Icehouse
Australian new wave band Icehouse was formed in 1977, initially called 'Flowers'… Read Full Bio ↴Australian new wave band Icehouse was formed in 1977, initially called 'Flowers', by Iva Davies (born Ivor Arthur Davies, on 22 May 1955, in Wauchope, New South Wales, Australia). Inspired by art rock and avant-garde pop, Davies was the main creative force behind the band, being a classically trained musician. Band member Keith Welsh joined him on bass. For a number of years they also obtained the services of Bob Kretschmer, until he was replaced by young guitarist Paul Gildea.
Since 1980, Icehouse has released seven albums, several compilations, and music from collaborations with other artists including dance companies. Their 1987 album 'Man of Colours' was released at the apex of their fame and international success. It is considered by many to be the band's magnum opus.
As 'Flowers', Icehouse built up a strong following as a live act around Sydney, Australia, noted for their distinctive cover versions of songs by a wide range of acts including T-Rex and Brian Eno. After signing to the independent Regular Festival Records label, they released their debut single, "Can't Help Myself", which hit the Australian Top 10 in June 1980. This was followed by their first album 'Icehouse', which also made the Top 10 and became one of year's biggest selling albums in Australia. The album made use of synthesisers, especially the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5.
Further singles "We Can Get Together" and "Walls" both hit the Top 20. A European single from this album, "Icehouse", created some interest in the U.K., partly because of a memorable music video. Sensing the possibility of international success, the band decided to change their name in early 1981 to avoid confusion with Scottish group The Flowers. As Icehouse, they spent most of 1981 touring the UK, Canada and US, where "We Can Get Together" hit #62. A single release, "Love In Motion", recorded by Davies alone but the first to be credited to the band's new name, duly hit the Australian Top 10 in November 1981.
In January 1982, the band's original line up split, resulting in Davies recording Icehouse's much-anticipated second album, 'Primitive Man', on his own, with assistance from Keith Forsey, who later worked with Simple Minds. Released in August 1982, Primitive Man was another huge Australian hit and became Icehouse's international breakthrough. The hit single "Hey Little Girl" reached the UK Top 20 and has remained their most regularly played song. Another strong track from this album was "Great Southern Land", which made the Australian Top 5 and was later featured in the late 1980s film 'Young Einstein'.
In 1985, Davies' musical standing was further enhanced when he was commissioned to compose and record the score for the acclaimed Sydney Dance Company production of Graeme Murphy's dance work 'Boxes'. Icehouse's third album, 'Sidewalk', was far more sombre and reflective, featuring the tracks "I Don't Believe Anymore" and "Someone Like You". After this album the band made further inroads into the U.S. market with their 1986 release 'Measure for Measure', which featured none other than Brian Eno as a listed band member.
Icehouse's next work, 'Man of Colours', was their best-selling album. It contained the hit singles "Crazy" and "Electric Blue" (a song co-written by John Oates from the band Hall and Oates). Both singles reached the US Top 20, with "Electric Blue" hitting the #7 slot. With this album, the band reached an international zenith, never surpassing this level of popularity and exposure again.
In 1995, Davies was again involved with the Sydney Dance Company's production of Berlin. The musical score is a collection of cover versions of songs by David Bowie, Brian Eno, Simple Minds, The Psychedelic Furs, Frank Sinatra, Lou Reed, Roxy Music, XTC, Talking Heads, The Velvet Underground, PiL, The Cure and Killing Joke, which saw him collaborating with pianist Max Lambert in the development of the music.
As well as recording the score to the ballet, Davies performed these songs live with Icehouse at each show. He was an intrinsic part of the ballet, in a role similar to the one in Boxes. Iva was extremely successful in creating a translation from the dancers to the audience. Berlin was an instant success and ran for two seasons. Both shows were the most commercially successful that The Sydney Dance Company have had to date.
