Cold Chisel produced the canonical example of Australian pub rock, with a s… Read Full Bio ↴Cold Chisel produced the canonical example of Australian pub rock, with a string of hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and they are acknowledged as one of the most popular and successful Australian groups of the period, although this success and acclaim was almost completely restricted to Australia.

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.

Shipping Steel
Cold Chisel Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hammer down the open road
Steel pigs my only load
Country songs are always playin'
He's a goin', she's a staying
Briquets keep the fires burning
Diesel keeps the wheels turning
Hikers on the edge of town
Start off young and end up learning

Shipping steel, shipping steel . . .
Nobody knows, the way it feels
Caught between Heaven and the Highway
Shipping steel, shipping steel . . .

Some men need a family
Need the club fraternity

God's salvation guaranteed
Mac's the only friend I need

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cold Chisel's song "Shipping Steel" are a metaphor for the life of a truck driver who spends most of his life on the road. The singer is hauling steel pigs and his country music playlist keeps him going. His job is his livelihood, and he finds meaning and a sense of belonging in his profession. The chorus describes his state of being caught between heaven and the highway, struggling to find balance between the isolation of the open road and the pull towards home and society. In the second verse, the singer contrasts his life with those who require a family or the club fraternity. For him, his truck is his only friend, and salvation comes from the freedom of the open road.

The song's lyrics are a testament to the life of a truck driver, and the difficulties they face in their profession. The lyrics also explore themes of loneliness, isolation, and the search for purpose. The life of a truck driver can be tough, and the song acknowledges the sacrifices that they make in order to provide for themselves and their families. The lyrics also highlight the sense of camaraderie and community that exists among truck drivers, who often rely on each other for support and companionship during long hauls.

Line by Line Meaning

Hammer down the open road
Driving quickly on the highway

Steel pigs my only load
Transporting steel as cargo

Country songs are always playin'
Listening to country music while driving

He's a goin', she's a staying
One person travels frequently while the other stays home

Briquets keep the fires burning
Charcoal is used to fuel fires

Diesel keeps the wheels turning
The diesel engine is powering the vehicle

Hikers on the edge of town
People walking on the outskirts of a city

Start off young and end up learning
Learning from experiences over time

Shipping steel, shipping steel . . .
Continuously transporting steel

Nobody knows, the way it feels
The experience is unique and personal

Caught between Heaven and the Highway
Feeling conflicted about life choices