Their 1980 debut album The Boys Light Up had a number of hit singles including the title track; "Indisposed"; and "Beautiful People". The Boys Light Up appeared on the Aussie charts for 104 weeks. In 1981 the band released their second album, Sirocco. This album contained the hits "Lakeside", "Things Don't Seem" and "Errol", a song written about the Australian actor Errol Flynn. It was produced by Peter Dawkins in Sydney.
In 1982 they released the Sons of Beaches album. The album was recorded in Hawaii with producer Mike Chapman. The album featured the hit "Shutdown" and it became their third album in a row to reach the top five in the Australian charts.
Soon afterwards Bill McDonough left the band. The remaining members then recorded the EP Semantics. The EP contained what would become possibly their best-known song, "Reckless".
The first of two deaths in the group came in 1984 when Guy McDonough died in Melbourne of viral pneumonia secondary to endocarditis due to intravenous amphetamine use. "From Simon Binks: Incorrect and libellous. You'd better hope Bill doesn't see this. Guy died after receiving intravenous vitamin supplements from a naturopath friend of ours to overcome a curious fatigue".
The band recorded their final studio album, Between A Rock And A Hard Place, in 1985.
Tensions within the band caused them to disband in 1986. Performing a final concert on 27 January 1986, the concert was recorded and released under the title The Final Wave.
In seven years, Australian Crawl sold over a million records in Australia. After the group disbanded, Reyne went on to pursue a successful solo career. Robinson moved into a career in television (with Network Ten's Page One) and documentaries; in the 1990s he became the manager for the Reyne brothers, James and David. (David had been the drummer in Reyne and Binks' first band, Spiff Roach.) "From Simon Binks: No. David never played in Spiff Rouch. Bill filled those shoes. David was the first drummer in Australian Crawl."
After a three-year battle with lymphoma, Robinson died on 13 October 1996. The band was inducted into the Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame in 1996, just before Robinson's death.
In 2002 EMI released a two-CD Greatest Hits package called Australian Crawl: James Reyne, The Definitive Collection, which contained songs from the band and from James Reyne's solo career.
"All the names on the picture in this forum are wrong. You have me labelled as James Reyne. Simon Binks"
"Thank you for your corrections Mr Binks - I thought I was mistaken but realise I was right.
Shutdown
Australian Crawl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd be sure, beware the certain lover
She's cool, she's you, It's oh such rue that she's done to you
Steady yet baby, we'll be ready
Sometimes I find my feet unsteady
She's done time, She's done life
This push and shove don't hurt so much
Shut down, shut down, close enough so walk away-ay-ay-ay
The girl has guts from top to toe
A VIP's are spending money on this, no
A slim waist, it's good taste
The girl gets slow, but she'll up the pace
You're addicted to the swing jet set
Make your summer the perfect yet
Look sharp, play the part
Think with your mind and not your heart
Shut down, shut down, you should shut down on her, hey-ey-ey-ey
Shut down, shut down, close enough so walk away-ay, Walk away
Love is easy, love's so unkind
Some are sleezy, love's so blind
Her blue eyes, her bust size
She's done her homework and I'm not surprised
Several of my friends take cover
Beware, be sure the certain lover
She's done time, She's done life
This push and shove don't hurt so much
Shut down, shut down, you should shut down on her, hey-ey-ey-ey
Shut down, shut down, close enough so walk away-ay-ay-ay
One hour (one hour), one day (one day), some how (some how), some way
Shut down, shut down, so close it up and save your alimony
Hey, your alimony, (I said) your alimony, (Hey) your alimony
Save it (your alimony, your alimony, (Hey) your alimony, your alimony)
(Alimony, alimony, alimony, alimony, alimony, alimony
The song 'Shut Down' by Australian Crawl is about a woman who is dangerous to be around but is also irresistible. The first verse talks about how the singer's friends are wary of the woman because she has done something awful to them or someone they know. Despite her bad reputation, the woman is described as cool and tempting. The singer warns himself to be steady in her presence because she could easily cause him to lose his balance. The second verse paints a picture of the woman as a high-class escort who attracts wealthy clients. She's beautiful, slim, and sophisticated. The singer warns himself to be careful not to get addicted or fall in love with her because it could end badly. The chorus urges the listener to shut down and walk away from the woman before it's too late.
Overall, the song seems to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of getting involved with the wrong person. The woman in the song represents someone who is alluring but also potentially harmful. The singer recognizes both her appeal and the risks associated with being around her.
Line by Line Meaning
Several of my friends take cover
My friends are afraid of getting involved with her
I'd be sure, beware the certain lover
Be careful around her
She's cool, she's you, It's oh such rue that she's done to you
She's attractive and she's got you hooked despite causing you trouble
Steady yet baby, we'll be ready
Stay strong, we'll be prepared
Sometimes I find my feet unsteady
I feel unsure sometimes
She's done time, She's done life
She's been through some tough experiences
This push and shove don't hurt so much
I can handle this level of conflict
Shut down, shut down, you should shut down on her, hey-ey-ey-ey
Cut off ties with her, hey-ey-ey-ey
Shut down, shut down, close enough so walk away-ay-ay-ay
Shut her out and walk away
The girl has guts from top to toe
She's got confidence in spades
A VIP's are spending money on this, no
She's in high demand and people will pay for it
A slim waist, it's good taste
Being thin is fashionable
The girl gets slow, but she'll up the pace
She might seem uninterested at first, but she'll come around
You're addicted to the swing jet set
You enjoy the lifestyle and the people she's connected to
Make your summer the perfect yet
This is the opportunity to make everything right
Look sharp, play the part
Appearances matter
Think with your mind and not your heart
Be rational and not emotional
Love is easy, love's so unkind
Love can be simple, but it can also be cruel
Some are sleezy, love's so blind
Some people are disingenuous, and love can make us oblivious
Her blue eyes, her bust size
Her physical attributes are appealing
She's done her homework and I'm not surprised
She's clever and knows how to manipulate people
One hour (one hour), one day (one day), some how (some how), some way
Eventually, you'll be able to move on
Shut down, shut down, so close it up and save your alimony
Cut her out and protect your assets
Hey, your alimony, (I said) your alimony, (Hey) your alimony
Remember your financial obligations
Save it (your alimony, your alimony, (Hey) your alimony, your alimony)
Set aside your money
(Alimony, alimony, alimony, alimony, alimony, alimony
Alimony, alimony, alimony, alimony, alimony, alimony
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM MCDONOUGH, WILLIAM STEPHEN MCDONOUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carriefawcett9990
Seriously though, what would we do without the brilliant work of these guys? 😊😢❤❤
@MrPjalex
Simon Binks was the most under rated guitarist .... absolutely great taste in his chops ...
@eqntdhjn
So, from now I have a new favourite Australian song. Thank you, Great Southern Land, for awesome musicians.
@carntspell
Worked in a Balmain bar once and we were honored to have James Reyne play. He ordered a beer and the bartender said "Mate, love Getaway, this one`s on the house." (brother David Reyne was hosting a Channel 9 travel show at the time). James laughed, took the beer and said "in that case put it on Nine`s tab". Champion behaviour.
@AussieOutlaw
Met him once ,opened a Door for him at the Palace in StKilda, he said Thanks mate, lmao
@michelledoyle1969
Aussie Outlaw sooo aussie to say that
@darlingharbourmassage370
he can be a bytch..
@nicholasgarnett1767
😀👍
@gregdawes7642
Please transport me back to 1982.
@marklowe7431
Audio engineers should get a medal, these are so well recorded and trap this killer music forever