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The Church — Metropolis
Album: Gold Afternoon Fix
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1241









Released: 1990
Length: 4:22
Plays (last 30 days): 0
There'll never be another quite like you
I'm so involved with everything you do
Don't say nothing good will ever come of this
Don't say the damage is worse than it is

Back in Metropolis, circuses and elephants
Where the oranges grew
Back in Metropolis nothing can ever topple us
When I'm standing with you

You stare down at some crowd from your trapeze
And when you fell they fell down on their knees
And when you broke they scrambled for a piece
And when you spoke I felt their anger freeze

Back in Metropolis, circuses and elephants
Where the oranges grew
Back in Metropolis nothing can ever topple us
When I'm standing with you
Back in Metropolis talk about a holocaust
And then visit the zoo
Back in Metropolis the weather is ridiculous
What's it all leading to
And it's only a day away
We could leave tonight
You could sleep along the way
Dream in black and white
Comments (111)add comment
 GingerandMe wrote:

Bloody love this song!!


Yep, this is the shisnit!
 howdy_dc wrote:

The earlier The Church the better! 



Ah, a sedevacantist Catholic, I see. You object to the Second Vatican Council, do you?

Bloody love this song!!
They really did make some killer anthemic guitar jammers, didn't they? Still sounds as good to me as it did then!
This song elicits memories of watching MTV's 120 minutes.  The video for this song was in heavy rotation back then.  Good stuff.
 rtrt wrote:

Shades of Lloyd cole?



And B.A.D.
Really strong album...start to finish...and still sounds pretty fresh in spite of its age...
This band is the best--and although the members have split they are each creating glorious tunes--check out Marty and Steve's projects!
Baggin the chocolates?
We could leave tonight
You could sleep along the way
Dream in black and white
Great band The Church! Steve Kilby is great. But together ‘Statfish’ is by far their best album! 👍
This is a put-in-the-ear-buds song.
 ace-marc wrote:
This is Good AND Nostalgic.
Unlike Love and Rockets, which is Bad AND Nostalgic.
 
I still like Love and Rockets, but i would have to agree that they haven't aged as well.

The Church, however, i still love to hear.

Love this album
Nice but I will go and see psychedelic furs first
A favorite band, but this song is just OK for me. Their discography is incredible and their legacy sealed!
This is Good AND Nostalgic.
Unlike Love and Rockets, which is Bad AND Nostalgic.
More of The Church.......
Ahh perfection
Love this song.  Ringing guitars.
The earlier The Church the better! 
Getting ready to see them live at Cat's Cradle in a couple of weeks! Great late 80's band. Lots of memories of living in LA at the time.
~5 years ago I watched this classic and just made a correlation, 'dream in black and white. ' Inspired by the film? p.s. play more of The Church.
https://www.hulu.com/watch/380746
Thank you for playing this!
For some reason hearing The Church always makes me very homesick for Australia. It hurts, but It's a good hurt.
Most consistent band of the last 30 years; more Church!
Nice
Most excellant tune, imo, the Church produced some enjoyable Rock
Shades of Lloyd cole?
Great blast from happy times in the past...Thanks!
Gorgeous guitar sounds (very big Byrds influence) from this song liven up my ears!! {#Jump}
 Alafia wrote:

Sounds like some cheesy pop rock band from the 80s.
 
You say that like it's a bad thing.

Love the "sparkly" guitar — even if it screams 80s! 

Sounds like some cheesy pop rock band from the 80s.

I think they sound like James.  Both good bands IMHO
 beelzebubba wrote:
Feel like I'm sitting in my college dorm room in late 80's again, hearing stuff from down the hallway....
 
And it would have been my dorm room you were hearing it from!

I really like this song, except for the refrain.  I still give it a 10, but I would just slash that "back in metropolis" bit if I could.

 horstman wrote:
Oh, I get it. You're from France. That explains it.

 
That's unfair to France.

Feel like I'm sitting in my college dorm room in late 80's again, hearing stuff from down the hallway....
Great stuff.
Takes me back to the summer of 1990. WXRT was still Chicago's finest rock, George Bush was president, I drove a diesel Ford Escort which got 40 mpg and more of my family was alive. Good times. 


I discovered these guys about 12-13 years ago. This and Starfish are excellent albums; nicely paced and poppy with a little edge. Not "pretty" voices, but well-suited to the material and enjoyable. "You're Still Beautiful" has some great (and cutting) lyrics. Check it out! And critics, you are posting on the wrong thread. You need to log into http//www.kissmybigbutt.com Cheers!
CoYoT51 wrote:
Sucks... They sing like... better I don't write it. NEXT, please!
Oh, I get it. You're from France. That explains it.
FOCUS!!!!
bokey wrote:
Could be,I'll think about it for awhile. I might have to ask you for an experienced viewpoint about it.
That one falls into the "I know you are but what am I?" category of comebacks. Sweet.
Who cares if dude sounds like Nico (VU and Nico)? Seems to be the topic of extensive conversation below. Great song I think. Nice guitar hook 8 here
Love The Church....played this entire album at my Wedding Reception
Gave it an 8. I just love that guitar riff.
Sucks... They sing like... better I don't write it. NEXT, please!
kazuma wrote:
Holy cow, what a seamless segue! 9:22 pm - The Church - Metropolis 9:18 pm - Rubyhorse - She Brings Me Only Sorrow
Did it again! Great transition....
Gold Afternoon Fix
NO CABE DUDA QUE HACEN FALTA MAS STEVE (KILBIE?)
veegez wrote:
Are you a man trapped inside a woman's body pretending to be a man?
Could be,I'll think about it for awhile. I might have to ask you for an experienced viewpoint about it though. veegez wrote:
A guy's voice has to sound like Nickelback/Staind/Incubus/etc. in order to not be considered "feminine". Mo-Ron-Ic.
I'm not familiar with any of them. I'll have to take your word on it.
bokey wrote:
There should be a law that you have to be able to sing normally before you can be a lisper. The vocals ruin a good song.Get a testosterone shot dude. I can't give this more than a 3.What were they thinking?Maybe this guys family owned the PA equipment when these guys were in high school so they had to let this guy sing.Terrible vocals.
Are you a man trapped inside a woman's body pretending to be a man? The vocals are fine, dude. One more piece of evidence that it's all over for our culture: A guy's voice has to sound like Nickelback/Staind/Incubus/etc. in order to not be considered "feminine". Mo-Ron-Ic.
bokey wrote:
There should be a law that you have to be able to sing normally before you can be a lisper. The vocals ruin a good song.Get a testosterone shot dude. I can't give this more than a 3.What were they thinking?Maybe this guys family owned the PA equipment when these guys were in high school so they had to let this guy sing.Terrible vocals.
You might want to look up the actual definition of "lisp"... And while we're on the subject, what sadistic person put an "s" in "lisp", anyway?
bokey wrote:
There should be a law that you have to be able to sing normally before you can be a lisper. The vocals ruin a good song.Get a testosterone shot dude. I can't give this more than a 3.What were they thinking?Maybe this guys family owned the PA equipment when these guys were in high school so they had to let this guy sing.Terrible vocals.
I agree that sometimes the vocals sound a bit weird, but other times seem fine.
bokey wrote:
There should be a law that you have to be able to sing normally before you can be a lisper. The vocals ruin a good song.Get a testosterone shot dude.
I suppose you think Tom Waits needs a testosterone shot because he lisps too.
So did these guys rip off the sound of The Silencers, or did The Silencers rip off these guys?
bokey wrote:
There should be a law that you have to be able to sing normally before you can be a lisper. The vocals ruin a good song.Get a testosterone shot dude. I can't give this more than a 3.What were they thinking?Maybe this guys family owned the PA equipment when these guys were in high school so they had to let this guy sing.Terrible vocals.
Somebody took too many grumpy pills this morning.
bokey wrote:
There should be a law that you have to be able to sing normally before you can be a lisper. The vocals ruin a good song.Get a testosterone shot dude. I can't give this more than a 3.What were they thinking?Maybe this guys family owned the PA equipment when these guys were in high school so they had to let this guy sing.Terrible vocals.
Now, why don't you tell us how you really feel.
There should be a law that you have to be able to sing normally before you can be a lisper. The vocals ruin a good song. Get a testosterone shot dude. I can't give this more than a 3. What were they thinking?Maybe this guys family owned the PA equipment when these guys were in high school so they had to let this guy sing. Terrible vocals.
Best game on RP: Name that tune within the 1st four bars. If you've got a web browser - instant gratification!!!
not much, boys! Not much! Marginal... Stingray!
spacemoose wrote:
Lyrically it seems even worse. Can anyone tell me something to change my mind?
Probably not, poetic imagery is lost on you I'm sure. However, one interesting thing to keep in mind about the Church is that the songs are written well before the lyrics are added. While Steve Kilbey's vocal range may not be impressive, his word play is usually outstanding.
kazuma wrote:
Holy cow, what a seamless segue!
The lost art of DJ-ing. Thanks Bill!
grant wrote:
brilliant band . . . great song
agreed^3
...that's gold afternoon fix, bill, not starfish...
MrMan wrote:
In a split-second of hearing the first notes of this song, I was magically transported back to Chicago in the late 80s/early 90s, driving back home to Lincoln Park from (ugh) suburban Des Plaines...seeing the beautiful skyline on the horizon...filled with joy of living in such a great city and leaving a crappy job for another day...the evening has begun...the music is joyful...and I'm going HOME!!! Thanks for the memories!!!