On 16 August 2006, Icehouse were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame along side acts such as Midnight Oil, Divinyls and Rose Tattoo. Also in 2006, Icehouse featured prominently on the Triple M Essential 2006 Countdown with 14 songs selected including:
*"Man Of Colours"
*"Electric Blue"
*"We Can Get Together"
*"Don't Believe Any More"
*"Great Southern Land" (which came in at number 12)
Since 1980, Icehouse has released seven albums, several compilations, and music from collaborations with other artists including dance companies. Their 1987 album 'Man of Colours' was released at the apex of their fame and international success. It is considered by many to be the band's magnum opus.
As 'Flowers', Icehouse built up a strong following as a live act around Sydney, Australia, noted for their distinctive cover versions of songs by a wide range of acts including T-Rex and Brian Eno. After signing to the independent Regular Festival Records label, they released their debut single, "Can't Help Myself", which hit the Australian Top 10 in June 1980. This was followed by their first album 'Icehouse', which also made the Top 10 and became one of year's biggest selling albums in Australia. The album made use of synthesisers, especially the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5.
Further singles "We Can Get Together" and "Walls" both hit the Top 20. A European single from this album, "Icehouse", created some interest in the U.K., partly because of a memorable music video. Sensing the possibility of international success, the band decided to change their name in early 1981 to avoid confusion with Scottish group The Flowers. As Icehouse, they spent most of 1981 touring the UK, Canada and US, where "We Can Get Together" hit #62. A single release, "Love In Motion", recorded by Davies alone but the first to be credited to the band's new name, duly hit the Australian Top 10 in November 1981.
In January 1982, the band's original line up split, resulting in Davies recording Icehouse's much-anticipated second album, 'Primitive Man', on his own, with assistance from Keith Forsey, who later worked with Simple Minds. Released in August 1982, Primitive Man was another huge Australian hit and became Icehouse's international breakthrough. The hit single "Hey Little Girl" reached the UK Top 20 and has remained their most regularly played song. Another strong track from this album was "Great Southern Land", which made the Australian Top 5 and was later featured in the late 1980s film 'Young Einstein'.
In 1985, Davies' musical standing was further enhanced when he was commissioned to compose and record the score for the acclaimed Sydney Dance Company production of Graeme Murphy's dance work 'Boxes'. Icehouse's third album, 'Sidewalk', was far more sombre and reflective, featuring the tracks "I Don't Believe Anymore" and "Someone Like You". After this album the band made further inroads into the U.S. market with their 1986 release 'Measure for Measure', which featured none other than Brian Eno as a listed band member.
Icehouse's next work, 'Man of Colours', was their best-selling album. It contained the hit singles "Crazy" and "Electric Blue" (a song co-written by John Oates from the band Hall and Oates). Both singles reached the US Top 20, with "Electric Blue" hitting the #7 slot. With this album, the band reached an international zenith, never surpassing this level of popularity and exposure again.
In 1995, Davies was again involved with the Sydney Dance Company's production of Berlin. The musical score is a collection of cover versions of songs by David Bowie, Brian Eno, Simple Minds, The Psychedelic Furs, Frank Sinatra, Lou Reed, Roxy Music, XTC, Talking Heads, The Velvet Underground, PiL, The Cure and Killing Joke, which saw him collaborating with pianist Max Lambert in the development of the music.
As well as recording the score to the ballet, Davies performed these songs live with Icehouse at each show. He was an intrinsic part of the ballet, in a role similar to the one in Boxes. Iva was extremely successful in creating a translation from the dancers to the audience. Berlin was an instant success and ran for two seasons. Both shows were the most commercially successful that The Sydney Dance Company have had to date.
