Hoodoo Gurus (sometimes just shortened to 'Gurus') are an Australian rock b… Read Full Bio ↴Hoodoo Gurus (sometimes just shortened to 'Gurus') are an Australian rock band combining elements of seventies power pop, bubblegum pop, Beatle-esque harmonies, psychedelia and grungy garage rock. Guitarists Dave Faulkner, Rod Radalj, and Kimble Rendall were joined by drummer James Baker when the band formed in Sydney in 1981. Baker and Radalj had been members of Perth band The Scientists in 1977-79, while Baker had drummed with Faulkner and in another Perth band, The Victims, in 1978-79.

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)

Isolation
Hoodoo Gurus Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What's your pleasure? Throw the dice.
Name your poison, name your price.
Public figure - secret vice.
Infotainment sacrifice.

Whatever do you want?
We'll give you what you want.
We'll give you what you want.

Whatever do you want?
You want - we give!
We give - you want!

You from me isolation!
Quarantine, Isolation! Refugee, isolation!
Apathy, isolation! Isolation.
Penetration. All across the united nations.

Constant washing of the brain
Keeps the people entertained.

March of progress, art of war.
Welcome back to feudal law.

Overall Meaning

The Hoodoo Gurus’ song Isolation is a commentary on contemporary culture’s obsession with entertainment, pleasure, and technology. The first verse paints a picture of a society that is willing to sacrifice public figures for the sake of tabloid journalism and infotainment. The band uses the catchy chorus, “Whatever do you want? We'll give you what you want. We'll give you what you want. Whatever do you want? You want - we give! We give - you want!” to demonstrate how technology has made it possible to fulfill every human desire instantaneously. No matter what the individual wants, society is prepared to provide it.

The second verse delves deeper into the effects of this constant stimulation. The lyrics talk about the psychological impacts of individuals’ need for entertainment and pleasure, which ultimately lead to isolation and apathy. The song then takes a political turn as it speaks about the march of progress being replaced by the art of war and refers to a return to feudal law. The final line of the song lists “Penetration. All across the United Nations,” which is left open for interpretation. It could refer to the infiltrating effect that entertainment and technology have on our culture, or possibly a reference to the spread of infectious diseases.

Overall, Isolation speaks to the dangers of a society that is entirely focused on pleasure and entertainment, where individuals are willing to sacrifice anything for the sake of fulfillment. It is a biting critique of popular culture’s obsession with self-indulgence.

Line by Line Meaning

What's your pleasure? Throw the dice.
What do you desire? Take a chance and see what happens.

Name your poison, name your price.
Choose the thing that can harm you or cost you the most.

Public figure - secret vice.
Famous individuals have hidden flaws and faults.

Infotainment sacrifice.
The entertainment associated with information can be detrimental.

Whatever do you want?
What is it you require?

We'll give you what you want.
We'll provide what you need.

You want - we give!
You ask, we deliver!

You from me isolation!
You wish to be separated from me!

Quarantine, Isolation! Refugee, isolation!
Restricting movement and having no support systems can be isolating!

Apathy, isolation! Isolation.
Lack of interest can lead to seclusion!

Penetration. All across the united nations.
This concept is prevailing worldwide.