News Archive

A compendium of administrative miscellanea dating back to 2003

August 2020

Album ‘Apart Together’ coming out November 20th and a track of the same name is available now!

Tim’s long-awaited debut album ‘Apart Together’, recorded over the past two years since he moved back to Sydney, will be out on the 20th November. A track of the same name, the third single, is available now.

The gatefold vinyl features a 24-page booklet with illustrated lyrics, a poster, bespoke artwork and comes in two variants; translucent red and transparent ultra-clear with opaque red.

Album Pre-order: Tim-Minchin.lnk.to/ApartTogetherAlbumWE

‘Apart Together’ listen now: Tim-Minchin.lnk.to/ApartTogetherWE

See below for the lyrics and the tracklist.

Tim: “The title track of my album, ‘Apart Together’ was going to be called “Wedding Dance”, because in my head, that’s what it is. When that insanely lovely Mat Jodrell trumpet eases in, I always picture couples dancing. I mean, let’s be honest, you’d have to be a little bit of a weirdo to actually have it as your wedding dance, but if I’ve learned one thing from my years of making stuff, it’s this: there are always weirdos. And they are always my kinda people.”

**Apart Together** (Lyrics)

KCRW
On the way to a show
Heard the story of an elderly couple
Found dead in their mobile home
They’d been there a month they say
Seemed to be no decay
I guess the upside of freezing to death
Is that you tend to stay that way
Locked in each other’s arms
Eyes closed and faces calm
They may have lain there ‘til spring
If it weren’t for the ping of their smoke alarm
God sure works in mysterious ways
Died of power bills left unpaid
Found by a neighbour who heard the ping
Dropped around offering
Double As

I think this could last forever
Girl let’s fall apart together

I can handle the entropy
If you promise to stay with me
I give you my heart knowing things fall apart
Praying you will decay with me

Locked in each other’s arms
Eyes closed and faces calm
In the morning a new life will dawn
So maybe don’t set the alarm

Baby I think this could last forever
Girl let’s fall apart together
Girl let’s fall apart together

July 2020

Tim will be opening and closing this year’s BAFTAs!

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) announced today that Tim will be opening and closing this year’s star-studded Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards 2020 with a couple of special musical performances.

He’ll perform an original song, written specially for the occasion, to open the show and he’ll close with ‘Carry You’, which he wrote for his TV Series UPRIGHT.

Friday 31st July, BBC One, 7pm BST

UPDATE (31/07/20): Here are the two songs Tim performed:

‘2020 Baftas’ Lyrics below.

‘Carry You’ a song he wrote for his comedy drama TV series UPRIGHT – a wild road trip across the Australian outback. (Lyrics to ‘Carry You’ can be found here.)


Tim: “I would very much like to be in a lovely theatre in beautiful London, dressed in an on-loan tuxedo, trying to stay sober enough to remember the lyrics I last-minute wrote for the opening of UK film and telly’s night of nights. As it is, I’ve prerecorded the song from Sydney in the 25-yr old tux I had in my closet, and I remembered the words fine because we filmed it in the morning, and neither the pandemic nor the high quality of affordable Australian wines have as yet driven me to AM drinking. (I’m incredibly honoured to have been asked and am excited to see how the whole thing is put together, given how very hard the BAFTAs folk have worked to make it special.)”

Filmed at Television Centre and hosted by Richard Ayoade, the ceremony, featuring a host of guest appearances, will take place behind closed doors. In place of the usual red carpet programme ahead of the show on BBC One, comedian Tom Allen will be hosting a Pre-Show, which will stream live on BAFTA’s social channels from 6pm BST, leading up to the main event.


**2020 BAFTAS**

Perhaps my greatest fear among my many fears vis-à-vis
Covid-19 is that in the coming years there will be
Even more films and episodic TV about zombies.

I think I’ll write a zombie film set in Hollywood in which
The writers all get bitten by a zombie carrying a disease
Which, when you are infected, manifests in a desire
To write zombie films.

I know our job is to hold a mirror up to society,
But I’ve been avoiding mirrors of late, cos it’s got so goddamn ugly.
Remember when Cercei Lannister was absurd hyperbole?
But now she seems quite tame
And her naked walk of shame
Being pelted with human poo
Is just what we daily do on twitter.
(Daily do on twitter)
I know I sound bitter, but tell me
How do you make great art
When reality has jumped the shark?
(Who cares?)

Let’s raise the rafters
It’s the 2020 BAFTAs (2020 BAFTAs)
No one’s stronger than an artist in a crisis!
(Artist in a crisis)
Come hell or high water,
Pandemic or disorder,
We will stand up (stand up!)
To give each other prizes.

If there’s no one to applaud me, who am I?
(No one to applaud him who is he?)
No camera to record these real tears that I cry?
(Real tears that he cries)
Will I just shrivel up and die?
(Die! Die! Die!)
If an actor dressed as a tree falls in a forest (Crash!)
And the self-tape doesn’t upload (Oh no!)
Does she even exist? (Does she even exist?)
And if Matilda stays closed, am I still rich?

