Under the Milky Way

The Church

About Under the Milky Way

"Under the Milky Way" is a single by Australian alternative rock band The Church, released on 15 February 1988 and appears on their fifth studio album Starfish. The song was written by bass guitarist and lead vocalist Steve Kilbey and his then-girlfriend Karin Jansson of Curious (Yellow). It peaked at No. 22 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart, No. 24 on the United States Billboard Hot 100, No. 25 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and appeared in the Dutch Single Top 100. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1989, the song won 'Single of the Year'. It was issued simultaneously in both 7" vinyl and 12" vinyl formats by Arista Records (internationally) and Mushroom Records (Australian region). In January 2018, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Under the Milky Way" was ranked number 33.  


Year:
1986
90 

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Sometimes when this place gets kind of empty
Sound of their breath fades with the light
I think about the loveless fascination
Under the Milky Way tonight

Lower the curtain down on Memphis
Lower the curtain down all right
I got no time for private consultation
Under the Milky Way tonight

Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find

And it's something quite peculiar
Something shimmering and white
Leads you here despite your destination
Under the Milky Way tonight

Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find
Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find

And it's something quite peculiar
Something shimmering and white
Leads you here despite your destination
Under the Milky Way tonight

Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find
Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find

Under the Milky Way tonight
Under the Milky Way tonight
Under the Milky Way tonight

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The Church

The Church is an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980. Initially associated with new wave and the neo-psychedelic sound of the mid 1980s, their music later became more reminiscent of progressive rock, featuring long instrumental jams and complex guitar interplay. more »

1 fan

Written by: Karin Gunilla Jansson, Steven John Kilbey

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


22 facts about this song

Release
"Under the Milky Way" by The Church was released in February 1988 as the lead single from their fifth studio album "Starfish."
Chart Performance
The song is by far the band's biggest hit. It peaked at #2 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart, topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in the United States, and reached #26 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Creation
The band's lead singer, Steve Kilbey, wrote the song in collaboration with his then-girlfriend Karin Jansson. The song was supposedly written in just a few minutes and was inspired by their shared romantic moment under the Milky Way.
Accolade
The song was awarded "Single of the Year" at the 1989 Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Awards.
Cover Versions
Numerous artists have covered "Under the Milky Way," including Sia and Rick Springfield, showcasing the song's enduring popularity.
Use in Popular Culture
The song has appeared in numerous television series and films, including an episode of the hit series "Miami Vice" and films like "Donnie Darko" and "The Dish."
Recognizable Feature
One distinct element in the song is the use of a bagpipe solo, a rare component in a rock song. However, what sounds like a bagpipe is actually a synthesizer programmed to mimic the instrument.
Lyrics Interpretation
Many have speculated about the song's meaning, given its cryptic lyrics. Although Kilbey has never directly explained the song's meaning, he has hinted that it's about the feeling of transcendence and the longing for something beyond human experience.
Popularity Longevity
Despite being over three decades old, "Under the Milky Way" continues to receive regular airplay on radio stations across the globe.
Re-release
In 2010, a newly remastered version of "Under the Milky Way" was included in "Dead Man's Hand," the Church's 30th-anniversary album.
Inspiration
Some fans believe that the song's title was inspired by an Amsterdam music and cultural venue called Melkweg (Milky Way in Dutch). However, Steve Kilbey has dismissed this theory.
Release Information
Released in February 1988, "Under the Milky Way" is a single by the Australian alternative rock band, The Church.
Album Information
The song is included in the band's fifth studio album 'Starfish' which was released by Arista Records.
Chart Performance
The song peaked at No. 2 in the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart, No. 24 on the United States' Billboard Hot 100, and No. 25 on the UK Singles Chart.
Songwriter
"Under The Milky Way" was written by band members, Steve Kilbey, and his then-girlfriend Karin Jansson.
Meaning of the Song
Although the song's specific meaning remains elusive, it has a dreamy, ethereal quality that matches its celestial title. Steve Kilbey has said that the song was about feeling lost and disconnected, but remains deliberately mysterious and unattached to any specific personal incidence.
Instrumental Details
The song is known for its 'bagpipe-seque' solos that were actually generated by an electronic instrument called an 'E-bow'.
Awards
In 2001, the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) listed the track at number 21 in its top 30 Australian songs of all time.
Cover Versions
Several artists have covered the song, including Sia, Grant Lee Phillips, Rick Springfield, and Jimmy Little.
In Media
The song has made several appearances in different forms of media, including films (like Donnie Darko), on TV Shows (like Miami Vice), plus in commercials and video games.
Live Performances
The band often plays the song as part of their set during live performances, and it remains one of their most recognized songs.
Alternative Versions
There is a stripped-back, acoustic version of the song available on The Church's 2004 album 'El Momento Descuidado.'

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    Under the Milky Way

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1988

    Billboard #24


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