The original lineup was notable for having three guitars and no bass player, creating a distinctive, layered sound. Kimble Rendall left in 1982 before the release of their first single, Leilani, and went on to become a noted music video director. He was effectively replaced by bassist Clyde Bramley. Radalj was not happy with Rendall's departure or Faulkner's increasing influence, and left the band himself, to be replaced by one-time Fun Things guitarist Brad Shepherd. This line-up released the band's break-through first album, Stoneage Romeos, in 1984.
In 1998, the band officially split but reformed for occasional concerts in subsequent years. A full-fledged reunion came in 2004, when they released Mach Schau and began touring again. The band received another boost when Come Anytime (from 1989's Magnum Cum Louder) was used as the theme song to the Australian TV show Thank God You're Here.
Discography:
Stoneage Romeos (1984), Mars Needs Guitars! (1985), Blow Your Cool! (1987), Magnum Cum Louder (1989), Kinky (1991), Crank (1994), Blue Cave (1996), Mach Schau (2004), Purity of Essence (2010)
Compilations:
Electric Soup (1992), Gorilla Biscuit (1992), Electric Chair (1998), Armchair Gurus (1998), Bite The Bullet (1998), Ampology (2000)
Burnt Orange
Hoodoo Gurus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My blood was gasoline
No matter where I turned
I got my fingers burned
I wouldn't go back there if I could
I wouldn't go back there if I could
No fear of anyone
I always let them know
If they were friend or foe
I wouldn't go back there if I could
I wouldn't go back there if I could
I remember very well
Way back then I went through hell
Well, oh, well
I remember very well
Way back then I went through hell
Always thought I was smart
Never played it from the heart
I never listened to
My daddy's point of view
And though I wish I had
Things they turned out so bad
I wouldn't go back there if I could
I wouldn't go back there if I could
I wouldn't go back there
I wouldn't go back there, no
Don't ever go, don't ever go
Don't ever go back there
Don't ever go, don't ever go
Don't ever go back there
Don't ever go, don't ever go
Don't ever go back there
Don't ever go, don't ever go
Don't ever go back there again
I'll never go, I'll never go
Don't go back there
I'll never go, I'll never go
"Burnt Orange" by Hoodoo Gurus is a song about looking back at one's youth with the knowledge gained through experience. The singer reflects on their teenage years when they were reckless, impulsive, and always getting burned by their actions. But as they matured, they gained a sense of confidence and fearlessness, recognizing who their friends and foes were. Despite all the pain and hardship they endured during those formative years, the singer knows they wouldn't go back even if they could.
The song also touches on the theme of regret as the singer acknowledges that they never listened to their father's advice and always thought they were smarter than everyone else by not playing things from the heart. This speaks to a lack of emotional intelligence and the importance of listening to the wisdom of our elders. Ultimately, the lyrics encourage the listener to never go back to that time and place, to move forward with the hard-won knowledge and experience they have gained.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was seventeen
At the age of 17, my blood had so much adrenaline that it felt like fuel.
My blood was gasoline
My blood was full of energy and excitement - just like a car filled with gasoline.
No matter where I turned
I couldn't find a place where I could direct all my energy.
I got my fingers burned
I had to learn many lessons the hard way and suffered many setbacks in my pursuit of adventure.
But then I turned twenty one
When I turned 21, I realized that I should no longer fear anyone or anything.
No fear of anyone
I had confidence in myself and was not afraid of anyone's opinion or judgment.
I always let them know
I made it clear whether someone was a friend or an enemy.
If they were friend or foe
I established boundaries and treated people accordingly.
I remember very well
I recall vividly the memories of my youth.
Way back then I went through hell
Back in those days, I went through some tough times.
Always thought I was smart
I always believed that I was intelligent and had all the answers.
Never played it from the heart
I never followed my instincts or listened to my emotions.
I never listened to
I never took into account my father's advice or opinions.
My daddy's point of view
I disregarded my father's perspective on my choices and actions.
And though I wish I had
Despite regretting it now, I failed to take my father's advice into consideration.
Things they turned out so bad
As a consequence of ignoring my father's advice, things went awry and turned out horribly.
Don't ever go, don't ever go
A warning to oneself, to never go back to one's naive and reckless past.
Don't ever go back there
Never go back to that dark place and stay on the right path.
Don't ever go back there again
Never repeat one's past mistakes and make sure to move forward.
I'll never go, I'll never go
I'll never go back to my troubled past.
Don't go back there
Stay away from that hazardous place of recklessness and irrationality.
I'll never go, I'll never go
I'll never return to my impulsive and foolish youth.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind