After recording their first album, which featured the single Talking to a Stranger, the band traveled to Germany to record with famed producer Conny Plank. In 1984, the band reorganized, adding a three-piece horn section and losing the second guitarist. By 1986, the band's style was moving away from the sweat-drenched rhythmic jams of their early days to a more song-centered aproach centered on Seymour (whose younger brother Nick was a member of Crowded House). Throw Your Arms Around Me was a successful single in many countries.
The band was never able to match the worldwide attention they reached in 1986, though they continued to record with considerable success in Australia, and maintained a loyal fanbase elsewhere.
They broke up in 1998, but returned to play one concert on 14 March 2009 for "Sound Relief" at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which was a multi-venue rock music concert in support of relief for the Victorian Bushfire Crisis.
Back in the Hole
Hunters & Collectors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There'll be fear in the pipeline tonight
All the prisoners are restless
Locked up from dusk to daylight
Well how can you blame them?
I get pretty close myself sometimes
I know the score, I know the feeling
Still I gotta keep my shirt on
Gotta wait for the nerves to unwind
I gotta get control again
Gotta let the blood boil in my mind
But you don't take it out on your children
Honey I won't take my work home tonight
On the weekend I'm gonna have a good one
'Cos I'll be back in the hole in the morning light
When the schoolboy's witch hunt is over
He's gonna tell us that the system is wrong
But I'll still be working in the cold Coburg air
We've had it too easy for too long
I'm on my way home now
To face up to the rest of my life
Hot water and a home cooked meal
And send kind regards to my wife
But you don't take it out on your children
Honey I won't take my work home tonight
On the weekend I'm gonna have a good one
'Cos I'll be back in the hole in the morning light
The lyrics of "Back in the Hole" by Hunters & Collectors describe the struggles of prisoners who are locked up from dusk to daylight, resulting in restlessness and fear that builds up in the pipeline at night. The lead singer empathizes with the prisoners, knowing how it feels to be isolated for small crimes. He emphasizes that he needs to keep his nerves under control to avoid taking out his anger on his children or wife. He wants to have a good time on the weekend because he knows he'll be back in the hole the next morning.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of personal control and self-restraint. The lead singer recognizes that taking out his anger on others is not the solution, and he must maintain discipline in his personal life, separating his work life from his family life. Meanwhile, the schoolboy's "witch hunt" will accomplish nothing without any substantial change in the system. He is on his way home to take care of his responsibilities at home, appreciating the simplicity of hot water and a home-cooked meal.
Overall, "Back in the Hole" comments on the struggles of prisoners and the challenges that come with maintaining personal discipline while working in a tough environment. The lyrics emphasize the importance of separating work life from personal life and maintaining self-restraint even in difficult situations.
Line by Line Meaning
When the day shift is over
After the end of a long working day
There'll be fear in the pipeline tonight
There is a sense of apprehension in the air
All the prisoners are restless
People are feeling trapped and anxious
Locked up from dusk to daylight
Confined in a restrictive environment for extended hours
Well how can you blame them?
It's understandable why they feel that way
I get pretty close myself sometimes
I can relate to their feelings
I know the score, I know the feeling
I understand the situation well
Isolation for canteen crimes
Punishment for minor offences
Still I gotta keep my shirt on
I need to remain calm
Gotta wait for the nerves to unwind
I need to give myself time to relax
I gotta get control again
I need to regain my composure
Gotta let the blood boil in my mind
I need to clear my head and let my emotions out
But you don't take it out on your children
It's important not to let your anger and frustration affect your loved ones
Honey I won't take my work home tonight
I won't let my job stress affect my home life
On the weekend I'm gonna have a good one
I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend
'Cos I'll be back in the hole in the morning light
Because I know I'll have to go back to work on Monday
When the schoolboy's witch hunt is over
When the criticism and blame game ends
He's gonna tell us that the system is wrong
He'll point out flaws in the system
But I'll still be working in the cold Coburg air
However, I'll still be persevering with my work
We've had it too easy for too long
We've become accustomed to a comfortable routine
I'm on my way home now
I'm heading back to my personal life
To face up to the rest of my life
To confront the challenges of daily living
Hot water and a home cooked meal
Simple pleasures of life
And send kind regards to my wife
To send warm greetings and love to my spouse
Contributed by Xavier O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tim Reddoch
Always one of my favourite songs of theirs. This album was one for the true fans.....
Zachariah Fraser
my mother showed me this band a couple of weeks ago and i found this song recently ive been non-stop listening to this song for days
Wozza Dog
One of the best written Hunters songs
Phillip Scoble
What a band and what a song I have this on CD priceless
Have seen these guys so many times in Sydney never a bad gig
Was lucky enough to experience last concert for 2020
Red hot summer tour Bribie Island
Wozza Dog
One of the best written Hunters songs. When I saw this live at Bendgo Uni Barry Palmer was pushing / jostling Mark for center stage as the guitar solo over laps the lyrics. Very few bands pull this off well, these men mastered it. Demon Flower is in my top 10 CD's out of about 2,000 from all over the world. They also master it again on Lady Killer.
Tang Oh Tai
Cannot concur more. The craftsmanship on demon flower is amazing. Everything that mattered in the art of creating an album (melodies, lyrics, singin', musicianship, band chemistry, purposeful production) came together nicely in this super underrated package of a gem. Fucking brilliant.
Tang Oh Tai
This is the way you do a slow burn. Fucking brilliant
kate leman
This always reminds me of my arch enemy & finally best of friends Barry Slater. RIP Bazza
Honest Ann
as if this song has any dislikes
Zachariah Fraser
nearly 10 years later this video doesn't have 1 dislike your comment aged like a fine wine 😂