On 16 August 2006, Icehouse were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame along side acts such as Midnight Oil, Divinyls and Rose Tattoo. Also in 2006, Icehouse featured prominently on the Triple M Essential 2006 Countdown with 14 songs selected including:
*"Man Of Colours"
*"Electric Blue"
*"We Can Get Together"
*"Don't Believe Any More"
*"Great Southern Land" (which came in at number 12)
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Icehouse Lyrics
All The Way As the sun is sinking Deep in the west, the day…
All Tomorrow's Parties And what costume shall the poor girl wear To all tomorrow's…
All Tomorrows Parties And what costume shall the poor girl wear To all tomorrow's…
Angel Street She draws the curtain wide And brushes back her hair She s…
Anybody Her arms around a flag of blue His clouds flying black…
Anybody's War Her arms around a flag of blue His clouds flying black…
Anything Is Possible Oh, I, I had the strangest dream And they made a…
At Night So deep in the night I sink in the night Standing alone Unde…
Baby You're So Strange Ooh, don't talk to me! Well, you tell me I'm the…
Being Boiled Listen to the voice of Buddha Saying stop your sericulture L…
Berlin In Berlin, by the wall You were five foot ten inches…
Big Fun Jack threw a party on a Saturday night And everybody was…
Big Wheel Mmm, alright Yeah, hot Revolution in the city Revolution in …
Boulevarde The Paris hearts all line the boulevarde She shows her hand…
Break These Chains By Icehouse Break These Chains ------------------ Iva Davies…
Cadillac Just sit back and relax Well, come take a little ride This…
Can She comes walking down the street That's the kind, hey, That…
Charlie's Sky Charlie was just a boy Laid back in an open field…
Colours Si un niño tiene una oportunidad Una oportunidad con alguie…
Complicated Game I ask myself should I put my finger to the…
Crazy I've got a pocket Full of holes Head in the clouds The king…
Cross The Border So dangerous Like freedom she fades away The vision that cha…
Dance On Shine With these angel eyes Rushing on Dance away the tea…
Dedicated to Glam (Uh-oh...Uh-oh...) (Uh-oh...Uh-oh...) Dedicated to Glam...(…
Disappointed Promises, promises Oh, tired, worn out Second-hand sentences…
Don I never counted on this 'cause that's the way that it…
Don't Believe Any More I never counted on this 'cause that's the way that it…
Don't Believe Anymore I never counted on this 'cause that's the way that it…
Don't Believe Anymore (Ivan Go I never counted on this 'cause that's the way that it…
Dont Believe Anymore I never counted on this 'cause that's the way that it…
Dusty Pages Window frosted in the rain Dusty pages, broken lines Is al…
Electric Blue If a boy had a chance A chance with someone like…
Fatman Fatman, fatman, fatman, fatman On Second Avenue, night life …
Feed the Machine It`s living and it`s breathing It`s growing deep inside me …
Girl In The Moon You got a long face, no place Everywhere a bad case…
Glam Dedicated to Glam Dedicated to Glam Dedicated to Glam Dedic…
Goodbye Valentine We were living in this matchbox Well, it must be…
Goodnight Mr Matthews I'm playing my cards on the table no secrets, No…
Graet southern land Standing at the limit of an endless ocean Stranded like a…
Harbour Town Well, you can see these people At the end of every…
Heartbreak Kid Dusty wind blew 'cross the high plains As a stranger rode…
Heaven Everyone is trying to get to the bar The name of…
Heroes I, I will be king And you, you will be queen Though…
Hey Little Girl Hey-hey When everything goes wrong Sometimes it makes no sen…
Icehouse It's always cold inside the icehouse Though the rivers never…
Into The Wild The rest you need For just one kiss How could you know Yo…
Invisible People Yeah, yeah The invisible people Yeah, yeah Walking in the g…
Jimmy Dean There's a mist over Broadway Breathing cool sheets of rain …
Judas Always stand in the shadows, Turn your back to the light Now…
Just a Word Oh whoa whoa Oh yeah So you're talking about the river And …
Kingdom One of those days That just comes and goes It's not so…
Knockin 'Em Down Well, there′s no way out of Marrickville For the son of…
