When they re-emerged in 1987 with new guitarist Brett Williams and a new album called Big Bad Noise things continued as if they'd never been gone. The album eventually went double platinum and its lead single "Run to Paradise" became the biggest hit of their career, remaining a soundtrack for football games and backyard barbecues for decades to come. Big Bad Noise's other singles, "Struggletown" and "Boys Will Be Boys" both charted as well. This success afforded them the chance to travel to Los Angeles in 1991 to record their follow-up album, Midnight Sun, but like all of their later releases it didn't repeat the success of Big Bad Noise. That year they also recorded a live album, Dead Drunk Live Hangovers, at a concert in Melbourne. Richard Lara of the Screaming Jets and Barton Price of the Models joined the band on guitar and drums respectively in 1996, when they released two albums, Dancing on the Grave of Rock 'N' Roll and Yo Yo. Price left to be replaced by Paul Wheeler of fellow pub rock legends Icehouse before their 2004 album, Evolver. That year they had a bigger hit when Mark Gable contributed a new vocal take for a remix of "Run to Paradise" by Nick Skitz, a DJ known for making minimal changes to pop hits of yesteryear to turn them into dance hits of today. The single, credited to Nick Skitz vs. the Choirboys, went platinum. In 2007 they released their tenth album, So Easy.
James Dale
Choirboys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He has to leave home
Working on a merchant ship
Waiting just to jump ship, yeah
Out of the cane fields
The summer 1926
The boy's only sixteen
How's he gonna start his dreams?
Mind and soul, they're gone stale
And is that all there is to it
James Dale
They fell in love in 1938
Their first child and a World War
He's leaving home in a uniform
How's he gonna start his dreams?
Yeah
Mind and soul, they're gone stale
And is that all there is to it
James Dale
Love of life, it's gone stale
Blood runs deep like gold
James Dale
I can see you now
(See you now)
Photograph of a dog and a rusty car
I can see you now
(See you now)
Your sunburnt face, your back against the wall
Mind and soul, they're gone stale
Is that all there is to it
James Dale
Love of life, it's gone stale
Blood runs deep like gold
James Dale, James Dale
The song "James Dale" by Choirboys tells the story of a man who leaves his home in Belfast in 1924 to work on a merchant ship. He is just waiting for the opportunity to jump ship and start building his dreams. In 1926, he finds himself working in cane fields at the age of sixteen, wondering how he will achieve his dreams. As the song progresses, we learn that he falls in love in 1938 and has his first child, but then has to leave home in a uniform to fight in World War II. The lyrics touch on the themes of lost potential, broken dreams, and the fading of love and life.
The repetition of the line "Mind and soul, they're gone stale" emphasizes the weight of time and the feeling of hopelessness that can come with unfulfilled dreams. The image of a photograph of a dog and a rusty car, and the line "Your sunburnt face, your back against the wall" convey a sense of nostalgia and longing for days gone by.
Line by Line Meaning
In Belfast 1924
This story takes place in Belfast, Northern Ireland in the year 1924.
He has to leave home
The main character of this story must leave his home, for reasons that are not yet evident.
Working on a merchant ship
He finds work on a merchant ship, implying that he left Ireland by sea.
Waiting just to jump ship, yeah
He is waiting for an opportunity to abandon the merchant ship and begin a new life elsewhere.
Out of the cane fields
It is unclear where he goes after leaving the merchant ship, but he travels to a place with cane fields.
The summer 1926
The story picks up again in the summer of 1926, likely indicating a significant change in circumstances for the main character since leaving Ireland.
The boy's only sixteen
The main character is still very young and inexperienced.
How's he gonna start his dreams?
Despite his youth and lack of resources, the main character is still hopeful for success and fulfillment in his life.
Mind and soul, they're gone stale
Over time, the main character loses his hope and drive, becoming disillusioned with life.
And is that all there is to it
The main character questions whether this is all there is to life, expressing a sense of disappointment and nihilism.
James Dale
The main character's name is James Dale.
They fell in love in 1938
At some point in the future, James falls in love and begins a family.
Their first child and a World War
Soon after having their first child, they are impacted by the outbreak of World War II.
He's leaving home in a uniform
James is forced to leave his family and go off to fight in the war.
Love of life, it's gone stale
Even after experiencing love and starting a family, James remains disillusioned with life and feels unfulfilled.
Blood runs deep like gold
Despite being disillusioned, James still values the love and connection he has with his family.
I can see you now
(See you now)
Photograph of a dog and a rusty car
I can see you now
(See you now)
Your sunburnt face, your back against the wall
Despite everything, James still has vivid memories of the people and places that have been important to him throughout his life.
James Dale
The song ends with a repetition of the main character's name, emphasizing the central role he plays in the story.
Writer(s): Mark Gable
Contributed by Elliot J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@melinakeast5041
Struggle town was our destination at that age
@phillisnz
Love this song. always
@andrewdods2236
One of my favourites, and favourite from the album 😊👍🏼🤘🏼
@bennyjazzful
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a 73yo Aussie fan.
@tommysit9205
best song on the entire album.
@jesteronetime
i got this tape at a servo at tamworth when i was 18..allways remembered the whistle but not the song name ,,found it tonight christmas night 2016
@andrewdods2236
Jason i love oz Gold :-) Love the interwebs :-)
@melinakeast5041
I went to a primary school in Weston Creek where stone wash jeans at the time were prolific in fashion then westies morphed into boons and from there procreation
@melinakeast5041
Oh no I just messed up the spelling last comment I meant mark gable is that all there is to it mark gable ( creative expression)
@brianwoodrow395
lol typical Band Shot!