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)
Tojo
Hoodoo Gurus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A bad mood.
I told her, "it's an ill wind
Blows no good."
(Then she told me:)
"Tojo never made it to Darwin."
I said, "Tracy, won't you listen - this is Christmas!
She said, "David, I wouldn't miss this for the world but I
Got to blow."
(Then she said again:)
"Tojo never made it to Darwin."
Now she's gone, gone, gone
Just like the wind.
I just sigh,
But I'm dreaming that I'm gleaming
In her eye.
(But I'll always hear:)
"Tojo never made it to Darwin."
That year, Santa never came.
The Hoodoo Gurus song "Tojo" tells the story of Tracy, who is described as angry and in a bad mood. When David tries to cheer her up by reminding her that it is Christmas, Tracy says she wouldn't miss it for the world but still has to go. Throughout the song, she repeats the line "Tojo never made it to Darwin," which adds a sense of mystery and intrigue to the song. The lyrics never explain who Tojo is or why it matters that he didn't make it to Darwin, but it's clear that this detail is significant to Tracy.
The lyrics paint a portrait of a complicated relationship between David and Tracy. Despite his efforts to comfort her, she seems to be preoccupied with something that he may not fully understand. The final line of the song, "That year, Santa never came," suggests that Tracy's mood and focus on Tojo might have had an impact on their holiday celebration. Overall, "Tojo" is a song that captures the complexities and nuances of human emotion and relationships, even in the context of a simple holiday celebration.
Line by Line Meaning
Tracy. Tracy was angry.
Tracy was upset and in a bad mood.
A bad mood.
Tracy was feeling upset and frustrated.
I told her, "it's an ill wind
Blows no good."
I tried to comfort Tracy by saying that sometimes bad things happen for a reason and can lead to good outcomes.
(Then she told me:)
"Tojo never made it to Darwin."
Tracy brought up the fact that Tojo, a Japanese general, never made it to Darwin during World War II, which may symbolize a missed opportunity or failure.
I said, "Tracy, won't you listen - this is Christmas!
Don't you go."
I tried to convince Tracy to stay and enjoy the holiday season with me.
She said, "David, I wouldn't miss this for the world but I
Got to blow."
Tracy wanted to leave despite my plea for her to stay because she felt like she had to go.
(Then she said again:)
"Tojo never made it to Darwin."
Tracy repeated the line about Tojo's failure to reach Darwin, perhaps as a way of expressing her own fears of failure.
Now she's gone, gone, gone
Just like the wind.
Tracy left quickly and abruptly, like a gust of wind blowing through.
I just sigh,
But I'm dreaming that I'm gleaming
In her eye.
I sigh and reminisce about my time with Tracy, but also daydream about being with her again.
(But I'll always hear:)
"Tojo never made it to Darwin."
Despite my thoughts and feelings about Tracy, the line about Tojo's failure continues to haunt me.
That year, Santa never came.
The lyrics end on a sad note, with the suggestion that the holiday season was not joyful or magical, perhaps due to Tracy's departure.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE FAULKNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Glenn Jelich
Brilliant band, Brilliant song.......they always put on a great live show. Saw them so many times live here in Sydney
Sierra Charlie
THE BEST Aussie live Band I ever saw.
Marianne Hopkins
Couldn't agree more 😎
Shane Train
Fucken' Hoodoos!! 🤙
Brad Jackson
Brilliant
Gerald K
All praise the Hoodoo Gurus !! .. Unsung but truly great ... so glad I saw them way back: Philly + Baltimore' s Hammerjacks ... thx guys
JT Allen
Yo I saw them at Hammerjack's too - about 1991ish?
Sir Vazo
My fave track from this band 👍
Darren Gogel
always played this when i was hosting a party always got the crowd up singing CLASSIC
Edward Morris
I can't get that song out of my head!