| Author | Message | ||
     Kalent Unregistered guest |
Following on from when people are dead thread. I propose the next lyric - Quiet Heart -written in New York according to the author -I always wondered if this song was about Amanda Brown as Grant was I think in a relationship with her around the time of 16 Lovers lane. I have always felt that this is one of the great under rated go-betweens songs. | ||
| Mark Unregistered guest |
I'm sorry I didn't get to respond earlier. I've often wondered, myself, if Grant had a 'thing' going with Amanda. Not because of the lyrics to the song that you mentioned, but because of the picture on the cover of the "Tallulah" album. There appears to be something 'happening' between Grant and Amanda in this composition, although it is impossible to tell how many of the identifiable themes in this photograph are not just mearly the creation of the photographer, Peter Anderson. So it's easy to read to much into it all (and probably I will). Grant is captured fiddling with Amanda's bow and violin. This suggests a special relationship of trust existing between them, quite distinct from the other relationships within the group. No other band members share a 'thing' on the cover of this album (that I can tell). There is quite an eclectic mix of theams going on in this photograph. Lindy is looking older and is captured standing beside a clock on the mantle, it's mechanism having been removed, suggesting something to do with the absence of time, timeing or age. Grant is seated beside Lindy and has his head bowed down in what looks like a posture of submission whist he points the bow directly at Lindy's chin, standing above him. Amanda is seated in the foreground and behind her is placed, what we can only assume to be, her teddy bear. You can see the obvious relationship between Lindy and her clock, and Amanda and her child's toy. Both placed immediately behind the person that they impart the meanings to. The pictures perspective places them in close proximity with each other, even though they are physically distant objects, suggesting a shared meaning. If Lindy's clock is reflective of the passage of time, Amanda's teddy must be the suggestion of youthful innocence. And what is happening with those slippers? Highlighted in the foreground by the photographer's lighting, they become the surprising focal point of the picture. At the time of first hearing the effect of Amanda's musical flourishes over the top of what had already become a highly developed GBs sound by that date, I thought that the photographer was making an observation about the 'bright sparkle' added by her contributions. She was the magical flourish, the architectural pinnacle and the final fanfare to each melody. Anyway, besides all that, I digress. I can't find any hint in the lyrics as to whom it may have been written for or about. I first thought that the line "What is that light? that small red light... Scorpio rising" might suggest that the subject of Grant's affections may have been born a Scorpio. But on reflection and considering his predilection for making classical references in his lyrics (as has been noted here in the past) I think he is probably refering to the occurance of an omen or some past remarkable event, that suggested to him that there was still some faint hope ("that small red light") that the person might return to him. Anyway, after all that is said, it appears that were are both right. Whilst I was trying to Google my way to AB's birthdate, I found this quote in referance to the band's demise (at Howlspace): "Grant in particular didn’t want to be part of a group any more. His three-year relationship with Amanda Brown had ended and he felt like making a clean break. Robert happily agreed." see: http://www.howlspace.com.au/en/gobetweens/gobetweens.htm They split Xmas '89, so if the author at Howlspace is right, that would put them together for both the making of '16LL' and "Tullulah". So it may turn out that we are both right about our suspicions. I have reproduced the lyrics below in the hope of encouraging further discussion. Quite Hart (by Grant McLennan): The heater's on The windows are thin I'm trying hard To keep this warmth in I turn to her She's sound asleep Someplace I don't know Doesn't matter how far you come You've always got further to go I tried to tell you I can only say it when we're apart About this storm inside of me And how I miss your quiet, quiet hart Two hours on My eyes are open There's bad blood between us What did I say That made you cry? Our dream won't die Doesn't matter how far you come You've always got further to go Chorus What is that light? that small red light... Scorpio rising Doesn't matter how far you come You've always got further to go Chorus | ||
| david nichols Unregistered guest |
I see everyone has fallen into silence in the face of Mark's sleuthing which has revealed what most of the rest of those of us who cared already knew, that Grant and Amanda had a 'thing' once. Interesting the website information gleaned got it all wrong (saying that G McL left AB because the group broke up... hmm, where'd that interpretation come from?) I must say analysis of the Tallulah cover had never really occurred to me, perhaps because it looks so self-consciously riddled with meaningful objects and costumes. But, surely, Mark you saw the video for 'Right Here'? After Robert and Lindy's reserve, it is still amazing to see GMcL being so publicly possessive about AB... and she appears pretty happy about it. Mark, sometimes I think perhaps you're as into the private lives as the rest of us...!? Anyway, let's get back to discussing Quiet Heart. Interesting choice. | ||