Welcome you arty martyrs
To the 2020 BAFTAs
Tell me, who is the designer of your tracksuit?
(Tell me, tell me, who designed your tracksuit?)
Let’s get through these awards
Then get back to our real jobs,
Signing virtuous petitions in our Ugg Boots.
(Lovely, lovely Ugg Boots)

To all you clever nominees:
I hope you’re very, very pleased,
I’m not bitter that my show wasn’t nominated.
(It’s got 8.6 on IMDB)
I hope you have fun,
Remember whether you lost or won
Doesn’t matter, (doesn’t matter)
Cos the planet’s almost dead.

All the legends and the laughter
Of the 2020 BAFTAs,
Gee it’s gonna be a helluva party!
(Virtually! Virtually a party!)
If this song was too ironic,
Sarcastic or sardonic,
We’d better hand you back to Richard Ayoade.
(Richard Ayoade)

North American friends! ATX Festival, eOne and Sundance Now will premiere UPRIGHT on July 21st!

North American friends! The first 2 eps of #UPRIGHT are premiering on the ATX YouTube channel with ATX Festival, eOne and Sundance Now on Tuesday, July 21st at 7pm CT.

I’ll be chatting online as it’s airing with the awesome Milly Alcock. Afterwards the legend that is Judd Apatow is hosting a Q&A with… me. Huzzah. The full Q&A will be made available worldwide on July 22nd at 8am PT / 10am CT. Time Zone Converter

UPDATE: Here’s the Q&A with Judd Apatow:

If you’re in the US you can use the promo code ‘UPRIGHT’ to join Sundance Now for a 30-day-free-trial ready to watch UPRIGHT when it premieres on there August 6th.

More information on UPRIGHT can be found here. But in short, it’s wicked, you’ll love it. tx

Matilda Listening Party – Tuesday 14th July at 7pm EDT

Tim will be joining Robbie Rozelle for the Broadway Records Matilda Listening Party on Tuesday 14th July at 7pm EDT.

Handy Time Zone Converter

They’ll be listening to selections from Matilda, discussing them and answering questions.

The listening party will be available worldwide on Broadway Records YouTube Channel and Broadway Records Facebook Page where you can set reminders if you wish.

If you’re unable to watch this live, fear not, it will remain available afterwards on their YouTube channel, Facebook page and website for catch-up. (UPDATED to add video above).

PLAY IT ON with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra – Thursday 9th July at 7pm (AEST)

Tim will be performing one of his compositions from Matilda The Musical with Elise McCann, Hayden Tee and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for PLAY IT ON, a unique online concert in support of Australian artists who have lost income as a result of the nationwide shutdown of the live entertainment industry.

Thursday 9th July at 7pm (AEST)

The concert will stream free-of-charge worldwide via the Sydney Symphony Website and the Sydney Symphony Facebook page

Enjoy the virtual concert and please donate, if you can, here: abfnsw.org/play

Funds raised will be directed to Actors Benevolent Funds and Trusts in each state, as well as Support Act, recently founded to support actors, musicians and arts workers who are struggling as a result of shutdowns.

PLAY IT ON is an initiative created by Australian performer Elise McCann: “Each of the composers, orchestrators, performers, audio engineers, graphic designers, video editors, and a whole array of creative individuals have donated their time and talent to create this project and give back to their community.

Play It On is a chance for the Australian public to show their support for Australian artists as we raise funds for individual workers nationwide. It is also a chance for audiences to come together and be entertained, inspired, uplifted and moved — which is what arts and culture is all about.”

More details on the Sydney Symphony website here.

Footage of the concert will be made available after the event, so you’ll be able to catch-up and donate then if you wish.

June 2020

‘I’ll Take Lonely Tonight’ is available now! #NewSingle

It feels like this second single has been a long time coming! It’s a mammoth track, both temporally and sonically. Which is a wanky way of saying it’s bloody long and bloody loud. Defo recommend listening to it with a big ol’ set of headphones or some kick-arse speakers and the volume turned up.
The album, Apart Together, is due out later this year.
Love to y’all. txx

Stream/Download:
tim-minchin.lnk.to/LonelyWE

Lyrics below and Chords here.



Full Credits can be found in the YouTube description.


