Australian new wave band Icehouse was formed in 1977, initially called 'Flo… Read Full Bio ↴Australian new wave band Icehouse was formed in 1977, initially called 'Flowers', by Iva Davies (born Ivor Arthur Davies, on 22 May 1955, in Wauchope, New South Wales, Australia). Inspired by art rock and avant-garde pop, Davies was the main creative force behind the band, being a classically trained musician. Band member Keith Welsh joined him on bass. For a number of years they also obtained the services of Bob Kretschmer, until he was replaced by young guitarist Paul Gildea.

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)

Over the Line
Icehouse Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

By Icehouse
Over The Line
-------------
Iva Davies
-------------
You wander alone
On your way down the same old road
Stand at the corner

Watch as the world goes by
Living on the outside you don't understand them
There's something that tells you
It isn't meant to be this way
Out in the wasteland
You have to face another day
Are you living in heaven or hell
Going over the line
On the limit and standing alone
Going over the line
Are you living in heaven or hell
Going over the line
Are you living in heaven or hell
Going over the line
On the limit and standing alone
Going over the line
You gaze out the window
Faces that pass by
Like yesterday's papers
The words have no meaning but
Is it any wonder that you look and don't see them
There's something that tells you
It isn't meant to be this way
Out in the wasteland
You have to face another day
Are you living in heaven or hell
Going over the line
On the limit and standing alone
Going over the line
Are you living in heaven or hell
Going over the line
On the limit and standing alone
Over the line

Are you living in heaven or hell
Going over the line

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Icehouse's song "Over the Line" portrays the struggles of an individual who feels out of place and disconnected from society. The song starts with the individual wandering alone down the same old road and standing at the corner watching as the world passes by, symbolizing that the person is merely an observer of society and not an active participant. The individual feels like an outsider, unable to comprehend the world and the people that inhabit it. The lyrics suggest that the person is living in a state of limbo, unsure if they are living in heaven or hell, and continuously crossing over the line on the limit and standing alone.

The song highlights the struggle and loneliness felt by people who are not entirely integrated into society. Still, it also carries a message of hope that things can change. The lyrics suggest that the individual feels like something isn't right, and they don't belong in this way of living. The song encourages the individual to take a stand and face another day, ultimately leading towards change.

Line by Line Meaning

You wander alone
You are walking by yourself

On your way down the same old road
You are taking the usual path

Stand at the corner
You are stopping at an intersection

Watch as the world goes by
You are observing people walking by

Living on the outside you don't understand them
Since you are separate from them you can't relate

There's something that tells you
You have an inner feeling

It isn't meant to be this way
This isn't how it's supposed to be

Out in the wasteland
You're in a desolate area

You have to face another day
Another day has started and you have to deal with it

Are you living in heaven or hell
Are you happy or miserable

Going over the line
Crossing a boundary or limit