The band formed in Adelaide in 1973 as a heavy metal band called Orange around keyboard player Don Walker and original bassist Les Kascmarek and while hard rock remained at the core of their sound Cold Chisel displayed a remarkable versatility. When Kascmarek left in 1975, Walker became the major creative force of the band. Built around Walker's superb songwriting, the group also featured the dazzling guitar and vocal talents of Ian Moss and the enormously powerful lead vocals of Scottish immigrant Jimmy Barnes.
While typically classified as a hard-driving rock and roll band, the Chisel repertoire included such Australian anthems as the landmark Vietnam War song "Khe Sanh", "Bow River", "Flame Trees" and "Saturday Night", but also included thoughtful ballads like "Choir Girl" (written about the subject of abortion), pop-flavoured love songs like "My Baby" and caustic political statements like "Star Hotel", an attack on the late-70s government of Malcolm Fraser and inspired by a riot at a Newcastle pub. The music was not political in context, however Walker's songs were observations of everyday life within the Australian society and culture. One song from this period, "Misfits", which featured on the b-side to "My Baby", was written in the same vein as Chuck Berry, and was about homeless kids in the suburbs surrounding Sydney.
Cold Chisel weren't just a band, they were a lifestyle for many of their followers, who were known as some of the roughest in the land. This gave Chisel their hard living approach to their music and made them a tough live band as well. More than 30 years after they originally played together, they attract generation after generation of new listeners. This is also evidence of Chisel's dominance of the pub rock era. They are the only Australian band to have sold more records after breakup than before and are among other bands that have become transgenerational. "Khe Sanh" consistently ranks highly in lists of Australia's most popular songs and their music remains a staple of rock station playlists. The Ian Moss song "Never Before" (from the East LP) was chosen by FM rock station 2JJJ (Triple Jay) as the first record played on-air when the station made its transition from AM to FM in 1980.
By 1983 the band had reached the zenith of their career in Australia and with overseas markets reluctant to accept them, Cold Chisel began to disintegrate. Their abortive US sojourn was commemorated in Barnes' excoriating rocker "You Got Nothing I Want" from the Circus Animals album, an emotional volume created from the frustration of the band’s experiences overseas.
Increasing internal tensions and the pressures of touring took their toll and Steve Prestwich -- who was often in conflict with Barnes -- left the band, to be replaced by veteran Australian drummer Ray Arnott (ex Spectrum). Shortly afterward, in 1984, Cold Chisel announced their split and a series of farewell concerts, for which Prestwich re-joined. That tour became a legend in itself and was not without incident when Barnes lost his voice before the Sydney shows, which then had to be rescheduled. The band's final performance was filmed for the documentary concert film The Last Stand, which remains to this day the best-selling concert film of any single Australian act.
In mid 2011 the group announced a series of upcoming concerts.
Choir Girl
Cold Chisel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crying like a refugee
Looking like a choirgirl
Crying like a refugee
One nurse to hold her
One nurse to wheel her down
The corridors of heeling
And I've been trying
But she's crying like a refugee
Loves me like a sister
Loves me like an only child
Loves me like a sister
Loves me like an only child
She's my connection
I'll hold on
And never, never, never let her down
'Cause she's alone
And she loves me like an only child
Suffer little children
Send that little child to me
All day the doctor
Handles his responsibility
Looking like a choir girl
Crying like a refugee
Looking like a choir girl
Crying like a refugee
She's my connection
I'll hold on
And never, never, never let her down
Cause she's alone
And she's crying like a refugee
Cold Chisel’s song Choir Girl is a poignant depiction of a hospital patient who is suffering and crying out for help. The song begins with the repeated line of “looking like a choir girl, crying like a refugee” which highlights the juxtaposition of a seemingly innocent person, represented by a choir girl, who is experiencing extreme distress reflected by comparison to a refugee. The descriptions of emotional and physical pain are further elaborated on through the references to the nurse who is holding her and wheeling her down the corridor of the hospital. Despite the singer’s efforts to comfort her, she continues to cry like a refugee.
The singer describes his connection with the patient, which is based on a sibling-like closeness, or perhaps even a mother-child relationship; she “loves him like an only child” which suggests a deep bond. The line “suffer little children, send that little child to me” could be a plea directly to a higher power or simply an expression of the singer’s desire to help and care for the patient.
Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the challenges faced by those who are vulnerable and alone, and the need for empathy and compassion in our society.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking like a choirgirl
Appearing innocent and pure
Crying like a refugee
Expressing fear and desperation
Looking like a choirgirl
Appearing innocent and pure
Crying like a refugee
Expressing fear and desperation
One nurse to hold her
A nurse providing comfort and support
One nurse to wheel her down
The nurse escorting her to the required destination
The corridors of heeling
The pathway towards healing or recovery
And I've been trying
Attempting to console and mend her emotions
But she's crying like a refugee
Her tears signify a sense of displacement and loneliness
Loves me like a sister
Shows affection similar to a sibling
Loves me like an only child
Expresses love as if there is no competition for it
Loves me like a sister
Shows affection similar to a sibling
Loves me like an only child
Expresses love as if there is no competition for it
She's my connection
She is the person that connects him to certain emotions and actions
I'll hold on
Will not let go of the relationship
And never, never, never let her down
Will never disappoint her
'Cause she's alone
Her loneliness is the reason for his unconditional love and support
And she loves me like an only child
Her love for him is as deep as the love of a single child
Suffer little children
The suffering of children is lamentable and heartbreaking
Send that little child to me
Indicates the desire to comfort and care for the child
All day the doctor
The physician dedicates his entire day for healing others
Handles his responsibility
Meticulously performs his tasks and duties
Looking like a choir girl
Appearing innocent and pure
Crying like a refugee
Expressing fear and desperation
Looking like a choir girl
Appearing innocent and pure
Crying like a refugee
Expressing fear and desperation
She's my connection
She is the person that connects him to certain emotions and actions
I'll hold on
Will not let go of the relationship
And never, never, never let her down
Will never disappoint her
Cause she's alone
Her loneliness is the reason for his unconditional love and support
And she's crying like a refugee
Her tears signify a sense of displacement and loneliness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONALD WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Lizards_Lounge
Many Australian bands have been great, even tour in U.S.A but seem to be ignored, I've shown several people in U.S Australian songs and they loved them.
Cold Chisel
John Farnham
Australian Crawl
Crowded House Screaming Jets
Grinspoon
There was earlier
Johnny O'Keefe
Sherbet and Skyhooks
Off the top of my head, and probably about a dozen more rock bands of such quality...we have our own metal and rap ect..
But going by 70s/80s Aussie Radio or Pub classics there's a few to start you there..
Obviously don't need to add AC/DC or Bee Gees...they made it
@Lizards_Lounge
@@campinatorxbox1610
Your so welcome mate.
It's sad to me that other countries missed all this stuff...esp that 70s-90s era.
We get most of U.S and other worldwide hits, but I can't imagine my childhood without the hundreds of bits these bands have had.
It's a priviledge to share.
I remembered a few afterwards that fit the same categories..
Midnight oil
Johnny Diesel...just known as 'diesel'
the angels
men at Work
Rose Tattoo
Hoodoo gurus
Australian Crawl (couldn't remember if I already did that one).
To go with 90s/00s alternative rock era 'grinspoon' there's also
Regurgitator
Spiderbait
Eskimo Joe
The living end (pop punk).
Jebediah
You am I
Killing Heidi
Magic Dirt
60s (again).
Masters apprentices
Kylie Minogue (pop)
Seekers (60s..kinda folk,melody).
Lead singer of Seekers and Olivia Newton John we just lost in last few months, died...both women are Australian legends.
Judith Durham of seekers, not my thing, but was widely known as a big voiced singer.
00s metal
Sunk Loto
Bullet for My Valentine
???
??
Truth is there is plenty more,but I haven't heard in so many years I've forgotten.
I've actually heard several decent Aussie metal bands but that's only one I can remember.
I don't listen to rap,but know hill top hoods used to be popular..
There's actually alot of popular Aussie rappers these days.
I think I already said, but J.O.K (Johnny O'Keefe) was as far as I can see our first big, quality artist in 50s/60s, died really young...I'm born in 81 and just love it still.
Definately reccomend.
I mostly only put bands that seen decent amount of success, exept maybe
magic dirt (grunge)...
@randyevans4120
As a US Naval Aviator, our carrier made a port call in Perth. The locals were great and by chance introduced myself and friends to your Great rock band Cold Chisel. Still enjoying Jimmy and the boys to this day, 2022. Thanks to my friends in Perth and also Hobart for the treat their music..
@seanbayley7452
Thanks for your service brother glad we could give u the gift of chisel one of our finest
@ceeejay9112
Lucky man!!! ....also we're lucky for yr service!
@chriskelly9476
Ian Moss played for the Aussie troops in East Timor 13 or 14 years ago, just him by himself. Some young ones only knew him as the "guitarist from Cold Chisel" but after his show that night he got plenty of new fans of his own. Great experience.
@geraldineroach8614
They will neverdie
@sujansigdel7504
Respect sir!!!!
@6ixConfessions
The boys were so young then. They had no idea that they would become legendary & represent an entire culture for Australia. Pub rock was the best & sorely missed.
@kimberleylehman1977
Those of us born in the 60's grew up in the 70's 80's had the best music had to offer
Love this song! Jimmy Barnes is one of the BEST Australian musicians. Those were the days....
@puupilo96746
I flew to Australia from LA in November 1979. This song was being played all over the radio in Sydney. I ended up buying a CD and bringing it home with me. I still just love this song.
@katehenderson8194
It’s a shame that they didn’t crack the American market.. Jimmie only got famous over your way as the ‘screaming cowboy’ lol 😅