Back On The Breadline
 Versions
Commentary
Lyrics
The Single
Released In: [Australia / NZ] [Europe] [USA] Australian Chart Position:
37 (AMR). Release Date: 1988 Front cover:
Back cover:
Promotional video screen shots:
Single Availability: (UK version) Extremely rare, (Aus
version) Moderately
rare.
Value: A$5-A$25.
Australian 7"/12" singles have "Real
World" as b-side (12" with an extended version of "Back On The
Breadline" rather than the original). Excellent UK single (12"/CD) has live versions of "Back On The Breadline"
and "Under The Sun" on it.
Versions
| Version |
Length |
Source |
Availability |
Studio
 |
4:02 |
Liberation Records What's A Few Men? album. |
Moderately common. Available new in
CD and digital form. |
| Studio |
4:03 |
Fate album. |
Moderately common. Available new in digital form. |
| Studio |
4:01 |
Natural
Selection / Greatest Hits album and video. |
Extremely common. Available new in CD, CD/DVD, DVD and digital
form. |
| Studio |
4:04 |
All non-Australian versions of the Collected Works album. |
Moderately common. Not available new. |
| Studio |
4:02 |
Australian Collected Works video. |
Moderately rare. Not available new. |
| Studio |
4:02 |
All except Australian 12" Back On The
Breadline singles. |
Moderately rare. Not available new. |
| Studio (extended mix) |
? |
Australian 12" Back On The
Breadline single. |
Extremely rare. Not available new. |
| Live |
4:18 |
UK 12"/CD Back On The
Breadline single. |
Moderately rare. Not available new. |
| Live |
4:14 |
US Raw Material
EP. |
Moderately rare. Not available new. |
Recommended Version.
Commentary
Comments from the "Natural
Selection" liner notes (by Mark Seymour):
This song spearheaded the North American campaign of 1987. We
were signed to I.R.S. records, and 'What's A Few Men?' would've been our second
album with them. Unfortunately they couldn't hear a single. Stoically, we wrote
more. 'Breadline' was one amongst several which went on a compile with the best
of the rest from the 'What's A Few Men?' album. Oh, and they didn't like the
title of the album either. So we changed that too. We called this American
record 'Fate'.
Now all this feverish activity might sound like a torturous
exercise in overkill. Some of the boys definitely thought so. Well, they were
right, except that at the time we were gagging to crack it over there, and to be
honest, we truly believed that all the polishing and manipulation would
seriously make a difference. I could have sworn this song had 'hit' written all
over it. How wrong can you be? Just before getting on the place, standing at the
terminal gate, waiting to fly home after I'd been to what felt like every radio
station in north America promoting the track, the managing director of the
record company asked me, in all seriousness, "Hey young Fella, can you tell me,
exactly hat is 'the breadline'?"
Lyrics
Stand in line
With your empty cup you're still waiting
For the future of all your living hope
Wait for the incoming call
Your desperation
Where does it lead to false riches?
And the little girl's greed, your still young
Oh, but you've tasted it all
Is that you?
You used to be so proud
Is that you?
Looking so hungry is that you?
Standing at the back of the breadline
The back of the breadline
The back of the breadline
Meet you where the daydreamers stand
Standing at the back of the breadline
You used to be
So careless and sure of your possessions
A moment before you got too restless
Got up and walked out the door
Don't look to me
Look to the west the sun is setting
You've been second-guessed but there's a future?
Bottom line is what you must believe in
Is that you?
You used to be so proud
Is that you?
Looking so hungry is that you?
Standing in the back of the breadline
The back of the breadline
The back of the breadline
Meet you where the daydreamers stand
Standing at the back of the breadline
Is that you?
You used to be so proud
Is that you?
Looking so hungry is that you?
Don't look to me is that you?
You used to be free
Is that you?
Standing at the back of the breadline
Stand in line
With your empty cup you're still waiting
For the future of all your living hope
Oh, but you've tasted it all
The back of the breadline
The back of the breadline
Meet you where the daydreamers stand
Standing at the back of the breadline
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