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.
Janelle
Cold Chisel Lyrics
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So far away
Goodnight, sweet dreams
The world is well
Janelle, Janelle, Janelle
Lookin' through your photograph
Talking through the telephone
And you so all alone
Janelle, Janelle, Janelle
So far away
Goodnight, sweet dreams
The world is well
Janelle, Janelle, Janelle
Someday we'll wake up laughing
Put on our dancing shoes
You won't believe the tales I tell
That time, Janelle's not mine to choose
Janelle, Janelle, Janelle
So far away
Goodnight, sweet dreams
The world is well
Janelle, Janelle, Janelle
The lyrics of Cold Chisel's song Janelle seem to be expressing the bittersweet feeling of being separated from someone you care about. The repetition of Janelle's name throughout the song seems to emphasize her importance to the singer and perhaps even a longing for her presence. The lyrics refer to looking at a photograph and speaking on the telephone, which suggests that Janelle has moved or travelled far away from the singer, leaving them to communicate through distant means.
The lyrics also suggest that the singer is making plans for the future, but there is a sense of loneliness and a feeling of missing Janelle present throughout the song. However, there is hope for a reunion, as the singer envisions a future where they and Janelle will wake up laughing and put on their dancing shoes. The final line, "Janelle's not mine to choose" introduces a note of resignation, suggesting that even if the singer were able to choose to be with Janelle, it may not be possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Janelle, Janelle, Janelle
The singer repeats the name 'Janelle' three times, suggesting the importance of this person in their life.
So far away
Janelle is physically distant from the singer, which is a source of sadness for them.
Goodnight, sweet dreams
The singer wishes Janelle a peaceful night's sleep and pleasant dreams.
The world is well
Despite their separation, the singer believes that the wider world is doing fine, which is possibly a form of reassurance to Janelle.
Lookin' through your photograph
The singer is reminiscing about Janelle by looking at a photograph of her.
Talking through the telephone
The singer is still staying in touch with Janelle by talking to her on the phone, despite the distance between them.
I'm thinking through my plans for me
The singer is considering their own future and what they want to achieve while Janelle is away.
And you so all alone
The singer feels sad that Janelle is alone, and possibly missing them too.
Someday we'll wake up laughing
The singer is optimistic that they will be reunited with Janelle, and that they will both be happy together again.
Put on our dancing shoes
When they are reunited, the singer imagines that they will have fun dancing together.
You won't believe the tales I tell
The singer is looking forward to sharing stories and experiences with Janelle that will be hard to believe.
That time, Janelle's not mine to choose
The singer acknowledges that while they wish to be with Janelle, ultimately her time and affection are up to her to choose.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DON WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind