"UNDER THE MILKY WAY" THE CHURCH (1988)

I generally gravitate to the music first before the lyrics. But as a writer, I still marvel at well-spun verses and choruses. This month, I’m joining the music Twitter community in #SeptSongLyricChallenge

Day 6

A simple acoustic guitar strum sets off one of the greatest mid-tempo tracks of the 80’s. The iconic intro is later joined one by one by vocals, drums. bass, electric guitar, keys and eventually the Synclavier masquerading as bag pipes. “Under the Milky Way” builds up and doesn’t let down. A majestic, multi-layered masterpiece, like the galaxy itself. And its brightest star are its lyrics. Words that reference Memphis and the Milky Way with a sense of mystery that no one can solve.

“Lower the curtain down on Memphis. Lower the curtain down all right. I got no time for private consultation under the Milky Way tonight.”

"REPTILE" THE CHURCH (1988)

This week I’m featuring 80’s deep cuts on Mental Jukebox. They’re the non-charting singles. The forgotten b-sides. The unheralded album staples. While they may not be the first songs that come to mind when you think of the 80’s, they’re some of the most important musical statements of the decade.

Lurking under the shadow of the 80’s alt rock anthem “Under the Milky Way” was the harder, faster “Reptile”. This was The Church song that I was always up for hearing. The opening guitar riff and high hat barrage are relentless, slithering their way through almost the entirety of the track. Together these elements were the epitome of repetition, yet they never grew tired.

“Too dangerous to keep. Too feeble to let go.”

"UNDER THE MILKY WAY" THE CHURCH (1988)

A simple acoustic guitar strum sets off one of the greatest mid-tempo Tracks of the 80’s. ThE iconic intro is later joined one by one by vocals, drums. bass, electric guitar, keys and eventually the Synclavier masquerading as bag pipes. “Under the Milky Way” builds up and doesn’t let down. A majestic, multi-layered masterpiece, like the galaxy itself.

“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.”