"Under the Milky Way" is a song by the Australian alternative rock band The Church, released as a single on 15 February 1988. It appears on their fifth studio album, Starfish. The song was co-written by Steve Kilbey (the band's bass guitarist and lead vocalist) and his then-girlfriend, Karin Jansson of Curious (Yellow)2.
Chart Success & Recognition
- Reached No. 22 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart
- Peaked at No. 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100
- Hit No. 25 in New Zealand
- Won 'Single of the Year' at the ARIA Music Awards of 19892
- Ranked number 33 in Triple M's 2018 "Ozzest 100", a list of the most 'Australian' songs of all time2
Background and Recording
The band recorded Starfish in Los Angeles in 1987. For "Under the Milky Way", they initially struggled to find the right drum sound. Ultimately, parts were recorded to a click track and session drummer Russ Kunkel replaced the band's regular drummer, Richard Ploog, for this track. The lineup for the Starfish album was Steve Kilbey (vocals/bass), Peter Koppes (guitar), Marty Willson-Piper (guitar), and Richard Ploog (drums)2.
Musical Style and Legacy
"Under the Milky Way" is known for its atmospheric sound, characterized by lush guitar textures and introspective lyrics. It remains one of The Church’s most recognizable and enduring songs, with continued popularity in film and TV (notably featured in the film Donnie Darko).
The song has been released in different formats and versions over the years, including remixes (such as Craig Obey vs the Church in 2006) and acoustic interpretations26.
Personnel on the Track
- Steve Kilbey: vocals, bass
- Peter Koppes: guitar
- Marty Willson-Piper: guitar
- Session drums/percussion: Russ Kunkel2
Songwriting Credits
- Steve Kilbey
- Karin Jansson2