You left out "...listening to 'XRT."
I wish they'd let the instrumental part @ the end go on longer (forever?).
Recently bought this CD after hearing them on RP. Somehow missed them the first time around.
brilliant band . . . great song
spacemoose wrote:
Okay, musically I find this lame. Lyrically it seems even worse. Can anyone tell me something to change my mind?
Why?
Back in Metropolis, circuses and elephants Where the oranges grew And back in Metropolis nothing can ever topple us When I'm standing with you And back in Metropolis talk about a holocaust And then visit the zoo
Okay, musically I find this lame. Lyrically it seems even worse. Can anyone tell me something to change my mind?
jbtidwell wrote:
Love that guitar riff!
I do too. A lot.
crystalboy wrote:
You have to follow up this up with Crash Test Dummies "Superman"!
oh please don't do that!
Beautiful!
kazuma wrote:
Holy cow, what a seamless segue! 9:22 pm - The Church - Metropolis 9:18 pm - Rubyhorse - She Brings Me Only Sorrow
I thought the same thing. I could hardly tell that the song had changed!
Holy cow, what a seamless segue! 9:22 pm - The Church - Metropolis 9:18 pm - Rubyhorse - She Brings Me Only Sorrow
Songs like this one make me wish Radio Paradise had bonus points in the rating system for when a song brings back a personally great memory.
You have to follow up this up with Crash Test Dummies "Superman"!
so good!
Love that guitar riff!
Finally.... back to the music!
Love The Church, they have such an inter-city sound, well arranged, super vocals. Hey they're singing about my town!
One of their best!
In a split-second of hearing the first notes of this song, I was magically transported back to Chicago in the late 80s/early 90s, driving back home to Lincoln Park from (ugh) suburban Des Plaines...seeing the beautiful skyline on the horizon...filled with joy of living in such a great city and leaving a crappy job for another day...the evening has begun...the music is joyful...and I'm going HOME!!! Thanks for the memories!!!
love me some Church!
Ziller wrote:
Boner of a song. Boner of a group. Boner of an era
I wish I would have said that. That was really cool.
yes they definately are still around. You gotta see them live. They are probably the best live band I've seen. www.thechurchband.com Thanks OmegaConcern wrote:
Are these guys still around and touring? I always thought they were one of the best 80s bands. I'd love to see them. Posted 19 years ago by SCTRANS    [ Reply ]
i'm surprised this song isn't avail on itunes, otherwise i'd buy it
bcwake wrote:
no: Back in Metropolis, circuses and elephants Where the oranges grew And back in Metropolis nothing can ever topple us When I'm standing with you And back in Metropolis talk about a holocaust And then visit the zoo
Thanks...
Excellent upload! Thanks. Anyone have lyrics? A 9.
Boner of a song. Boner of a group. Boner of an era
Awesome song. Awesome guitar by Marty Willson-Piper. Should be rated higher (imo)
Remy Zero followed by Metropolis? Neat link. :)
Are these guys still around and touring? I always thought they were one of the best 80s bands. I'd love to see them.
Originally Posted by drbrn516: You really cannot fully appreciate this band unless you see them live. Since they've not been a big seller in the US, their shows are in really small clubs like the Paradise in Boston- great for fans...Incredible musicians; the shows I've seen are much more electric than what's on the albums.
..although I have some Church recordings (acoustic, live in studio, 2meterSessies), I suddenly remember, which are not that bad..
Originally Posted by nigeltufnel: i love church. this song changed my life. just kidding - there just always seems to be someone on this site that says that no matter how obscure the band or song.
haha, agreed..well, no words since I've never seen the band live....and never will probably.
Originally Posted by drbrn516: You really cannot fully appreciate this band unless you see them live. Since they've not been a big seller in the US, their shows are in really small clubs like the Paradise in Boston- great for fans...Incredible musicians; the shows I've seen are much more electric than what's on the albums.
Love this song... but when I saw them at The Fillmore in San Francisco they had all dropped acid for the occassion and were a bit ummm sloppy.
lame.
Ah, The Church... one of the most puzzlingly forgotten great bands of the 80s. Gold Afternoon Fix, whence this song came, was almost as great an album as Starfish. I saw these guys live in 1991. They were the tightest live act I have ever seen. Great musicians.
Originally Posted by JumpShot: Very, very, very, bad. Ex-communicate me immediately. Did I actually hear this guy rhyme "metropolis" with "holocaust?" Gimme a break...
no: Back in Metropolis, circuses and elephants Where the oranges grew And back in Metropolis nothing can ever topple us When I'm standing with you And back in Metropolis talk about a holocaust And then visit the zoo
Very, very, very, bad. Ex-communicate me immediately. Did I actually hear this guy rhyme \"metropolis\" with \"holocaust?\" Gimme a break...
that little riff sounds like the theme song to some 80s TV show, but i can\'t think which one... arrgh! driving me nuts trying to remember!
one of my very favorite church songs. i especially like the opening line.
terra nova cain is still my favorite, but this one is cool too. i like the way you play the byrds tune right after - interesting counterpoint
Rated it even higher for it\'s ability to return me to a specific time and place.