Let There Be Love Secrets of lovers Whisper tonight Broken down angel Got lost…
Love in Motion Give you my heart and soul I give you everything Put it…
Love Like Blood We must play our lives like soldiers in the field But…
Loving the Alien Watching them come and go The templars and the saracens They…
Lucky Me Hey She raves and She's talking She's a dirty girl And she's…
Man of colours There's a noise upstairs in the attic It's the shuffle of…
Mercy If I ever get out of here Well I might just…
Miracle Mile Between the neon and the dawn Was Saturday night The spell i…
Miss Divine Hey yeah Hey yeah I was spellbound by Miss Divine Hey yeah …
Mr Big When he's dancin', baby Knows just how to move When he's in…
My Obsession I used to be the one who made you feel So…
Mysterious Thing She tells me that she has to go She says that…
No Promises A winter palace From the Arabian nights White waves on an oc…
Not My Kind Inside this city, on this empty train Hoping that the late…
Nothing To Do I'm finding my feet Absolutely mid season mediocre street I …
Nothing to serious Twenty story buildings coming down on me Mountain ranges sl…
Nothing Too Serious Twenty story buildings coming down on me Mountain ranges sli…
On My Mind Out on the high-way Where does it go? Don't think I really…
One by One Here in this empty room The memory still remains You may nev…
Orbital Line All over the world Turn, turning the wheel Fall out of the…
Over My Head You say it's easy If you really want to see You say…
Over the Line By Icehouse Over The Line ------------- Iva Davies ---------…
Paradise One step that takes you closer to heaven One road that…
Paradise Lost (You don't scare me just to hesitate sometimes) (You don't …
Really Good Time You're heard enough Of the blues and stuff You're pretty s…
Regular Boys We live in a little kingdom We live in the big…
Sam the Man Hello! Hello! Who`s your lady friend? He`s got his finger o…
Satellite Satellite, satellite Satellite, satellite She`s got a wall …
Send Somebody We all need something To believe And I need someway To be…
Shakin' the Cage Heeeeeeeyyyyyyyy!!!!! Well, we walk like thieves On the…
Shot Down Well, I heard the news Get it down, get it down In…
Sidewalk Sidewalk Sleep on the sidewalk The Ragman stands At the end …
Sister There's something you ought to know About the latest model S…
Sister Europe Stupid on a stein away Sick on a Steinway The sailors drow…
Skin The masquerader in the mirror Appears to be a certain strang…
skín The masquerader in the mirror Appears to be a total stranger…
Someone Like You Well I wonder some times as I look at you Was…
Sons We don't know this place This wasted stretch of land And t…
Spanish Gold Just we two people In this perfect place Just you and me And…
Stay Close Tonight Now as the day is closing Hold every moment It may slip…
Stolen Guitar Suzziee never met anybody famous That was in the beginning O…
Street Cafe If there were no tomorrows If there was just one more…
Sunrise On the edge of the bay A day just like the…
Taking the Town They say there's only one tonight Oh yeah we're gonna make…
The Flame On the edge of the city In the dust of the…
The Great Divide THE GREAT DIVIDE (I. Davies) ---------------------------- …
The Kingdom One of those days That just comes and goes It's not so…
The Mountain Do you remember the sea of our time? The mountain I've…
The Perfect Crime You find your secret in me You find yourself in this…
The System Somewhere in Siberia There will be a small explosion Parti…
This Time Hear me crying Pushing back Lost and lonely And I know it so…
Too Late Now Just give me the sign And I'll be walking out that…
Touch the Fire She moves like a mystic Like a priestess, tall and pale Sh…
Trojan Blue The soldiers standing on the shore Shake up their golden shi…
Uniform Well you want to be in the gang And you've got,…
Walls Listen If you listen You will hear an endless heartbeat On t…
We Can Get Together There must be something we can talk about And maybe there's…
Where The River Meets The Sea I know it isn`t right, ah yeah Faith has been broken And…
Wild The rest you need For just one kiss How could…
Wind And Sail Now as the early light is catching the folds Black…