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)
Fatman
Icehouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On Second Avenue, night life is second nature
Black jazz in numbers land
Affairs are all night long
The girl's best friend is a fatman
He gives her pearls and diamonds
Sometimes she looks so blown away
She hangs her head against the window
Champagne from Paris, France
Cigars, the best Havana
The boys don't like the way you do things
They might not understand
I don't want to hear about it
I don't want to talk about it
I don't want to read about the details in the paper
St. Valentine's Day blows away
Leaves a fatman by the window
Looking straight along the barrel
Fatman, fatman, give me the gun
Fatman, you're not fooling anybody
Fatman, fatman, give me the gun
Don't be like that baby
You're just no fun
Fatman, fatman, give me the gun
Fatman, you're not fooling anybody
Fatman, fatman, give me the gun
Don't be like that baby
You're just no fun
Pink champagne from Paris, France
Cigars, the best Havana
On Second Avenue, affairs are all night long
I don't want to hear about it
I don't want to talk about it
I don't want to read about the details in the paper
St. Valentine's Day blows away
Leaves the fatman by the window,
looking straight along the barrel
Fatman, fatman, fatman, fatman
You're not fooling anybody
Fatman, fatman, fatman, fatman
You're not fooling anybody
Fatman, fatman, give me the gun
Don't be like that baby,
You're just no fun.
Fatman, fatman, fatman, fatman
You're not fooling anybody
Fatman, fatman, give me the gun
Don't be like that baby,
You're just no fun.
The Icehouse song "Fatman" is a commentary on the excesses of New York City nightlife, specifically on Second Avenue. The lyrics describe the scene, with black jazz music playing and people staying out all night long. The girl's best friend in this world is a wealthy man, the titular "Fatman," who gives her pearls and diamonds. The song notes that the girl often looks "blown away," either from the extravagance or from something else.
The tone of the song turns ominous when it touches on St. Valentine's Day, a holiday often associated with violence. The Fatman is left alone, looking down the barrel of a gun, and the song repeatedly asks Fatman to hand over the gun. The song ends with a repetition of "You're not fooling anybody," suggesting that the excess and the violence are not worth it and that the people involved are in denial.
Line by Line Meaning
Fatman, fatman, fatman, fatman
Repetition of the term "Fatman" to emphasize the character's larger size and presence.
On Second Avenue, night life is second nature
Second Avenue is known for its lively nightlife scene, which comes naturally to its inhabitants.
Black jazz in numbers land
Jazz clubs are popular and frequent in the area.
Affairs are all night long
People engage in romantic relationships or flings that often continue through the night and into the morning.
The girl's best friend is a fatman
The girl in question relies on the Fatman for companionship and emotional support.
He gives her pearls and diamonds
The Fatman lavishes gifts on her, likely to buy her affections or keep her loyal to him.
Sometimes she looks so blown away
The girl is overcome with emotion or feeling of being overwhelmed in certain situations.
She hangs her head against the window
The girl leans her head on the window, possibly feeling sad or lost in thought.
Toasting brandies to her shadow
The girl drinks brandy while alone in contemplation, possibly to forget or cope with her situation or feelings.
Champagne from Paris, France
The Fatman buys expensive, imported champagne, possibly to show off his wealth.
Cigars, the best Havana
The Fatman indulges in high-end cigars, possibly as a status symbol.
The boys don't like the way you do things
Other men disapprove of the way the Fatman behaves, likely because he is dominating the girl they desire.
They might not understand
The Fatman believes others do not comprehend his way of life or relationship with the girl.
I don't want to hear about it
The singer is disinterested or uninvolved with the situation.
I don't want to talk about it
The singer avoids discussion or rumors about the Fatman and his relationship with the girl.
I don't want to read about the details in the paper
The singer aims to distance himself from the situation as much as possible and avoid media attention or rumors.
St. Valentine's Day blows away
Valentine's Day comes and passes without significant attention or celebration from the Fatman and his girl.
Leaves a fatman by the window
The Fatman is left alone by the window.
Looking straight along the barrel
The Fatman stares straight down the barrel of a gun, possibly contemplating his life and situation.
Fatman, you're not fooling anybody
The Fatman's behavior is not deceiving or impressing anyone, especially not the singer.
Fatman, fatman, give me the gun
The singer requests the Fatman's weapon, either to protect himself or others from potential danger, or to potentially hurt or kill the Fatman himself.
Don't be like that baby, you're just no fun
The Fatman's attitude or behavior is not enjoyable, and he should change it for the better.
Pink champagne from Paris, France
Repeat of an earlier line, emphasizing the Fatman's continued lavish spending.
On Second Avenue, affairs are all night long
Repeat of an earlier line, emphasizing the area's promiscuous tendencies.
Looking straight along the barrel
Repeat of an earlier line, emphasizing the Fatman's intense, contemplative stare.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ivor Arthur Davies
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dannyzygourakis6595
The bass line...the bass...the BASS...sublime, the way it just rolls along. It really is brilliant, playful too.
@riversedge64
Amazing performance, what a sound quality! Love it! And also this is extremely great tracks which kicks after years!!!
@Kaleiddmode
Paul plays the drums with so much taste, a joy!
@kellycarlson981
Love hearing all of Paul’s insight. He’s been with Iva so long and I’ve always been interested to hear some of these stories from his perspective. He’s one of my all time favorite drummers! Just an epically talented player!
@ricardoclemens4475
Great song .Hypnotic and catchy .Definitely pub rock but like all those great aussie rock songs something you can listen to on your own ,,.when you are young in the bedroom when you are old in the shed ..,
@juliamacfarlanesmith808
Yes, Paul was so young when he joined the band. Prolific drummer !
@pauljordan4452
He's a session man.
@Vandweller66
I can't get the image of Clive Palmer out of my mind whenever I hear this song.
@johnbeckham1483
Fatman rocks as Iva Davies & Icehouse are on fire here!
@dirtygirlof76
Thanks for posting I enjoyed every bit of it. One of my fave tracks off 1st album which blew us all away here in Canada. This track is classy, well written, evocative, cinematic, what else can I say?