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.
It Ain't Wrong
Cold Chisel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're poor and feeling low
There's no sense in those reliable
Lookin' down on those less so
Cause there's room at Jesus table
For all to come and go
The host ain't quite as formal as some believe
And the highway was his call
And his feet sometimes wore bandages
And his following was small
But his faith shone like the twelve-fifteen
On the subway station wall
He made it, and with his helping
I can make it too
And the Lord shall be my shepherd
Through the thick times and the thin
From the weeks' end queue for payroll
To the landlord's easy grin
Through the nights so cold and lonely
I just don't know where I've been
He will guide my footsteps homeward once again
The lyrics to Cold Chisel's "It Ain't Wrong" are an insightful commentary on the relationship between poverty, faith, and social judgement. The song suggests that desperate times call for desperate measures, and that there's no sense in judging someone for resorting to theft when they're in a position of extreme need. The line "There's no sense in those reliable, Lookin' down on those less so" critiques those who hold themselves up as moral authorities, suggesting that a person's worth is not determined by their material possessions.
The song goes on to highlight the universality of Jesus's message of compassion and inclusion. The line "There's room at Jesus table, For all to come and go" emphasizes the idea that no matter who you are or what you've done, there's a place for you in the eyes of God. The song suggests that Jesus himself was a wanderer who experienced hardship, but that despite these struggles, his faith and message continue to inspire people to this day.
Overall, "It Ain't Wrong" is a powerful meditation on the connections between faith, poverty, and social justice. The song suggests that true compassion means seeing beyond the surface level of someone's circumstances, and recognizing their inherent worth and dignity as a human being.
Line by Line Meaning
It ain't wrong to steal a Bible
Stealing a Bible might not be immoral when you are poor and feeling inferior.
When you're poor and feeling low
The situation of poverty and depression drives people to commit acts that might not seem right.
There's no sense in those reliable
People who have comfortable lives and lack sensitivity should not judge others who struggle.
Lookin' down on those less so
Disparaging those who have less than us is not a positive attitude to maintain.
Cause there's room at Jesus table
Jesus's teachings invite everyone, regardless of their circumstances.
For all to come and go
All people can join Jesus's teachings, and there are no conditions except honesty and faith.
The host ain't quite as formal as some believe
Jesus's teachings are not dogmatic or strict; they are free and accepting.
You know Jesus was a wanderer
Jesus did not have a stable life and was always on the move.
And the highway was his call
Jesus was committed to his mission and was ready to go wherever he was needed.
And his feet sometimes wore bandages
Jesus, like everyone else, could be hurt or injured.
And his following was small
Despite his teachings, not many people were willing to follow Jesus.
But his faith shone like the twelve-fifteen
Jesus's faith and commitment were unwavering and visible to everyone.
On the subway station wall
The imagery serves to reference the wider world, beyond the immediate listener's experience.
He made it, and with his helping
Jesus succeeded in his mission, and we can achieve our goals with his guidance.
I can make it too
We can overcome the challenges of life with faith and resoluteness.
And the Lord shall be my shepherd
God will take care of me and guide me, and I will follow his teachings.
Through the thick times and the thin
God will support me, no matter the difficulty of the situation.
From the weeks' end queue for payroll
Even when waiting in line for money, God's love is constant and ever-present.
To the landlord's easy grin
Even when dealing with stress and conflict, God can provide comfort and peace.
Through the nights so cold and lonely
Even when feeling isolated and vulnerable, God can make us feel protected and understood.
I just don't know where I've been
Sometimes life can seem confusing and disorientating.
He will guide my footsteps homeward once again
God provides the comfort and guidance we need to find our way back home.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOOKER T. JR. JONES, DON WALKER, WENDY MATTHEWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kim ODonnell
Amen. My favourite Chisel song. Don wrote this in the early struggling days, with maybe memories of hearing Billy Graham in his youth. Awesome song.. raw blues and Jesus.😊😊
Laurence Pin
Raw Blues and Jesus,love that
TheRealSwanstar
Just for the record.......... His face shone like a Ronson He made it with his help, and I can make it too. He will guide my footsteps homeward, every time, yes Yes he will guide my footsteps homeward every time !!
Nikos1974
@Con Mournehis actually it’s handy winger/three quarter in a Premiership winning side. Go Manly 🇶🇦
Con Mournehis
@PP ronson is a cigarette lighter
PP
Hi.Ronson is a mens razor. Metallic. Would definitely glint in the sun.
iggytse
TheRealSwanstar I have always wondered what the hell is a Ronson?
Mark Gaffey
.. The words above that are written in the first comment were the original words, the lyric changed slightly by the time is was recorded .. You're right in what you've written as being the recorded lyrics except substitute faith for face I think .. I'd like to think Jesus would be cool with them too, except maybe we could exchange steal for read ..
Eskay1206
who wrote this?