Flash and the Pan (aka Flash & The Pan) were a New Wave / Rock band from Au… Read Full Bio ↴Flash and the Pan (aka Flash & The Pan) were a New Wave / Rock band from Australia formed in 1977 by Harry Vanda and George Young, the older brother of the AC/DC members Angus Young and Malcom Young. Both formerly members of The Easybeats. In the UK, until the release of "Waiting for a Train" in 1983 they had been a one-hit wonder, which was coincidental as the expression, 'Flash in the pan', denotes something which is only briefly popular.

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Where Were You
Flash and the Pan Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Thanks for the dinner, thanks for the wine
It's been a hell of an evening and I've had a good time
And now that it's over, well let's get it straight
Don't think that I'm stupid, that I took the bait
I know you're in trouble and you're on the mat
So before you get busy, well here's where it's at

Chorus:
Where were you when I needed you
Where were you at the fall
Where were you when the light went out
You were nowhere at all

Danny's a junkie and Susie's on bail
And Jimmy's still there in that Mexican jail
And while you've been sitting with your face in your food
Lucy's out there in that Norwegian wood
You think you've got troubles, well what do you know
And as for the favour you know where to go

(chorus)

You were the hero, you were the best
I was the fool that got left with the mess
And while you were living it up on the coast
Yours truly was stuck here with a room full of ghosts
So hear what I tell you, you miserable clown
We're all gonna help you, on your way down

(chorus x2)

Overall Meaning

The song 'Where Were You' by Flash and the Pan can be interpreted as a confrontation between two individuals who were once close but now have a strained relationship. The singer seems to be confronting someone who has let them down, whether it be by not being there for them when they needed them, or by betraying their trust. The lyrics suggest that the person being confronted has gone through some kind of crisis, which the singer knows about, but they did not receive any support in return when they needed it. The lines "Danny's a junkie and Susie's on bail, and Jimmy's still there in that Mexican jail" paints a picture of troubled people around who may have affected the person being confronted.

The singer seems to express their frustration and disappointment with lines such as "thanks for the dinner, thanks for the wine, it's been a hell of an evening and I've had a good time," which can be interpreted as sarcastic. They then confront the person, letting them know that they are aware of their problems and are not stupid enough to believe otherwise. The person being confronted appears to be unaware of their own selfishness, and the singer seems to be pointing out their flaws. The chorus, "Where were you when I needed you, where were you at the fall, where were you when the light went out, you were nowhere at all," repeats and emphasizes the theme of being let down and highlights the disappointment felt by the singer.

Overall, the song is a commentary on betrayal, selfishness, and broken trust between friends or possibly lovers. It is about being aware that everyone goes through tough times and how important it is to support each other when in need.

Line by Line Meaning

Thanks for the dinner, thanks for the wine
Thanks for the hospitality, but don't think it makes up for everything

It's been a hell of an evening and I've had a good time
The evening was enjoyable, but that doesn't change things

And now that it's over, well let's get it straight
Now that the surface level niceties are done, let's talk honestly

Don't think that I'm stupid, that I took the bait
I'm aware of what's really going on, don't try to deceive me

I know you're in trouble and you're on the mat
I understand that you're in a difficult situation

So before you get busy, well here's where it's at
Before you try to do anything, listen to what I have to say

Where were you when I needed you
You weren't there for me when I needed your help

Where were you at the fall
You weren't around during the difficult times

Where were you when the light went out
You weren't present when things went wrong

You were nowhere at all
You were completely absent and unavailable

Danny's a junkie and Susie's on bail
Other people have serious problems to deal with

And Jimmy's still there in that Mexican jail
Another person is in an unfortunate situation

And while you've been sitting with your face in your food
Meanwhile, you've been oblivious to these issues

Lucy's out there in that Norwegian wood
Another person is in a difficult situation

You think you've got troubles, well what do you know
Compared to the problems others are facing, your troubles are small

And as for the favour you know where to go
If you're looking for help, don't look to me

You were the hero, you were the best
You used to be seen as a hero, but not anymore

I was the fool that got left with the mess
I was the one who had to deal with the aftermath

And while you were living it up on the coast
While you were enjoying yourself in a luxurious place

Yours truly was stuck here with a room full of ghosts
I was left behind with a lot of difficult memories

So hear what I tell you, you miserable clown
Listen to what I have to say, regardless of how you feel about it

We're all gonna help you, on your way down
You'll need our help when you encounter problems in the future

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: George Young, Johannes Henderikus Vandenberg

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Fernando Nieto

8y↑19

Excellent band. Wonderful song. Very powerful! And with some arrangements very good voices!

