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.
Don't Let Go
Cold Chisel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Come on, baby, it's time to rock,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'm so happy I got you here,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Keeps me grinnin' from ear to ear.
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!
Thunder, lightening, wind and rain,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Love is stormin' inside my brain,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'm so eager, I'm nearly dyin',
Don't let go, Don't let go.
You've been keepin' your lips from mine.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!
Hound dog barkin' up side the hill,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Love is draggin' him thru the mill,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
If it wasn't for havin' you,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'd be barkin' and howlin' too.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!
One day, baby, you'll quit me yet,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'll be cryin' and soakin' wet,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
One thing, baby, I'll never stand,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Your lips kissin' some other man.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!
Just hold me tight, Don't let go!
"Don't Let Go" is a classic rock and roll song which was originally performed by Roy Hamilton in 1958. Cold Chisel covered the song and released it in 1980 as part of their "East" album. The song is a powerful and upbeat rock and roll tune that talks about a lover's passionate plea to his significant other not to let go.
The song opens with the sound of a train whistle, marking the start of a new day. The lyrics then follow with the lover urging his partner not to let go and to come on and dance with him. The chorus, "Don't let go," is repeated throughout the song with a growing intensity that reflects the lover's anxious and desperate mood. The second verse describes the passion inside his brain, represented by a thunderstorm, lightening, wind, and rain. The third verse features a hound barking up a hill, indicating the hysteria that would ensue if he lost his lover.
The song's themes are familiar from countless songs in the rock and roll canon, but the musical style, melody, and vocals of Cold Chisel set Don't Let Go apart from the rest. Jimmy Barnes' voice and the band's passionate delivery add depth and emotion to the already powerful lyrics, creating a timeless classic rock and roll anthem.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear that whistle, it's ten o'clock.
It's time to get ready and enjoy the night.
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Stay with me, don't leave my side.
Come on, baby, it's time to rock,
Let's have some fun and dance together.
I'm so happy I got you here,
I'm glad you came and we're together.
Keeps me grinnin' from ear to ear.
You make me so happy, I can't stop smiling.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
This feeling of happiness is overwhelming.
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
There's nothing that could make me leave your side.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
I care about you deeply and want to be close to you.
Thunder, lightening, wind and rain,
The world could be going crazy but I still want to be with you.
Love is stormin' inside my brain,
I'm overwhelmed with passion and emotion for you.
I'm so eager, I'm nearly dyin',
I'm excited to be with you and can't wait any longer.
You've been keepin' your lips from mine.
I want to kiss you but you haven't given me the chance.
Hound dog barkin' up side the hill,
Even the dog can sense how strong our love is.
Love is draggin' him thru the mill,
Our love is so powerful that it affects everything around us.
If it wasn't for havin' you,
Without you, everything would be difficult and I would be lost.
I'd be barkin' and howlin' too.
I would be lost and unable to find my way without you.
One day baby, you'll quit me yet,
I know someday our love may end.
I'll be cryin' and soakin' wet,
If that happens, I'll be heartbroken and sad.
One thing baby, I'll never stand,
I cannot handle the thought of you being with someone else.
Your lips kissin' some other man.
The idea of you being with another man is unbearable.
Just hold me tight, Don't let go!
Stay with me and never leave my side.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JESSE ALBERT STONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@markbalston9568
Cold Cold Cold Cold Chisel one missing R.I.P. Steve So much good of our 70’s nearly 5 decades later with Charlie Dreigton back of the band Better Then Best Again Thanksx
@chewfrontta
Gold Chisel right there. Great stuff guys and gals.
@oncall21
Swing Shift all over again!!!!!! Love it!!!
@l.lisawilson8982
Amazing concert in 2015
🤘🖤🖤🖤🤘
@philliphowson1937
🖤🇱🇷🇺🇸🇺🇲🖤🇱🇷🖤🦘🇦🇺🦘🇦🇺🦘🇦🇺
@helenuzzell2027
You fucken ROCK 💓😘💕🤗
@sammy_dog
Andy Bickers and that sexy sax every time he plays with CC it makes great live music that much better the same with Dave Blight on his not so sexy but still harmonious harmonica
@ItzStunt
Great song
@remarcablesd9758
rockin' tune. Ive new found liking for Chisel over the last week so this post is timely - thanks CC. P.S. please send me the Gretsch when it's not being used. Promise I'll look after it....what an awesome looking/sounding machine.
@christianthorogood3181
Rock and roll baby