The final underrated 80s song is the first one that’s completely new to me. And it’s a great find, the sort of song I love to discover through writing this blog.
‘Under the Milky Way’ is the only U.S.-charting song by Australian alternative band The Church. The band has been recording for nearly 45 years and has released more than two dozen albums, including their latest just last year. This song was the first single from their 1988 album Starfish.
Steve Kilbey, lead vocalist, bassist and songwriter for The Church, has a love/hate relationship with the band’s only song to find international success. He has dismissed it as simplistic and over-produced and not up to par with the band’s other, lesser-known material. He has also collected a decent amount of cash by licensing the track to commercials, movies, and TV shows.
If this is a lesser Church song, I’m interested in hearing the better ones.
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
[Chorus]
Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find
[Verse 2]
And it’s something quite peculiar
Something shimmering and white
It leads you here, despite your destination
Under the Milky Way tonight
[Chorus]
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
[Verse 2]
And it’s something quite peculiar
Something shimmering and white
Leads you here, despite your destination
Under the Milky Way tonight
[Chorus]
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
[Outro]
Under the Milky Way tonight
Under the Milky Way tonight
Under the Milky Way tonight
Meet Me In Montauk 
I’ve loved this song for a long time. Glad to know you finally heard it, and thanks for this fun feature you did!
I’ve definitely heard the song and heard of the band. I agree they have a nice sound.