Adam Piwinski

5y↑5

Do dzisiaj tego slucham i wspominam lata gdy sluchalo sie tego w radio.

Radek Rafal

3y↑2

Wspaniala piosenka, teraz takich nie ma.

G Rustan

8y↑8

So catchy and rhythmic GREAT tune !!!!!

Per-Olof Emanuel Palmertz

37w

He has a very good voice and the video fantastic.
I really like them. 🥰

PearlOfQatar

3y↑8

is the third album by Australian band Flash and the Pan, released in 1982. It includes the UK hit single "Waiting for a Train" which reached No. 7 in the charts in June 1983. At this time, Stevie Wright was officially a member of Flash and the Pan, making this version of the group close to an Easybeats revival; however, there is some doubt about how much Wright actually contributed to the recordings. He appears in the video to the song 'Where Were You' miming to George Young's voice.

Sam O

100%

J Ivanov

3y↑2

" Joining Vanda and Young in the studio were Arnott; Alan Dansow; Lindsay Hammond on backing and lead vocals (on loan from Cheetah); Ian Miller on guitar; Ralph White on brass instruments and keyboards; and Stevie Wright on backing vocals, as well as lead vocals on two tracks, "Where Were You?" (July 1982) and "Waiting for a Train" (December 1982), both of which were issued as singles."

Steven Guegens

It's called STRANGERS ON A TRAIN

Malcolm Kerr

Strangers On A Train is the Sports

allymayful

8y↑19

Oh my God! Where has this treasure been hiding???? l had no idea until today that Stevie Wright was involved with 'Flash In The Pan' This song is very moving. Why didn't we hear more of this here in Australia?????
THANKS so much for sharing. Can't believe more aren't interested.
Could l suggest you put Stevie's name in the title to attract a little more interest.

mary88stella1

7y↑2

That is Stevie in the clip. Was he miming and why?

allymayful

6y↑3

Sorry to contradict you mate - BUT that is Stevie. Someone else said he was miming here to George's singing.

Andy Smith

3y↑1

@allymayful correct

Lindsay Kelly

3y↑3

It was first released Molly said can you recognise the guy out front

J Ivanov

3y↑2

@allymayful they were wrong about the miming. " Joining Vanda and Young in the studio were Arnott; Alan Dansow; Lindsay Hammond on backing and lead vocals (on loan from Cheetah); Ian Miller on guitar; Ralph White on brass instruments and keyboards; and Stevie Wright on backing vocals, as well as lead vocals on two tracks, "Where Were You?" (July 1982) and "Waiting for a Train" (December 1982), both of which were issued as singles."

1 More Replies...

alejandro rodriguez

1y↑1

amazing song, i love this kinda drunken singalong choruses, this one sounds like something david byrne would ve done

TRINITY

4y↑6

Still love these
Awesome 😎

Trent B Davidson

8y↑17

Wow, did not know either that there was a clip for this. I have seen a still before of "the band" performing on the stage, but thought it was a TOTP appearance for 'Waiting on A Train'. 99% sure that is George Young sitting behind the drumkit, his face is clearer on the still image. I wasn't sold on it being Stevie Wright up front miming George's vocals, but by the end of the clip i'm fairly certain it is him.

Not sure if a lot of people realise this, but whilst Stevie was credited on the "Headlines" album that this song was taken from, he didn't actually perform on it. The idea was that due to the international success of Flash & the Pan there would be a tour, and since George & Harry Vanda didn't want to do this, they were trying to put together a touring version of the band which Stevie would front. However this never came to fruition. Bass player almost looks like Tony Levin without the moustache, however I highly doubt that its him as I assume this was shot in Sydney going by the car numberplate in the opening shot.

progmeup

There are some vocal parts on the LP that don't sound like George at all - War Games verse, Psychos on the Street. Are we sure Stevie didn't sing those?