**I’LL TAKE LONELY TONIGHT**

I’ll take lonely tonight
Your offer is kind
And I must confess that I find
Your casual caresses and that pretty dress
Pretty hard to resist
And Christ what a night
I think you’re pretty high
I know I’m pretty pissed

But I’ll take lonely tonight
Though I’m not denying
I hate being alone
Even so I know regret in the making
You’re one of those others I swore I’d forsake
And although this extraction is taking
A great act of will
I got a girl has my heart in a house on a hill
So though I am hungry and tempted
I’m sorry I’m not going to bite
I’m gonna take lonely

I’ll take lonely tonight
Though I know I might well
Have future regrets
That I didn’t more often take up these chances
For what is life for but to shag, drink and dance
And teenager me would be screaming his pants off
Begging me to stay
But my girl has my heart in a house half a planet away
And I’d rather murder than hurt her
So sorry though it feels so right
I’m gonna take lonely tonight

Odysseus wasn’t strong enough
To endure the Siren song and so
He made his sailors tie him to a mast
And Jesus spent forty days and forty nights
And he stood his ground and fought his fight
And the devil tried but couldn’t break his fast
If this is true
The devil should’ve offered him you
Goddammit

I’ll take lonely tonight In my three-point-five star
Boutique hotel
Where I will spend Twenty-five bucks
On minibar snacks
And pass out on my phone

And wake in four hours or so
Soaked in relief to find
I am alone

With only the wrappers
Of Pringles and Snickers
For which to atone

Blissfully lonely

UPRIGHT will premiere in the US on Sundance Now on August 6th 2020!

Following its hugely successful and critically acclaimed premieres in Australia and the UK, UPRIGHT will begin its exclusive US premiere on Sundance Now on Thursday, August 6th, 2020 with the first two episodes. (If you’re in the US you can use the promo code ‘UPRIGHT’ to join Sundance Now for a 30-day-free-trial).

Shannon Cooper, VP of Programming, Sundance Now, said: “With its brilliant mix of humor and heart, plus a spectacular setting and mesmerizing performances by Tim Minchin and Milly Alcock, UPRIGHT has all the elements to become a favorite of Sundance Now subscribers. We’re thrilled to work with Tim Minchin and eOne to bring this beloved Australian series to U.S. audiences.”

For more information about UPRIGHT take a look here.

May 2020

Watch Tim on The State Of Music – Saturday 16th May at 7pm (AEST) – LIVE STREAM!

UPDATE(18/05/20): Tim’s performance of ‘Most Wanted Man’ (by Paul Kelly). Full episode, including Tim interviewing Paul Kelly below.

Tim will be appearing on The State of Music: Episode Three this Saturday 16th May – 7pm AEST*

Episode Three features Paul Kelly with Alex Lahey, Archie Roach, Meg Mac, Mo’Ju, Solo (Horrorshow), Tim Freedman, our Tim, Vika & Linda Bull. Hosted by Jane Gazzo with Tim who will also be performing.

The State of Music: Episode Three live-streams worldwide on the Victoria Together website, YouTube (where you can set a reminder) and Facebook.

See you there!

* Handy Tim(e) Zone Converter Just add your location.

Once the stream finishes, it will stay online in full for six weeks after its air date:

April 2020

I’ll Take Lonely Tonight

Ooh, look, a YouTube vid of me in a singlet. Just what the people wanted.
It’s a home-office rendition of I’ll Take Lonely Tonight, a song I wrote about not having sex. : )

The studio version comes out in about a month (it’s very cool I can’t wait woohoo etc), but I want you guys to be able to learn it and record your own versions, if you wanna, before I drop mine.

Maybe one day, somewhere, I’ll be able to get one of you lovely mofos up to play it with me.

Lyrics and Chords below.
Loads of lockdown love to you all.
xt


**I’LL TAKE LONELY TONIGHT**

I’ll take lonely tonight
Your offer is kind
And I must confess that I find
Your casual caresses and that pretty dress
Pretty hard to resist
And Christ what a night
I think you’re pretty high
I know I’m pretty pissed

But I’ll take lonely tonight
Though I’m not denying
I hate being alone
Even so I know regret in the making
You’re one of those others I swore I’d forsake
And although this extraction is taking
A great act of will
I got a girl has my heart in a house on a hill
So though I am hungry and tempted
I’m sorry I’m not going to bite
I’m gonna take lonely

I’ll take lonely tonight
Though I know I might well
Have future regrets
That I didn’t more often take up these chances
For what is life for but to shag, drink and dance
And teenager me would be screaming his pants off
Begging me to stay
But my girl has my heart in a house half a planet away
And I’d rather murder than hurt her
So sorry though it feels so right
I’m gonna take lonely tonight

Odysseus wasn’t strong enough
To endure the Siren song and so
He made his sailors tie him to a mast
And Jesus spent forty days and forty nights
And he stood his ground and fought his fight
And the devil tried but couldn’t break his fast
If this is true
The devil should’ve offered him you
Goddammit

I’ll take lonely tonight In my three-point-five star
Boutique hotel
Where I will spend Twenty-five bucks
On minibar snacks
And pass out on my phone

And wake in four hours or so
Soaked in relief to find
I am alone

With only the wrappers
Of Pringles and Snickers
For which to atone

Blissfully lonely

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Chords

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