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.
Saturday Night
Cold Chisel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saturday night
Saturday night
Saturday night
Saturday night's already old
Walking into Sunday, and I find
All desires are cold
Show me a light, your company
Goes a little way to help me see
The path on which I'm bound
Rather than the things I leave behind
I've got the keys to the city
Baby
I can feel my luck
I got two days' money
If you light me up
This heart will shine on
"L'esclavage D'amour
It will be ours forevermore"
Words we both recall
Either from a lover, or the law
Saturday night, my steps have shown
I can walk away from all I've know
Goodnight, my friend, goodbye
Remember what they say,
When you're alone, laugh or die
The lyrics to Cold Chisel’s song “Saturday Night” express the loneliness and desperation felt by an individual on a Saturday night. The repetition of the phrase “Saturday night” throughout the song emphasizes the long and monotonous nature of the weekend. The first stanza sets the scene, as the night quickly fades into the early hours of Sunday, hinting at a sense of disappointment as the singer realizes that their desires have not been fulfilled. However, despite this sadness, the singer is still willing to walk “forever” to find a source of light, either in the form of a companion or a deeper understanding of their destiny.
The second stanza of the song introduces the idea that the singer is wealthy, with “two day’s money”, yet despite this abundance of riches, they still feel empty. The French quote “L’esclavage D’amour” (meaning “enslaved to love”) adds a layer of complexity to the song, indicating a possible romantic connection that may have ended badly. However, regardless of the reason behind their heartache, the singer has come to the conclusion that they can walk away from their past and start anew. The final lines of the song, stating “remember what they say, when you’re alone, laugh or die”, is a powerful line that suggests that despite the struggle, you must find a way to laugh to avoid being consumed by the loneliness of life.
Overall, the song "Saturday Night" deals with the feelings of isolation and loneliness that can occur on a night that is popularly considered a social event. The song speaks to the human condition of feeling alone during significant moments and provides hope to the listener, a reminder to face their problems with humor and an open mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Saturday night
The repeated phrase emphasizes the night’s significance
Saturday night's already old
Sunday soon comes, signifying the end of the night
Walking into Sunday, and I find
Sunday is looming
All desires are cold
The fun and passion of the night have faded away
I could walk forever, I don't mind
The artist is trying to avoid the reality of the morning by walking aimlessly
Show me a light, your company
The singer is looking for a companion to ease their discomfort and loneliness
Goes a little way to help me see
The presence of another person provides some clarity for the singer
The path on which I'm bound
The artist is on a predetermined journey
Rather than the things I leave behind
The artist is keeping moving forward, instead of dwelling on the past
I've got the keys to the city
The artist has the means to do whatever they want
Baby
An affectionate term
I can feel my luck
The artist is optimistic and feels fortunate
I got two days' money
The singer has some disposable cash
If you light me up
If the singer receives some help or attention
This heart will shine on
The singer will be happy and lively if their needs are met
"L'esclavage D'amour
A phrase in French, meaning the slavery of love
It will be ours forevermore"
The artist and the listener or a previous partner shared this phrase indicating undying devotion
Words we both recall
The phrase is something they have shared and remembered
Either from a lover, or the law
The words can be seen as romantic or a legal agreement
Saturday night, my steps have shown
The artist has spent the entire night walking after the party has ended
I can walk away from all I've know
The artist is trying to leave behind their previous life
Goodnight, my friend, goodbye
A phrase to signify that another chapter has ended
Remember what they say,
A reminder to remember some advice
When you're alone, laugh or die
When faced with loneliness, the only options can seem like laughing or giving up
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: NIGEL BEAHAM-POWELL, KIT MORGAN, BELLA RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ELECTRONICMUSIC12
Saturday night
Saturday night
Saturday night
Saturday night
Saturday night’s already old
Walking into Sunday, and I find
All desires are cold
I could walk forever, I don’t mind
Show me a light, your company
Goes a little way to help me see
The path on which I’m bound
Rather than the things I leave behind
I’ve got the keys to the city
Baby
I can feel my luck
I got two days’ money
If you light me up
This heart will shine on
“L’esclavage D’amour
It will be ours forevermore”
Words we both recall
Either from a lover, or the law
Saturday night, my steps have shown
I can walk away from all I’ve know
Goodnight, my friend, goodbye
Remember what they say,
When you’re alone, laugh or die
@petermcleannyc
Bloody brilliant! As good in 2022 as it was originally. Great songwriting, vocals, and production. Cold Chisel - a brilliant band! 👏
@speedintraffic
This song is just so brilliant. Don Walker is a dead set genius. Listen to the boys, singing in vague harmony at the start. The pensive coldness of the morning in the verse. The drunken euphoria of the chorus. Walking past the Golden Sheaf tonight (Saturday), absolutely nothing has changed in nearly 30 years. The song is spot on. And the is art, no? To illuminate the human experience - our own experience - so that we may see it in all its beauty and heartache.
@aus80srockradio94
That's another reason - and there are plenty of them - why we love this band the way we do. The talent just oozes.
@TheHahashishi
8 years 1 reply. The world is crazy. This song is top shelf
@aus80srockradio94
@Lloyd C Looks like you and I are the only non-crazies left!!
@speedintraffic
@Aus80sRockRadio nice to meet you non-crazies!
@TheHahashishi
@Aus80sRockRadio haha good to know there's at least 2 other non-crazies in this crazy world 😆
@blueshorecreative3146
As an Aussie of a certain age, this song gets me in the guts and brings tears to my eyes. Memories of nights out, getting drunk, getting rejected by girls, but hanging with your mates (who didn't get rejected by girls). It was a great circus.
@mrfish4238
take me back
@queenslander954
I hear ya mate , days of Oz glory , it was pretty amazing