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)
My Obsession
Icehouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So safe and strong
I could always make it right
When everything was going wrong
I don't know why it seems
So different now
I'm on my own
And I don't know what it is
I can't believe that everyone I know
Would lie to me
When they all tell me that I'm not the man
I used to be
Don't want to hear about the things
That I already know
You've got to say it isn't so
Oh no, it's the
[Chorus]
The ghost of you that gets me every time
Just won't let go until it brings me down
I try to hide it but there's only one
My obsession is you
Yeah, my friends all turn away
They tell me not to waste my time
They say they just don't understand
How anyone could be so blind
And there's one thing you can't change
Forget about her now you know she's gone
Hey boy, that girl is just no good
She's only gonna do you harm
So I watch the hours turn
Until I lose the last lony Roy of light
And I know I can't pretend
Those shadows won't come out tonight
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Icehouse's "My Obsession" reflect a man who used to be the one who could make everything right when everything was going wrong for his loved one. However, something has changed, and now he finds himself alone, scared, and haunted by the ghost of the person he used to be. He cannot believe that everyone he knows would lie to him about his changed nature, and he so desperately wants to hear that he is still the same person he once was. But he cannot avoid the fact that his obsession with this lost version of himself is slowly destroying him, and he cannot escape the haunting feeling that he has lost something essential in himself.
The song is a poignant reflection on the feeling of being lost and the desperation to cling onto a past that has long gone. The lyrics convey a sense of loneliness, fear, and longing that is universal and relatable to anyone who has ever felt lost in the world. The chorus is especially powerful in its repetition of the haunting line, "my obsession is you," which captures the heart of the song's theme and the singer's emotional state.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to be the one who made you feel
So safe and strong
I was your strength and comfort in times of distress.
I could always make it right
When everything was going wrong
I had the ability to fix any situation that wasn't going well.
I don't know why it seems
So different now
I'm on my own
I'm alone and trying to understand why things have changed.
And I don't know what it is
That scares me when I'm all alone
I am unsure of what causes me to be fearful when I am alone.
I can't believe that everyone I know
Would lie to me
I am struggling to trust the people around me.
When they all tell me that I'm not the man
I used to be
My friends have noticed a change in my behavior and character.
Don't want to hear about the things
That I already know
I don't want to be reminded of things I am already aware of.
You've got to say it isn't so
Oh no, it's the
I need reassurance that what I know is not the truth.
The ghost of you that gets me every time
Just won't let go until it brings me down
I am haunted by the memory of you which drags me down and hinders my progress.
I try to hide it but there's only one
My obsession is you
I attempt to conceal my feelings, but I am obsessed with you regardless.
Yeah, my friends all turn away
They tell me not to waste my time
My friends avoid me and advise me to not dwell on the past.
They say they just don't understand
How anyone could be so blind
They are confused by my obsession and don't comprehend why I can't move on.
And there's one thing you can't change
Forget about her now you know she's gone
Regardless of what happens, I need to come to terms with the fact that you are no longer in my life.
Hey boy, that girl is just no good
She's only gonna do you harm
My friends warn me that you're bad news and will only hurt me more.
So I watch the hours turn
Until I lose the last lony Roy of light
I pass the time in solitude, waiting for the darkness to envelop me.
And I know I can't pretend
Those shadows won't come out tonight
I acknowledge that I cannot deny my inner demons that haunt me at night.
[Chorus]
Repetition of the chorus for emphasis and meaning.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ivor Arthur Davies, Robert Grant Kretschmer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@harmonydegauthier3626
I was born at the end of 1981. I grew up with Icehouse, a little autistic girl who knew all their songs. The soundtrack of my life ♥️
@belle16117
My son has autism. He is obsessed with New Wave music.
@Daniel-ho7li
i grew up my entire life with icehouse
@michelledoyle1969
That's awesome ☺️
@scwaty180
So glad music played a big part of your life growing up, as it did for me and continues to be my single obsession. Music is Life. God Bless
@astroboy3002
Lucky gal!
@tefifonfon2827
I am from Argentina, my adolescence in the 80s was crowned by this music. I can't believe that what is said to be successful today is real shit. There are no lyrics, no melodies, everything is image, no talent, just pose before the camera. I collect in my notebook all that wonderful music, it is an invaluable treasure, at least for me. The 80s will continue to live in our hearts, I'm sure of that. Thank you for sharing Icehouse. Greetings from the end of the world.
@noelmurphy406
Have to agree with you, this music is timeless and for those who experienced the 80s, a real treasure. Greetings from another side of the world 🇮🇪👋
@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music
I've compiled a playlist of such, you should check it out: it's a good time. ☺
@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music
@Scotty* Bucks I came across "That's When I Think of You" by 1927 and am fond of it; do they have other good songs?