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.
When the Sun Goes Down
Cold Chisel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh! When the sun goes down
Oh! When the sun goes down
Oh! When the sun goes down
Uh oh, here she comes
Hot shoes and China son
Watchin' her go by
Oil tankers goin' out to sea
They're all workin' for the company
Oh baby, I better be with you
Uh oh, see your thigh
Hot shoes, a China sky
See it now before you die
She's everything she seems
She's the Queen of the waterfall
I pay back her mother and her son
What else can a poor boy do, but dream
(Poor boy do)
This crazy idleness
Working through on a tiny desk
Only hanging on 'till the sun goes down
Loneliness, oh loneliness
What she sees, I'll never guess
And nothing ever shows 'till the sun goes down
Not until the sun goes
Oh, when the sun goes down
(When the sun goes down)
Oh, when the sun goes down
(When the sun goes down)
Oh, when the sun goes down
(Oh!)
Uh oh, round the bay
Taxed lunches, close of day
Young lovers take a holiday
Leaving me behind
Shine on, harbour light
Lead me on through the lonely night
Baby, I don't mind when the sun goes down
Oh, not until the sun goes
Oh, when the sun goes down
(Oh, when the sun goes down)
The lyrics of "When the Sun Goes Down" by Cold Chisel tell a story about the experiences of a man who longs to be with a woman who represents everything sexy and exciting in his life. The song begins with the repeated phrase "Oh! When the sun goes down" which suggests the darkness of the night intensifies the sense of longing in the singer. He describes the woman he desires as wearing hot shoes and having a thigh so alluring that he must see it before he dies. Despite the fact that she makes him feel like a loaded gun, he believes that there's nothing else he can do but dream.
The second verse of the song references the oil tankers going out to sea and the loneliness experienced by the singer. He describes himself as working on a tiny desk, only holding on until the sun goes down. He recognizes the idleness of his current situation and appears envious of those who have lovers and take holidays. In the final verse, he refers to the harbor light that shines on him through the lonely night. Although he doesn't mind being alone, he longs to be with the woman he desires when the sun goes down.
In summary, the lyrics of "When the Sun Goes Down" by Cold Chisel are about a man's longing for a woman who represents everything exciting in his life, but he can't be with her until the sun goes down when he can finally escape from his loneliness and dreams about being with her.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh! When the sun goes down
The repetitive chorus emphasizes the idea that something important happens when the sun goes down.
Uh oh, here she comes
The singer is excited or nervous about the arrival of a woman he finds attractive.
Hot shoes and China son
The woman is wearing fashionable shoes and the sky is a beautiful shade of red, like painted china.
Every boy's like a loaded gun
All the men are eager and ready to impress or pursue the woman.
Watchin' her go by
The men are all paying attention to the woman's movements as she walks past them.
Oil tankers goin' out to sea
The singer observes some oil tankers moving toward the sea, possibly to transport oil to other areas.
They're all workin' for the company
The workers on the tankers are employed by a company, and their movements are more about business than pleasure.
Oh baby, I better be with you
The artist wants to spend time with the woman he finds attractive, possibly because he enjoys her company or wants to impress her.
Uh oh, see your thigh
The artist notices the woman's leg, which is suggestive or alluring.
Hot shoes, a China sky
The woman's shoes and the sky are both described in vivid detail, highlighting their beauty.
See it now before you die
The singer is urging others to appreciate the beauty of the woman and the surroundings before they are gone forever.
She's everything she seems
The artist believes the woman is exactly as beautiful and enticing as she appears to be.
She's the Queen of the waterfall
The woman is so beautiful that she is given a royal title, highlighting her grace and beauty as if she is a natural wonder on par with a waterfall.
I pay back her mother and her son
The singer suggests that he is offering support or financial compensation to the family of the woman he is attracted to, which could be interpreted as an act of kindness or a bribe.
What else can a poor boy do, but dream
The singer has little hope of actually winning the affections of the woman he desires, so all he can do is dream about it.
This crazy idleness
The artist is struggling to find meaning or purpose in his life, which could suggest that he is pondering issues of identity and direction.
Working through on a tiny desk
The artist's job is mundane and unfulfilling, as if he is completing paperwork at a small or cramped desk.
Only hanging on 'till the sun goes down
The singer is just getting by or enduring a difficult situation, and is only able to look forward to the end of the day when the sun sets and something changes.
Loneliness, oh loneliness
The singer is confronting feelings of loneliness and solitude.
What she sees, I'll never guess
The artist is unsure what the woman he is attracted to sees in him, and feels uncertain or insecure about his chances with her.
And nothing ever shows 'till the sun goes down
The artist feels like his true self or his true feelings are only revealed when the sun sets, suggesting that he is more comfortable or honest with himself at night.
Uh oh, round the bay
The artist notices some activity occurring around the bay, which could suggest that he is observing the world around him or has a job related to the water.
Taxed lunches, close of day
People are finishing up their work day and eating taxed lunches, which suggests a working-class or bureaucratic atmosphere.
Young lovers take a holiday
The artist sees some young couples taking time off work to spend time together, which could be interpreted as an envious or nostalgic observation.
Leaving me behind
The singer is alone or unable to participate in the romantic festivities around him, which could create feelings of isolation or sadness.
Shine on, harbour light
The singer recognizes the harbor light as a beacon or source of guidance, and is asking it to help guide him through the night.
Lead me on through the lonely night
The singer desires support or comfort as he navigates the darkness and solitude of the night.
Baby, I don't mind when the sun goes down
The artist isn't bothered by the coming darkness, and may even feel more comfortable or free at night than during the day.
Contributed by Leo K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.