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)
Mercy
Icehouse Lyrics
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Well I might just set alight to this town
Swinging out that ball and chain
Gonna, bring these four walls tumbling down
So you take a fool like me
Yeah and throw away the key
Spend my wasted days doing time
Breaking these rocks in my head
When the judges bring the hammer down
A little
Mercy on the boy
You know it ain`t easy
If I ever get out of here
Gonna be a price to pay for this crime
Well there ain`t no place to hide
And there ain`t no god on your side `til the kingdom comes
Gonna bend these cold steel bars
Gonna scream it till somebody hears
Ain`t a cage that can keep me inside
Breaking these rocks in my head
But you know you`re better off dead
When the judges bring the hammer down
Just a little
Mercy on the boy
You know it ain`t easy
Mercy on the boy
The lyrics of "Mercy On The Boy" tell a story of a man who is imprisoned, presumably for committing a crime. The first verse describes his desire to escape and destroy the town he's in, indicating his frustration and desperation with his current situation. He acknowledges that he is a "fool" who made a mistake and the consequences have led him to waste his days and break rocks in his head. He knows that he deserves punishment for his actions, but asks for mercy from the judge who holds his fate in their hands. He realizes that life behind bars is not living and anyone who has experienced it would agree that it "ain't easy."
In the second verse, the singer acknowledges the price he has to pay for the crime he has committed. There's no place to hide and no god by his side. He wants someone to hear his cry of pain and help him get out of his steel cage. He's still breaking rocks in his head, a metaphor for the mental pressure of being imprisoned. He repeats the phrase "Mercy on the boy" as a plea for a second chance.
The lyrics of this song were written by Iva Davies, who is the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of Australian rock band Icehouse. Their music is known for a new wave/post-punk sound. "Mercy on the Boy" was included on their 1983 album "Sidewalk", which was produced by Keith Forsey.
Line by Line Meaning
If I ever get out of here
The singer is currently imprisoned and hopes to one day be released.
Well I might just set alight to this town
The singer feels angry and bitter about their situation and may resort to destructive behavior if given the opportunity.
Swinging out that ball and chain
The singer feels chained and trapped in their current situation and wants to break free.
Gonna, bring these four walls tumbling down
The artist wants to escape their confinement and leave their prison behind.
So you take a fool like me
The artist acknowledges that they made poor choices that led them to their current situation.
Yeah and throw away the key
The singer feels that they have been given a harsh punishment that does not allow them any chance at redemption or improvement.
Spend my wasted days doing time
The singer feels that they have lost valuable time and opportunities while being imprisoned.
Breaking these rocks in my head
The artist is struggling with inner turmoil and may be experiencing mental or emotional distress as a result of being imprisoned.
But you know you`re better off dead
The artist believes that the punishment they are facing is so severe that death would be a preferable outcome.
When the judges bring the hammer down
The artist anticipates a harsh punishment from the legal system and feels that justice will be served with excessive force.
A little Mercy on the boy
The singer is pleading for some leniency and understanding from those who hold power over them.
You know it ain`t easy
The artist acknowledges that the situation they are in is difficult and that they are struggling to cope.
If I ever get out of here
The singer repeats their initial hope of being released from prison, emphasizing the desperation of their situation.
Gonna be a price to pay for this crime
The singer acknowledges that they have committed a crime and may face consequences even if they are eventually released from prison.
Well there ain`t no place to hide
The singer is resigned to the fact that they have been caught and cannot escape punishment for their actions.
And there ain`t no god on your side `til the kingdom comes
The artist feels abandoned and unsupported, and may be questioning their faith in a higher power or justice system.
Gonna bend these cold steel bars
The artist is determined to break free from their imprisonment by any means necessary.
Gonna scream it till somebody hears
The singer feels unheard and ignored, and may hope that making enough noise will bring attention to their plight.
Ain`t a cage that can keep me inside
The singer is confident in their ability to escape confinement and break free from the limitations imposed on them.
Breaking these rocks in my head
The artist repeats their struggle with inner turmoil and emotional distress, emphasizing the toll that imprisonment has taken on them.
But you know you`re better off dead
The artist repeats their belief that death may be preferable to the punishment they are facing.
When the judges bring the hammer down
The artist repeats their fear and anticipation of a harsh punishment from the legal system.
Just a little Mercy on the boy
The singer repeats their plea for leniency and understanding, hoping that someone will take pity on them and show them kindness.
You know it ain`t easy
The artist repeats their acknowledgement that their situation is difficult and that they need help and support to get through it.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: IVOR ARTHUR DAVIES, ROBERT GRANT KRETSCHMER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind