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.
Head Above Water
Hunters & Collectors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm as pure as the driven snow
Make a promise and never break it
Yeah, nobody will ever know
I'm supposed to be a saint so I fake it
Yeah my stash is beginning to grow
Just look at me... I'm so easy
I'm feeling good, I'm feeling sleazy
I'm looking at your peaches and cream
Trust me I'm yours for the taking
I've got the biggest head you've ever seen
Don't you know I'd do anything
Do anything
To keep my head above water
[repeat]
Well have you heard? Would you believe it?
Do you realise how much I know?
I can tell you the biggest story
Yeh there's no limit to the seed that I sow
Yeh the suit has a hand so I shake it
My greed is beginning to show
Don't you know I'd do anything
Do anything
To keep my head above water
[repeat]
Do anything
Keep my head above water
I'd climb the highest mountain... I'd swim the deepest ocean
I'd girdle the globe just to find the magic potion
That could change everything... that could set me on fire
Bring me down easy on the wings of desire
And oh to be alive, I'd suck to survive
I'd do anything yeh; to keep my head above water
Everybody knows... butter wouldn't melt in my mouth
Hey, don't you know... I'm as pure as the driven snow
Hey, I give you my word you can take it
I'll make you a promise and I'll never break it
Nobody will ever know
Just look at me... I'm so easy
I'm feeling good, I'm feeling sleazy
The lyrics of Hunters & Collectors’ song “Head Above Water” portray a character who is willing to do anything to keep his head above water, even if it means going against his supposed saintly persona. The first verse talks about how he fakes being pure and makes promises to maintain his image. He revels in his sleaziness and is willing to do anything to have what he wants. In the second verse, he boasts about his knowledge and power while acknowledging his greed. The chorus repeats the sentiment of doing anything to stay afloat. The bridge talks about the character’s desperation and willingness to go to any lengths to achieve his desires, even if it means climbing the highest mountains or swimming the deepest oceans.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the lengths people will go to maintain their image and status in society. It exposes the hypocrisy and greed that can be hidden under the thin veil of holiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Give you my word and you can take it
I promise you something and you can believe me.
I'm as pure as the driven snow
I'm trying to be a saint, but I'm not really.
Make a promise and never break it
I'll promise something and I won't go back on it.
Yeah, nobody will ever know
I'll keep secrets so you won't find out the truth.
I'm supposed to be a saint so I fake it
I'm pretending to be holy when I'm not.
Yeah my stash is beginning to grow
I'm taking and hiding things that I shouldn't.
Just look at me... I'm so easy
I'm making myself available to anyone who wants me.
Dressed to kill, my teeth are clean
I'm presenting myself as attractive and well-kept.
I'm feeling good, I'm feeling sleazy
I'm doing bad things that feel good and make me feel dirty.
I'm looking at your peaches and cream
I'm noticing and desiring things that I can't have.
Trust me I'm yours for the taking
I'm offering myself to you as an easy target.
I've got the biggest head you've ever seen
I'm prideful and arrogant.
Well have you heard? Would you believe it?
Do you want to hear what I have to say? It's big news.
Do you realise how much I know?
I have knowledge and secrets that you don't.
Yeh there's no limit to the seed that I sow
I'm spreading lies and rumors everywhere.
Yeh the suit has a hand so I shake it
I'm cozying up to people with power and influence.
My greed is beginning to show
I'm starting to make my desires obvious.
I'd climb the highest mountain... I'd swim the deepest ocean
I'm willing to do anything to get what I want.
I'd girdle the globe just to find the magic potion
I'll search the whole world for a solution to my problems.
That could change everything... that could set me on fire
I'm hoping for an opportunity to transform my life.
Bring me down easy on the wings of desire
I want to fall in love and be swept off my feet.
And oh to be alive, I'd suck to survive
I'm willing to endure difficult situations to stay alive.
Everybody knows... butter wouldn't melt in my mouth
People think I'm innocent and harmless.
Hey, don't you know... I'm as pure as the driven snow
I'm insisting that I'm a good person despite evidence to the contrary.
Hey, I give you my word you can take it
I'm repeating my earlier promise.
I'll make you a promise and I'll never break it
I'm emphasizing that my word is my bond.
Nobody will ever know
I'm keeping secrets and hoping not to get caught.
I'm feeling good, I'm feeling sleazy
I'm indulging in guilty pleasures and feeling good about it.
Contributed by Hailey P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@palenoise
Talk about underrated songs
@demelza32
Love this band, subliminal message is on point!!
@blondenemesis
Awesome clip, great band, fantastic tune. This song is what got me hooked on Hunters way back when. Thanks so much for posting! :)
@Whatever___XYZ918
Love this song
@fatarsemonkey
I love the ute in this.
@zhukie
Fucking rocks just as much as it did back when
@glenmunro3
more please seymour ;
@charris939
Always loved this song- especially the extended version. But as of the 7th of May 2023 I (re)discovered the song “Crazy Horses” by the Osmonds, which Bass line is very close to this, but I very much doubt H&C had heard the Osmonds song!