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)
Dont Believe Anymore
Icehouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'cause that's the way that it goes, yeah
You used to be someone I knew,
Somebody I could understand but,
Now I don't know what to do
And I don't know who you are now
All the things I hear you say
You talk that way
And I
I don't know where to be begin
Don't want to hear it again
I don't believe anymore
This is all I know
I know I've heard it before
I don't believe anymore
And I remember your voice
Before this happened to us
But I could see
And I was sure
And everything was young and new but
We lost it too many times
And that's the way that it is
Lovers come and lovers go
When you think that you know,
It just isn't true, oh
I don't know where to be begin
Don't want to hear it again
I don't believe anymore
This is all I know
I know I've heard it before
I don't believe anymore
I don't know where to be begin
Don't want to hear it again
I don't believe anymore
This is all I know
I know I've heard it before
I don't believe anymore
Don't believe anymore
Don't believe anymore
I don't know where to be begin
Don't want to hear it again
I don't believe anymore
This is all I know
I know I've heard it before
I don't believe anymore
Oh, oh, oh
Don't believe anymore
The lyrics to Icehouse's song "Don't Believe Anymore" express the singer's confusion and disillusionment with a relationship that has changed beyond recognition. The lines "I never counted on this, 'cause that's the way that it goes, yeah" convey a sense of resignation with the fact that the relationship has taken an unexpected turn. The singer used to know and understand the person he is singing about, but now they have become a stranger, and he doesn't know how to respond to their words and actions.
The chorus of the song, "I don't believe anymore, this is all I know, I know I've heard it before," captures the singer's loss of faith in the relationship and his inability to trust the words and actions of his partner. The line "lovers come and lovers go when you think that you know, it just isn't true, oh" acknowledges the transitory nature of relationships and the painful realization that sometimes the people we think we know best can turn out to be strangers.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the fragility of relationships and the human capacity for change, and communicates a deep sense of loss and disillusionment.
Line by Line Meaning
I never counted on this
I didn't expect this to happen or occur
'cause that's the way that it goes, yeah
It's a common occurrence, something that happens frequently
You used to be someone I knew,
We were once familiar with each other
Somebody I could understand but,
I was able to comprehend who you were
Now I don't know what to do
I'm unsure of what actions to take
And I don't know who you are now
Your identity is now unknown to me
All the things I hear you say
The things I hear you say
You talk that way
Your communication is foreign to me
You're a stranger
You have become an unfamiliar person to me
And I
I can't comprehend anymore
I don't know where to be begin
I am confused about where to start
Don't want to hear it again
I don't want to re-experience this
I don't believe anymore
I have lost faith in the situation
This is all I know
This is the only information I have
I know I've heard it before
This is something I've already experienced
And I remember your voice
I can recollect your vocal tones
Before this happened to us
This was before our current situation
But I could see
I was able to understand the situation
And I was sure
I was confident in what I knew
And everything was young and new but
Everything was fresh and exciting
We lost it too many times
We've experienced loss numerous times
And that's the way that it is
It's just the way things are
Lovers come and lovers go
Romantic relationships sometimes end
When you think that you know,
Even when you believe you understand
It just isn't true, oh
It turns out to not be accurate
Don't believe anymore
I am doubtful and skeptical now
Oh, oh, oh
An exclamation of despair or realization
Don't believe anymore
I am hesitant and disbelieving now
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ivor Arthur Davies
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MetAxa369
@@williamkinsey4979 It was very sad about Michael 💔
The night I met Icehouse, there were 2 shows that day.
I was there for both.
The band recognized that I was there for both shows and showed up for the first show early to get closer to the stage.
After the show, I only left for a bathroom break and to get water, and spent the day at the gate.
They had security usher me to the very front and center of the stage on the ground.
The security guard who brought me to the VIP area said that they wanted me to come back stage to meet them.
Unfortunately Iva wasn't feeling well.
He did get the rose I had brought him.
They were all very nice.
It was over 30 years ago, but I still remember that wonderful day.
@Trancegirl1966
Growing up as a teenager in the eighties has had many advantages. I fell in love with Icehouse when they were known as the Flowers. I love this track with Iva in the video. I love taking taking trips down memory lane. This year I will celebrate my 54th birthday, my love for Icehouse continues...
@GregH999
happy 55th !!
@Trancegirl1966
@@GregH999 Thank you very much! I appreciate it 🙏.
@richerin8100
Me too, Iva Davies voice is just phenomenal, remember being introduced to Ice House as a 16 year old and quickly became one of my favourite bands, certainly the best Aussie band ever imho.
@catherineprior8319
This band is beyond words and this song is very deep. We are now in a musical vacuum and lack such sophistication as seen here.
@juliefurneaux2373
Im 52 ...OMG best Sax ever ❤
@markdowse3572
"You talk that way..... You're a stranger."
Those words are so cuttingly powerful while the melody just rolls along. SUPERB writing and perfect delivery.
I know I am showing my age (55), but I reckon we need more of this type of thoughtful music RIGHT NOW in SEPTEMBER 2020.
@davebanks7435
And even more now! Aussie and the world are burning up...... and Im in NZ listening to some powerful lyrics form my past wishing I could go back: Amen my friend!
@Susan-gc6sy
Don't worry, showing an age in an era of exemplary musical talent is nothing to be ashamed of, but quite the opposite. We are lucky to have grown up with these bands.
@crassall9945
Massively underrated Aussie classic.Beautiful on so many levels.