Since 1980, Icehouse has released seven albums, several compilations, and music from collaborations with other artists including dance companies. Their 1987 album 'Man of Colours' was released at the apex of their fame and international success. It is considered by many to be the band's magnum opus.
As 'Flowers', Icehouse built up a strong following as a live act around Sydney, Australia, noted for their distinctive cover versions of songs by a wide range of acts including T-Rex and Brian Eno. After signing to the independent Regular Festival Records label, they released their debut single, "Can't Help Myself", which hit the Australian Top 10 in June 1980. This was followed by their first album 'Icehouse', which also made the Top 10 and became one of year's biggest selling albums in Australia. The album made use of synthesisers, especially the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5.
Further singles "We Can Get Together" and "Walls" both hit the Top 20. A European single from this album, "Icehouse", created some interest in the U.K., partly because of a memorable music video. Sensing the possibility of international success, the band decided to change their name in early 1981 to avoid confusion with Scottish group The Flowers. As Icehouse, they spent most of 1981 touring the UK, Canada and US, where "We Can Get Together" hit #62. A single release, "Love In Motion", recorded by Davies alone but the first to be credited to the band's new name, duly hit the Australian Top 10 in November 1981.
In January 1982, the band's original line up split, resulting in Davies recording Icehouse's much-anticipated second album, 'Primitive Man', on his own, with assistance from Keith Forsey, who later worked with Simple Minds. Released in August 1982, Primitive Man was another huge Australian hit and became Icehouse's international breakthrough. The hit single "Hey Little Girl" reached the UK Top 20 and has remained their most regularly played song. Another strong track from this album was "Great Southern Land", which made the Australian Top 5 and was later featured in the late 1980s film 'Young Einstein'.
In 1985, Davies' musical standing was further enhanced when he was commissioned to compose and record the score for the acclaimed Sydney Dance Company production of Graeme Murphy's dance work 'Boxes'. Icehouse's third album, 'Sidewalk', was far more sombre and reflective, featuring the tracks "I Don't Believe Anymore" and "Someone Like You". After this album the band made further inroads into the U.S. market with their 1986 release 'Measure for Measure', which featured none other than Brian Eno as a listed band member.
Icehouse's next work, 'Man of Colours', was their best-selling album. It contained the hit singles "Crazy" and "Electric Blue" (a song co-written by John Oates from the band Hall and Oates). Both singles reached the US Top 20, with "Electric Blue" hitting the #7 slot. With this album, the band reached an international zenith, never surpassing this level of popularity and exposure again.
In 1995, Davies was again involved with the Sydney Dance Company's production of Berlin. The musical score is a collection of cover versions of songs by David Bowie, Brian Eno, Simple Minds, The Psychedelic Furs, Frank Sinatra, Lou Reed, Roxy Music, XTC, Talking Heads, The Velvet Underground, PiL, The Cure and Killing Joke, which saw him collaborating with pianist Max Lambert in the development of the music.
As well as recording the score to the ballet, Davies performed these songs live with Icehouse at each show. He was an intrinsic part of the ballet, in a role similar to the one in Boxes. Iva was extremely successful in creating a translation from the dancers to the audience. Berlin was an instant success and ran for two seasons. Both shows were the most commercially successful that The Sydney Dance Company have had to date.
On 16 August 2006, Icehouse were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame along side acts such as Midnight Oil, Divinyls and Rose Tattoo. Also in 2006, Icehouse featured prominently on the Triple M Essential 2006 Countdown with 14 songs selected including:
*"Man Of Colours"
*"Electric Blue"
*"We Can Get Together"
*"Don't Believe Any More"
*"Great Southern Land" (which came in at number 12)
Dedicated to Glam
Icehouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dedicated to Glam...(do-do-do-da-da)
Dedicated to Glam...(do-do-do-da-da)
Dedicated to Glam...(do-do-do-da-da)
(Uh-oh...Uh-oh...) (Uh-oh...Uh-oh...)
Dedicated to Glam...(do-do-do-da-da)
Dedicated to Glam...(do-do-do-da-da)
Dedicated to Glam...(do-do-do-da-da)
Dedicated to Glam...(do-do-do-da-da)
Dedicated to Glam...(do-do-do-da-da)
The Icehouse song "Dedicated to Glam" is a tribute to the flamboyant style and music of the glam rock movement in the 1970s. The song starts with the repetition of the catchy phrase "Dedicated to Glam" followed by the sound of an electric guitar riff. The lyrics are simple and repetitive, with the main focus on expressing the dedication to the style of glam rock.
The song's melody captures the upbeat and energetic spirit of the glam rock era, while the repetitive nature of the lyrics is reminiscent of the simplicity of the music during that time. The sound of the electric guitar and the catchy percussion rhythm give the song a nostalgic feel.
Overall, "Dedicated to Glam" celebrates the boldness, creativity, and extravagance of the glam rock movement, which had a profound impact on the music and fashion industry and left an indelible mark on popular culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Dedicated to Glam...(do-do-do-da-da)
This song is a tribute to the glam rock movement and culture.
(Uh-oh...Uh-oh...) (Uh-oh...Uh-oh...)
These background vocals serve as a catchy, repeating hook to emphasize the dedication to glam.
Dedicated to Glam...(do-do-do-da-da)
Reiterating the main theme and dedication of the song.
Dedicated to Glam...(do-do-do-da-da)
Continuing to emphasize the dedication to glam rock and culture.
Dedicated to Glam...(do-do-do-da-da)
Reiterating the main theme and dedication of the song one final time.
Lyrics Β© Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ivor Arthur Davies
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
James Calley
This song is actually a tribute /dedication to the late Mark Bolan of T Rex. I remember Iva Davies talking about it in an interview around about when it came out.
Simon Burns
I remember listening to the extended 12 inch mix of this and being blown away with the bass nothing compares to Vinyl
Ivasgirl2
No, we in the US know quite a few of your bands, I've been an Icehouse fan since the 80's. Love Iva! :)
A Rees66
A firm favourite , still sounds great all these years later . I recall the original video featured Iva having a cigarette , the YouTube version has been re-edited .
Cathy Luxford
Awesome.always and forever brilliant icehouse and iva davies.never grow tired of hearing their music.
mark serainidis
This sound was way ahead of its time when it came out, Iva Davies best album....
Anos Dourados
One of their best songs
Claudia Vergara
Maravillosos 80'
Torroidal
Totally forgot this. Rediscovered this while listening to my old cassettes. :)
Peter Hayden
Same here :)