Edit: I see you said Harry sang choruses and stuff. Still the singing on those two songs doesn't match up with anything I've heard off the other five F&TP records, so...

Trent B Davidson

3y↑2

@progmeup I was always convinced there was some Stevie there in the mix until a few Vanda and Young plus Wright bio's claimed otherwise....still a bit skeptical on it. I do recall reading Mark Williams name as having performed on some of their stuff at some point. 'Psychos on the Street' is one to me which sounds like it contains vocals other than the usual pair.

J Ivanov

3y↑1

Odd, that you're saying that Stevie didn't perform on Headlines. This line out of Wiki has 2 references that say he sang lead on this song and Waiting on a Train: " Joining Vanda and Young in the studio were Arnott; Alan Dansow; Lindsay Hammond on backing and lead vocals (on loan from Cheetah); Ian Miller on guitar; Ralph White on brass instruments and keyboards; and Stevie Wright on backing vocals, as well as lead vocals on two tracks, "Where Were You?" (July 1982) and "Waiting for a Train" (December 1982), both of which were issued as singles."

progmeup

3y↑2

@J Ivanov I'm not hearing anything but George on "Waiting for a Train".

Revener666

3y↑3

Still awsome!

loeriebas

43w

Hoe kan ik deze gemist hebben??, een ongelofelijk mooi nummer!!!!

Lindsay Kelly

4y↑7

Mr versatile our star our shining star our falling star I find it so hard to think no one could help him defeat his demons he was crying out for help miss you so much mate it's like we got hit by a shining meteor and were left with a huge hole that will never be filled

Daniel Lucena

8y↑2

Dios otro espectacular clásico de los 80!!!De puta madre!!!jaja

starduck

8y↑11

I hear 'love is in the air' in this song

Wayne Gagnon

4y↑6

sparks meets frank zappa, I like it.very original

Trent B Davidson

8y↑2

More and more certain that is Stevie, the way he moves with his gestures are just far too similar. Besides 'Hey St Peter', 'Down among the Dead Men', 'Media Man', 'Welcome to the Universe', 'Waiting on A Train', "Early Morning Wake Up Call', 'Midnight Man', 'Something about You' and this...is anybody aware of any other Flash and the Pan promo clips?

Trent B Davidson

8y↑1

Forgot about the 'Ayla' one thank you. The 'Walking in the Rain' one is a fan clip sadly.

allymayful

6y↑1

Thats definitely Stevie acting out this clip. I recognised him immediately. Found your info interesting about preparing for a tour.

Andy Smith

3y↑2

There’s a clip for Midnight Man???

Robert Schol

5y↑3

Two things I'm sure of. George is doing drum duties in this videoclip. Stevie is singing and performing in this clip. The tattoo on his right forearm has been blurred for this clip with some make-up, it can be seen if you take a close look. I really do think that Stevie is also singing the intro of War Games from the Headlines album. Who's that lady at 1:35? She's dressed as a nurse but also starring in other F&TP videoclips like Waiting for a Train and Welcome to the Universe. Anyone??

Andy Smith

3y↑2

@Sandy Gravel yep.

Andy Smith

3y↑2

And the fact that there are nil closeups of the drummer sorta confirm that it’s George.

ludo281160

5y↑2

Amazing Song.....surely not the video (this was certainly made years after....) but thanks to remember Vanda &Young***

Rob Hall

4y↑3

Well, I saw it on MTV 1982.

progmeup

@Rob Hall The Headlines backdrop gives that away, yes.

Andy Smith

3y↑7

That is Stevie Wright in the red suit yes?

Peter Anderson

8y↑4

So was it George Young who sang on the records?

Trent B Davidson

8y↑9

George did all the spoken word stuff, Harry Vanda did more of the chorus singing parts on their songs.

Steve Smith

4y↑4

@Trent B Davidson hi Trent.
Ive always been a big vanda, young, Stevie fan.
Harry and George wrote JPYs singles. Yesterdays hero and i hate the music with Stevie in mind?

J Ivanov

3y↑2

1989NickiD

@J Ivanov "At this time, Stevie Wright was officially a member of Flash and the Pan, making this version of the group close to an Easybeats revival; however, there is some doubt about how much Wright actually contributed to the recordings. He appears in the video to the song 'Where Were You' miming to George Young's voice"