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.
You Got Nothing I Want
Cold Chisel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got nothing I need
You got nothing I want
You got nothing I need
You got nothing I want
You got nothing I need
I don't need crying lies
I don't need stupid alibi's
I don't need convertible cars,
And don't think you can push me too far
You got the money, I got the time,
Nothing better to do, so you might just change my mind.
You got nothing I want
You got nothing I need
You got nothing I want
You got nothing I need
I don't want to see you again
I don't want you for a friend
I don't want you hanging around
I don't mind just putting you down.
You got the money, I got the time
Nothing better to do, so I might just change my mind.
You got nothing I want
You got nothing I need
You got nothing I want
You got nothing I need
I don't have to tell you
How that you should do your job,
I don't want to have to be the one to shock your happy home.
You got nothing I want
You got nothing I need.
The lyrics to "You Got Nothing I Want" by Cold Chisel is a declaration of independence from the expectations and demands of a relationship. The refrain's repetition underscores the polarizing determination of the singer, who has resolved not to be drawn into a fixed position. The singer is unwilling to be swayed by the promises of the other person or to be manipulated into giving them what they desire. They reject material possessions and superficial gestures, such as flashy cars or false pleadings, insisting on being treated with respect and honesty.
The singer acknowledges that they may change their mind, but only if someone offers something of actual worth or interest. The verses serve as a laundry list of things the singer has no use for, including crying lies, stupid alibis, and friendships with people that have caused them heartache. The singer is aware of their worth and won't settle for anything less. The lines "I don't have to tell you how that you should do your job, I don't want to have to be the one to shock your happy home" is a reminder to their partner that the singer isn't interested in controlling their life or disrupting their existence. Rather, the singer is looking for mutual respect and admiration, without it they have nothing to gain from the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You got nothing I want
I do not have any interest in what you have to offer
You got nothing I need
I do not require anything from you
I don't need crying lies
I do not want to hear deceitful words that will make me sad
I don't need stupid alibi's
I do not want to listen to ridiculous excuses
I don't need convertible cars,
I do not have any desire for luxurious automobiles
And don't think you can push me too far
Do not assume that you have control over me
You got the money, I got the time,
Even though you have resources, I have leisure
Nothing better to do, so you might just change my mind.
Since I have no other plans, it could be possible for me to reconsider
I don't want to see you again
I have no desire to have any further interaction with you
I don't want you for a friend
I am not looking for companionship with you
I don't want you hanging around
I do not want you to be present in my vicinity
I don't mind just putting you down.
I have no issue degrading you
I don't have to tell you
I am under no obligation to instruct you
How that you should do your job,
I do not have to provide guidance or direction regarding your work
I don't want to have to be the one to shock your happy home.
I do not wish to be the cause of disrupting your joyful household
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES DIXON BARNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind