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.
Drinkin' in Port Lincoln
Cold Chisel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Connie goes down to the Pier Hotel
She's on the lookout for a quick romance
She talks real slow and she never could spell
But Jesus don't you watch her dance
Well the Pier's never been no youth hostel
Those bayside boys are all as crazy as hell
They only wanna get inside her pants
With his feet spread out and his shoulders shakin'
Some fisherman takes her hand
And they clear the floor and they shout more music
And they dance until she just can't stand
And he leads her down past the Baytown jetty
To a place he's found, and he lets her down steady
And the stars hang low like bleached confetti
And they make sweet love in the sand
You know times are tough in old S.A.
They got thousands on the dole
And when the weekend comes they wanna drown their troubles
At the very best waterhole
And it feels much better when they get to thinkin'
Of the nights ahead when they hit Port Lincoln
And the Pier Hotel where they'll all be drinkin'
To the Baytown rock'n'roll
He's leaning on the veranda rail
Sipping Queensland rum
She's strolling back to the Pier Hotel
Her legs are kind of numb
Their eyes lock on for a second too long
And though they've never met
The message gets through and Connie starts thinkin'
The night ain't over yet
Oh no the night ain't over yet
The song "Drinkin' in Port Lincoln" by Cold Chisel depicts the nightlife in the town of Port Lincoln, South Australia. The song tells the story of Connie, a woman who goes to the Pier Hotel looking for a fling. Despite her poor spelling, she has a way of talking to men that gets them interested. The night gets wild as the locals hit the dance floor at the hotel, and Connie becomes the object of desire for many men. She ends up dancing with a fisherman who takes her to a secluded spot on the beach where they make love under the stars. The song also touches on the economic hardships in South Australia, and how people turn to drinking to forget their troubles.
The lyrics of "Drinkin' in Port Lincoln" paint a vivid picture of the nightlife in Port Lincoln. The Pier Hotel is a popular spot for locals, and the dance floor is always packed. The song also highlights how the economic situation in the area has led many people to turn to drinking as a form of escape. Despite the hard times, the people of Port Lincoln know how to have a good time.
Overall, "Drinkin' in Port Lincoln" is a song that captures the essence of a town and its people during a particular time in history. The lyrics delve into themes of love, hardship, and escapism, making it a relatable song for anyone who has ever gone through tough times.
Line by Line Meaning
Connie goes down to the Pier Hotel
Connie visits Pier Hotel.
She's on the lookout for a quick romance
Connie is looking for a short fling.
She talks real slow and she never could spell
Connie has a slow way of speaking and poor spelling skills.
But Jesus don't you watch her dance
Connie's dancing skills are a sight to behold.
Well the Pier's never been no youth hostel
Pier Hotel is not meant for young people.
Those bayside boys are all as crazy as hell
The boys who visit Baytown are wild and unpredictable.
And when she hits that floor like a cannonshell
Connie dances with explosive energy.
They only wanna get inside her pants
The boys are only interested in having sex with Connie.
With his feet spread out and his shoulders shakin'
A fisherman approaches Connie with a confident stance.
Some fisherman takes her hand
The fisherman leads Connie to dance.
And they clear the floor and they shout more music
The other dancers make way and ask for more music.
And they dance until she just can't stand
Connie dances until she is exhausted.
And he leads her down past the Baytown jetty
The fisherman walks with Connie towards the Baytown jetty.
To a place he's found, and he lets her down steady
The fisherman takes Connie to a secluded spot and seduces her.
And the stars hang low like bleached confetti
The sky is clear and filled with stars.
And they make sweet love in the sand
The fisherman and Connie have sex on the sand.
You know times are tough in old S.A.
South Australia is going through hard times.
They got thousands on the dole
Many people are unemployed and receiving benefits.
And when the weekend comes they wanna drown their troubles
People want to forget their problems on weekends.
At the very best waterhole
They want to visit the best pub.
And it feels much better when they get to thinkin'
People feel better when they start thinking about good times ahead.
Of the nights ahead when they hit Port Lincoln
They are looking forward to visiting Port Lincoln.
And the Pier Hotel where they'll all be drinkin'
They want to drink at Pier Hotel.
To the Baytown rock'n'roll
They want to have a good time with Baytown's rock and roll music.
He's leaning on the veranda rail
A man is standing on the veranda, resting his arms on the rails.
Sipping Queensland rum
He is drinking rum from Queensland.
She's strolling back to the Pier Hotel
Connie is walking back to Pier Hotel.
Her legs are kind of numb
Connie's legs are tired from dancing and sex.
Their eyes lock on for a second too long
The man and Connie make eye contact for a long moment.
And though they've never met
They do not know each other.
The message gets through and Connie starts thinkin'
Connie starts thinking about the man and what could happen next.
The night ain't over yet
The night is not yet done.
Contributed by Benjamin R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.