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.
Satisfied Mind
You Am I Lyrics
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And I punched the van 'cause I lost the sound
And then I fell on down, oh yeah
I ain't old enough to have walked the line
But I've circled this room for the twenty fifth time
For a fortunate son I'm such a jealous guy
Got a bone to pick I dunno why
But what would I do with a satisfied mind
Hey hey yours for ten
I fell on down I'm gonna do it again
What I gave away and what I left behind
Swallowed history like a five an' dine
And then I fell on down oh yeah
Y'all knew the guy he was the king of the kids
Threw his trophies to the sky as he jumped from the bridge yeah
For a fortunate son I'm such a jealous guy
Got a bone to pick I dunno why
A bottle o' wine and Patsy Cline
But what would I do with a satisfied mind
Hey hey yours for ten
I fell on down I'm gonna do it again
And if you're looking for the guy who can see
With some of these damn apologies
A bottle o' wine and Patsy Cline
But what would I do with a satisfied mind
Hey hey yours for ten
I fell on down I'm gonna do it again
Hey hey your foot down
I fell on down I'm gonna do it again
Hey hey get on up
I fell on down I'm gonna do it again
A bottle o' wine and Patsy Cline
But what would I do with a satisfied mind
Oh yeah
What would I do?
The song "Satisfied Mind" by You Am I features lyrics that explore feelings of jealousy and regret. The song begins with the singer getting the lead out as it's his turn to buy a round of drinks. He then reveals that he punched a van because he lost the sound, before falling down. The lyrics then go on to describe the singer's sense of jealousy towards a fortunate son, despite the fact that he himself has had success as well. The singer questions what he would do with a satisfied mind, accompanied throughout by mentions of a bottle of wine and Patsy Cline.
The line "I ain't old enough to have walked the line, but I've circled this room for the twenty fifth time" suggests a sense of weariness and frustration with one's own lack of progress despite feeling like they have already put in a lot of effort. The repetition of "fell on down" throughout the song also serves to create a sense of instability and uncertainty, perhaps reflecting the singer's emotional state.
Overall, "Satisfied Mind" is a song that delves into complex emotions such as jealousy, regret and uncertainty, set against a backdrop of drinking and music.
Line by Line Meaning
Get the lead on out 'cause it's my round
I'm buying the drinks and it's my turn to lead the conversation.
And I punched the van 'cause I lost the sound
I got frustrated and took out my anger on the van because we lost the music.
And then I fell on down, oh yeah
I fell down for some reason, probably because I'm drunk.
I ain't old enough to have walked the line
I'm still young and don't have much life experience.
But I've circled this room for the twenty fifth time
I've been here many times before and I'm getting bored of it.
For a fortunate son I'm such a jealous guy
Despite being privileged, I'm still envious of others.
Got a bone to pick I dunno why
I have an issue with something or someone, but I'm not sure why.
A bottle o' wine and Patsy Cline
I'm drinking wine and listening to Patsy Cline, a country singer.
But what would I do with a satisfied mind
Even if I were content with my life, I'm not sure what I would do then.
Hey hey yours for ten
I'm addressing someone and saying that something is their responsibility.
I fell on down I'm gonna do it again
I fell before and I'm likely to do it again, probably because I'm drinking too much.
What I gave away and what I left behind
I've lost things and left them behind in my past.
Swallowed history like a five an' dine
I've accepted my past and moved on from it, but perhaps not in the best way.
Y'all knew the guy he was the king of the kids
I'm talking to a group of people who knew someone who was very popular and influential.
Threw his trophies to the sky as he jumped from the bridge yeah
This person was so desperate for something that they killed themselves over it.
And if you're looking for the guy who can see
If you're searching for someone who understands what's going on.
With some of these damn apologies
I'm probably apologizing for something, but I'm not happy about it.
Hey hey your foot down
I'm talking to someone and telling them to hurry up or make a decision.
Hey hey get on up
I'm encouraging someone to stand up or dance.
Oh yeah, What would I do?
I'm still questioning what I would do if I had a satisfied mind.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: TIM ADRIAN ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind