the week.
I'll meet you at the corner beneath the Goodyear foot sign
Arrange a meeting spot for a date or night out.
Where all dates are made by mobile
Use mobile phones to communicate and arrange dates or meetups.
I'll send you a smoke signal just be there by nine
Let the other person know when to show up by sending a signal, smoke or otherwise.
This smoke, I left it for you
Leaving a signal to the other person as to when and where to meet up.
To show Mum and Dad your new tattoo alright
The smoke signal can also serve as a way to show off a new tattoo to parents.
So they're my plans, how'd they fit with you?
Confirming the night's plans with the other person.
There's a streetlight for each night your heart hit the deck
Each streetlight serves as a reminder of the nights where one felt down or heartbroken.
This drink says I love you, this drink says I couldn't care less
The different drinks consumed throughout the night can reflect both love and apathy.
Kiss me so I know I'm alive
Seeking a physical experience to prove existence or to feel more alive.
The drinks taste crap but they keep coming til five
Continuing to consume drinks, even if they don't taste great, until the night comes to a close.
Numbers on the wall, I got my ears like a shell
Listening intently to the sounds around you, like numbers being called out.
The phone stinks of chips, cheap wine, mouthwash and gel
The phone's scent is a mix of various substances consumed or used throughout the night.
C'mon we'll drink the last of the rent
Drinking the last bit of money set aside for rent, or spending all the remaining funds for the night out.
And I'll leave my number right down on the strap of your dress
Leaving one's phone number on the other person's clothing as a way to stay in touch or meet again.
And it's late, and she's Sue
Referring to the other person by the wrong name, possibly due to a drunken state.
'cause I read it on the back of her boyfriends neck alright
Discovering the other person's name by reading it on their partner's neck.
So they're my plans, how'd they fit with you?
Reiterating the night's plans and asking for the other person's confirmation or input.
Yeah, I had a plan, but how'd it fit with you?
Asking the other person if they have any preferences or suggestions for the night's plans.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TIM ADRIAN ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
boatsinmonterey !
One of Tim's best