| RJ Unregistered guest |
I seem to recall Grant saying in an interview that he reckoned that U2 should cover quiet heart, now that would have been an interesting/disaster depending on your point of view ! it is a great song. I always wondered about the "bad blood" between us line and who it was about. | ||
| Lindy Morrison Unregistered guest |
Amanda and I are both Scorpio's | ||
| jeff Unregistered guest |
Are you sure it's not just another veiled heroin reference, Mark? ;) | ||
| jeff Unregistered guest |
sorry... couldn't resist. | ||
| Mark Unregistered guest |
Ever seen one of those old Westerns? ..the ones where a guy dressed in white enters a saloon bar in deathly silence and looking for the bad guy dressed in black. This is one of those moments. David: Don't scold and/or belittle me for having my own opinions or for basing those opinions on matters and/or facts other than those on which you have based your own. My opinions are honestly held. They are expressed clearly and without favour, but I do not assume to be right on every matter. However, I am wronged when you imply by the manner in which you address me, that my opinions are less important than your own. They are not. Also, it would help us both to get along better if you could take more care with your comprehension. I think you got the wrong meaning based on the biography at: http://www.howlspace.com.au/en/gobetweens/gobetweens.htm Specifically, it does not mean to say that "G McL left AB because the group broke up". A more resonable interpretation of what the author actually said would yield the opposing causal relationship. You are entitled to disagree with the author's opinion, but you may not misrepresent it. Jeff: You funny bastard. | ||
| Martin Unregistered guest |
Hi Lindy , you have added a bit more to this thread... now which one of you scorpios is grant referring to. I think from the info on the thread that Amanda Brown would win the vote! for whom Grant may have been referring to. | ||
| Lindy Morrison Unregistered guest |
yes Martin, you're correct. Quiet heart is the song I want played at my funeral by the way. | ||
| david nichols Unregistered guest |
Mark, my intention was in no way to belittle you or suggest my opinions were worth more than yours. I apologise if you got that impression. I spent a long time trying to formulate a way we could take this discussion further by acknowledging that most of us on the list knew that G&A had a relationship, and at the same time including your opinions which I always enjoy. Obviously I failed in this regard. May I add however it's a brilliant development to have Lindy visiting this board and I hope she does so as often as possible! This is what we need - real Go-Betweens - not 'experts'! | ||
| jeffy Unregistered guest |
does anyone know anything about the where-abouts of Sean Brady?? Thanks! | ||
| Mark Unregistered guest |
I think I understand. You never stopped trying. | ||
| Martin Unregistered guest |
Thanks Lindy for the input. It is a beautiful song indeed. Amanda must have been flattered to have it written about her. | ||
| Anonymous |
Hey Mark, I dunno about that Howlspace article. They can't even get GW's name right. | ||
| M. Mark Burgess Member Username: Fortysomething Post Number: 16 Registered: 05-2005 |
I've always thought Quiet Heart was Grant's best song out of many. They obviously enjoyed playing it live (witness the version from Live on Snap). I never thought of U2 covering it but I bet they could have a hit with it. | ||
| Matthias Treml Member Username: Matthias Post Number: 17 Registered: 05-2005 |
Lindy, I'm a scorpio too. Knew there was something behind my affection for you. What day of the month were you born? | ||
| Matthias Treml Member Username: Matthias Post Number: 154 Registered: 05-2005 |
I've been listening to Quiet Heart more intently than ever lately. My trio is arranging the song to be played at a coffeehouse in November. I have to say that it was one of my original favorites back in 1989 and even made an appearance as the one selected go-betweens song on the first mixed tape I made my to a co-worker who was engaged to another man! The first song on the tape being Mad About You by Sting. How's that for subtlety? At some point between 1995-2005, I either overplayed it or it lost its preciousness. Then events this year have caused me to re-assess this gem. What I had mistaken as over-sentimentality with the lyrical progression of "quiet, quiet heart" has now hit home and has become poignant. It wasn't schmaltzy at all but the truest sincerity of love for another. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 450 Registered: 08-2004 |
Man this is an old thread. So much has happened in the last 2 1/2 years. Are you in USA, Matthias? I'd love to walk into a pub or coffeshop and hear Quiet Heart being played. | ||
| Matthias Treml Member Username: Matthias Post Number: 155 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yes, in the North of Detroit area. You? | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 451 Registered: 08-2004 |
Just a few blocks up the road in West London. I can make my own way there, but I'll need a lift home.  | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 698 Registered: 05-2005 |
I've never not loved Quiet Heart. It always reminds me of a wonderful ex-girlfriend. | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 88 Registered: 05-2005 |
Here's hoping your current 'wonderful' girlfriend or wife doesn't read your last posting. | ||
| Nicholas Whittaker Unregistered guest |
Can anyone tell me anything about the Quiet Heart video, as featured on You Tube. Who are the various people featured? |